Silver Lining

by E. J. Shortall

  Smiling in triumph, he kisses his way back up my body. When he thrusts his tongue in my mouth for a passionate kiss, I taste myself on him. I’d never experienced anything like this with my one previous sexual partner, David, and the whole experience has sent my hormones into a raging stampede.

  Craig turns the now cool water off and leans out of the shower for two towels. He wraps one around me and uses the other to wrap up my dripping hair. He then reaches for another towel and quickly dries himself.

  When he looks up, he has that fire is in his eyes again, leaving my mouth dry. “Are you on the pill, Amber?” he asks, and I nod. “And you take it religiously, every day?” Again, I nod. What sort of question is that from a guy? “I need to be inside you, Amber, but I don’t have any more condoms on me, unless you have any?” I shake my head. What is wrong with me? I can’t even manage the simplest of words. “I need you, baby. I need to feel you. I’m clean, I swear, but if you’re uncomfortable, we’ll wait.” He’s looking at me so earnestly, removing the towel from my head and running his fingers through my hair, waiting for my decision. I totally trust him and want this too, so to answer him, I reach down and grip his erection. With the slightest of pressure, I begin pumping my wrist up and down his length at a slow, steady pace. His breath hitches, and his eyes close.

  “Are you sure?” he groans.

  “I need you too, Craig. I want this,” I whisper in response and increase the pressure on his shaft.

  After a few moments, his hand flies down to mine and yanks it off him. He quickly turns me around and pushes on my shoulders until I’m bent over the vanity unit. I’m standing there bent over and panting when he nudges my legs open wider and slams inside me in one deep, powerful thrust. “Fuck, fuck, fuck,” he growls as he drives into me at a frenzied pace.

  I’m holding on tight and pushing back to meet his thrusts as I feel a stirring in my belly. My back arches and my inner walls clench down on him. “Open your eyes. I want to see you when you come,” he hisses through clenched teeth. My eyes fly open and immediately meet his in the reflection of the mirror. I briefly move my gaze to look at myself, and I’m shocked at the wanton creature staring back me, mouth agape, eyes hooded and cheeks flushed. I should be embarrassed, but I’m not. In fact, I find the image extremely erotic.

  Moving my gaze back up to look at Craig, I do something I would have never done with David. I tell him what I want, that I want to see. I want to watch him fucking me, to see our two bodies joined together in this most intimate of ways. His growl deepens and he shifts us into a position that allows us, through the mirror, to watch our conjoined bodies move together. In this position, he can’t thrust as deep, so he snakes his arm around my waist and starts rubbing my clit. With all my senses overloaded, I’m soon reaching my peak. When I fall over the edge, I throw my head back against his shoulder and cry out his name, as he bends his knees slightly and drives up hard into me a few more times before groaning out loud and stilling. His cock throbs, and I feel the immediate heat of his seed spilling inside me as he bends forward and pants against my back.

  “Jesus Christ, woman… I never had you pegged for a kinky little sex kitten. That was… There are no words to describe that.” Lifting his head off my back enough to look at me through the mirror, he gives me a wolfish smile and a wink then drops his head back down and continues panting.

  Feeling uncomfortable with the position I’m contorted into, I begin to wriggle, and Craig winces. “Unless you want round two, Pingu, would you mind staying still for a minute?” Giggling, I grind my bottom back into him and laugh out loud when he growls something indiscernible under his breath. He pulls out, but before I can stand up he slaps his palm against my right butt cheek, and I let out a startled cry, swinging around to face him. With a mischievous look on his face, he cocks his head to the side. “That was for the grinding. Next time, I’ll see my threat through and fuck you into next week.” At my shocked expression, he reaches around me and slaps my left cheek and starts laughing.

  After cleaning up, we dry off quickly and rush back into my bedroom to get dressed and ready to head out for Craig’s football match. Nothing more is said about David’s visit, although I’m sure Craig will eventually want to know more. I want to know more. I need to figure out what I’m feeling and quickly, because if I spend much more time with Craig, I’m in danger of losing myself to him. After this morning’s events, I’m not sure that’s a good idea.

