Unlikely Places (10 page)

Wednesday          

After waking early, I worked straight through till early
afternoon finishing several chapters of layout work by one thirty. I took a
well-earned break for lunch with the knowledge I could relax until Sam arrived.
Well as much as you can, when you’re waiting for someone incredibly hot to turn
up at your house. She arrived at a quarter to three rosy cheeked from her jog
in the mild April afternoon, shutting the door I led her to the kitchen for a
bottle of cold water.

“Thanks”. Sam managed through long swigs of water.

“No problem....how long did it take you?” I said casually
leaning on the worktop taking in her slender form.

“Umm...”. Sam turned to look at the clock. “About twenty
five-thirty minutes”.

“That’s good.....not too worn out I hope?” I said with a
raised eyebrow.      

“Depends....what did you have in mind?”

I could feel the blush rising in my cheeks as I tried to
flirt unsuccessfully. “The futons two floors up in a storage cupboard”.

She laughed. “Oh...I see....I may need some encouragement to
work up to that kind of exercise”.

Putting the water bottle down she moved towards me placing
her hands either side of me gripping the worktop. Raising a hand I cupped her
face guiding her lips to mine as I softly nibbled at her bottom lip before our
tongues met, I could feel Sam’s warm body fall against me as I placed my free
hand around her resting it on the small of her back to keep my knees from
buckling. Pulling away to catch my breath I rested my forehead on Sam’s
shoulder breathing heavily, I could feel her arms move around my waist as warm
breath tickled my neck trailing kisses to the collar my shirt.

Looking up to meet Sam’s smiling green eyes. “Is that enough
encouragement?” I asked grinning.

“Yeah I think so....at least to get it down the stairs”. She
said laughing before drinking the last of her water. 

Taking Sam’s hand I lead her upstairs almost diverting to my
bedroom, but instead continued up to the second floor stopping next to the
large cupboard. Opening the door I revealed a folded wooden futon with a
plastic covered mattress rolled up on top. After pulling the mattress out, we
dragged the wooden frame into the middle of the room before slowly making our
way down the two flights of stairs. Leaving it near the front door we went back
up to retrieve the mattress, dropping it near the frame I sat down on the
mattress to catch my breath.

“Tired?” Sam asked softly rubbing the side of my face with
her hand.

“A bit”. I said looking up at her. “I’ve put the seats down
so we should be able to just put it straight in”. I said pulling the car keys
from my front pocket. Getting up I placed my hands on Sam’s hips feeling my
breathing increase as I slowly moved in for a kiss, I felt her responded to my
advances immediately, her hands going through my hair pulling me to her. I
pulled away smiling again. “Another encouragement payment paid in full?” I ask
questioningly. 

“Oh yeah”.

I move away seeing Sam’s flushed face as I headed for the
front door, opening the boot of the range rover. Walking back to the house Sam
was leaning on the door frame smiling back at me, a sight I certainly could get
used to seeing, I thought as I headed back inside.

After loading up the futon frame, we forced the mattress on
top as a fly frantically buzzes around while I closed the boot.

“Bastard fly.....piss off”. I shouted wildly waving my arms.
I could see Sam focus on the fly quickly bringing her hand up to snatch at the
air.

“Holy shit....you got him....you want some chop sticks Mr
Miyagi?”

“Chop sticks are for beginners”.

I laughed all the way back to the house leaving Sam to shut
the door while I put the kettle on for a cup of tea. Hearing her follow me into
the kitchen I turned to see Sam washing her hands. As she dried them she leaned
against the worktop behind me pondering, I gestured with a quick nod of my head
for her to break the silence.

“Will you read through my personal statement I’ve written
for my placement applications tomorrow?”

“Of course.....how many firms are you sending it out to?”

“Three or four I think, luckily not everyone on the course
is based in the city so I’m hoping I’ll get a good firm”.  

“I think you’ll be okay.....tea?” I said turning to retrieve
mugs from a cupboard.

