Page 9 of Where the Dark Knelt
I wondered if he was being arrogant and expected me toagree immediately, but I looked at him as if I didn’t have a care in the world, and kept my voice as even as possible. “I need to head out now, Alfie. I have plans for tonight, but I’ll consider your interesting offer and get back to you.”
Hesat back down on the grass, and laid back casually, one leg bent at the knee.
He faced me, perched up on one elbow. “Take your time. I know I can be full on, but I believe in shooting from the hip. I’m straight and uncomplicated.”
I walked away trying not to look back, even though I wanted to more than anything. I was excited by his attention, but I didn’t really believe that I could consider the prospect of doing something that reckless. I heard him chuckle to himself, so I turned my head and called over my shoulder, “I’m not fazed by your offer, Alfie.”
My sexual needs were raw and I wanted to explore them. I held up my open hand and gave a small wave to him behind me. Even though he didn’t say it very loudly, Alfie commented in a normal speaking voice. “I hope you get the guts to call me, Lily. We’d be great together.”
It was a daunting thought.Was I mature enough to do something like that?I was already intrigued by Alfie, even at the risk of being burned by him.
The thought frightened the crap out of me and I knew I needed to talk toSaffyand Holly about his proposition. I wondered if they would think it was funny.
Ididn’t feel it was something that I wanted to keep secret from them. But I knew that if it was something that I was contemplating, I didn’t want them to know exactly who the guy was.
What Alfie wanted from me wason equal terms—a no strings, no emotions, physical connection for sexual gratification. It seemed sordid and belied my beliefs, but in terms of where my life was at, I felt it might just keep things straightfor me.
I thought I couldexplore my sexuality without any emotional involvement, and I felt it would mean I’d be free to concentrate on music and decide when to spend time with him, if it suited us both.
I headed up to the apartment, still contemplating my strange induction to campus and Alfie’s proposition. I struggled to contain the feelings of excitement andshamethat I was considering doing what he suggested. Alfie aroused me in ways I’d never experienced before with just a kiss.
When I got home I was ravenous, and realized I’d missed lunch, spending my time with Alfie instead. I’d forgotten to eat, hell, I’d forgotten to breathe at some points. What he was able to do to me with one kiss was mind-blowing. I found myself weighing out the advantages and disadvantages of his offer.
I was in a new place where no one knew me, sothere was no reputation to tarnish. It would be ridiculous not to find out what else he had to offer, though it was equally ridiculous that I was talking myself into his insane proposition. But the more I thought about it, the more enticing it became.
Saffywas sitting on the balcony when I entered the apartment. She was nursing a strong black coffee in her hands, her legs drawn up at the knees. “Hey,Saffy!”I went over and hugged her.
She put her hand up, stopping me and whispered, “Shush, I’m delicate this afternoon. I’m never doing shots again!” She groaned.
Her voice was croaky. She told me that she and Holly had gone to a bar and gotten into a ‘shots’ competition with a couple of tourists there.
Saffyhad slept off the liquor but had only woken up about fifteen minutes earlier with a blinding headache. She commented that Holly had been sick and had passed out on herbed. I shook my head and smiled, thinking they were taking their vows to party during their newfound freedom seriously.
Hugging her again I walked over to the fridge, reached in and began rummaging around for something to eat. “Have you eaten yet?” I asked, moving the food around.
“Goodness, no thanks! I couldn’t… I’d be sick” she said quietly.
I turned to look at her, trying not to laugh, fighting the smirk that threatened my lips. “It’s a pity you’re hungover, because I wanted your take on something, but if you’re feeling unwell it may cloud your judgment on this one,” I said.
She bunched her brows. “What is it?” she called indignantly to me as I walked into my bedroom to change my top. I laughed as I quickly pulled on a white tank top before walking back through the condo to her, knowing I had piqued her interest.
“Nope, this one needs a clear head, and you are not in that place this afternoon yet.” I made her a ham sandwich and placed it in front of her. She groaned hard when she looked at it, then puffed her cheeks out while a hand slid across her stomach.
It took until dinnertime for bothSaffyand Holly to be back in the land of the living. Holly recovered better thanSaffy.To be fair, she told me that it was due toSaffyhaving drunk way more than her when she showed off, drinking two to her one for the last three shots.
We went to dinner, and I broached the subject of Alfie, to see their reactions and seek their advice. “Okay, girls, I was propositioned today.” I giggled and couldn’t believe I was saying it. “I am… considering it.”
I told them about Alfie, although not by name, and they were both animated, questioning me abouthim. “First off, for safety, is the guy really a student?” Holly asked. I hadn’t thought about that but decided that he couldn’t be anything else after sitting song writing on the grass. He just fitted in perfectly.
Saffywasmorebasic in her line of questioning. “What does he look like? I mean is he all that great looking that he thinks he can proposition someone like you? I mean fuck, Lily, your looks are shit hot, and you can probably have any man you want anyway.”
Itried to find the words to sum him up, but instead decided a gesture was more appropriate. I put my hand up to my face and fanned myself. “He’s so HOT!” I disclosed, giggling, still struggling for words to do him justice. “Think young rock God… talented, slim waist, broad shoulders, muscular, ripped, inked, and packing ‘hidden talents’ if the bulge in his pants is anything to go by.” I blushed at my own crude joke.
“OMG, sex on a stick you mean?”Saffyhelped me.
“That’s it exactly,” I agreed, pointing at her, nodding, then stuffing a large piece of chocolate cake in my mouth. I licked my lips and caught some of the chocolate that had escaped. My eyes widened when she stared at me, and we both burst out laughing.
“Well.”Saffysniffed, examining her nails before giving me the wisdom of her opinion. “Men have fuck buddies all the time, well actually so do women, or they wouldn’t have anyone to fuck!” She giggled.
