9 | skin of the night
By Friday, I was no longer anxious about William’s inevitable presence in my life. The process of coming to terms with it had been aided by the fact that I hadn’t heard a word from him since Monday, and Jason hadn’t shown any signs of being aware of our one-night stand either. Clearly, William had kept his word so far. Besides, considering how busy Jason currently was with work at the hospital, I doubted I would be seeing his brother much. Jason barely had time to catch his breath between shifts. The A&E department was clearly no joke. I had never seen him this exhausted.
‘Shit,’ I muttered when I eyed the time. Lifting my head from Aaron’s bare chest, I sat up in his bed and put my phone aside. ‘It’s half six already. I should go.’
‘You might as well sleep over.’
I brushed my hand across his torso, caressing his soft brown skin. ‘No, I didn’t bring my things.’ I climbed out of his bed and picked up my clothes from the floor. ‘Besides, I’ve got to assemble my new wardrobe and desk. I’m in dire need of a quiet place to revise, and I can’t be bothered to head for the library every time, especially with our first exam coming up next Friday. I’d save so much time reading at home.’
‘Course you can’t,’ he said amusedly.
Turning, I caught him admiring my state of undress .
‘What do you mean by that?’ I asked and pulled my blouse over my head.
He met my eyes as a smile climbed to his kiss-swollen mouth. ‘That you’ve always been a devout subscriber to efficiency. I’m sure you’d buy a new microwave if it meant you could save ten seconds heating your meals.’
A laugh snuck out of me. ‘Well, who would want to lie on their deathbed knowing they’d wasted hours that could have been minutes waiting for their meals to cook?’
‘People who don’t permanently live in the future.’
‘I can live in the moment.’
He didn’t look convinced. ‘If that were true, you’d stay the night.’
My shoulders sank. ‘That’s not fair.’
He sighed. ‘Maybe.’
Pushing himself up, he climbed out of the bed and reached for his boxers on the floor. ‘Mum was wondering if you’d like to come for dinner on Sunday.’
It had been over a month since I last saw his mother Mary-Anne, so I was slightly disappointed that I would have to decline. Mary-Anne was one of few role models in my life – I admired her resilience as well as her strength – so I adored spending time with her.
I had met her for the first time over dinner two years ago, and I had learned then that Aaron’s father had been both an alcoholic and an incorrigible gambler, so Mary-Anne had eventually been forced to leave him when Aaron was only four. He hadn’t been present in Aaron’s life since then, but I was vaguely aware that he had taken out substantial loans during their marriage to settle his gambling debt, and that he had also spent a considerable amount of the sum that Mary-Anne had set aside to finance Aaron’s eventual education on his troublesome habits.
With barely a penny to her name, Mary-Anne had raised Aaron to be the exemplary man he was today. Through hard work as a waitress, she had given him the most comfortable life she could. Her story inspired me, and so did her character. In fact, upon meeting her, I had quickly realised where Aaron had inherited his patient and constructive nature from, although Mary-Anne was slightly more forthright than her son.
As I pulled on the black, low-denier stockings that I had worn under my grey pencil skirt, I cast Aaron a glance. ‘I’d love to, but Jason’s parents have already invited me for dinner that day. If she’s got time next week, tell her I’d love to come then instead.’
‘Right, I’d forgotten that. I’ll ask her. ’
‘Good.’
He pulled on his boxers and sat down on the bed. Reclining onto his forearms, he watched me get dressed.
‘So I won’t be seeing you anytime soon, then, now that you’ll be revising at home.’
‘Jason’s working on Monday. His shift starts at two, so you could always come over and revise at my place then.’
He nodded. ‘I’d like that.’
‘Mind if I invite Livy?’
‘Not at all.’
‘Shall I invite Cassie as well?’ My tone was playful, but truthfully, I asked because I wanted to check if I was on the brink of losing him to her.
‘Don’t be a tit.’ He rolled his eyes, and that was all the reassurance I needed.
§ § §
With a screw in my mouth, I was sitting within the frame of my new wardrobe, listening to Foals, when I heard a key being inserted into the front door. Frowning, I put the manual screwdriver aside. Was it half-past eight already? Reaching for my phone, I saw that it was only eight.
Leaving the screw on the floor, I called, ‘Hiya. You’re home early.’ I stood up. ‘How was work? I’d planned to cook dinner for you, but I started assembling the wardrobe that I ordered from IKEA,’ I said as I walked toward my bedroom door. ‘So I thought we could just order something since—’ I gasped when I turned toward the front door. It wasn’t Jason.
‘What are you doing here?’ I asked, my heart pounding. Heat flooded my face, and I dared not imagine its new colour. Adrenaline heightened my senses, making me hyperaware of his presence.
