His Confession

by S. Valentine

  As Darion cupped her face in his hands, he turned her willpower to dust. She wanted his full lips on hers, wanted to taste his tongue, to see if he was a good kisser. Her heart drummed frantically against her chest. She fancied Darion so much. Although she knew she’d be coy at first, she knew he could be the one to make her feel alive and daring.

  “I’d better go home.” She snapped out of her thoughts, and stood up.

  Darion’s expression looked panicky as he also rose to his feet. “Will I see you again?”

  “I can’t,” she said softly.

  “Gabi.” He pressed his body against hers, backing her up against the cubicle wall. His lips met her neck, where he planted several gentle kisses. Gabi allowed her eyes to close, as his touch ignited a spark in the pit of her stomach, just as she’d hoped it would. “Before you go back to your ordinary life, to your fiancé,” he said in between kisses, “and never walk in this place again,” he continued, his hand stroking her back, caressing her ass, and pulling her closer into his rock hard erection, “fuck me.” His voice was ferocious. His gaze swept greedily over her body, his hunger and lust visible.

  Gabi’s mouth dropped open at his abruptness. Who the fuck do you think you are? was the response that rose to her lips, but she didn’t say the words aloud. She was flabbergasted; she doubted they’d be nothing more than a splutter.

  “I know that if I have you now…” he whispered roughly, his lips mere centimetres away from hers, “I know that you’ll come back.”

  Gabi stepped aside, outraged at his arrogance. “What makes you so sure?” she asked sharply.

  Darion’s mouth curled upwards as he leant in to create a bond of intimacy. Keeping his voice low, he said, “It never fails.”

  With that, he reluctantly disentangled himself from her and exited the room. Gabi confronted the mirror before her. She realised that her hands were shaking ever so slightly. From anger, or excitement? She wasn’t sure. She smoothed her hair down, fiddled with her shirt, and headed for the club. She was relieved to find that Mallory was ready to go. Gabi knew that if she was asleep when Lawrence returned, then she wouldn’t have to make up any lies of where she’d been.

  Before getting into her Mercedes, Gabi thanked Mallory for the ride. Her friend responded that it was no problem, and that she’d had a good time. Gabi had passed her number to Lexi, promising to keep in touch, although the likeliness that she would was slim. On the drive back, she replayed Darion’s soft warm lips on her neck and his hands over her body. Shit! Why had she gotten herself into this mess?

  Chapter Eight

  It was a Saturday afternoon, and Lawrence and Gabi were at some horse-racing show, which Gabi didn’t particularly care about, with his work colleagues. They sat at a table on a balcony viewing the race. Although Lawrence was making a bit of an effort to spend time with her, she was bored to tears. She adjusted the stupid oversized hat on her head, and turned to her fiancé.

  “Oh, it’s just ridiculous, the children of today.” One of the older women was still droning on.

  Gabi yawned. Lawrence agreed with her, ranting about today’s society, but Gabi didn’t bother to listen to the negativity. She scanned through images in her mobile to busy herself.

  “Come on, Trudy,” Lawrence shouted to one of the horses. “Gabi, can I get you a drink? Some more food?” He motioned a waitress over.

  “I’ll have a glass of red wine, please.”

  His brows pinched together in confusion.

  “In fact, make it a large one,” she added.

  “Fine.” Lawrence repeated the order to the waitress. “And a lemonade for me.” He turned to Gabi. “What’s wrong with you?”

  “Nothing, I just fancy a drink. It’s not just you who gets to have all the fun, Lawrence.” She manufactured a grin, and pecked him on the mouth, which he edged away from. Public displays of affection were definitely not his thing. She hated that. She was an affectionate person, and sometimes all she ever wanted was to hold hands, cuddle, and rest her legs over his. Lawrence cared too much about what others thought.

  Gabi was pleased that the afternoon passed quickly. Lawrence hadn’t won a thing, which he never did. In the car on the way home, “Physical” by Nine Inch Nails boomed through the stereo. Gabi remembered hearing it in Darion’s car. She felt butterflies in her stomach.

