23 - Valerie
Clay has fallen into a light sleep next to me, with his arms entangled around me. I look at his face, peaceful and serene in his sleep. He’s snoring lightly but I don’t even mind, I’m too dazed.
I came.
I felt it, what everyone tries to describe to me but can’t. Finally, finally! There’s nothing wrong with me. I let the realisation sink in. Maybe I just don’t know how to push my own buttons, maybe I’ve been doing it wrong all these years. I needed to let go of all the pent-up emotion inside me, and the complete fury I felt this morning after Clay ruined my sale allowed me to do that.
Maybe I’m uptight, and I just needed someone to unwind me.
Maybe it’s not just anyone I needed, maybe I needed Clay.
I take a deep breath and try to calm my buzzing brain. The way Clay touched me, looked at me, tasted me… I’ve never experienced anything like it. It’s like he didn’t care about his own pleasure, it was good enough to take care of me. I snuggle into him and let his light breath wash over my face, enjoying the complete serenity of the moment.
The calm that enfolds us is complete. His light snoring lulls me into a deep state of relaxation and I close my eyes, leaning into him. My breath slows and I let myself sink deeper into the bed.
My phone buzzes. I sigh.
I disentangle myself slowly from Clay and he groans but doesn’t wake. My phone is in my purse by the foot of the bed amidst the chaos of discarded clothing. I pick it up and see it’s Emma.
We still on for 1pm?
Shit. My lunch. I can’t flake on her now, she expressly told me she wanted to see me this weekend and talk to me. I know her well enough to know she needs me, and she’s my best friend. I turn to look at Clay’s sleeping form. I want to stay, to get to know him better and spend all day with him but I know that my friend needs me, and she comes first. I walk over lightly and sit next to him on the bed.
“Clay,” I whisper as I touch his shoulder. He makes a muffled moaning sound and turns towards me, wrapping his arm around my waist. I smile. “Clay I need to go, I’m really sorry. I have an appointment I can’t miss in half an hour.”
He opens his eyes and frowns.
“Don’t go,” he says simply. I sigh.
“I have to. I don’t want to, trust me.”
“You’re always leaving,” he whines. I laugh softly.
“I can come back later if you want? Bring some takeout or something?”
Finally he opens his eyes and looks at me. It feels like he’s looking deep inside me into my soul. His lips twitch upwards into a contented smile.
“I never thought I’d say this but that actually sounds really good.”
“Gee, thanks,” I respond sarcastically. “You really know how to make the girls swoon.”
“I’m not usually a takeout, chilling out on the couch with a girl kind of guy,” he says, grinning.
“So what kind of guy are you then? One who gets plastered and then ruins his best chance to sell his house?”
Laughing, he grabs my waist and pulls me down on the bed beside him, turning his body so he’s on top of me. Sweet, short kisses rain over my face and he asks me again not to go.
“Just stay here, cancel your appointment.”
I kiss him back, wrapping my arms around his neck. It feels so good to be here with him, like I’ve finally found where I'm supposed to be. I’ve never had such an instant connection with anyone. It’s intoxicating. I put my hands on his chest and push him away gently.
“I can’t tell you how good that sounds but I’ve been flaking on this friend of mine all week and I think she needs to see me.”
He lifts himself onto his elbows. “You really care about her, I can tell.”
“She’s my best friend. I wouldn’t have survived the past few months without her.”
He cocks his head to the side and brushes my hair away from my face. “Why, what happened the past few months?”
I want to tell him about my breakup and my struggles for the past few months but I can’t. Not yet. I’ve just met him and this is all happening too fast. I shrug. “It’s nothing. But right now I need to go.” I kiss him one more time and gently push him away. “I’ll be back tonight. How does Thai food sound?”
“Sounds perfect.”