William was the last person I had expected to see, so I hadn’t been remotely prepared to endure the power he exuded, nor had I been prepared to regard the gorgeous view of him.
It really wasn’t fair that anyone should be so attractive, especially when considering our circumstances. In his navy suit, he looked nothing short of edible. To think I had seen him stripped of it, naked in all his glory – I could hardly believe it.
All at once, the anxiety I had managed to overcome since Monday recovered in full.
A crooked smile of amusement emerged on William’s mouth, and the sight evoked the memory of how lovely it had felt to kiss those lips.
‘I’m thrilled to see you too, Cara. I’ve missed you.’
I hadn’t thought my cheeks could become any hotter, but he proved me wrong.
‘Work was fine, thanks for asking,’ he went on. ‘And don’t worry about dinner. I’m charmed you planned to cook for me, though.’
‘You’re such a knob,’ I grumbled, but that only made him laugh.
‘Sorry.’ He raised his hands as if to claim innocence, and I saw a keychain hanging around his forefinger. ‘I didn’t mean to startle you. I’m here to watch the match with Jason.’
‘Match?’
‘Chelsea’s playing at eight. I’ve come straight from work, so Jason said to let myself in. He should be home soon, though, so you won’t have to endure me on your own for long.’
‘You’ve got a key?’
He stored the keychain inside his suit jacket. ‘I’ve had a key ever since he moved in.’
My eyebrows arched. ‘Good to know.’
‘He didn’t tell you I’d be coming over?’
‘No. Must’ve slipped his mind.’
‘He’s been rather stressed lately.’
‘Clearly.’
Unsure of what to do with myself, I folded my arms and glanced over my shoulder. ‘Well, make yourself at home, then, I suppose.’
‘Thanks.’ He shrugged out of his jacket and bent to loosen his brown leather shoes.
‘I’ll be in my room if you need anything.’
Still bent over, he turned his head and looked up at me with a smile.
‘Really? I’d have thought you would bolt the door.’
Chuckling, I turned toward my room. ‘Don’t push your luck.’
‘Is that Foals I hear?’ he asked then. Surprised, I froze in the doorway. Did he share my taste in music as well? If he did, I wasn’t sure I would ever discover a single flaw in him.
‘Might be.’
As he stretched up to kick off his shoes, he gave me a winsome grin. ‘You’re into rock?’
‘Among other genres.’
‘Which is your favourite?’
I swivelled to face him. ‘By Foals? ’
‘No, genre.’
I shrugged. ‘Probably rock.’
‘And here I thought you couldn’t get any more perfect.’
At this rate, red was becoming the permanent colour of my face.
‘Do you have a favourite band?’ he asked as he took the liberty of coming closer.
‘What’s it to you?’
‘Oh, come on, Cara.’ He smiled and delved his hands in his pockets. ‘You already know the answer to that.’
My heart raced when he stopped in front of me, awfully close. It felt like an electric current charged between our bodies, begging me to close the gap. I wondered what would happen if I did. Would he push me away or would he press me against him?
‘Do I?’ I smiled back.
‘Yes.’ His tempting mouth spread into a grin, his hypnotic eyes glimmering above.
‘I’m not sure I do.’
He shook his head and turned his profile to me, still grinning. ‘Well, I spent a whole night getting to know a woman named Sandra. Don’t get me wrong, she was perfectly charming, but there’s something about the real you that I find even more ... ’ He met my eyes again. ‘Riveting.’
I inhaled sharply. Were we flirting? It certainly felt like it. If we were, I knew we ought to stop, but I just couldn’t help myself.
I pursed my lips, trying to suppress my smile, but it was ineffective. ‘Is that so?’
‘I’m afraid so, yes.’
My face was unbearably hot, and it didn’t help that he kept staring at me, keenly observing my reactions.
‘Well, I’m sorry to say that I’m actually much more boring than Sandra is.’
His smile turned crooked. ‘I’ll be the judge of that.’
I averted my eyes, trying to keep my feelings in check, but it was futile. They ran amok within me, filling my chest with exhilarating sensations.
‘What’s your favourite band, Cara?’ he prompted, and when I looked back, his gaze radiated furtive amusement.
I swallowed, but my throat remained tight. ‘It’s hard to say. I’ve got several, and I can’t choose between them. Though, right now, the band I listen to the most is probably Arctic Monkeys.’
‘Excellent choice. ’
‘How about you?’
‘Well, I feel similarly, but Pink Floyd is the band I always return to, so perhaps I should go with them.’
I chuckled. ‘Old-school. Nice. They’re at the top of my list as well.’
‘Really?’
‘Really.’
He looked elated. ‘Then I propose you come over to my place one day. We can listen to old vinyl records together over a glass of wine.’
‘Of course you’d propose that.’
‘Is that a Yes?’
