Unlikely Places (12 page)

Internally I sighed with relief. “Good, that makes it
easier.....”. I stretched my arm to reach for my phone sitting on the coffee
table, checking the time before replacing it back on the table. I looked back
at Sam. “Are you hungry?” 

“Umm a little”.

“Okay, I’ll see what’s in the fridge”. I got up heading for
the kitchen I could feel Sam close behind me placing the empty water bottle on
the worktop as I rinsed the wine glasses under the tap. I retrieved a drink of
water from the fridge to quench my dry throat after napping, taking in the
contents I spotted prawns and vegetables pulling them from the fridge I turned
to Sam.

“Prawn stir-fry with oyster sauce?”

“Sounds good....I’ll chop”. She selected a knife from the
cutlery pot on the draining board and got to work on the peppers and sugar snap
peas.

Getting the wok from a cupboard I set it on the hob, opening
the prawns I checked them making sure the black digestive vein had been removed
from each of them, putting questionable ones to one side.  

“Al?”

I smiled at Sam’s use of my shortened name. “Umm”. I turned
to look at her as she placed her knife on the chopping board turning she
mirrored my body position. I held my breath as I saw the concentration on her
face.  

“Can I shower before we eat?”

“Sure....for a minute there I thought you were going to drop
some kind of bombshell or ask me something super serious”.

She smiled. “I’m saving that for later.....the serious
questions I mean not the bomb shell”.

I laughed slightly nervously, I wasn’t sure I was ready for
any serious questions just yet. “Follow me”.  Leading Sam to the en-suite
off my bedroom as it was the best shower out of the two available. I left Sam
to get acquainted with the shower while I got a fresh towel from the other
bathroom. Returning I found Sam looking a little pensive as she leaned on the
door frame looking at the contents of my bedroom. I looked around the room with
mortification as I realised the bed was unmade again, and there was a selection
of knickers drying on the radiator.

“Sorry about the mess”. I gestured to the room with my free
hand as I handed her the towel.

“Thanks....this isn’t messy...you have a lovely home”.

I moved closer to her taking her hand. “Thanks...I like it
when you call me Al”.

She smiled as I left her to shower, I went back to finishing
in the kitchen. Hearing footsteps on the stairs as I plated up our food.

“Good timing”. I said as I felt warm arms wrap around my
waist.

“Smells great”. Her whispered words tickled my right ear.

“So do you”. I turned in her arms, placing my hands on
either side of her hips she’d put her hair up to shower revealing her elegant
neck. We were almost eye to eye for several moments as I raised up on my tip
toes kissing her softly on the lips. Receiving a smile for my efforts I buried
my face in the crook of her neck breathing in the sweet smell of dragon fruit.

After eating we snuggled up to watch several episodes of
Rizzoli and Isles, occasionally discussing the various ways Jane and Maura
could get together.

“I’d better get going soon”. Sam spoke softly breaking my
dreamy bliss.  

I turned to face her hoping the concern I felt was evident
on my face. “Sam...you don’t have any lights on that bike?....Let me give you a
lift?...Rex’s bike will fit in the boot of my car”.

“Are you sure?”

She let out an audible sigh as she kissed the side of my
face. “I don’t really want to leave but tomorrow I need to work my last
assignment ready for handing in next week”.

“It’s okay....I know you’re busy....I had a great evening”.
I finished with a wide smile.

I watched her mirror my expression. “Me too”. 

“I’ll just get some shoes”. I said as I got up from the
sofa.

“Shit my bike’s stuck to the radiator”. She shouted from the
hall. I arrived to see her peeling a melted handle bar grip off the once
pristine radiator leaving a rubbery mess behind.

“Shit....sorry it wasn’t on when I put it there earlier”.

“Well....you’ll have to fix it next time you come round”. I
said trying to put on a serious face but failing miserably.  

