Since I Saw Him Last: A Gary Barlow Fanfic

Chapter Twenty Two

It was Tuesday lunchtime, I was sat at my desk at work munching on a tuna sandwich and catching up with all the notifications on my phone. Heck, I'm a popular girl. I stared up at my Gary Barlow calendar. I couldn't believe I was dating that man, if the fandom knew he wasn't single anymore thousands and thousands of hearts would be broken. I wonder what Gary would say if he knew he was my work desk pin up!? I knew that Mark was meeting Charlotte last night, so I text her in the morning to ask how it went. She texted back: Phone me at lunchtime. :) x I hadn't told the rest of the girls that they were invited to 'Take That And Party' this Friday, I wanted to check in on Charlotte first and I wanted Mark to be the one to invite her, not me. I looked away from Gary's face and dialled Charlotte's number. "Hey Charlie," I said. "Hey doll, how's it going?" Charlotte seemed quite cheery. "Good, good. You sound well!" I said enthusiastically. "Oh Tash, I'm going to gush for the next few minutes so forgive me. Mark is the sweetest man on this earth. He explained everything to me, you were so right. I'm so glad you got involved in our business and had a word with him. We snuggled on the sofa watching a film and we made out like mad, he's such a great kisser! It was even more amazing being sober. I've found heaven, really I have!" I laughed at her Take That pun, "I'm so happy for you, babe. I knew you were on a downer about it. How do you feel about taking it slow?" "I really want to get in his pants, let's be honest! But what are the chances of dating a Take That member? Like, a zillion to one! I'll just have to control myself and get my Markie fix through kissing marathons!" Charlotte shrieked, I wondered where she was making this call because she certainly would've raised some eyebrows wherever she was. "It will seem a bit weird though. Stereotypically, it's usually the girl saying she wants to take it slow and the guy does the waiting. Needless to say, it sounds like he's been hurt in the past but if you want to win his heart then this is the way to do it." I tried to bring her down to earth, I wanted her to be excited but also wanted to point out that she'd have to moderate some of her relationship behaviours. "I know, poor Markie. But I've been hurt before by rushing things, I'm aware of how I can be at the beginning which usually makes guys run a mile. I really, really like him and I would like to make this work no matter what." I was so glad that Charlotte could rationalise the situation. "Anyway, Tash. I've got to go but did you get invited to Mark's thing on Friday? I've never been to his place and it looks like all the boys are going! He's invited the girls too, they're going to be so thrilled!" Charlotte said excitedly. "He invited me on Sunday, I didn't say anything because I wanted him to invite you himself. I haven't told the girls yet, I was waiting for you to hear from Mark," I explained. "Okay, well I'll send a group message inviting them all. Mark said to come for about 8pm so if you wanted to meet at mine for 7pm then we can all go by cab together, that sound good?" "Charlie, that sounds like a plan. I'll speak to you later. Have a great day at work, the boss is giving me evil eyes again." "Oh God, that numpty. You wait till he hear he's about you and Gary. He's going to go mental, he so fancies the pants of you!" "Ugh, no. Charlie, shut up. Please. Look, I gotta go. Send me a photo of what you'll be wearing for Friday." She laughed, "I will Tash. Speak soon hun."

The week felt like it was dragging on forever. I was missing Gary, he'd kept his word and sent me a few texts everyday, mainly to ask how I was and to wish me a good night's sleep. They were short, sweet texts but I loved the fact that he'd considered what I'd said to him. His thoughtfulness was cute. I wished Friday would come sooner rather than later, I was excited to see Gary, of course, but I was more excited that I'd be in the company of all five members of Take That and I'd be sharing that special moment with four of my best friends. It was Thursday, early evening, I'd arrived from work feeling relieved that tomorrow was Friday. I cooked myself dinner and slouched on the sofa to catch up on my soaps. The doorbell rang half way through one of the episodes. Who could that be? It can't be Gary because he's still away. I was hesitant to answer, I switched off the ceiling light and peered through the curtain to check out who was standing at the front door. What the hell? Tony! I opened the door. "Hi Natasha," Tony said awkwardly. "What are you doing here?" I looked startled. He was holding a black box with a silver bow neatly tied around it. "This is for you." He handed it over to me. "Okay." I stood and stared at the box. "Is there anything else?" I asked, a little baffled. "No." He had his eyes fixed on the box and wouldn't look up at me. "Oh, okay. It seems strange for you to have come all this way just to hand me a box." Tony looked up at me and shrugged his shoulders. "You could say that but I follow orders. Have a good evening." Tony nodded, walked into the car and drove off. He's a funny man.

I closed the door behind me and went to sit on the sofa, all the while still staring at the box. There was a small card attached. I ripped it off, opened the small envelope and read the message inside. It read: Call me when you get this. Gary. x What the hell is this man up to? Call me when you get this? That's the name of one of my favourite Corinne Bailey Rae songs. I raised my eyebrows in a quizzical fashion. My heart started thumping. I could feel the butterflies fluttering in my stomach. I slowly untied the silver bow and lifted the lid carefully. I unwrapped the black tissue paper to reveal what was inside. There, wrapped amongst the black tissue paper was the most ornate and extravagant piece of lingerie that I'd ever seen. This must've cost a bomb! The lingerie was a bra and knicker set with diamanté running along the hemline. He must think I'm some vixen! I'd never worn such underwear for a boyfriend. I'd never felt sexy with them but Gary was bringing out the nymph in me. I wanted to please him, I wanted to be insatiable to him. When I said goodbye to him on Sunday night outside my house, he said, "I'll miss you too. But I'll show you just how much on Friday." Is this what he meant? My mind started racing, I needed to feel his touch, his lingering hands, his soft lips, his skin upon my skin. Calm down Natasha! I started breathing in and out slowly. Right, he wants me to call him so that's what I'll do. I dialled Gary's number. It rang three times before he picked up. "Hey you." "Hey, how you doing?" "Yeah, good. You've taken your time?" Gary must've given Tony an exact time to deliver the gift to me. "Are you talking about the gift you had Tony deliver?" He sniggered. "You like?" I could tell from the tone of his voice that he was grinning. "It's quite a surprise. Is the thought of me wearing it making you miss me more?" Gary cleared his throat, "You could say that. I want you to wear it on Friday. I think it'll be hot knowing that you're wearing that underneath whilst we're at Mark's. All I'll want to do is ravish you but the build up, before I get to unwrap you, will make it all the more exciting." I was getting aroused hearing him say this, I could feel a wetness between my legs, Gary had so much power over me. "I want you to think about you and me after the party on Friday. I want you ready for me." He was tantalising me. "Gary, I've never had a problem before. I'm always ready. I really wish you were here with me now." I said as sultry as I could. "I know. I best go and sort myself out before this turns into phone sex which I'm not a big fan of." I giggled, "Me too actually. I'll see you tomorrow." I could see Gary's crooked smile in my mind. "Night beautiful."