  ***

  If someone had told me when I walked out of my old home that just a week later I’d have my best friend as my roommate, a new man in my life, and be heading to a football match for the second time, I would have told them to go and seek help. But as I sit back in Craig’s comfy leather seats and watch the world go by, I reflect on all that’s happened this past week. It’s all so overwhelming. I’d sworn off guys forever, and even now, I can’t help but feel apprehensive about getting involved. Yet here I am, going out with a well-known ‘player’ and feeling contentment that I’ve never known, yet I’m terrified because of the scars David has left behind.

  Craig has been quiet and contemplative since we left the flat, so I continue people watching and listening to the music pouring out from the many speakers this beast of a car seems to have. He presses a couple of buttons on his steering wheel and a new song fills the air. I sit and listen, as a strange sensation tugs at my chest, and I struggle to swallow the lump that lodges in my throat. “You Before Me” by Hoobastank is playing, the words speaking of telling him my secrets, that they don’t matter to him. He will protect me, will do anything for me. He will be there for me. A couple of tears leak from my eyes and trickle down my cheek. I think back to this morning and how I assumed he would think I was too damaged, too much of an emotional wreck and would bail on me, but through this song, he’s saying the complete opposite. At least I think he is.

  As Craig turns the car right onto a picture perfect, tree-lined street, I find myself considering if his feelings for me really are that strong, because after just a week, I have to admit there is definitely something there between us. I think I could even be falling for him. Can I really put my heart out there and risk it being shattered again? I’m just not sure.

  We pull into the driveway of a stunning double fronted, two story mock Tudor style house, and Craig shuts off the engine. This is not what I expected of him. I imagined him as more of a modern apartment type guy. This place really is beautiful though.

  As I climb out of the car, the first thing that strikes me is the immaculate lawn and shrub borders of the front garden. I laugh to myself, trying to imagine Craig getting his hands dirty to keep this so well maintained. Hearing my giggles, he comes over to me and wraps his arms around me. “Not what you expected, huh?” Shaking my head, I bury my face in his neck and reach my arms around his back to return the embrace. “Come on. Let me show you inside quickly while I grab my stuff. We have to get going soon, though, so we’re not late. I’ll give you a proper tour later.”

  He leads us to the front door and lets us in. The inside is as beautiful as the outside, with cherry wood floors and doors and light creamy coloured walls. There’s a staircase to the left with a cherry wood railing and varnished steps. Craig leads me straight along the hallway, past the staircase and into a large modern kitchen. He reaches forward and takes my bag from me, dropping it on the island in the centre of the room. “Can I get you a drink?” he asks as he ambles over to the large stainless steel American style fridge/freezer.

  “No, I’m okay. Thanks. This place is beautiful, Craig.” I continue looking around in awe at all the modern appliances and gadgets he has dotted around. Again I smile, wondering if he even knows how to use half of them.

  “It’s not bad. It’s comfortable, in a nice location and I have great neighbours, so I can’t complain.” He grabs a bottle of water and a sports drink from the fridge. “I’m just going to run upstairs to quickly get changed and grab my kit bag. Make yourself at home.” He places a quic
k kiss on top of my head, and then jogs out of the room and up the stairs.

  Walking over to the single door along the back wall, I look out at yet another immaculate lawn and flower borders. There’s a large natural coloured sandstone patio area that houses an oversized rattan and glass rectangular outdoor dining table set with a set of matching loungers. As a self-confessed sun worshipper, I can imagine myself lying out there in the summer, sipping a cold drink. I’m so caught up in my daydream that I don’t hear Craig come back in and I jump when he comes up behind me and wraps his arms round my waist. “What were you thinking about? You had a big smile on your face.”

  I turn in his arms and smile up at him. “How beautiful your garden is. I bet it’s lovely to chill out there when the weather’s nice.”

