Page 97 of Kissing Games
She forced her eyes open as the climax crashed through her, a double whammy of blinding sensation and overwhelming emotion. He roared above her with his own release, his cock jerking, his body shuddering. He finally broke her gaze and collapsed on top of her, gasping for breath, his head buried in the pillow. Her breath was ragged as tears rolled down her cheeks. She felt his heaviness, his tiredness and pulled out from under him, stroking down his back as he mumbled incoherently. She soothed him, breathing in and out through her mouth, not wanting him to hear her tears. He was asleep within a minute, but she kept her hand on his back, wanting to remember the feel of him forever.
Eventually she tiptoed into the bathroom to blow her nose and looked at herself in the mirror. Her eyes were red, her cheeks flushed, her lips puffy. There was a love bite on her neck. She touched it. Did he think she would forget him tomorrow? That he needed to leave a reminder? She could never forget him. She crept out of the bathroom, redressed, pulled the covers over him and turned off the light.
‘Goodbye, Charlie Hamilton,’ she whispered as she left the room.
33
Charlie woke the next morning and knew before opening his eyes that Valentina was gone.
Her scent and the memories from the night clung to him. Wanting to believe she was still lying next to him, he rolled towards the empty side of the bed. On the pillow next to his were her knickers. He pulled them towards him with a smile. It hadn’t all been a dream.
He had the familiar urge to box all thoughts of her and stash them at the back of his mind. But he’d changed. That was a coping strategy for the past, not for now. Thanks to her he’d unpacked his most painful memories and faced his demons. His time with Valentina was something to be cherished. Something to be kept at the forefront of his mind as a reminder of what kind of person he could be.
He looked at the time. He’d promised Rory he would help clear the hall after the party last night. He dressed and left. Passing Valentina’s room, he noticed the door was open. He poked his head in, hoping she was still there.
It was empty. The bed was stripped and the rug he’d given her was gone.
Was there any trace of her left? His attention was drawn to a change in texture and colour of the carpet by the side of the bed. By one of the legs was a tiny pile of fresh wood dust. He moved the bedside table to get a better look. On the side of the leg, hidden unless you were looking for it, the ancient wood was freshly scored. The shape of a heart had been cut. Inside it were the initials CH and VV.
Valentina had done some graffiti.
He metRory in the great hall a few minutes later, a smile still on his face. His friend was out of his kilt and back in faded work trousers and a battered tartan shirt. He looked like a lumberjack, not an earl.
Rory hefted a pile of ten chairs into his arms and walked them across the hall. ‘Nice of you to join me. Why do you look so happy? I thought you’d be miserable as sin this morning.’
Charlie shrugged and began stacking chairs. ‘There’s nothing more I can do. I’ve told her how I feel. I can’t force her to love me back—’
‘Hold up,’ Rory interrupted, dropping his pile of chairs with a crash. ‘Youloveher?’
Charlie faced him. ‘Yeah, I do. You don’t have the monopoly on that emotion, you know.’
‘So why the fuck aren’t you following her? She’s awesome.’
‘Why didn’t you follow Zoe to London after she left your sorry arse?’
‘Fair point but different. I was a total dick to Zoe. If I’d pushed any more she would never have come back. But you and Valentina? Much as it pains me to say it, you haven’t done anything wrong. Once she’s got her head straight, she needs to know you’re still there.’
‘But she lives on the other side of the world and never gave me her number.’
Rory gave him a look. ‘Fuck me. When did you become such a wuss? Seriously, mate, grow a pair and throw in a new spine while you’re at it.’
‘Thanks for the advice. Have you ever considered volunteering for the Samaritans?’
‘You know, I’ve got her number if you want it.’
Charlie shook his head. ‘I need to give her space. That would be a temptation too far.’
Rory shrugged and they continued moving chairs out of the hall, then turned their attention to dismantling the temporary bar.
‘So, what’s next?’ Rory asked. ‘Back to wiping rich people’s arses?’
‘Fuck off,’ he replied good-naturedly. ‘I’m going straight from here to my folks for their wedding anniversary shindig. After that…’ He puffed out his cheeks. ‘Who the fuck knows? I’ll figure it out. I’ve rung Mack. I’m sure he can find me something.’ He paused. ‘By the way. Do you know what happened to Vlad? Did he ever turn up?’
Rory had a strange look on his face. ‘He was taken care of.’
Charlie looked around. They were alone. ‘When did that happen? And how come I missed all the fun?’
Rory looked sheepish. ‘It wasn’t me.’