Realising I am joking she quickly moved towards me, pushing
me against the wall kissing me deeply. Pulling her tight against me relishing
her body touching mine, as the thumping of my heart threatened to deafen us
both. Reluctantly I pull away to catch my breath as I focus on her beautiful
face I’m once again sucked in by her burning eyes. “Are we still taking it
slow?” I asked softly.

She smiled pushing hair behind my ears, god I loved it when
she did that. “I don’t think so do you?”

I beamed at her. “No...I guess not”.

With Rex’s bike loaded in the back we headed off to the
hostel, we were quiet most of the way I was certainly lost in my thoughts of
the day’s events. As we neared the hostel Sam piped up. 

“I wish I wasn’t so busy this week.....I’d rather be
spending my time with you”.

I smiled. “Me too....but you’re so close to finishing
Uni...you’ll have a bit more free time after that?” I hoped anyway. Parking up
I helped Sam extract the bike from the boot of my car as we continued our
conversation.

“I can’t wait....can we meet up after work on
Wednesday....so you can see the flat?”

“Sure....I’ll meet you outside Oxfam about six-ish?” I said
as I shut the boot of the range rover.

“Okay I’ll see you on Wednesday then”. Pulling me towards
her she placed a slow kiss on my lips before cycling off to the main entrance,
shouting. “Thanks for the lift”. Over her shoulder as she turned the corner.

Wednesday

Walking along the street towards Oxfam I could see Sam was
already there waiting for me, wearing a black fitted suit with a white shirt
she looked every bit the part of solicitor, the sight of her still made my
stomach do somersaults. She looked in my direction smiling as she caught sight
of me making me grin uncontrollably as I quickly closed the distance between
us. We had talked and texted several times since Saturday checking in with each
other, I couldn’t wait to be alone with her again.

“Hi....”.

“Hey”. I said still grinning.

“What’s up with you?” She asked with a slightly knitted
brow.

“Nothing”. I beamed. “So where’s this flat then?” I asked
trying to smooth it over.

She eyed me suspiciously before turning towards a side door.
“Follow me”.

Using a key she led me through the side door where I noticed
the intercom system, I made a mental note to always close the door if I
visited. We made our way down an enclosed alley way to a flight of stairs on
the left, at the top of the second flight there was another corridor with a
window facing out onto the street below. Half way along the corridor we stopped
at a large black door, Sam offered up her key into the lock snapping the lock
across. The door slid open onto a dimly lit flat, reaching for my hand she
pulled me inside shutting the door behind us, squashing me against it.

“I’m not turning the light on till you tell me what you were
grinning at outside?”

“What?” I said innocently. “I’m just happy to see you....you
look amazing that suit really suits you”. I said giggling.

“I see”. She said moving towards me I could just make out a
smile across her face. “All that time on your own has finally sent you
delirious”. She said placing a soft kiss on my still giggling lips. As she
moved away I could see her dark eyes, tugging her arm back towards me I reached
out to cup her face guiding her lips towards mine for a slow tender kiss.
Feeling her hands around my waist I heard myself groan as she reciprocated my
kiss, instantly feeling glad it was dark to hide my blush.

Pausing I tried to explain. “I was just pleased to see
you....and....you look so....amazing”.

“Thank you....” She placed a final kiss on my lips before
moving away to the windows pulling the blinds brining a flash of light into
what I could now see was a spacious room. Looking around I could see there was
a kitchen to my right with white fitted units, facing onto a large room big
enough for a small dining table and sitting room requirements. Looking back
over to Sam I could see her smiling across at me.

“It’s pretty big isn’t it....you could get a sofa and dining
table in here if you wanted”. I could see a small stack of paint tins and
brushes at her feet on the varnished wooden floor.

“I know...I didn’t think it would be this big”. She said
moving back towards me. 

“You’ve started work already then?” I said pointing to the
tins.

“Umm we had a bit of a painting party last night it was a
very vibrant shade of purple before but I think we’ve covered it up pretty
much”.

“Yeah....it looks really bright and fresh”. I said looking
at the bright white walls surrounding us.