I laughed. ‘It’s a definitive No.’
‘Gutted,’ he joked, though I suspected he was slightly serious.
‘You’re relentless.’ Still smiling, I shook my head and entered my room.
Lingering in the doorway, William scanned the chaos on the floor. ‘I see you’ve abandoned Sandra to become Bob the Builder instead.’
The amount of wit his tongue ceaselessly whipped around was outstanding, and it had a direct line to my sense of humour. Before I knew it, I was laughing my head off. The joke was just so unexpected, and so apposite.
‘William, oh my God.’
‘You’ve got an adorable laugh,’ he said then, and it shut me up at once. Something fluttered in my chest, and I could feel myself blushing yet again.
Smiling, he leaned against the doorpost and studied the neat pile of folded clothes in the corner of my bedroom. Wondering what was so interesting about it, I looked over and realised that his T-shirt was lying at the top.
‘You can have it back,’ I said and gestured to it.
He shook his head. ‘I’ve no need for it. Besides, it looks better on you.’
My eyebrows arched and my lips parted, forming a disbelieving smile. He was so damn slick.
‘I’m guessing that’s supposed to become a wardrobe,’ he said and jerked his head toward my project. I didn’t fail to notice that he changed the subject before I could insist on giving back his T-shirt. He obviously wanted me to keep it, but why? Was he simply being generous or was it something else?
‘Yeah.’
‘Need any help?’
I sat down within the frame of the wardrobe and gave him a sceptical look. Upper class as he was, I doubted he had ever done similar work .
‘Do you even know how to use a screwdriver?’
From the expression that crossed his face, it was apparent that I had offended him. ‘Of course. It’s not exactly rocket science, is it?’
‘Well, I appreciate the offer, but I’m good, thanks.’
‘All right, then, Bob. I’ll leave you to it. Give me a shout if you get stuck.’
I strangled a laugh. ‘Won’t happen.’
Part of me definitely preferred him gone, but another wished he would stay for ever.
When I heard the characteristic sound of a crowd cheering on their team, I realised he had switched on the TV. Hyperaware of his proximity, I contemplated whether to shut the door between us, but I decided against it. I was desperate to maintain some level of control over his whereabouts so that I might predict a sudden arrival.
On edge, I focused on my labour, but when half an hour had passed, the music that played in the background had swept me away into a state of mindfulness. Activities like these were thoroughly therapeutic. For the first time in weeks, I hadn’t given my exams a single thought within the span of thirty minutes. Even William’s presence had faded into the background.
But my state of relaxation soon transformed into frustration, because apparently, several screws were missing. I searched the floor for the assembly instructions. That was when I noticed a pair of feet in the doorway. Right in front of them, I discovered the document.
My heart missed a beat and I lifted my gaze. How long had he been standing there? Our eyes collided, and I saw humour basking in his.
‘Sounds like you’ve fucked up,’ he said and reached down for the assembly instructions.
Since I wanted to present myself as capable of the task, I said, ‘I haven’t. A few screws are missing.’
He eyed me dubiously, opened the instructions, and skipped a few pages until he located the step I was currently stuck at.
‘Give me that,’ I demanded. ‘Don’t you have a match to watch?’
‘Half-time,’ he said and approached to assess my work. Squatting next to me, he studied the various screws still in the bag and extracted one to compare it with the illustration in the instructions.
‘There are enough screws, all right,’ he said. ‘You’ve merely put them in the wrong holes.’
Mortified, I snatched the document from his grasp. ‘How would you know? ’
‘I’ve got an eye for identifying holes,’ he said, looking at me sideways.
Meeting the lecherous gleam in his eyes, I replied, ‘Me too, especially arseholes.’ My quip earned a chuckle.
‘Here’ – he motioned to the screwdriver behind me – ‘pass me the screwdriver.’
I shook my head as I studied the instructions. ‘I’d rather cast it into the fire.’
His eyebrows arched. ‘Is that a Lord of the Rings reference?’
Since it had been exactly that, my lips pursed. ‘Maybe.’
His head tilted while he studied me with a sense of wonder in his eyes. ‘Honestly, where have you been all my life?’
Snorting, I closed the instructions and left them on the floor. William had unfortunately been correct.
‘In hiding,’ I said. ‘And I’m still not happy about being found, because I was never lost.’
He tittered. ‘Love, you’re so lost you don’t even realise it.’ He leaned past me to fetch the screwdriver. He lingered there for a second, and his closeness caused a bolt of ferocious electricity to course through my heart. Mindful of the memories his scent was likely to provoke, I held my breath and leaned slightly away.
‘Am not,’ I said, but didn’t object when he began to remove the screws, because the sight of his beautiful hands distracted me. Steadily and patiently, they removed one screw after the other, and I thought at that moment that I must be going insane, because the view was oddly arousing. They moved so capably, so confident in their work. Those hands could make anything come undone.
