Page 59 of The Last Love Song
‘How are you?’
She opened her eyes and saw Tony staring down at her.
‘Better, I think. Although I’ve got a terrible headache.’
‘Can I get you a Disprin?’
‘No, it’s probably best I rest my tummy for a while.’
‘Okay.’ Tony removed a lock of hair from her face and smoothed it back. ‘I’ve been worried about you.’
Helen’s bottom lip trembled. ‘I’m sorry. I can’t get anything right, can I? I can’t even drink without being ill and ruining a nice evening.’
‘Come on now, Helen. No more of that self-deprecation nonsense.’ He playfully pressed her nose like a button. ‘You’re just not used to it, that’s all. Besides’ – he leant down so his face was no more than an inch or so from hers – ‘I happen to think you’re lovely.’
He kissed her gently on the lips.
‘Sorry. I...I just wanted to...uh...’ He seemed shy all of a sudden, and Helen felt her heart expand.
‘Do you know, that made me feel a little better.’ She gave a half-smile.
‘Did it?’
Helen nodded.
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes.’
This time Helen lifted her lips to Tony’s, encircled his neck with her arms and pulled him down towards her.
Later, as she lay entwined in his arms, watching his hand stroke her naked belly, Helen thought she might have died and gone to heaven. Anything she’d fantasised about during her own furtive attempts at satisfaction had paled into insignificance against the real thing. She had been able to respond naturally to Tony’s gentle coaxing and relax enough to enjoy the experience. The fact that her body could provide her with such pleasure was a revelation.
‘You’re full of surprises, aren’t you?’ he said with a smile, as his hand moved from her belly to her thigh.
‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, you’re so uncertain of yourself, but just now, my God, Helen, you were wonderful. I can hardly believe it was your first time.’
‘It was, really.’
‘Then I’m proud it was with me.’ He propped himself up on an elbow and stared down at her. ‘Helen, you don’t regret what just happened, do you?’
‘No, not at all.’
‘Good. I’d hate it if you thought I’d taken advantage of you.’
‘You didn’t, or at least, no more than I did of you.’
They both fell silent and lay looking at the rays of sunshine filtering in through the orange curtains.
‘Helen?’
‘Yes?’
‘You know my situation. My lady is away for a while and...look, I’d hate to deceive you into thinking this is somethingit’s not. I’ll understand if you don’t want to see me again, but...’
‘But what?’