  Placing a kiss on my forehead, he simply replies with “yep,” then moves away and grabs a large bag from the doorway. “C’mon, Pingu. We’ve got to get going or I’ll be in the shit with my coach again for being late.” I follow him down the hallway and back out to his car.

  Here I am again, standing on the side-lines of a football pitch, wondering what the hell I’m doing here. It’s about half way through the first half and it’s currently nil – nil. Apparently it’s a good game with both teams ‘going for it’. I wouldn’t have a clue. It just looks like a group of guys wearing different colours, running from one end of the pitch to the other, to me.

  Becki’s beside me, shouting encouragement to our guys and obscenities to the opponents, making me giggle. “Shit,” she blurts out as a red shirted guy stands a few feet away from us on the line holding the ball in the air for a throw in – I know that much.

  Twisting my head to look at her, I see the unease on her face “What? What’s up, Bec?” I ask as I turn my attention from Becki and follow her gaze.

  “Oh shit,” I whisper as I see what, or rather who, has her cursing. Ben, the guy she was chatting up at the bowling alley last night, is standing there, the one ready to take the throw in. Having heard her loud curse, he turns to look over at us. When he spots Becki, he gives her a sexy smile and winks before throwing the ball towards one of his team mates and running back on the pitch. As he jogs past us, he shouts out, “Ladies,” and gives a faux bow before turning and running back into the action.

  As the game progresses, Ben jogs past us several times, each time shouting something over to us, either making Becki laugh out loud or blush.

  When the whistle blows, indicating half time, Scott jogs over to us looking pretty pissed off. “Was that dick harassing you?”

  “No, just some harmless fun.” Becki shrugs off Scott’s concern. “Shouldn’t you be over there with your team?” She points in the general direction of the rest of his team.

  “Yeah, I’m going. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay. If he’s upsetting you or being inappropriate, I’ll take him out.” The danger in Scott’s voice does not go unnoticed, and neither does the longing look he shoots in Becki’s direction before jogging back to his team.

  Deciding now is as good a time as any to tackle the Scott situation, I broach the subject. “Bec, what happened between you guys last night? I have to admit, I was a bit shocked to see him in the kitchen this morning.”

  With a heavy sigh, she diverts her gaze back to the pitch as she wraps her arms around herself. “I had one too many drinks and got totally wrecked. When Scott brought me home, I pretty much dragged him into my room, and well… you can probably guess the rest.”

  “Yeah, I think we figured that bit out. It’s the weird reaction this morning I’m talking about though. Why drag him off as though you were ashamed of him or something?” Looking closely at my best friend, I see sadness and vulnerability in her eyes that has never been there before.

  “Because I… I love him, Ambs. I’ve loved him for years, but he doesn’t feel the same. When we get together like that, it’s like heaven at the time. But then the morning after, it hits me that, yet again, it was nothing more than a convenient fuck, and I hate myself for it.”

  “Have you ever told him how you feel? Perhaps he feels the same.”

  “Yeah right. Scott is not the settling down with one person kind,” she laughs bitterly.

  “Are you really that blind, Bec? Do you not see how he looks at you, how he acts around you, how he protects you? That guy is as much in love with you as you are him.” I pause, looking over to where the team is focused on the coach, well, all of them except Craig and Scott who are looking our way. “Everyone else can see it, so why can’t you? Look, he’s over there now watching you, worrying about you, when I’m pretty sure he should be concentrating on his coach. You’ve got to tell him, Bec.”

  We stand in silence for a few minutes as she continues to stare into the distance, so I give her shoulder a reassuring squeeze and look back over to the guys. Scott is now leaning towards Craig and saying something to him, and then their gazes shoot toward the opposite touchline. Craig’s face pales and his whole body stiffens. I follow their gazes and do a double take when my eyes fix on a stunning dark skinned girl standing there. It’s the same girl from the bar last night, the one that was glaring daggers at me, and still is it would appear. She must be here with Ben again. Perhaps she’s his girlfriend. That would explain the death glare if she thinks her guy is hitting on us.

