“I can’t believe you still want me to go through with this blind date.” Alicia applied another layer of mascara to her lashes as Nell watched. It was Friday night and the end of Alicia’s first week at The Unbound Soul.

“Kyle’s really nice.”

“Ooo, nice. You’re really selling him to me, Nell.”

Nell punched Alicia’s arm, and she smeared mascara over her cheek. “He’s new to Rory’s work, moved to Oakridge from up north somewhere, and doesn’t have any friends yet. We thought you might like him. After all, it’s been ages since you had a proper relationship.”

Alicia rolled her eyes as she cleaned off the black streak. It had been a while since her last relationship had ended, and it hadn’t ended well. The guy she had been seeing managed to clean out her bank account shortly before she was made redundant and pretty much left her penniless. She had never been more pleased to lose a job in her life. Since she’d come back, there had been a smattering of dates here and there with people she vaguely knew and, of course, there had been Callan. That wasn’t a relationship. She didn’t know what that was. They hadn’t actually spoken about it since she’d started at The Unbound Soul. Whenever they were together there was an air of sexual tension that fizzed between them, though neither of them acted on it. Maybe he wasn’t interested and saw it as a one off.

She had to go into tonight’s date with an open mind.

The moment she laid eyes on Kyle, she was certain it wasn’t going to go anywhere. The four of them were going to La Mesa Tapas for food and then over to one of the clubs to see a band. At least if things didn’t go so well over dinner, she wouldn’t have to talk to Kyle too much at the club. Kyle was already waiting for them there. He was dressed in navy chinos and a preppy, checked shirt, topped with a mustard coloured blazer. She found herself checking his hands to see if he had any tattoos, and when she found naked skin, she couldn’t contain her disappointment. He kissed her on both cheeks, and she felt nothing.

They were already on desserts by the time Kyle actually plucked up the courage to speak to her directly. The conversation had consisted of Rory and Kyle talking about their latest problems with their clients, Rory and Nell arguing about where to go on holiday, and Nell and Alicia deciding which box set was their next choice to watch.

“Alicia, what is it that you do again?” asked Kyle.

“I work at The Unbound Soul, covering reception and doing marketing stuff. Callan and I are thinking of this amazing new campaign for next month and I think it’s going to bring in some fantastic results.” Even thinking about the ideas they’d bounced off each other made Alicia feel proud and excited all at the same time.

“What’s that? I don’t think I’ve ever heard of it,” said Kyle.

I doubt you would, thought Alicia. You’re probably scared of needles and get your hair cut by the same person that did it when you were twelve. “It’s a barber and tattoo studio in Fosse Arcade. If you’ve heard of Cutting Ink, then they’re the main rivals.”

Kyle nodded his head as if he knew exactly what she was talking about. “Sounds interesting. Rory said you were a Marketing Director?”

“Yeah, used to be, when I was in London. Things didn’t work out though, so I came back here.”

Kyle nodded again. “Right.”

Alicia kicked Nell under the table and the two of them excused themselves to go to the ladies.

“I don’t think Kyle and I are quite going to hit it off,” said Alicia.

“I’m sorry. He did sound nice when Rory first mentioned him.”

“I’m sure he is, just not for me.” Alicia checked out her reflection and fluffed up her hair. “When can we go to the club? I need a proper drink.”

“All in good time. And Kyle will still have to come with us. You can’t dump him here.”

“Ugh, okay.”

An hour later, they were jammed around a table at the club, the sounds of The Weekend Revolution reverberating through the air. Alicia’s eyes scanned the other clubbers for people that she knew, and she waved at a group of girls she remembered from one of her previous contract jobs.

“I’m going to get another drink,” she said. Escaping from the table, she went to the bar, squeezing her way through the crowd to get to the front. She waited for a while, trying to catch the attention of the barman. “Double vodka tonic, please,” she said, when she was finally served. She sipped the drink as she waited for her change, wondering how long she would have to stay before it was time to make a polite exit. As she turned to make her way back to the table, she bumped into a solid chest and spilled most of her drink over her dress.

“Shit! I’m so sorry, there are so many people here, it’s difficult to move,” said the guy she’d knocked into.

Alicia focused on the owner of the voice and found herself staring straight into Callan’s eyes.

“If anyone’s going to get me wet, I’m glad it was you,” she said.

“Me too.” The blue pools twinkled at her.