  “Leave it on,” she quickly said when Lawrence leant over to switch it off.

  He looked at her, said nothing, and focused on the road. Gabi watched her fiancé for a few seconds. Maybe she could really work on the relationship. Maybe she could try to spice and liven things up. The relationship wasn’t a total failure. They had some things in common, shared some views, and when Lawrence wasn’t stressed from work she enjoyed his company. Plus, she still loved him. Didn’t she?

  Taking a small breath, she decided to just go for it. She ran her hand up his leg, stroking it slowly. He let out a laugh. Whether it was due to discomfort, she didn’t know. She continued up his leg, until she met the bulge in his trousers. She massaged it softly.

  “Stop the car,” she said in a low, sultry voice. “I want you now.”

  “What?” he shrieked. “Now? Are you crazy?”

  “Let’s have a little fun.”

  “Gabi, I’m not pulling over and having…” He sighed heavily. “Somebody could see us.”

  “Not if we park somewhere secluded.”

  He slammed on the brakes near a grass verge, pulled the handbrake up in anger, and turned to look at her, switching the engine off. “What is with you lately?”

  She looked dumbfounded.

  “You’re acting differently, you’re dressing provocatively, drinking in the house after work.”

  She looked down at her knee length cream dress. It was hardly provocative. It showed a little cleavage, but what was the crime in that? Plus, she worked so hard, wasn’t she entitled to a drink? And he was a fine one to talk.

  “Lawrence, I’m twenty-seven, not seventy. You should relax more,” she said through gritted teeth.

  “You shut your mouth, Gabi,” he warned menacingly, his fist clenched.

  She didn’t flinch this time. “What are you going to do, Lawrence?” She looked him squarely in the eye. “Hit me again?”

  “What’s your problem, Gabi?”

  “I’m not happy,” she told him honestly, turning to look out of the window. She felt a painful lump form in her throat, and hot tears started to build on her lower lids. “I’m bored. And I feel neglected. You’re never around.” Her voice shook with emotion. Tears that had been threatening her for months forced their way free. Her chest began to shake as uncontrollable sobs took over. She buried her face in her hands, feeling needy and pathetic.

  “I’m sorry, Gabi, I’ll try harder to make you happy.” Lawrence leant over and wrapped his arms around her as he apologised profusely.

  When she had eventually calmed down, he continued driving. They lapsed into silence. It took them all of fifteen minutes until they were home. Once inside the house, Lawrence surprised her by picking her up and carrying her to the sofa, kissing her hungrily. She responded, falling backwards.

  They tore at one another’s clothes until they were both naked. His teeth tugged at her neck, whilst his hands pulled at her hair roughly. She clawed at his back, before parting his lips with her tongue. When he was inside her, she let out a fake cry of ecstasy. No matter how hard she tried to enjoy it, she wasn’t turned on anymore. She felt like crying inside. She hated herself for feeling the way she did. When they had finished, and she had faked an orgasm, they quickly dressed.

  “I do love you, Gabi,” he told her. Hearing him say that made her feel warm inside. But was love enough? “I’m sorry for the way I treat you sometimes.”

  Gabi climbed to her feet and squeezed his hand. “I’m going to have a bath.”

  “Sure.”

  She vanished to the bathroom, where she had a long soak in the tub. Afterwards, when she was dressed in her silk nig
htie, she crawled under the freshly washed bed covers and opened a book to read. She was four chapters in when Lawrence lay down beside her. Grabbing the remote, he switched the television on to watch a crime programme. Deep down, Gabi knew nothing would change. Sure, they could force moments of excitement, but the passion, the connection, was definitely missing. And as for trying harder at making the relationship work, yeah, right, she’d heard that a hundred times before. She focused on her book and shut the world out.

  ***

  Darion

  Darion dropped his keys onto the table and kicked his boots off. Next, he stripped off his clothes, so that he was only in his boxer shorts, and collapsed onto the sofa. It had been a long day at the club, attending to the books and sifting through new membership applications. Although he was exhausted, he didn’t fancy a night of tossing and turning.