In the dim light, his dark brown hair glistened faintly. My eyes journeyed along the tidy waves of it, down to where their darkness gently kissed his paler skin as they cradled his ears and neck.
As my gaze strayed further to admire the rest of him, that alien feeling crowded my chest again. It made me feel so full, like I hadn’t sufficient space to contain it. It was dense and heavy, yet I felt lighter than air.
Transfixed, I studied his beauty as though it were the most impressive constellation ever to have fallen into place. Indeed, he seemed out of this world. Like stars upon the sky, each gorgeous feature of his body connected to form a celestial masterpiece.
He was undoubtedly a work of art, and I marvelled at how many secrets each detail veiled. I wondered what his thoughts were, how far the alleys of his mind stretched, how vast their content. Could they be endless? He seemed like the embodiment of the entire cosmos – the skin of the night.
‘The Devil’s in the detail, darling,’ he suddenly said and glanced at me out of the corner of his eye. ‘Something to bear in mind, especially if you mean to practise law.’
Since I was still mortified at my display of incompetence, I folded my arms and looked away. ‘I’m just tired after revising all day. I’ve never encountered this problem before, and I’m a veteran when it comes to assembling IKEA furniture.’
It seemed like he was just about to respond when somebody unlocked the front door. Shooting up, I panicked at the thought of Jason discovering his brother in my room. A moment later, I remembered that the scene he would come upon was entirely innocent, so in the end, there was no cause for concern.
‘Hello?’ Jason called as I heard a bag land on the floor.
‘Hi, Jason,’ I greeted, but I didn’t sound half as calm as I had intended.
‘We’re in here,’ William said.
Hearing Jason’s footsteps, I took a deep breath and begged myself to remain composed. I had never been around the two of them at the same time before, and the reality of it was straining my conscience, because it intensified the notion that I was keeping Jason in the dark about my sensual history with his brother.
When he appeared in the doorway, I forced a smile.
‘What’s happening here?’ he asked as he observed the mess on the floor.
‘I’m just teaching your brother how to assemble a wardrobe,’ I said.
William froze, a blend of amusement and astonishment on his face.
‘Yes,’ William said and looked at Jason. ‘You see, I put the wrong screws in the wrong holes. I’d say it’s because I’m tired after work, but the truth is that I was just too stupid and stubborn to realise it.’
My mouth fell agape at his playful insult, but before I could reply, Jason chuckled and said, ‘Sounds like you,’ to which William responded with an underwhelmed expression.
Speaking over each other, I said to Jason, ‘I love you,’ just as William replied, ‘No, you halfwit.’
In perfect synchrony, we turned toward each other, but I was the first to speak. ‘I win.’
A chuckle slipped out of him and he shook his head. ‘Fake it till you make it, I suppose. ’
‘Glad you seem to get on,’ Jason said, grinning, and crossed his arms.
William returned his focus to my wardrobe. ‘You’re late.’
‘Yeah, I know. Chaos at the hospital today. Fridays, you know. I’ve been keeping track of the match on my phone, though. Doesn’t look like I’ve missed out on much.’
‘You haven’t,’ William said. ‘Anyway, have you had dinner?’
‘No, I’m starving.’
‘Same.’
‘Have you had dinner, Cara?’ Jason asked and removed his shirt.
I shook my head.
‘Should we order something, then? I’m in the mood for sushi.’
‘When are you not?’ William and I replied in perfect unison. Since I felt him gazing at me, I resisted the urge to look in his direction.
‘Right.’ Jason curved a brow and flung his shirt over his shoulder, his eyes flickering between us. ‘Why don’t you place the order while I shower? Half-time’s nearly done.’
‘I’m busy slaving around,’ William said. ‘Cara, would you be so kind?’
I frowned. ‘I would, but given the size of you two, I’ve no idea how big of an order I should place.’
‘Order for a family of six,’ William said.
‘Yeah, six is good,’ Jason agreed.
Six? Jesus Christ.
‘Right, okay.’ I picked up my phone from the floor.
Not only had Jason finished showering, but the match had also started again by the time William handed over the screwdriver.
‘Please don’t fuck up my work,’ he said amusedly.
‘While I appreciate your assistance, kindly piss off,’ I replied with equal humour.
‘If it suddenly collapses in a few weeks, you’ll be the culprit, not I.’
‘It won’t.’
From the gleam in his eyes, I could tell he was about to ridicule me, but Jason’s sudden cry came to my rescue. ‘Fuck! Are you kidding me?’
The look on William’s face made me giggle. His eyes were wide with horror.
‘Fly, you fool,’ I joked, and it earned a smirk as he caught the reference.
Following his hasty exit, I got back to work with a smile.