Splinters

by M R Field

  “Fuck,” I hiss, my lips finding her eager mouth again. “Can you feel what you do to me?”

  She pulls back for a moment and smiles, her hand drifting from my cheek to my black shirt. Her fingers begin unbuttoning, but my eyes don’t move down to watch. Instead, I stare into her molten eyes and grin. “Take whatever you want.” I smile. She kisses me quickly and removes her other hand, making quick work of my shirt.

  “Oh, I plan to.” She grins, and my body automatically shifts, my cock now rubbing against her core. Her eyes flutter closed as she rolls her bottom lip between her teeth. I groan and reach forward, my teeth sinking into her lip slowly and I release it, watching her eyes snap open. Her hands move faster now, and when I think she’s about to just rip the fucker in half, we’re interrupted by a sharp knock on the door.

  “Hey guyssss,” a drunken Trinity slurs. “What are you doing in there?” Bang bang! “I think they’re doing something Josheee.”

  We freeze, staring at each other in disbelief. You have got to be fucking kidding me.

  “We should tell them to use protection.” Josh’s voice is laced with humour, and the sad thing is, he sounds dead sober. “Robbie could have his pants off. C’mon break in, I wanna see the goods.”

  “Eww, dude. Haze might be nudie! She has an awesome rack though!”

  Hazel snorts, covering her mouth with her hand. I rub my needy hands up her thighs, letting them linger under the ruffled tulle. My eyes drop to her chest, my fingertips tracing tiny circles at her sides as I groan at the softness of her skin.

  “That she does,” I murmur.

  I can’t decide what I want to touch with my lips first. Between her thighs? Or her breasts? She gasps as my fingers continue to tantalise her.

  “They’re not screwing as we can’t hear shit. You can’t tell me he wouldn’t have her bent over by now and screaming like a banshee.” Bang bang! “Open up! Trinz, I wanna be a baker so I can squeeze his buns!”

  My fingers freeze as I shake my head in embarrassment. Ever since Trice introduced me to her dancing friend Josh, four years ago, I have been the object of his flirting desire. I’m not a homophobe, far from it, but I have never cooed at a woman the way he coos at me. It was pretty funny to begin with, but man could he deliver a line or two to make even me blush.

  “Nah, nah. I wanna see Hazel. I wanna say Happy New Yiiihar.” Trin’s voice peaks, followed by a thump against the door. “Ouch,” she mumbles. “I thought I opened the door …”

  “I can’t believe this,” Hazel mutters. “How stupid are our friends?”

  The banging continues as I run my hands up her legs again. She sits back against my thighs, a pout forming on her swollen lips. Wow, I really did maul her. Her fingers graze my chest, and I lean back in the chair to gaze up at her stunning face. Right then, a moment from my last trip home comes to mind, and I smile.

  “Roberto,” Nonna chides. “You not try hard enough. You need nice girl to bring home.”

  “Yeah, yeah, Nonna.” I laugh. “How do you know I even want one?”

  “Oh.” She points to the side of her nose. “I know everything. You have a girl in there.” She points to my head. “You just need a plan.”

  I freeze in shock as she smiles at me knowingly while patting my cheek. “She is the one for you. But a”—her smile instantly vanished as her eyes glared into mine, moving to speak in rapid Italian—“if you make me a great-grandmother before you get married, I’ll—” She motions her fingers into a cutting gesture. I cringe and cover my beloved manhood.

  “Nonna! Don’t scare the boys!”

  She tuts and waves her hands at me, dismissing my point. “They won’t feel scared as they won’t exist.”

  “Okay, Nonna.” I kiss her cheek and go to the kitchen, but not before she summons me to turn around to her again. In soft Italian she whispers, “She was never happy much, Roberto. Only when she was here. One day her eyes will match her lips and many hearts will break knowing it wasn’t them who did that. Wait for that look.”

  I smile, shifting my head against the back of the chair and stare up at Hazel. My Nonna knows me too well.

  Hazel’s fingers continue whispering along my waistline and this moment that I’ve been waiting for, forever, isn’t what she deserves.

  “Not here, Hazel. I want you in my bed. I want to worship every part of your incredible body, but not here on some shitty couch.”