“Please”. 

I felt her warmth before her arms fell around my waist her
breath in my ear as she gently nibbled my neck. Whispering in my ear. “You
know....Alex....I find you incredibly attractive”.

I was busy revelling in her warmth and words that I gasped
as a hand fell to my crotch where it gently rubbed starting all kinds of fires
making me quiver.

“Oh...god.....Sam...I”. I turned seeing the fire in her eyes
before capturing her lips kissing her slowly and deeply only pulling away when
the kettle popped making me jump. Giggling I rested my head on Sam’s shoulder
as she whispered. “Bloody kettle...god.....you’re driving me crazy”. I could
feel her body shaking with a giggle as she leaned against me.

“Tea?” She said pulling away, moving her hand up to push
hair behind my ear cupping my face I saw her dimpled smile as she moved towards
the fridge. I loved the way she touched me, her softness I wanted her more each
time I saw her.

“Sure”. I said reaching out for her
hand pulling her back towards me waiting for her eyes to land on mine. “You
know I feel the same way don’t you?”

“I hope so”. She said her
confidence starting to slip.

Focusing my intent on her I spoke
in a low tone. “Sam...trust me......I haven’t wanted to spend all my time with
someone for a very long time...I love the way you kiss me the way you touch
me…..the way you hold my hand I...I’ve never felt this way about anyone
before...it’s getting harder to stop each time”. 

“I know....I love it”. She grinned.

After drinking our tea Sam texted Josh to let him know we
were on our way. Pulling up in the car park Josh and Jo were waiting by the
back door, they began walking towards us as we got out. Opening the boot Sam
and Jo took the mattress carrying it off towards the door leaving Josh and I to
carry the base, thankfully josh was very strong taking most of the weight as we
made our way up the four flights of stairs to the apartments. Entering the
corridor Jo thanked me again before offering to take over, leaving us empty
handed looking at each other, seeing Sam’s raised eyebrow in the dim light
brought an instant smile to my face.

Grabbing my hand she quickly pulled me into her new room
where the single bed had already been restored she was all moved in already,
her room certainly had a more homely feel than before.  

“So?...I guess I’ll see you tomorrow?” She said still
holding my hand.

I brought her hand to my lips kissing it softly. “Yes...you
will“. Drowning in her dark green eyes I kissed her softly before turning to
leave, making my way down the stairs. As I reached the bottom flight I heard
someone thundering down towards me, looking around Sam came in to view still
running towards me pushing me against the wall plastering me with bruising
kisses.

I pulled away. “Hey….are you okay?”

“Yeah I just wanted to say goodbye properly before I start
work or I won’t be able to concentrate”.

I smiled kissing her softly, footsteps above made us jump
apart, our eyes locked as I said a final goodbye gently brushing her side with
my hand as I turned to leave making my way to my car.

May

Thursday

I could feel Sam’s eyes burning in to me as I read her
personal statement she had written to accompany her application to several
solicitor firms in the city. As part of her course, she was required to get a
work placement to work a number of hours to gain valuable work experience.

I placed it on the table when I had finished it was really
good, detailed with examples of her skills and experiences including how her
personal circumstances changed last year. Looking up at her she was smiling as
our eyes met but she looked tired, her expression changed as I looked at the
statement then back up to her she seemed doubtful of my opinion.

“It’s really good.....I don’t think I’d change anything”.

“Are you sure it’s okay?”

“Yes I’m sure”. I beamed at her. “I think your honesty is
very brave......they’ll appreciate you being upfront about it as the University
will probably let them know about your break in tuition”.

“That’s what I thought....my tutor said the same thing”.

“What was her name?” I surprised myself by asking the
question I hadn’t planned on it, it just came out, I just wanted to know
everything about her and what had bought her into my life.

She looked at me with a furrowed brow.

“Your friend?” I repeated, too curious to keep a lid on it
any longer, I had to know her story.

