DARCY
“Taylor, are we done? I think my feet are gonna fall off.” whines Ash.
“I’m knackered too.” I stand next to Ash, pouting. If we make a stand we can go home. “Seriously, I’m all shopped out!”
“Come then you lightweights.” She sighs dramatically.
“Um, hello. Lady with a baby,” shouts Ash.
“Don’t be so dramatic.” Taylor tells Ash as we pile all our bags into the boot of the car. Ash makes a beeline for the back door and gets in. As I open the door at the front, I see her with her legs across the seat and her feet up. Laughing at her I get in and we make our way home.
We reach The Lions Head, where the boys are. Parking up the car we head inside and see them sitting around a table, talking.
“Look at you old women gossiping.” Taylor says as she sits on Chris’s lap. Adam gets up to greet me, “Hey babe,” he says smiling widely.
“Hi.”
“Here, sit down.” I take Adam’s seat next to Todd as Adam introduces me to Ryan. I watch as he pulls a chair over for Ash and she sits down.
“Pleased to meet you, Darcy. How did you manage to tame him?”
I smile wide, I’ve heard this off them all. “Good to meet you, Ryan.” Smiling, I shake his hand and Todd gets up to go to the bar.
“What are you having, ladies?”
I order a coke and Ash has a lemonade while Taylor shouts up for a bottle of Budweiser.
We spend the next hour talking and laughing. It’s been such a good day today but I’m exhausted. When Adam asks if I’m ready for home though, I tell him yes, although I don’t think I’ll be going to my house as Adam’s had a drink.
We say bye to Ash and Ryan. Then before Taylor and Chris leave I thank Taylor again and hug her to me. “I’ve had such a good day today, thank you so much Taylor.”
“Ahh, anytime and you’re welcome. We’ll have to do again though it was fun!”
“Yeah okay, but next time can you give me more notice please.”
“It was just what you needed. You’ve got my number - ring me if you need to talk, I’m always here.” I smile my thanks at Taylor, grab my bags and let them go, then Adam, Todd and I make our way to their house.
When we reach Adam’s house there’s no-one home and he’d already told me his Dad was working, so we head upstairs to his room.
He shuts the door behind me, grabs my hand and turns me to face him.
“I’ve waited to get you on your own all day. How’re you feeling now?” he asks as he holds me in his arms.
“I’m better. Taylor’s right, retail therapy really does work.” I smile at him as he stares into my eyes, my soul. I don’t know how I ever rejected him in the first place because I wouldn’t change this for the world right now.
He rubs our noses together softly, before his lips touch mine tenderly. My lips part, our tongues entwine as his strokes mine, my palms rub up his chest towards his shoulders, his neck.
My fingers go into his hair halfway up his scalp where I tug lightly. I've never wanted anyone the way I want Adam, and after what happened the last time I was in here like this, I can't wait!
Adam sucks on my tongue and lip like I'm a food he wants to savour. Pulling away slightly his lips move across and make a trail to my neck instead.
Gasping, “Adam, we need to stop.” I really don't want to but we must.
“But I don't want to,” Adams deep, husky voice is going to break my resolve to be the more sensible one here. “Why don't you stay here tonight, with me?”
“Do you think I should though? Especially with the way I left things with my parents.”
Adam walks me to the bed, sits me down then places his hands on my shoulders, “Look I know you're upset about last night, but babe - you're allowed to have a life too. It's not fair that you have to live yours like this, walking around on eggshells… you're allowed to kick back too.”
Sighing heavily, I rest my forehead on his tummy as his hand strokes down the length of my hair soothing me. The guilt I let slip away earlier has returned full force but why do I feel like this.
“Adam, why do I feel so guilty?” I ask him quietly. Adam sits beside me and takes my hand in his, he pulls me too him with the other. I rest my head on his shoulder as the tears begin bubbling under the surface just waiting to break free.
“You have way too much responsibility on your shoulders. They’ve let you take that responsibility and it’s not fair on you.”
I don't want to cry and ruin the amazing day I've had. I take a deep, shuddering breath in and blow it out. Mind made up, I'm an adult, I’m allowed to have a life and I want to live it.
“Darcy?” I look up at him with sad eyes. “I'm sorry I shouldn't have said that. It wasn't my place to say it…” I place two fingers over his lips to shush him.
“It's okay, you're right.” I smile to let him know everything is okay between us.
Kissing my fingers, he moves them away from his lips.
“I just want you to see that you're important too. I know your Dad’s unwell but with all this stress you've got building, it's eventually going to take its toll. I care for you too much to see that happen.”
The pad of his thumb traces my lips,
“Really. You care about me?”
“Yes, really! Is that so hard to believe.”
I bite into my lip, thinking about it, “Maybe…”
Adams eyebrows raise as I answer, his lips connect with mine as he pushes me down to the bed, his chest pressing me into the mattress and his hands keeping my head in place as he devours me.