  He felt for the TV remote under the cushions, switched the TV on, and lay down. He flipped through the channels. Nothing was on that he fancied. He switched it off.

  Staring up at the ceiling, his foot tapped anxiously on a cushion. He hated silence. He should have stayed at the club. At least there he had the sound of chatter, laughter, and music beyond the door. Not to mention the girls always popping in and out of his office to check on him.

  He ran his hands up and down his face, sighing heavily. Glancing at the wall clock, he noticed that it was still quite early. He was bored, restless.

  He chewed his lip, deep in thought. He needed company. He leant over and rummaged through his jeans pocket for his mobile. Darion knew, if left alone, he’d think of Eva and drive himself crazy, drinking himself into oblivion, or gambling online. He scanned his contact list: Carrie, Diana, Ellie, Evelyn, Gina, and Halle. There were so many available girls. There was only one who matched his drive and completely got him. He touched the call button on the screen and held the phone to his ear. She answered instantly.

  “Hey, baby,” he said softly.

  “Hey, you.”

  “You busy?”

  “Not particularly.”

  “You wanna come around?”

  “I’ll be there in fifteen.”

  Darion let the mobile drop to the floor. When fifteen minutes passed, he dragged himself off the sofa to answer the door. She stood before him in a long, black mac coat. He moved aside so that she could enter. He knew that he shouldn’t disrupt her when she was at work, but he needed her. She shrugged off the mac and placed it neatly on the back of the armchair. She wore high, transparent platforms, her legs were never ending, and her curvy behind, and full, round breasts were covered by black lace material. He shut and locked the door.

  “Gina.” He walked over to her.

  “Darion.” She chuckled dirtily, as if she knew what was coming.

  He began kissing her hard, backing her against the wall. He let out a moan as she unzipped his trousers and released his throbbing cock. She giggled in between kisses and slowly slid to her knees. Her wide blue eyes stared up at him as he filled her mouth. Gina loved foreplay before having sex. Who was he to refuse?

  Falling onto the nearest armchair, he allowed the pleasure to take over him—mind, body, and soul, Eva nothing but a distant memory.

  For one night, anyway.

  Chapter Nine

  Gabi

  The next two weeks passed in a blur. Soon it was another ordinary Monday morning. Gabi was in the office standing by the printer, watching the pages pour out, in a complete daze. Mallory startled Gabi by creeping behind her and digging her fingers into her sides.

  “Got you a doughnut.” She shook a paper bag. “Now, take five minutes out, will you? You’ve been working nonstop.”

  Gabi followed Mallory into the office, shutting the door behind her. Mallory slouched in a chair, smiling. “You’re looking great today, may I say.” She glanced down at Gabi’s red Jimmy Choo stilettos, which matched her shirt.

  “Thanks.”

  “So, what did you do this weekend? Anything exciting?”

  “My life, exciting?” She laughed, diving into the paper bag and taking out the doughnut.

  “Well, guess where me and Steve went?”

  “Where?”

  “A strip club.” Mallory laughed wickedly. “After we’d been to a restaurant, we ended up walking past one. I could tell he wanted to go in. So we did. It was wild, Gab. We had a private dance.”

  “Ooh,” she teased playfully. “Sounds fun.”

  “We had an awesome night after that.” Mallory winked. “Trust me, like so much hotter than usual.”

  “Well, at least someone has a decent sex life.” She giggled. “I tried to seduce Lawrence in the car the other week, and he looked at me like I had three heads.”

  “Oh, Gabi.” Mallory groaned. “You and Lawrence are so mismatched. How long have I been telling you this? You’re flogging a dead horse.” She shook her head, the distaste apparent on her face. “I think you need to call that relationship a day, seriously.”

  Gabi looked up, her forehead creasing with confusion. “I can’t. Even though it’s not exciting, and it’s stressful at times, I care about him. Plus, we’re meant to be married next year.” She bit her nail nervously. “If I left him, I’d feel so lonely.”

  “Lonely, not missing him. There’s your answer. Don’t stay with somebody because you’re afraid of being lonely.” She studied Gabi suspiciously. “Care about him.” She screwed up her face. “Do you still love him?”