  For a moment, I think I see her pout, but she covers it quickly and nods. She starts to button up my shirt, her fingers moving swiftly, and once the top button is done, I lean forward and kiss her softly.

  “I have to close tonight at two am, but later in the day …”

  She shakes her head and runs a finger down my cheek onto my lips. “I’ll wait.”

  She wiggles her butt back and shuffles to stand, holding her hand out to me. I gladly take it and rise, standing close to her hot body. I run my thumb across her plump lip and smile. I haven’t even been inside her, and this is the fucking happiest I’ve ever been. I grab her hand and we walk over to the door where Trinity is still banging.

  “I don’t mind waiting. Besides, I’ve only ever done it on a bed.” A small smile tips up at the side of her mouth as she gives me a side glance. “Who knows? Maybe I want to do something different. You know, once everyone has gone, we can christen your bar? Or your office? Or the piano?”

  My hand tightens in hers.

  “Robbie, it’s you. I don’t care, as long as it’s with you.”

  I’m harder than ever before. Each and every thing I’ve imagined doing to her in my club flutters behind my eyelids like an erotic kaleidoscope filled with vibrant colour. I release her hand and grab her around the waist, turning her towards me, while weaving my hand up the side of her face.

  “All of the above,” I growl, kissing her lips soundly.

  She giggles after a while and pats my face. “Glad you got the hint. I’ll hold you to that.”

  Now all I need to do is empty out my motherfucking club.

  “We cannot start over, but we can begin now, and make a new ending.”

  Zig Ziglar

  HAZEL

  The sound of laughter echoes around us, the merriment contagious as the disco lights cast bolts of colour over the dance floor. The nameless faces dance along the sticky floorboards, and while the occasional body accidentally nudges into me, I don’t notice. Wrapped in the warmth of his embrace, I curl my arms tighter around Robbie’s neck and sway my hips to our own rhythm. My head rests against his chest, his scent intoxicating me. The tempo is faster than our movements, but we don’t care. This moment will be timeless, either way.

  His cheek brushes across my head and I lean up and kiss his lips softly, here we are, under the dim lights of his club, in a moment that I’ve dreamt of since forever. The amount of apple stems I twisted while reciting the alphabet, deliberately using all my strength to rip it off as I reached “R” all seem like foolish childhood wishes. For years I told myself to keep wishing, and when I lost hope, my poor romantic heart kick-started, only to put me right back where my feelings resided for him.

  “Farfalla,” Robbie murmurs against my lips. “Closing time very soon.” I smile and tip my eyes in the direction of the booths. “Yeah.” He slumps his shoulders. I’ll come for a quick chat, then I have to help with the cleaning up. I let Deacon down at the bar tonight.”

  “Oh really?” I smile seductively at him. “Were you finding it hard to concentrate?”

  “I think after I poured straight raspberry into a shot of vodka and gave my customer diabetes, was when I got told to get the fuck out of the bar. You don’t want to hear about the other drink orders I buggered up.” He shakes his head.

  “You forgot the soda?” I chuckle. He nods.

  “Let’s head over to the booth, honey.” His eyes warm at the endearment.

  “We should go and be social.”

  “Then we can be very antisocial.” I wink, moving my hand to the side
of his neck, kissing him soundly for a few moments. His lips begin to press further, but I step back as he groans, adjusting his belt.

  “C’mon.” I begin to walk away. He links my fingers into his and we slowly stroll over to the booth where several sets of glazed-over eyes grin openly at us.

  “They remembered us!” Alex teases, taking a sip of his drink. Trice gives him a look while elbowing him in the ribs. She turns back to us and she smiles, eyeing Robbie’s arm that is now wrapped around my waist.

  “Aww,” Trice coos. “You guys are too cute.”

  I giggle and roll my eyes. I feel my face flush, but I ignore it. They scoot over in the U-shaped booth and Robbie sits down on the edge, pulling me on top of his legs, wrapping his arms around me. I can get so used to this. Across from us, Alex’s sister, Lily, and her boyfriend, Richard, are seated, and the vibe between them seems stilted. While Alex and Trice are glued to each other, Lily moves her right arm up and down her left one in agitation.