“Kim.....I went to secondary school with her before going to
Uni she took a couple of years out to save money before starting her course”.

“Do you know why she....?” I asked regretting it the instant
the words left my mouth, my insensitivity knew no bounds on occasion.

Sam sat back in her chair covering her eyes with her right
hand while her left hand was folded underneath hugging her side. At the sight
of her, I quickly moved my hand to her shoulder to comfort her, then realising
our location in the common room I dropped it to my side just as fast.

“Shit....I’m sorry I shouldn’t have asked that”.

“God I hate being here sometimes”. She mumbled through her
hand that had dropped lower down her face, I could see her eyes had started to
water.

“I know...me too.....I’m going on a quick break to get
something from my car meet me out there in five....okay?”

“Okay”.

I softly gripped her shoulder as I got up, heading for the
door by the reception counter, Jill stood there shuffling papers.” I’m just
popping out to get some fresh air, I’ll be back in a few minutes”.

“Sure”.

Leaving the building I walked around the back finding my
land rover in the dark car park, opening the passenger side I retrieved the bottle
of water I had left in the car earlier. Leaning with my back on the side of the
car I took a swig from the bottle. Hearing the back door of the building shut,
I turned looking through the side windows to see Sam walking over. I was
thankful for the 4 x 4 car, providing us with a little privacy from any
building onlookers. As Sam came around the car I could see her eyes glistening
in the dim light. Quickly placing the water on top of the car I pulled her into
a tight hug whispering into her neck. “I’m sorry I shouldn’t have asked you
that...not here anyway”.  

“It’s okay...it’s not that, I’m just over tired I haven’t
been sleeping well lately”.

I pulled away to look her in the eyes. “Why...what’s going
on?”

“Nothing just working late.....and then last night I had to
listen to Jo and Josh having noisy sex most of the night”.

I could not resist grinning, relieved at her more relaxed
expression. “How noisy?”

She returned my grin her dimples just visible in the dim
light. “Very”.

“There’s nothing more frustrating than listening to other
people have noisy sex”. Thinking they must have been christening their new bed.

She moved her hand to softly cup my face. “I know”.

Moving closer I kissed her softly, pulling away to meet her
dark eyes, she slowly pushed me back against the car kissing me softly at first
then more deeply, I let out a low moan as our tongues met. I could feel her
body pressing against me as I placed my hands in the back pockets of her jeans
pulling her closer. We were both oblivious to the person stood at the side of
the car calling Sam’s name. 

“Err Sam.....SAM!”

We both snapped round to see Jo stood there looking at us, a
large grin on her face. Pulling away from each other, I moved my hand to my
face covering my mouth. I looked over to see Sam was doing the same.

“Wow.....sorry Sam there’s a call for you”. Jo pulled Sam
towards her heading for the back door.

I could hear Jo giggling as she spoke. “God at
last......spill spill spill”.

Flushed from the excitement I retrieved the water from the top
of the car, taking another swig as I leant against the car to catch my breath.
Making my way back to the YMCA common room I was worried we had been caught,
but I felt sure Jo would keep it to herself she wouldn’t want to cause any
trouble for Sam. I did however feel guilty about my line questioning about Kim,
but certainly not the outcome her kisses were so addictive I had to have more.
Heading back to the table we had previously occupied, Sam was already there
shuffling papers a brighter look in her face.   

Over the next three weeks we met up several times during my
scheduled days. I helped her where I could with her university work which
generally consisted of reading assignments on media and employment law hoping I
would understand them enough to be able to provide an opinion. Sam’s
application for a placement had been well received, she was offered two
placements, after deliberation she chose Hopkins as they specialised in
criminal law her main focus during University. We played several re-matches at
pool when the table was free, surviving on stolen moments which were becoming
as difficult for Sam as they were for me. We had met up several times away from
the hostel to jog and watch DVD’s although due to both our workloads that had
happened less and less of late. I genuinely missed her company and the warmth
that had developed between us over the last three months.

