“No” he says “it’s my fault, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that but I just couldn't help myself, fuck Lauren, what are you doing to me?”
My lips feel bruised and tingly, I'm starting to panic, what am I doing? What if there's somebody in here that knows me? Out of nowhere he asks
“Do you smoke?” What, where did that come from?
“Random sort of question after that little moment, isn't it?” I ask, bemused. He gives a small laugh and nods in agreement
“Yeah, been a bit of a random sort of night I s’pose. I don't smoke often but, you've made me feel” he shakes his head and laughs as he speaks. “You’ve made me feel like I'm 15 again, my heads all over the place and I just fancy a smoke” He looks totally honest and sincere as he says this and possibly a little bit, embarrassed? Christ, he probably feels like he’s confessing to his mother. “Do you have any cigarettes on you?” I ask. Trying not to think too much into what he just said. I've made him feel 15 again. Well that's no biggie, he's made me feel like a physco, peado, sex fiend, he’s a child for fucks sake Lauren!!
“Actually yeah, I do, I usually carry a pack, I like a smoke after I have a few beers, but only now and then, I’m not a regular smoker or anything” He smiles slightly sheepishly at me. God, I really have never wanted to have sex with someone so much in my life, if he asked me right now, I would go home with him, what a slut. I would lick and suck and kiss him. Everywhere, all over. No, no I wouldn’t, I’m a married woman, I would do no such thing. I so would. Shush brain, where are these thoughts coming from? Shit, I hope that was only in my head and I haven’t actually said any of it out loud.
"What was that?” he asks with a smile
“No nothing. Nothing. Let’s go poison our lungs”
I motion to the girls where we're going as I know they will flip if they think I'm leaving with him. We have an unwritten rule about this type of thing and none of us are allowed to leave with a bloke, not that we would but you never know, we all do stupid things when drunk, right? I got pregnant, whilst under the influence, so I know first-hand. Jo, being single, is the only exception to this rule and even then is only allowed once we have vetted him and she has to text us with our secret safe word within an hour after leaving to let us know she's okay, it’s Just our own little sisterhood safety trip. You just can't be too careful these days!
We stand outside and he lights my cigarette.
“Where do you live?” He asks ... “Why do you want to know? It’s really a moot point as hopefully I won’t be living there much longer”
“I was just wondering if you were local. I have a few properties locally that I rent out and one is empty, it's just off the beach road. Just thought I might be able to help you out on the home front”
“Well, yeah, that sounds fantastic....but, what sort of money would you be looking at rent wise for a place just off the beach road? I think it would be a bit more than I could afford”
A sudden thought crosses my mind... Has he only continued chatting to me because he thinks I could be a prospective tenant? He is, after all a landlord and I am looking for a place to rent. My stomach flips over as I take another puff on my cigarette. Why am I smoking this? It’s just making me feel sick. I look around for a butt box and stub it out
“Well, why don't you take a look and see if you like it, then we can talk about money. It's only just become empty and there are a few jobs that need doing in there so I've told the agents to give me a month before they relist it. If you were interested, I wouldn't need to use the agents and that would save me money, in turn, that would be reflected in the rent”
I suddenly feel overwhelmed by the gravity of what I'm doing, I feel very drunk, a little unsteady on my feet and ever so slightly sick.
“Lauren, you okay?” he asks
“I think I need to go home. I don't feel well”
He has an arm around me in an instant and starts guiding me over to the outside seating area and sits me down.
“Sit here and I'll go and get you some water”.
My head is spinning; I really shouldn't have smoked that cigarette!
Is he for real or is he just a complete bullshit artist, Jo said he was a player, was he playing me? He is at least ten years younger than me and drop dead fucking gorgeous. He obviously has money and the attention of just about every woman in the place... Young, rich, and good looking....... So why the fuck would he be giving me the time of day? Before I have chance to process any of these thoughts he is back with a tall glass of iced water and a worried looking Jemma.
“You okay chick?” she asks rubbing my back. I take the water from him saying “Thank you” as I do and take a couple of big gulps. My stomach is starting to settle but my head is now pounding.
“I’m okay... Just had one cigarette too many and thought I was gonna green out all over the place and embarrass myself. I'm feeling a bit better now though, thanks”