The Friends We Keep(29)

“Ready?” she asked as Ben took a step toward her, holding the camera awkwardly at arm’s length. Evvie closed her eyes and tilted her head up, pursing her lips slightly, ready for the kiss. She could sense him moving closer, and she opened her eyes briefly, seeing that his face was then inches from hers, but his eyes were open, and he was gazing at her, which caused another jolt. He was not smiling, as he had been ever since he called her name, a smile that felt almost mocking to Evvie, that was completely in line with who she had always thought he was.

The smile had gone, his eyes were half-closed, and Evvie’s insides were stirring. With shock, she recognized it as a dagger of lust, but before she had time to even think about what that meant, Ben’s lips were upon hers, so soft, so gentle, her insides turned again as she pulled quickly away, her cheeks flushed, her heart beating a million miles per minute.

“Did you get it?” she asked, not meeting his eye, her voice harsher than she meant, to cover up unexpected feelings that made no sense whatsoever.

He stared at her, then looked at the camera, shaking his head before turning back to her. His smile was nowhere to be seen.

“I’m not sure,” he said quietly. “Can we try once more?”

Evvie closed her eyes again, and this time she felt a quivering in her groin as his lips touched hers. Without thinking about it, she parted her lips as he sucked her bottom lip between his and pulled away for a second before kissing her again. She let out an involuntary sigh as their tongues tentatively met, her insides upside down, her hands automatically reaching around his back. Then Ben was pushing her against the wall, grinding himself against her as she gasped, her body responding even though her mind was questioning what the hell was happening.

“Where are you staying tonight?” Ben broke off to whisper, kissing down the side of her neck as she groaned.

“Dinham Arms.”

“Can I come back there with you?” he whispered into her ear, nipping her earlobe as she shivered. Without answering, she took his hand, emotions and lust overriding whatever common sense she may have had when she left the hotel that evening, and they walked up the high street, not looking at each other, on their way to the hotel.





fourteen


- 1989 -



Evvie had never understood the big deal about sex. She had had sex plenty of times, and definitely enjoyed the feeling of power it gave her, but beyond that, she was pretty sure she had never had an orgasm, and although you would never have known it from the way she joined in conversations, she had a secret worry that perhaps there was something wrong with her.

It didn’t help that she was unbearably self-conscious about her body, terrified of being seen naked, convinced that however attracted men might have been when she was fully clothed, they would be disappointed in her naked. She insisted on all the lights being off, always, and used the duvet as a security blanket, hauling it off the bed to wrap herself in on her way to the bathroom. Even skinny, as she was thanks to the Dexatrim, she felt that her body would be somehow disappointing. Until now.

Every time Ben touched her, her insides would roll over, lust coursing through her body. They made it up to her room and onto the giant four-poster bed, where Ben left her top on, pulling off her trousers and her underwear, moving down her body until he was lapping between her legs. Instead of feeling self-conscious, vaguely embarrassed, worried about how she would look, smell, taste, she allowed herself to be swept away on a wave, until she was aware that someone far away was gasping and moaning, the noise building and getting louder, and it wasn’t until afterward that she realized it was her.

She undressed Ben then, unable to stop kissing him, embracing him, wanting to squeeze him tight, taking him in her mouth but stopping to climb on his lap, not embarrassed when he lifted her shirt over her head, taking a nipple in his mouth as she reached down to guide him into her.

He made her orgasm again, this time inside her, allowing himself to come at the same time, and they sat, laughing softly, kissing, Evvie’s arms draped around his neck, both of them covered in sweat as Evvie felt her legs shaking and tears forming that she willed away.

This is what it was all about, she thought. I’m normal! This is why everyone makes such a big deal about sex. Finally, she understood. That wave of pleasure, so strong it was almost inhuman, the sounds that came out of her body without her realizing, the contentment she now felt, the satisfaction, the exhaustion.

“When can we do that again?” she said, grinning as he kissed her.

“I need to sleep for a bit,” he said, twirling her hair around his finger. “God, you’re beautiful. I am the luckiest man in the world right now. How are you feeling about this? Are you okay?”

“Am I okay? I feel amazing!” She didn’t need to tell him it was the first time someone else had made her orgasm.

“You’re amazing.” He smiled. “I think I’ve won the scavenger hunt. And the lottery.”

The smile was instantly wiped from Evvie’s face as she climbed off him. “You’re joking, right?” she said.

“Of course I’m joking.” He came after her, encircling her with his arms. “That was nothing to do with the scavenger hunt. You’re the most beautiful woman here, and completely out of my league. I’ve always fancied you, but not for a moment did I even think you’d look at me.”