June

Wednesday

The knock at the door was muffled I resisted the urge to
look who it was as I was so close to the finish line in New York. I had
recently purchased a fitness game for the Wii, hoping it would improve my
fitness levels and break up my working day. A second knock I jogged to the
front door looking through the blind expecting to see a Virgin media rep for
the second time this week, why can’t he take a hint?

To my surprise it was Sam, I fumbled with the keys opening
the door to Sam with a nervous grin on her face, wearing a tailored dark grey
suit with a white shirt slightly un tucked, she looked amazing.

“Hey”. I puffed slightly out of breath and embarrassed at my
jogging attire compared to Sam’s formal wear.

“Sorry is it a bad time?”

“No, no not at all just doing a bit of exercise come in”. I
moved to one side ushering her in.

“I just wondered if you wanted to meet up on Friday to
celebrate my first week at my placement, we could go out after work or get a
take away my treat?”

She knew me too well staying in or going out no competition.
“Sounds great....why don’t you come round after work and we’ll order a takeaway,
I’ll get some wine in”.

I smiled taking in her outfit again. “Is this the new work
outfit....it looks great...is this what all the new up and coming solicitors
are wearing?”

“Yep”. She pointed at me. “Is this what all the crazy car
batterers are wearing now?”

I laughed sensing the spark between us as our eye’s locked.
“Well I want to be able to make a clean getaway next time”.

I laughed at the sight of her sticking her fingers in her
ears. “Next time...don’t tell me any more I work in the law profession now you
know....you can’t involve me in your crimes”.

“Really so I need to buy your silence?” I said moving
towards her, as a grin broke out across her face.

She let out a big sigh. “I’d better go....I said I’d help
Mike at the hostel tonight”.

I gently brushed my lips across hers feeling myself shiver
slightly when we touched, making me pull away. “I’ve missed you lately”.

“Me too”. She said softly, pulling me closer kissing me
slowly reaffirming how much I had missed her soft touch.

As she opened the front door I moved in close behind her
nonchalantly placing my arm around her to help open the door I felt the warmth
of her back against my arm, as she stepped outside, our eyes met as a smile
formed on both of our faces, I felt like a love struck teenager on a date.

“Okay I’ll see you Friday about 7 okay?”

“Yeah no prob I’m in all day, I’ll see you then”.

Closing the door as Sam walks off down the road towards
town, I leant against it wandering if she’ll be wearing that lovely grey
business suit when she comes round on Friday. My weakness for business wear
still very apparent.

Thursday

Work was dull as ever I had been given the task of setting
out an English Literature revision guide. My phone vibrated across my desk as I
sipped my tea my eyes glazed over looking at a very dull screen of Shakespeare
text, I picked up my phone to see a text from Sam.

‘Morning fellow worker can I pick your brain with a small
IT/work issue on Friday I’ll bring pudding to sweeten the deal if it helps!’

Umm interesting......will she be pudding I wondered?

I texted back trying to be a little flirtatious. ‘Sure no
problem I’ll be your IT guru for the evening – but it will cost you’

As my phone rang I was expecting it to be Sam asking what
the cost was, unfortunately all I heard was my sobbing sister sniffing down the
phone.

“Nat?.....What’s up are you okay....are the kids okay....and
Rich....Nat?” Oops, did she hear that Rich was my last option.

A muffled ‘yes’ response brought a sigh of relief, Rich was
away for the week in Glasgow sorting out a new client. His absence often
resulted in a Nat thinking too much about dad and what we had both lost that
night in January. She missed him just as much as I did only she had a family to
distract her most of the time, she refused my offer to come round and stay with
her till Rich got back. After hanging up several hours later my head pounding
from all the tears I had cried with her, I struggled to focus on anything for
the rest of the day. After attempting to watch ‘Ted’ on DVD to no avail, I
ended up in bed fully clothed by seven willing the day to end.