  I haven’t met Lily that often, but she is the polar opposite of her brother. She has the same ash blonde hair, but her eyes are a lighter green than mine. She’s shy and skittish, but for some reason tonight she’s decided to make an appearance. She’s also incredibly beautiful. I have a strange feeling about her and Richard, but can’t put my finger on it.

  She sits in the centre of the booth, facing Robbie and I, while her boyfriend, Richard, makes it abundantly clear that he is not having the best time. Alex tends to ignore him¸ and who can blame him?

  The overhead lights begin to slowly turn on as the music stops. My pulse quickens for a moment as my eager eyes watch the wait staff move around, collecting the empty glasses. The security guys begin coaxing people to the exit, but they know not to come near us. I rub my thumb along Robbie’s arm, vaguely listening to Richard telling Lily to at least try her wine before it’s wasted, while Robbie nuzzles into the back of my neck. I shiver and I feel him chuckle behind me. I’m not going to last if he keeps that up.

  I could write a song using the throbbing between my legs. What on earth were Trinity and Josh thinking, trying to barge in on us?

  I scan the room quickly, looking for her, and my attention is drawn to her dancing near the stage, all the while a few admirers who haven’t left look on. I am just about to shift my eyes away when I see Theo standing nearby with his phone in his hand and a grimace on his face. Hmm.

  “So, Hazel, Liliana tells me that you were an actress in London?” Richard’s snide voice interrupts my thoughts, and my eyes turn to meet his. He glances at Lily before staring back at me. “What made you give all that up for.” He gestures around him, wrinkling his nose.“This?”

  Robbie’s legs stiffen beneath mine, so I squeeze his arm in reassurance. Poor Lily’s cheeks redden as she refuses to make eye contact. He barely notices.

  “Well …” I’m about to start explaining when Lily’s posture becomes rigid as she sits straight in her chair. A figure stands to my left and Robbie relaxes, holding out his hand.

  “Leon, mate.” He reaches across his body to connect Leon’s hand with his. “Happy New Year.”

  “You too, boss.” He smiles, a lip ring catching the light from overhead. If I weren’t already madly thinking of ways to coax Robbie back to the changing room, this man would be next in the queue. His tall frame is dressed in a tight-fitted black short-sleeved shirt and black pants. Tribal tattoos adorn his arms, while another tatt—a tail?—peeps out from the tip of his collarbone. His jet black hair is messy and has the ’I just screwed six girls in the toilet look’. No wonder Alex is jealous of him. He reaches his hand out for me to shake it.

  “I’m Hazel,” I croak.

  “Great performance. I didn’t see a lot as I was moving around, but the crowd seemed to enjoy it.”

  “Thanks.” I smile.

  He nods and looks straight to Alex. “How’s that Chevy goin’?”

  Alex straightens and visibly relaxes. “Yeah, good. Due for a service, though.”

  “Bring her in sometime next week. I have a few free appointments.”

  Alex nods and smiles.

  “Hey Leon.” Trice smiles. “Happy New Year.”

  “You too, Trice. Good job on the show, too.”

  She gives him a quick smile and he returns it before turning across to the other side of the booth. Leon nods to Aidan before his eyes falls on Lily.

  “Hello Lily.” His voice deepens, a velvety purr that has her shifting in her seat again. “Happy New Year.”

  They shake hands for a moment. Her unease continues to show.

  “Same to you,” she stammers, her hand twitching slightly from his touch.

  “We can’t go anywhere, can we?” Richard moans, glaring at Lily. “You need to sit up and not be so bloody nervous. It’s embarrassing.”

  She flinches, but doesn’t let go of Leon’s hand. Their hands linger for a moment longer until Richard interrupts them by thrusting his hand in.

  “Richard.” He gestures, moving his hand impatiently for it to be shaken. “Liliana tends to be socially inept.”

  Anger begins radiating from Alex, as he squares his shoulders towards Richard. My mouth gapes open as I shake my head. What an arrogant imbecile.

  “Speaking of social ineptitude, Richard,” I begin, but I’m cut off.

  “What the fuck did you say?” Alex sneers. Richard, however, ignores him, as he is too focused on Leon’s out stretched arm.

  “So.” Leon grabs his hand, staring down at him. “Rick, was it? With a silent P?”

  Trice snorts, while Richard’s face pales as he looks down at Leon’s grip. “Or do you prefer Dick?”