  Gabi sighed in frustration. “I honestly don’t know.”

  “Have you heard anything from Darion?”

  His name made her sit up with interest. “No, why?”

  “He was more your type. Definitely exciting. You need a man to bring you out of your shell, really take charge, and I don’t mean in a fatherly way,” Mallory said, making a dig at Lawrence.

  “Don’t go there, Mal. Besides, he has two girlfriends, remember? And probably many more.”

  “No, they’re not his girlfriends.” She grinned mischievously. “I was talking to that redhead girl that night.”

  “Lexi?”

  “Yeah, Lexi.” Mallory propped her feet on Gabi’s desk. “She said she’s slept with him in the past, so has Gina, and half the other dancers, but they’re not his girlfriends. Apparently he’s been married before, and hasn’t trusted women in years since the divorce.”

  “Really?” Gabi’s brows rose.

  “His wife cheated on him.”

  “Oh.”

  “He likes you. I could tell by the way he looked at you. It was different from how he looked at them.”

  “Whatever, Mal.” She laughed incredulously. “He just wants another notch on his bedpost. In so many words, he told me, before I go back to my mundane life, to fuck him, and that if I did, he was certain I’d come back.”

  Mallory grinned with glee. “What a sexy bastard.” She giggled.

  Gabi’s mouth dropped open. “Look, I better get some work done. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

  Mallory stood up. “Remember what I said about Darion. You know what I’m saying is the truth, you like him.” She pulled the door open. “You’re just too afraid to take the risk.”

  When the door shut after Mallory, Gabi sighed heavily and slumped in her chair, in no mood to continue working. She knew that Mallory only had her best interests at heart. She’d try anything, if it meant getting Gabi away from ‘soul-destroying Lawrence,’ as she often called him.

  Massaging the side of her aching neck, her thoughts began to wander. Did she love Lawrence? She was a muddled mess, she knew that much. Sometimes, when someone shows you so much of their bad side, it’s difficult to remember the good parts, why you loved them in the first place. Not being able to recall the last time she had really laughed with Lawrence made sadness rise up inside her. Had he damaged the relationship beyond repair? Had he tarnished the way that she now saw him?

  Gabi pushed herself off the chair and plodded toward the window. Black clouds were gathering ominously overhe
ad, and it was beginning to snow. Great, just what she needed.

  When five o’clock made a painfully slow appearance, Gabi left work. Mallory was staying in town to have a drink with some colleagues and didn’t need a ride home. In the car park, which was situated across the road from Miller & Co. Publishers, Gabi made polite chitchat with work staff, and finally said her goodbyes.

  In the warmth of her car, she turned the radio on and let it play at a low volume. Her phone bleeped. It was probably Mallory apologising. When she stopped at the traffic lights, she checked her mobile. Her call log stated that she had a missed call from a number she didn’t recognise. Her brow furrowed in confusion. She pressed the number and speaker icon, and let the mobile rest in her lap. She sat patiently, listening to the ringing sounds, wondering who it could be. It was probably work-related—a client wanting an update on their manuscript. Eventually, she received an answer.

  “Hello,” she began. “This is Gabriella Woods. I had a missed call from you.”

  Silence.

  “Hello?” She heard a blowing sound, as if someone were smoking. She tensed, instantly knowing who it was, a pleasant warmness spreading through her entire body.

  “Can I see you?”

  “Who’s this?”

  “You know who this is.”

  Gabi was slightly annoyed, but also secretly pleased that he had contacted her. “How did you get my number?”

  “Lexi.”

  “You know I’m not available, Darion.”

  “I’ll delete your number then?”

  Panic struck her. “What do you want from me?”

  “I don’t know.” He hesitated. “I want you, Gabi.”

  She inhaled a deep breath. “You don’t even know me.”

  “I wanna get to know you. I can’t stop thinking about you. It’s driving me fucking insane.” He paused. “Come and meet me.”

  She appreciated his honesty. Never in a million years would she confess she was the same. “I can’t, Darion.”