  “Bec, do you know who that girl is over there? The one wearing the red jacket on the other side of the pitch?” I keep my eyes focused on the girl, and then hear Becki mutter a string of curses under her breath. Whipping my head round to face her, I give her my most menacing ‘tell me or else’ glare. She shakes her head, saying she doesn’t know. She’s lying. She has this bad habit of playing with her hair when she’s nervous, and she is clearly nervous right now. Her hair is one big knot tied around her index finger.

  “Becki, for fuck sake, who is she? Tell me.” I yell in frustration.

  “I… I’m not one hundred percent sure… sorry.”

  “You are such a terrible liar. Don’t give me that bullshit. I heard your reaction when you saw her. I want to know who she is and why she’s trying to bury me six feet under with her eyes alone.”

  “I’m sorry, Ambs,” she says softly. “I really am not totally sure, but I have a strong suspicion I know who she may be. Ask Craig. If she’s who I think she is, then Craig knows her… I’m going for a coffee. Do you want one?” She walks away quickly before I get a chance to question her any further.

  I spend the next forty-five minutes pressing Becki for information and watching Craig play. He seems a little preoccupied now and scuffs a couple of shots, earning curses from his teammates. I notice he keeps looking opposite when the play slows down, and this just adds to my irritation and sends my insecurities sky rocketing. Who is she to him? Is she actually Craig’s girlfriend and not Ben’s? Oh shit. Have I unknowingly slept with and started falling for someone else’s guy?

  “Oh God, what have I done?” I cry out, then turn on my heels and begin running across the field. I don’t know where I’m going or how I’m going to get there, but I can’t stay here. I need to get away.

  I hear my name being shouted from behind, but I keep running, desperate to get away. How much? How much more am I supposed to take of this bullshit?

  “Amber stop! Will you just fucking stop? What’s the matter? Are you feeling okay?” A booming male voice roars from just behind me. I stop dead in my tracks and fly around to come face to face with a panting Craig.

  “Shouldn’t you be on the pitch?” I bellow at him. “We wouldn’t want the star player getting in trouble.” I put as much emphasis on the word player as I can, and from his widened eyes, I’m guessing he understands my meaning. “You better get back out there, superstar. Go be the hero.”

  “Why are you running again?” He takes a step forward and lifts his hands as though he’s going to touch me, but I take a step back. “Amber, what the fuck happened? Why did you run off? Tell me.”

  “You, Craig… You happened!” I yell and t
urn to walk off again, but he grabs my elbow and pulls so I face him.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” he growls.

  “It means I wish I had never set eyes on you,” I spit back. “My heart can’t take much more, but you just keep on giving, don’t you, Craig.”

  “What the fuck are you talking about?”

  “I trusted you. I stupidly thought you might actually feel something for me. I guess I was wrong.” I try and yank my arm from his grip, but he just holds on tighter.

  “Amber, I’m seriously losing my patience here. What the fuck happened to send you scurrying away like that? Did that prick, Ben, upset you?”

  I let out a loud laugh. “No, Ben didn’t do anything. He is actually the genuine one out there. There’s only one person that’s upset me.”

  He lets go of my arm and runs his hands through his hair, trying to contain his temper. “For Christ’s sake, will you just tell me what the fuck happened and stop with the bloody riddles?”

  “I know, Craig. Okay? I know,” I yell at him. “I know you’re a lying, cheating scumbag, and I’m not hanging around to be walked all over again. Been there, done that. I’m not doing it again.” I turn around and start walking away. This time he lets me go.

  “Who told you I’m cheating, Amber?” He shouts to me from behind.

  “No one had to tell me, Craig. I saw her with my own eyes!” I shout over my shoulder. He grabs my arm again, stopping me from going any further.

  “Saw who?”

  “I saw her, Craig, the girl on the other side of the pitch. The one that affected you so much you couldn’t concentrate on your game, the one that was glaring daggers at me the whole match. I’m not stupid, Craig. I know when I’m being played.” A single sob shudders through my chest as tears puddle in my eyes.