  Richard pulls his hand from Leon’s grasp and shakes it furiously. “I can’t believe you wanted to come to this dive of a bar,” he sneers at Lily, who is still dazed as she looks at Leon, her brow crinkled in confusion.

  Dick looks over to Leon and snaps, “That was uncalled for!” Turning to Lily, he says, “It’s late, and there’s no point staying if you won’t even share a drink with me.”

  She nods, her face paling, and stands up quickly, knocking her wine glass over, smashing it across the table-top. I jerk back quickly, watching the wine pool out and waterfall over the edge of the table.

  “Oh my God!” she stammers. “I’m so sorry.” She dives into her bag, pulling out a pocket set of tissues. “I’ll clean it up. I’m so sorry.”

  “Lil, stop. You might cut yourself. I’ll clean it up.” Alex reaches out and grabs her hand. “You want to come and hang out with Trice and I tonight?” His voice gentles, looking at her closely.

  She shakes her head vigorously. “I hope I see you soon. So sorry for the mess,” she splutters, barely raising her eyes off the ground. Alex’s jaw clenches and he shakes his head.

  They both exit the booth, Richard reaching for her elbow and dragging her out, but not before Leon clearly says, “Her name is Lily … Dick. See ya little Lily.”

  She looks over her shoulder at him for a moment and quickly looks away.

  “I fucking hate that guy,” Alex growls. “I have tried to get her to leave him for months.”

  “He doesn’t hurt her, does he?” Trice asks, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth.

  “No Bea-Bea,” he says softly, “He’d be dead if he did. No, this guy is just a dick. See him push her to drink? He knows why she won’t and still buys her wine.”

  “He’s a creep,” Leon snaps. “Why is she so skittish around him? There must be a reason.”

  Alex’s shoulders slump for a moment before he looks up at Leon. “She’s not skittish because of him, she’s skittish because our father liked to use his fists rather than words. I got bigger than Lily and defended her, and she’s never been able to forgive herself. She is my big sister and I love her, man, but the guilt she carries is huge. We were distant because of it, but we’re a lot better now. I’ve never held it against her, not once. Our mother? Yep. She let it happen.”

  “Lily was just a child,
” Leon retorts, his eyes gazing over to the exit. “Your mother should’ve stopped it.”

  “Yep. Now, almost ten years later, the scars still feel raw. Richard just adds to it. She stays as he’s a picnic compared to our dad.”

  Leon nods and turns but not before I hear him utter, “Not for long.”

  “Okay, so tomorrow everyone is coming over for an afternoon BBQ, sound good?” Trice asked, while spearing her arm through the crook in Alex’s elbow.

  “That sounds nice. Text me the details later.” Please hurry up and go.

  “Great!”

  “Definitely. Invite them and we can discuss what food to prepare.”

  “Great idea. What should we make?”

  Robbie’s thumb was tracing circles on my lower back and I was struggling to focus. He’d just returned after helping the guys clean up the bar area and check stock for the past hour. In that short time, I’d missed him. Funny how his touch had become part of me so quickly. Now, his touch is torturing me in delicious strokes.

  “Um,” I mumbled, tittering on the edge of turning around and mauling him in front of everyone.

  “Bea-Bea,” Alex cooed. “It’s New Year’s Eve. Let’s go home and celebrate.” Pulling her closer to him, he nuzzled into her neck.

  “But we just celebra—” Her eyes widened as her lips formed a big O. She shook her head and laughed. “Got it loud and clear, caveman. The champagne just dulled my brain.”

  Alex pulled her towards the exit where Aidan and the rest of the gang were waiting to leave too. They stayed back, long after the club closed its doors. We waved them goodbye and felt the moment tense in the room. By now, the club had been cleared, including staff and we were left standing, finally, completely alone.

  Robbie turns me slowly towards him and grabs my face in both hands. “Farfalla, you’re shaking. We don’t have to do this. We can leave, even go for a walk. You can go home, anything you want. I’m not going to fuck this up.”

  I stare into his chocolate eyes and a small grin passes my lips. “I’m not shaking out of fear, Robbie,” I whisper. “I want to go and,” point to the exit, “Lock that door so no one will disturb us.”