Before I knew it she was beside me taking my hand pulling me
towards a small corridor leading off the large room, a door on the left
revealed a small bathroom with a white suite and shower cubicle the white tiles
were complemented with a tasteful shade of yellow on the walls.

“This is the next room to paint at the weekend”. She said
gently pulling me down the corridor towards the other room which I presumed was
the bedroom. It was large with windows facing out onto the street, the walls
looked freshly painted like the main room in the centre was a simple timber bed
base minus the mattress with a matching wardrobe and set of draws opposite the
windows. 

“What do you think?” she asked rubbing my knuckles with her
thumb.

“It’s really good....not too small....I like it....doesn’t
look like it needs much doing to it?”

“Well?....The bathroom door doesn’t shut properly, the
kitchen needs a bit of looking at then I thought about putting up some shelves
and...”

I turned towards her laughing. “I see......no
problem....I’ve got some time tomorrow do I need to pick the keys up from the
hostel?”

She grinned at me. “Yeah.....if that’s okay?”

“Sure.......show me what you want me to do”. I said with a
raised eyebrow.

“I think you know that already......but if you need
reminding....” She pulled me closer with our engaged hands placing her free
hand on my neck, I moved towards her kissing her softly but it wasn’t enough I
wanted more. I moved my free hand to her neck gently caressing it before
trailing my hand down her chest finding her left breast, lightly massaging it I
could feel her nipple harden. Breaking away from her lips I trailed kisses down
her neck as her breathing increased. I felt her hand grip mine tighter as my
hand moved to her shirt buttons kissing her exposed skin as I undid them
revealing her bra, I pulled away taking in her smouldering eyes.

“I’m not sure this is the right place for this....I want to
be able to take my time in comfort”.

Her eyes softened releasing a deep breath. “You’re
right.....it’s just not what I want to hear right this minute”. She finished
with a slight laugh.  

I smiled. “Sorry....it’s my fault....I just couldn’t resist
you”. 

I pulled her hand to my lips gently kissing it before
letting go to begin buttoning the shirt I had just undone.

“Don’t be sorry......” She placed her hands over mine as I
fumbled with her shirt buttons. “You know next time I might not let you stop”.

I hugged her tightly breathing in her warm scent, with my
mouth close to her ear I whispered. “I hope not”. We stood there for several
minutes before returning to the job in hand. Looking over the flat the only
thing I needed apart from tools was an edging strip for the work top. Locking
up we walked back to the hostel chatting about her plans for the flat, before I
knew it we were at my car.

“So what are you up to tonight?” I asked getting out my
keys.

“You mean besides thinking about what nearly happened
earlier”.

I smiled fiddling with the wing mirror to hide my
embarrassment. “Besides that”.

She looked more thoughtful now. “Well....as I’ve finished my
Uni assignments I’ll probably do some more packing ready for Saturday”.

“When do you hear about your grade?”

“Next week I think....fingers crossed....what are you up
to?”

“Working....I’ve got a couple of projects I need to finish
off”.  

“So...I’ll probably see you tomorrow....maybe?”

“Yes....you will”.

Thursday

A root around in the garage brought an edging strip to the
surface, after picking up the keys from Mike I headed for the flat, managing to
park on a side street preventing a long walk with my tools. Opening the front
door I was bathed in sunlight from the exposed windows, moving to the bathroom
I checked the door seeing where it needed planning to allow it to fit properly.
After fixing the door I moved to the kitchen cupboards adjusting and fixing the
doors as I worked from left to right, fixing an edging strip on the end of the
work top to complete the job. Looking at the main room kitchen – diner –
sitting room the only things to be done were the shelving and skirting boards.
Seeing the paint in the corner I made a start taking care not to spill any on
the varnished wooden floor, with my job complete I tidied up my tools locked up
and headed over to the hostel for my shift.

