Chapter 8

The next few days were the most deceptive of Elisabeth’s life. She spent it going behind Becky’s back, every spare moment she found herself alone with Steve, they could barely keep their hands off each other.

And Elisabeth had lived for the moments when they were alone. And it hadn’t been very often, so she made the most of every moment. The night she’d told Steve in the bathroom that she wanted to keep seeing him, they’d spent the next half an hour in there, pinned against the wall, completely glued to each other. They’d only separated because Elisabeth began to worry- what if Becky woke up and came in? And also because, even though she’s told Steve she wasn’t ready to sleep with him, that didn’t stop him from trying it on with her every time their kissing, got that bit too passionate. Elisabeth had got so scared they’d end up doing it right there, with Becky in the next room. She didn’t trust herself around him; she really didn’t. God knows what he’d make her do.

So, she parted from him reluctantly, but he wouldn’t let her go back to her room straight away- he kept pulling her back, and kissing her affectionately. But she was getting really worried Becky might catch them. He so nearly followed her into her room when she left the bathroom- the risk of being caught obviously didn’t bother him as much as the need to satisfy his testosterone!

But she finally persuaded him to let her go. And all the next morning, Becky, completely oblivious to what was going around her as Steve was such a good actor and Elisabeth spent a lot of time avoiding her, missed the two of them taking every opportunity to escape upstairs and sneak a quick snog in.

Elisabeth did feel dishonest about it all, but the thrill of being with Steve was dominating her. Gone was her shy, insecure self- Steve wanted her, needed her, and that made her feel so good; so much more confident.

So she tried not to feel bad about it.

Steve disappeared for the rest of Sunday then, and Elisabeth spent the whole day dreaming about him. Thinking about what they did together, how much he wanted her, when he kissed her, it was really intense and wonderfully sensual. She was so inxperienced with kissing, but Steve was teaching her so much, and he, even though he was the first and only person she’d ever kissed, was a good kisser. She knew it. She knew she was so lucky he liked her.

Problem was, Becky liked him loads too. She kept going on about how perfect he was, how sweet and funny and er, “imaginative”. Poor Elisabeth had to sit through a whole conversation about what they’d done behind Becky’s bedroom door on Saturday night… something Elisabeth didn’t want to ponder too much about.

The whole of Monday, there was no Steve at all, and it was killing her. She needed him so badly, wished she knew his phone number so she could call him from work.

Elisabeth worked at an Estate Agents- dealing with clients from the office; not showing them around the houses or anything. It wasn’t her dream job. She wanted to be brave enough to be a journalist, but she was too shy. She didn’t believe in herself enough, so she hid away in the Estate Agents, hoping things would just happen for her, without her doing anything.

She liked the Estate Agents though, she always made sure she worked hard and kept to deadlines, although it wasn’t her dream job, she was secure enough there.

But she found herself incapable of working well on Monday- she kept thinking about Steve, and dying to pick up the phone, dial a number she didn’t know and speak to a guy who seemed to only say a few things to her, which usually consisted of “Mmmm, you’re gorgeous”, “God I missed you” and “I need to shag you so bad, are you ready yet?”.

Yet she wanted to so badly, she barely did any constructive work that day at all.

Becky seemed to notice she was a little distracted, but totally took it the wrong way!

“Hun, I do believe you have a guy on your mind,” she told Elisabeth on Tuesday morning over breakfast.

Elisabeth nearly choked on her toast.

She looked up at Becky in surprise. “H-Huh?”

Becky laughed. “Wow hun- a guy on your mind that’s not Fitzwilliam Darcy or Rhett Butler!”

Elisabeth blushed, embarrassed. “Becky- what are you on about?” She asked uncomfortably.

“Well, it’s pretty obvious you’re having illicit thoughts about a certain guy who was here the other night!”

Elisabeth began to panic a little. Does Becky suspect something?! Had she not completely got away with it?!! She looked back at her, eyes wide in anticipation.

Becky laughed. “Sweetie, don’t worry,” she hushed her voice. “I won’t tell him you like him.” And she winked, grinning.

“W-W-Who do you mean?” Elisabeth asked, her voice thinning out.

“Paul! Of course!” Beck laughed.

Elisabeth raised her eyebrows. Paul?

“He iiiis cute,” Becky said, kinda dreamily. “not really my type though, slightly weird. But if that’s the kinda guy you go for, then good for you! About time you fancied a guy!”

Elisabeth didn’t know what to say. Paul? Paul?!!

Paul was the last person she’d ever fancy!

He was too God damn frightening.

Not cute and sweet like Steve…

“I don’t fancy Paul,” she said quietly.

“Oh sure!” Becky grinned. “Sure you don’t. Thought about shagging him yet?”

“Becky!” Elisabeth cried, cheeks flushing red.

Becky laughed- she loved doing that. “Ok, ok!! Kissing him, then. Have you, hun?”

“I don’t like Paul. I can barely remember him,” Elisabeth said softly, thinking- ha! That’s a good one!

How can I forget him?

“Ohhh Elisabeth,” Becky said, calling her by her real name on a rare occasion. “Maybe Paul feels the same way. Dunno if he has a girlfriend… I’ll ask Steve.”

“No- don’t!” Elisabeth cried, alarmed. God, she didn’t wanna go out with Paul!! Jeez, no! What a disturbing thought. Plus, she had Steve…

Becky just got up from the table, laughing. “Sweetie, don’t worry! He’ll love ya back!” And she left the room, and the conversation, then.

