“Here, some wine to relax you.” Julian poured her a flute of wine before getting in the tub next to her. Her hair was tied at the base of her neck in a clip.
“Thank you. I need to relax.”
“You’re over-thinking everything,” he said. He caught her hand kissing her knuckles. Her body tightened as pleasure rushed to every part of her body.
“That’s easy for you to say. You’re used to this. I’m not.”
“So you spend a little time with me.”
“A little time? Julian, I spend every moment here. I’ve not slept in my own bed in over six months. My friends hate me, and you’re telling me I’m over-thinking things.” She took a sip of the wine. It tasted like vinegar. She didn’t have the energy to tell him she should be swallowing down tequila shots with her friends at Wade’s.
“If it means that much to you, we’ll go to Wade’s this weekend. I’ll meet your friends.”
“You’d do that?” she asked.
“Yes.”
She gave a smile. It was forced, but at least she’d get to see her friends. Heather took another sip of her wine. He stroked her shoulder and then her hair. His touch was soothing, yet annoying.
“So all of your women know when you’ve had enough?” she asked, sipping a glass of wine. For the last six months she’d been putting off the inevitable. The longer they stayed together the quicker she was growing towards her best before date.
“I’m not cruel, Heather. I give them fair warning. I’ll make sure they’re comfortable for a few months and then cease any further contact.” He stroked her neck as he sipped his own wine.
“You don’t think that is cruel?” She shivered when he circled a nipple with his finger, his nail scraping the tender, red flesh. Her pu**y pulsed with the fresh wave of desire.
“Most if not all the women I date know the score. I’ve never made a promise I don’t intend to keep.”
She licked her lips staring into her glass. The alcohol was going to her head, making her feel dizzy. It was moments like these, hearing his blunt talk, that made her regret her decision to be his.
“What about me? Where do I come in?”
He opened his mouth to talk then stopped and closed his lips. Heather drained her glass of wine, placing the glass carefully on the side of the bath tub. She wiped her lips to rid any excess. The fact he couldn’t answer her questions left her feeling lonely. Her friends had more than warned her about the path she was taking with him. She’d been a fool not to listen to them.
“I don’t know,” he said, shrugging his shoulders.
“Just don’t expect a ring?” She blew a few bubbles away. The tears she felt coming to the surface got clogged in her throat. “I need to get out. I’m turning into a prune.” She lifted out of the bath grabbing a towel to cover herself. Even though her nakedness didn’t bother her as much as it used to she suddenly felt too exposed to show so much flesh off.
“Don’t go, Heather. I think conversations like this are only going to spoil our time together.” He caught her wrist before she had chance to pull away.
“I get it, Julian. You won’t commit to any relationship no matter what. I understand. I even respect it. You’ve been upfront with me. I’ve just got to get used to it.” She gave him a smile and pulled on her wrist. For several moments he refused to let her go. “Julian.”
“I’m sorry,” he said.
Heather knew he rarely used that word. “It’s okay. I need to get dressed. I’m hungry. Do you want anything?” She needed to distract him.
“I’ll have a sandwich.”
“I’ll make you one. Don’t come into the kitchen, okay? I’ll bring it to you.” Julian nodded his head then let her go. Taking a deep breath she moved into the bedroom to grab a robe. She wrapped her hair in the towel that had been around her body then slowly made her way to his kitchen. The tears began to fall halfway down the stairs. Ignoring all of her warning bells she picked up the phone and dialled Amber’s number. She knew all of her friends were staying together at Amber’s. Heather needed to hear their voices. She didn’t know what she was doing. The pain inside her chest was growing unbearable.
At first the call went to the answering machine. She hung up and dialled again. Connie answered on the second ring, laughing. “Hello, welcome to the weird residence of Amber. How may I help you?”
“Connie!” Heather gave a light laugh. “I take it you girls are having fun.”
“Heather?”
“Heather is on the line. Put it to speaker phone. I want to hear everything.” There was some shuffling around, and then she heard all of them talking together.
“How is your dirty weekend?” Connie asked.
“You’re only jealous,” Ashley said.
“Damn right. Shut up, guys. I want to hear her talk.” The line went deathly quiet.
“It’s going fine, guys. I just wanted to talk to you.” Her voice sounded croaked, as if she’d caught the flu.
“Oh, no. I know the sound of this. Is the honeymoon period over all ready?” Amber asked.
Heather looked behind her to make sure the coast was clear. “I don’t think there ever was a honeymoon period. I think I’m the only one who felt something more than sexual attraction.” The sob she’d been containing released. She knew she’d sound awful over the line, but she didn’t care. She wished she was at home with her friends. Being at home with her brother Elijah would have been better than being with a man who gave her an expiration date.
“I thought you girls were angry with me. I haven’t been with you for over six months. Last time we really talked we were fighting,” Heather said. The tears fell, and she knew her time with Julian was coming to an end.
“We love you, honey. We were being bitchy and missing you. Out of all of us, you’ve never let a guy into the equation. Guess what?”
“What?” she asked, her heart feeling lighter knowing her friends didn’t hate her.
“Wade has the karaoke thing going tomorrow night. You’ve got to come. We’ve already signed Connie up to sing. It’ll be great. Alcohol, dancing, singing, and friends,” Ashley said.
“You’re in luck. Julian has agreed to meet you guys. I’ll tell him about the karaoke, and I’ll meet you guys there.”
The girls on the other end screamed. Heather laughed.