After dropping off the flat keys Mike thanked me again, then
asked me if I could take a look at one of the doors to the apartments as it
wasn’t shutting properly. Eager to please, I retrieved my tools and headed for
the apartment floor to fix the door. Realising it was almost off the hinges at
the top I decided to chop in the hinge slightly lower to ensure a good fix.
Just as I was securing the hinge in place when I heard a familiar voice.

“I’m gonna start taking the hinges off on my door if it
means I’ll come back to find you fixing it”.

“Hey”. I said to a grinning Sam as she leaning against her
door frame opposite.

“Well I hope you can afford the call out fee?” I said
tightening the last screw.

“Your already here you can’t charge me a call out fee”.

“Umm”. I levelled my gaze to her. “Depends......on what you
need fixing?” I said placing tools in my bag, looking up in time to see her
raised eyebrow bringing a smile to my face.

“It’s hard to describe you need to see it really”.

“I see”. Smiling I picked up my tool bag. “Lead the way”.
Pulling the door shut behind me I walked across the corridor into Sam’s
apartment putting my tools down as she shut the door.

“So?....Where’s the damage?” I asked as innocently as
possible.

She made no effort to answer as she placed her hands on my
hips gently pushing me against the wall before dipping her head to kiss me
making me tingle in all the right places. I brought my hands up to the side of
her face bringing her closer deepening the kiss. Things had definitely begun to
hot up between us since my mini breakdown, I was beginning to feel grateful for
that catalyst if these were the rewards.

I pulled away to catch my breath. “That’s a lovely welcome”.

She smiled. “Well it’s not every day I come back to find you
working here”.  

Here never home, I’d noticed that frequently since we
started spending more time together she never referred to the hostel as her
home which in a way is a good thing now, as she was moving very soon.

“I went to your new flat today”. I said dropping my hands to
her waist.

She beamed. “Did you now?......You have been busy?”

“Your bathroom door now closes to preserve your
dignity....the kitchen cupboards all work and the skirting boards are now painted”.

Her eyes widened as she smiled. “You painted as
well?...Thank you....I can see I’ve have to put together some kind of repayment
plan?”

“No...no payment required remember....do you want some help
on Saturday to move some more stuff?” I said as I smoothed the wrinkles in her
shirt feeling the warmth of her body, I looked up to see her raised eyebrows.

“I was hoping you’d say that but are you sure you’ve got
time?....You’re not working?”

“No...not Saturday...what time shall I pick you up?” I asked
remembering Lucy was due to visit later in the afternoon.

“Umm about ten....So I can have a little bit of a lay in”.

The thought of laying in together seemed a much better idea
to me but still. “No problem”. I said trying to wash the visual image from my
head.

“I’ll provide some form of breakfast or brunch refreshment
to keep us sustained during our work”. She said as she took off her jacket,
dropping it over a chair.

“Really?......Sounds good to me”.

I helped start the box packing before Mike appeared to inspect
the door fixing which signalled the end of our alone time. After an all too
formal goodbye to Sam I headed back down stairs depositing my tools in the land
rover before asking Jill what was on the agenda for the evening. Which
unfortunately meant yet more 1-1 monitoring leaving little time to venture up
to Sam’s apartment.

At home I tried to wind down to a spot of Mario Cart, which
I had recently made a conscious effort to play more to provide a greater
challenge to Lucy.  After several cup races my phone buzzed along the
table next to me picking it up I could see it was a text from Sam.

‘Hey didn’t really get a chance to say goodbye earlier sorry
so just wanted to thank you for sorting out the flat today I’m currently
thinking of ways I can repay you in kind’.

I smiled trying to think of a witty reply. ‘No problem and
although I said no payment will be necessary - payment in kind would be greatly
appreciated’ I waited for a reply to my feeble attempt a flirting.  

‘Good to know I’ll start planning right away – definitely
looking forward to Saturday now’.

‘Me too’. I was absolutely looking forward to spending more
time with Sam, I felt a shiver at the thought of being alone with her again.