Unexpected

21. Helen

"The cookies are ready," I breathe on his lips. I'm provoking him, I love doing it, I love that frustrated expression he makes when I walk away.

I open the oven and using pot holders I take out the pan. The apartment is filled with the scent of sweets.

Harry is still leaning against the counter, his hands gripping the white marble and veins appear on his forearms. He looks down, he is silent again.

"Harry?" I call his attention as I sprinkle the icing sugar over the cookies.

"What?" he replies, with a cold tone, different from the one he used a little while ago.

I snort. He's been strangely nice all afternoon and now... "Why are you so quiet?" I ask him and taste a cookie.

He gives a sarcastic laugh. "I am silent. Well, I'm sorry but do you realize what you just did?"

I look around, trying to understand. "Uhm... no."

He shakes his head and walks over to me. He puts two fingers under my chin and forces me to look at him. Looking into my eyes, he says to me, "Do you often leave things unfinished?"

I wet my lips and swallow. He is waiting for my answer. "No," I say softly.

"Then finish what you started."

I put my hands on his neck and kiss him, standing up on tiptoe. His lips are soft, warm, moist and hungry. His tongue doesn't hesitate a second to meet mine, which doesn't hold back. Our bodies are attached, I can feel his muscles tense and relax under my hands, his warmth. He holds me by the hips and starts kissing my neck...

Shit... it feels so good.

He unties the apron ribbon and takes it off me, drops it to the floor. Every cell in my body awakens the moment he puts his big, rough hands under my top and undoes my bra. At the same time I go to take off his undershirt; his skin burns under my touch.

He gently takes my neck and looks at me, until he says, "Helen, if you want to stop me, do it, because I can't."

"Why should I?"

He sighs and closes his eyes. "If you don't, you'll hate me."

A smile escapes me. "But I hate you already." Yes, he's a piece of shit, but he's not that bad.

His lips curl in a slight smile too. "Okay, fuck it," and he kisses me. He picks me up and I wrap my legs around his waist. "We can use your room, can't we?"

"Duh."

Once in my room he sets me down, he closes the door behind him and turns the key.

"We are alone," I remind him.

"Yeah, but you are not the only one who has the keys to this apartment," he points out.

"Quite right."

He comes towards me and pushes me onto the bed. He rests one knee on the mattress, between my knees. I have the weight all on my hands, waiting for him to go on, but he hesitates.

"What's wrong?" I ask him, looking at him from below.

A tuft of hair falls on his forehead, he looks at my body and then he looks me in the face. "Are you sure?"

Why is he asking me? It's strange. "Harry, this isn't the first time we've found ourselves in this situation. What's the problem now?" I do not understand.

"I don't want to get you in trouble. You know that—"

I interrupt him. "What trouble?" I snort, irritated. "What are you playing with me?"

He pulls back and runs a hand through his hair. "I don't know, I should stop."

He's now leaving things incomplete, but I don't care anymore, I just want to understand what's going on in this guy's head.

"Why don't you stop then?"

He stops in front of me. "What the fuck, Helen? You're blind, let me tell you."

What..? "But what does it mean?" I get up and go to him, I reach out to take his hands but he walks away immediately. "I don't understand..."

"Of course you don't," and he leans an elbow against the wall, holding his head with his hand.

I sigh. "Harry, talk to me. I want to understand." I really do, I want to know what makes him pull back. It won't make sense to me until he tells me.

He fakes a laugh. "What is there to understand? Can't you see? Are you so stupid that you can't imagine why?"

"Harry, what—"

"You're fucking bling. I can't stop, because you— fuck you, Helen!" he yells and he slams a hand on the wall. He opens the door forcefully and leaves me alone, blown away.

I follow him. "Harry, I'm sorry, but calm down—" Fuck.

Jade has just entered the house, she's remained in front of the front door. "Helen? What is happening?"

I try to say something, but there is a lump in my throat, I can't speak. Harry stands motionless behind the counter, his undershirt in his hands.

"Can either of you tell me what happened?" Jade insists.

I feel the tears rising in my eyes. I try to hold them back, but I really think I'll burst into tears.

Harry looks from me to Jade, then settles down and takes his things.

"Harry..." I begin, my voice trembling, "please go." A tear falls heavily on my cheek.

He passes Jade and leaves. A moment later I burst into tears and lean my back against the wall.

Jade drops her bag on the floor and sits on the chair. "Helen, will you tell me what the fuck happened?"

I can not talk. I burst into sobs.

"Why was he without the undershirt?" Can you tell me please?"

I shake my head. "I screwed up..."