Without another word, he grabbed her hand and pulled her into the corridor that led to the backstage area. He took her glass and dropped it to the floor with a crack as his body trapped her between him and the wall. He ran a finger down her jawline, his eyes boring deeply into hers before his mouth crashed onto hers. His other hand reached for hers, grasping it tightly, his fingernails digging into her skin. Alicia couldn’t help but respond, her body writhing against his as she wound her hand into his hair, pulling him closer to her. His erection was pressing into her as their kisses became more fervent. Callan’s hands slipped under her dress, bunching the material up, his fingers pressing into her hipbones as his mouth slid to the side of her neck, teeth nipping the skin there. Alicia felt herself growing wetter as his fingers slipped up towards her breasts, palms grazing her nipples as they tightened under his touch. Her own hands went between the buttons of his shirt, exploring his abs and he tensed, exhaling loudly.

“Fuck, Alicia, I want you right now,” he groaned. “My place?”

Alicia didn’t need to be asked twice. “I’ll meet you outside in five minutes.” She rushed back to the table, grabbed her bag and coat, and made an excuse to Nell about needing to leave.

“Wait, do you want me to come with you?”

“I’ll be fine.” Alicia threw the words back over her shoulder as she hurried back to the entrance. “Callan’s with me.”

Callan was waiting for her, holding a taxi. They jumped in and the car sped off. The anticipation in Alicia’s body was building. Callan didn’t make any attempt to reach for her, and her fingers itched to touch him. She was pleased that the journey didn’t take too long, she couldn’t wait to get inside. This was getting to be a bit of a habit—one Alicia didn’t think she wanted to break.

They crashed through the door and headed straight for the bedroom. Alicia barely had time to take her coat off before Callan’s lips were on hers again.

“Sit on the edge of the bed,” he commanded.

She did as he asked and kicked off her shoes. He knelt down in front of her, pushing her dress up over her thighs and moving in between her legs, his shoulders forcing her thighs apart, spreading her open. She moaned when he lifted one of her legs over his shoulder before his mouth went down on her, his tongue circling her clit through the sheer material of her panties. Instinctively, she tried to buck against him, hampered while Callan held her in place, his tongue continuing to stimulate her. He pulled off her knickers and carefully inserted a finger, then a second, manoeuvring it to hit exactly the right spot.

“Jesus, Callan! I’m almost there!”

He smiled against her clit and stopped momentarily, then flexed his finger again.

“Fuck!” Alicia came undone, her body convulsing as the powerful orgasm hit.

Callan released her and sat back on his heels. His gaze ran over her, and Alicia could only imagine how she looked: flushed cheeks, clothes awry, eyes heavy with lust. As she recovered, he stripped off his shirt and Alicia admired his taut muscles covered with designs. Her own gaze dropped to his crotch and saw how his cock was pressing against the buttons of his jeans. Her insides contracted at the thought of him being inside her again. She knelt on the bed, hastily pulling her dress over her head. Her hands went to the catch on her bra.

“Wait.” Callan’s tone was low and husky. “Let me.”

Her hands fell to her sides as she waited for him to free himself; jeans, boxers, and socks ending up in a pool on the floor. Callan slid in behind her, one hand coming round to cup her as the other released her breasts from the confines of the black lacy bra. He tossed the garment onto the floor and pressed up against her. He manipulated her nipples, and Alicia could feel his length, hard and insistent, thrusting against her. The ache between her legs intensified as he pinched on her buds and all she could focus on was trying not to lose it again. She wanted to feel him inside her.

“Callan, please…”

He moved away, and she heard the foil of a condom packet being ripped. Before she had time to draw breath, Callan pushed her onto all fours and slammed into her from behind. The sudden force and the intensity with which he rammed into her took her by surprise, the second orgasm in as many minutes already building as he wrapped an arm around her, holding her close to him. They rocked together, the rhythm growing faster and faster as they headed for the stars. Alicia panted, the sensations consuming her entire being; she was so, so close.

With a guttural growl, Callan tensed, signalling the arrival of his impending release. “Alicia, what the fuck are you doing to me?” he managed as he collapsed against her.

They fell onto the bed, limbs wrapped around each other’s, both breathing heavily as they recovered. Callan adjusted his position, so Alicia was leaning against his chest. As she began to drift off into an orgasm-induced slumber, she couldn’t help but think this hadn’t been a bad decision.