Ohhhh no, Elisabeth was thinking. If she says anything to Steve, or Paul directly, she is sooo dead! She shuddered at the thought of seeing him again.

Tuesday at work went slow, she spent the whole day with her work colleague Zoe, sorting out prices of a lot of new houses that had just been sold. But Zoe did most of the work… Elisabeth just wondered about Becky talking to Paul, and also, Steve was coming over tonight.

Becky had invited him over for a video night-in. And she’d made it subtlety clear to Elisabeth that they wanted to be alone.

That made Elisabeth feel a little upset, but she just hoped Steve would sneak upstairs and see her at some point during the evening. God- she needed him to! Nearly 3 whole days without kissing him- she felt desperate.

When the evening came, she quickly left Becky alone and went upstairs to do some work on her computer, keeping out of the way.

At around half 7, she heard a knock at the door, and Steve come in. She heard a delighted squeal from Becky about something, but then it seemed to go quiet, as they must have gone into the lounge to watch the video.

But just knowing he was downstairs made Elisabeth’s heart begin to beat quickly in excitement. Oh, she thought about them kissing soon, and she nearly jumped off her computer chair in excitement!

But after an hour or so, no-one had bothered her, and Elisabeth began to feel a little worried. Surely he wanted to see her as much as she wanted to see him? Then why wasn’t he here?

Frowning, she carried on typing, but was begging inside for him to appear at her door.

A few minutes later, she heard someone come upstairs, but go to the bathroom, instead of her room. Intrigued it could be him, she left her computer and as she heard them come out, she went over to her door and looked out onto the landing.

It was Steve. He was heading back down the stairs again, and Elisabeth, alarmed, called out, “Steve!”

He turned around in surprise, and saw her there.

Oh God, he was looking as gorgeous as ever! Elisabeth couldn’t help smiling, and before she knew it, she’d rushed over to him and waited there, for him to kiss her. She was still too shy to make the first move.

“Hi Liz,” he said to her, and by his tone, she knew something was different. Something had changed.

“Erm… ok?” She asked him, worried, feeling as those her heart may be about to feel a whole crate of pain.

“Sure! You?” He said.

“Yeah… I’m fine,” she answered, still wishing he’d smile a cheeky grin at her and start kissing her.

“Great. Hey, I better go- Becky’s waiting,” he smiled, and started to turn around.

Elisabeth felt her whole world collapsing. “Steve!” She called after him, her voice breaking.

He turned around. “Yeah?”

She fought her tears back. Why was he being so formal with her?!! She looked at him pathetically before hearing herself suddenly blurt out, “Kiss me!”

He laughed a little. “What?” He said, walking back towards her.

She was shaking a little bit now, from the sheer hurt that he was rejecting her. She avoided his eyes, feeling stupid. God- why had she said that?!

“Ohhh Liz… I can’t right now. Becky’s downstairs, and we’re watching a vid,” he explained to her. “She might see us.”

Yet you were willing to… to shag me in the bathroom the other night when she was next door?! Elisabeth thought confused.

He’s lost interest. He has to have done. Oh no, no, no, why didn’t I guess this would happen?!!

“Liz, look at me. And please don’t say you’re crying!!” He laughed, being a little insensitive.

Elisabeth kept her head down.

“Ohhh Liz… I promise, you are still as gorge as ever! It’s just tonight is tricky. Tell you what, I have the afternoon off work tomorrow if we get finished on time…”

Elisabeth looked up sharply. “Me too!” She said.

He smiled at her. “I know, Becky mentioned it. Want me to come round, and we can…er… keep each other busy?”

Oh yes, yes, yes!! She thought excitedly.

She smiled. “Sure!” She said happily.

He smiled back. “Great. See you then,” he said, touching her cheek gently, and then turning to go. But before he did, he turned back and grinned at her. “You’re looking fantastic babe,” he said, and then turned, and jogged down the stairs.

Elisabeth felt like squealing. She’d been so frightened for a moment that he was trying to ignore what they’d been doing- but wow- a whole afternoon with him tomorrow?! And he thought she was looking fantastic!

Arraghhhh!

Short of doing a sad little dance, she giggled excitedly and went back into her room. But of course, no more work was done that night!

A little later, she heard him leave, and then Becky came upstairs. She put her head around Elisabeth’s door, grinning.

“Hey Liz!”

“Hey- good night?” Elisabeth asked her, thinking, I had a good one!

“Yup!” She giggled. “What was the film about? Haha! Steve and I were a little pre-occupied!”

Elisabeth decided to ignore that.

“Glad you had a good time. You off to bed?” She asked.

Becky nodded. “Yup… alone… damn!” She laughed. “Ahhh, Steve had work early tomorrow apparently. Anyway- see you in the morning, hun!” She said, and half waved.

“Night,” Elisabeth said, as Becky disappeared.

Elisabeth got ready for the night then, and then decided to go downstairs to get a quick drink.

She jogged down, still grinning about Steve, and walked through the lounge into the kitchen, when she saw something that caught her eye.

She stooped walking, and turned to the table in the corner, and saw a vase full of gorgeous white lilies.

Steve, she instinctively thought.

She uneasily went over to them to get a closer look. God, they were gorgeous.

But… not hers…

She saw a little card attached to them, and lent out to turn it over, and read it.

To Becky,

Such a gorgeous girl needs gorgeous flowers!

You’re really special to me!

Love you!

Steve xxx

Now Elisabeth’s heart did feel that crate of pain.

It hit her really hard.