“It wasn’t fun at all. In fact, on his b
ehalf I think it was nothing more than a publicity stunt.” I feel a sick sense of satisfaction as she says this. “You might see some pictures of us together tomorrow but trust me, it was nothing like it appears. Buzz is dull and awful. Not for me at all.”
“Right…” I don’t want to jump ahead of myself, but I do want to know why she’s saying this.
“Being with him just made me realize how much I like you. I really like you, and I know it hasn’t been a long time but we have a connection, don’t we? I think we’re good together.”
“Certainly, in bed!” I try to make a joke out of it, in case it isn’t what I think.
“Yeah, definitely that, but other things too, I think we have a good bond too. I think we get on well. I think…” She pauses for a second and glances downwards. “I think we could be a couple.”
The magic words, the ones that I so desperately want, but that I’ve been dreading at the same time. Yes, I want to be hers, I want to see what it’ll be like for her to be mine, but all the reasons why it’s complicated still stand. I can’t have a girlfriend and my job, that’s why it hasn’t happened before. I don’t even think someone as awesome as Avril will understand, and I wouldn’t want to either.
I stare into her eyes, willing her to understand why I’m going to have to reject her. I really don’t want Avril to take it to heart, this isn’t her fault at all, it really is me not her. Her eyes plead with me, I can see her begging me to open up, to give her a try, but there’s a block.
I part my lips, finally forcing the word up my throat, and finally it bursts free.
“Yes,” I gasp, surprising even myself. “Yes, let’s do this. Avril, I want to give me and you a try.”
Chapter Eleven – Avril
As he says the words that I’ve been longing to hear my heart explodes with glee. I throw myself at him and fling my arms around him, holding him close to me. It feels right, being with him in this way. I couldn’t imagine ending this crazy night in any other way, Owen is definitely who I want.
“This is a bit heavy, isn’t it?” he says thickly while we pull apart. “We’re what? Three days… and it feels like we’re diving in with both feet. Is this what normal people do?”
“Definitely not,” I agree with a chuckle. I’m so overcome I could weep with joy. “But I don’t think we’re normal so it’s okay. We met in a strange way and we’ve been weird ever since. I suppose all that we have left is to carry on like that. Being the oddest people that either of us know.”
Owen grabs me and he pulls me close to him. Our lips crash together and the magnet keeps us there, locked in together, our mouths moving in unison. The passion that flows between us hasn’t lessened, if anything now that we’re more sealed together it’s better. I can feel it much deeper, right down into my core. The butterflies are back with a vengeance and I love feeling them.
“I don’t want to have a serious talk,” Owen mutters against my mouth, his breath tickling me all over. “I’d much rather kiss you some more, but I think we need to, don’t you?”
“Like what?” I reply with my eyes slid closed. Desire has me now, I don’t want to speak.
“Like my job…” Okay, fair enough. My eyes snap open and reality grips me. “That’s something I think we really need to talk about, don’t you? It’s potentially a big issue.”
The idea of him continuing on even going on dates with other women, let alone sleeping with them is too much. It sends a nasty snake of jealousy shuddering up and down my spine. I really don’t want to be the girl who tells Owen to change, especially when we’re minutes into this thing, but I might have to. I don’t think my mental health can take anything else.
“Erm, yeah, you’re right.” I gulp and take a step backwards. “Do you have to keep doing it?”
He shrugs and gives me a helpless look. “I’m only doing it to help me get to the end of my college course, after which I’ll get a job and fund myself. I don’t have too much longer left but I’m not sure I can complete it without the injection of cash every so often.”
No, I don’t like this, it’s too much. I run my eyes up and down his body, instantly forming another plan, one that I hope will work for us both. I don’t want him to struggle for me.
“Have you ever considered doing any extra work? That can pay quite well and you’ll be able to fit it around your studies? I know they’re always looking for bodies to fill the background on the movie I’m working on now. They’re all like that, and I have the connections. I can hook you up.”
“Really?” He ponders this curiously for a moment. “It isn’t anything that I’ve ever considered before but I suppose I could. I wouldn’t need to do much, would I?”
“Mostly it’s just standing in the background. I don’t know how the pay would compare to what you’re getting now, but it’s better than waiting tables.” I chew on the inside of my mouth while I consider what I’m saying. I hate that I sound so controlling. “But it’s up to you, whatever you want…”
“I don’t want to carry on doing my job if that’s what you mean,” he insists rapidly. “It’s only a temporary thing anyway, not something I love and can’t live without.” He links his fingers through mine sending sparks of electricity racing all through my system. “I always told myself I wouldn’t get into a relationship while doing this job, I’ve done everything that I can to avoid any sort of romantic link… but then you came along and changed absolutely everything. I didn’t expect it, but now I’m glad that you have. I’m willing to struggle and middle through with you. I want to try, to see what we could be to one another. And being some extra sounds fun anyway. I’d love to give it a go.”
“Do you think we’ll last?” I can’t help but ask. “Do you really think we have a chance?”
“Who knows?” Owen replies. “But I think we’ve got as good a chance as any.”
With that we’re kissing once more, no longer worrying about what the future may or may not hold. This is a passion worth sacrificing everything for, Owen is a man that I cannot wait to get to know better, I could so easily properly fall for him given half the chance.
I hook my arms possessively around his neck and claim him as my own with my kiss. He belongs to me now, at least while we see if we’re as compatible as I think we are. His tongue explores my mouth as we fall backwards, crashing through my apartment until we fall onto my bed.