No Strings

Chapter 5

I woke up with a hangover which wasn't fair because I hadn't even drunk that much. My grey dress was lying on the floor where I'd slipped out of it. I'd been so exhausted I'd just taken my clothes off and got straight into bed. Looking at the dress I had a sudden, very visceral memory of Jake's big hands skimming over it as he shoved me against the wall. I remembered his husky voice saying "Let's fuck," and my pussy clenched. God, that man was sexy and had I really told him to go away when he turned up at my door? I lied to him and myself. Once hadn't been nearly enough for me.That was quite obvious now, as I lay in my bed, nipples hard and pussy wet at the thought of him.

But why was I suddenly so desperate for him? A quick fuck would normally be absolutely fine which was what he gave me last night, and he gave it to me good, so why was I now wishing he were here smirking at me and fisting his morning stiffy? I groaned into the pillow at the thought of his cock. I wanted to lick it. I wanted him to say filthy things to me as I sucked it into my mouth. There was something seriously wrong with me and I needed to get out of bed and do something to get my mind off sex.

It was Saturday, I reminded myself, as I hauled myself upright and winced when my head thumped with pain. Maybe Nina fancied doing something like shopping or taking a walk along the canal. I twitched open the curtains to see a grey sky and drizzle. Maybe something good was on at the cinema.

But first I needed food and coffee and I dragged on jeans, Ugg boots and a baggy sweater. A full English breakfast in the cafe down the road might do the trick. Sod the diet. All those sugary cocktails last night had well and truly ruined that for the week anyway. Just about managing to brush my teeth, splash a bit of water on my face and drag a brush through my tangled hair, I went to face the world, returning briefly for an umbrella.

Once my stomach was full of bacon and eggs and caffeine, I started to feel more normal. Hadn't I decided last night that Jake and I would have to stop? No strings sex had to be managed very carefully and once things changed, then it had to stop. Not that I had had no strings sex with anyone else, but that was definitely a red flag last night. I knew what a red flag was. And weren't we supposed to notice red flags and act on them? That had always been my problem - ignoring those red flags, and it had never done me any good in the past.

I stared morosely into my coffee cup. It was a shame I wouldn't be having sex for a while. I looked over at the couple canoodling at a corner table. He was playing with her hair and she was running her fingers over his lips. They probably woke up spooning this morning. PDAs were really not my thing, but it might be nice to have someone look at me like that, like I was the only woman in the world. Maybe I ought to do something about meeting a man - one I could have a relationship with? The very thought terrified me, but before I could dismiss it, I picked up my mobile and called Nina.

"Hello slut!" she trilled in a sing song voice. Someone was obviously feeling more cheerful than I was this morning.

"I need a man," I said without preliminaries.

"You have a man."

"Do I?"

"Well you certainly had one last night. Or have you forgotten?"

I sighed heavily. I should have known this wouldn't be easy. "I need a man I can have a relationship with."

"Shut up! Do you mean it? Has Happily Single Sarah had enough of being single?"

"It's not that I've had enough," I said patiently. "It's just that I've decided I can't do Jake anymore, and I might miss sex and it might be kind of nice to wake up with someone in the morning..."

"Oh Sarah. Sweetie. It's OK to admit you're lonely."

God, she was patronising sometimes. "I'm not lonely! I'm just bored with my own company."

"Why can't you do Jake anymore?" she asked. I was hoping she hadn't paid attention to that bit.

"No reason, it's just that ....," and I quickly changed the subject. "Do we know any single men who might fancy me?"

"Loads."

"Such as... ?"

"Jason."

"Manwhore."

"Andrew"

"Mummy's boy."

"Phil."

"Hot Phil?"

"Huh huh."

"Narcissist."

"Shit Sarah. You're not making this easy ... I know, my brother's mate Ollie. He's cute and has a good job and broke up with his girlfriend ages ago."

"How about your brother?" Nina's brother, Rob, was seriously cute. He was nothing like Nina. He was a vet - hard working and responsible but in a seriously hot way. He had this dependable hero thing going that had always turned me on.

"No, Sarah. Hands off my brother. He's far too good for you." She was right. He was too much of a workaholic, anyway.

"So this Ollie ... there must be something wrong with him?"

"Can't think of anything. His nose is a bit crooked 'cos he broke it playing rugby."

"Sounds quite sexy. Is he a posh boy? Ollie is a posh name."

"Not particularly. He's not your usual bit of rough but that's probably a good thing."

I nodded in silent agreement as I drained my coffee. The canoodling couple had long since left, arms wrapped around each other, no doubt going back to bed.

"Call Rob. See if he fancies coming out some time," I said.

"Will do boss. Fancy seeing a film this afternoon?"

"Yeh. See what's on and call me later. And Nina ... do you think Rob and Ollie might fancy a threesome?"

"Ha bloody ha."

I left the cafe laughing to myself like some loon. I definitely felt better now. Full stomach, helpful friend, a plan of action - a recipe for cheering up a depressing morning. Even the rain had stopped.
I was still smiling when I reached my building and looked up at the front door to see a very familiar arse. There it was, right in front of me - two perfectly muscular globes draped in perfectly fitting sweat pants. Then he turned around and my brain short circuited. He was wearing a grey long sleeved  T-shirt  which was soaked in sweat making it cling to his chest and there was a sizeable bulge in the front of his pants and how could I have forgotten how fucking beautiful he was? He stood there clutching his keys and instead of smirking he was frowning. It turns out that cross, slightly confused Jake is just as hot as cocky Jake. Maybe even hotter.

I couldn't help it, my gaze got caught on the bulge in his pants. It was what I had been thinking about since I woke up this morning.

"Like something you see?" he asked, blue eyes flashing.

"Fuck yes," I said realising too late that I had said it out loud.