The Spinster's Club

Romy: Ten

With the exception of occasionally hanging out and drinking with the girls, most Friday nights I could be found sitting on the couch, a bag of honey soy chips in one hand and the remote in the other, so I could pause and stare lovingly at 'Oliver Queen's' abs as he works out. I so very desperately wanted to be there right now, rather than sitting in a restaurant full of people wishing the floor would open up.

Why hadn't I just told David I didn't want to go to dinner, that I already had plans? At least then I wouldn't be sitting here now mortified at the very idea I had to come clean about something that had, essentially, just been a joke between friends. Not for the first time I silently cursed those friends and their whacked out ideas, thinking it was time for me to become a hermit.

Finally looking up at David; who was looking back at me expectantly; I could feel my body blush from the toes up. Honestly, I thought being naked in a room full of strangers was humiliating and yet I actually felt more exposed right now, even if I was completely clothed.

I suppose I could have just lied or even made up something lame as Amy's offering to that wretched pact but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Our kiss earlier had left me wanting more and if the way he returned that kiss was any indication, then he wanted the same thing too. For us to even have a chance at whatever it was meant to be, I had to be honest.

I knew from past experience that lies, half truths and omissions always managed to find a way to come back and bite me on the sizable arse he had already seen, so it was because of this I opted for the truth. I couldn't bear it if we started something and it lead to more, only for him to learn about Amy's item for the pact to-do-list. I just had to hope that by the end of my telling, he didn't get up and walk away.

~*~*~

"You don't need to tell me Romy. It really is none of my business."

I took a larger than lady-like gulp of the wine I had been sipping earlier. I really wanted something stronger but of course that kind of drinking only ever got me into trouble; I still had the remnants of such folly on my butt cheek.

"No" I finally began not quite looking him in the eye but more over his shoulder. "I think I should. Before I do though, I want you to know that this;" I waved my hand between us to indicate our date; "tonight, is not because of Amy's suggestion."

His eyebrow shot up as the curiosity set in and I gulped. I couldn't believe I was actually considering telling him the whole truth; wasn't there some kind of law, or girlfriend code that prohibited this sort of thing? Or course if there was I had already broken it, given I had told him about the other stuff, so what did it matter?

"Now I'm truly intrigued. Before you start though, I have to warn you that if what you are about to tell me involves the disposing of human remains, I might just need to cancel the rest of our date." He gave me a grin that I was slowly but surely starting to fall for.

"I wish that's all it was" I joked, actually believing at this point it would have been preferable.

David reached for my hand and I wasn't sure if it was as a sign of support or to stop me nervously tapping the spoon I had been holding. Another swig of the wine and a sigh later, I decided to get it over with.

~*~*~

"Without using her actual words, in a nutshell the basic idea was for each of us to go out and meet a guy – preferably someone not in our usual circle of friends and they had to be out of our league – go to a hotel and..."

I paused, not quite sure how to delicately phrase 'fuck them silly'. "Well, the idea was to have wild and kinky sex before leaving them the next morning. I think the words 'ride them ragged' might have been thrown in there somewhere."

By this point I was staring intently at the navy blue table cloth, afraid to look at my date, imagining he must be pretty disappointed in me at this point. He still had a hold of my hand but I guessed it was because he was too shocked to take it back.

The only other sounds were those of the other patrons talking and laughing, or cutlery clanging against china and glasses being clinked together. It felt like forever since I had stopped talking but of course it had been but a moment. When I couldn't stand the silence any longer I looked up. That was when David laughed.

~*~*~

"Really?" was his first and only question before he laughed again. Once more we were the focus of the restaurant, adding to my humiliation.

"Basically, yes" I managed to reply. Without meaning to, I selfishly threw my friend under the bus. "Amy has always been a little wild and not afraid to push the envelope. If you knew her you would understand that her contribution to our betterment really wasn't all that outrageous. It's just the way her mind works." What I failed to add was that we were all the same, on some level at least, which is why we were all great friends.

Taking back his hand so he could swipe his serviette at the corner of his eye, he finally replied. "Well, after hearing this I can honestly say that I really want to get to know her. She sounds like a fun gal."

I wasn't sure how to respond to that. For a millisecond I was even jealous. Something about the look on my face had him hastily add "Just to hang out with of course. I'm only interested in dating you." He picked up my hand again.

~*~*~

"So, you're not turned off, mad or even repulsed?" I had to ask.

"No, of course not; why would I be?"

"Aside from the fact that 40 year old women are behaving like someone half our age, I don't want you to think that I only accepted your invitation to dinner because of the pact."

"I don't but the idea of it does intrigue me" he shot back with a cheeky glint in his eye. "Sex is nothing to be ashamed of Romy. We all do it. Shit, you should hear some of the stuff the guys at the stationhouse come out with and suggest. It makes your pact look like a plan to have high tea with the Queen. They would more than give Amy a run for her money."

"I shudder to imagine that scenario" I chuckled. "Of course I do know it's not something to be embarrassed about. The thing of it is though it's the part of the pact that I don't think I will be able to follow through with. I've never been comfortable with just hooking up with a guy, to have sex just for sex sake. I'm more about building a bond, letting things grow organically to see where they might go." As an aside I quickly added "Not that I'm pushing for that to happen here, I just..."

"It's fine Romy. I knew what you meant and just so you know, I'm the same way."

~*~*~

With our meals being so huge and filling, neither of us had a desire to hang around and let it settle before we thought about dessert. I also had an urgent yearning to leave the restaurant, no longer able to ignore the fresh looks and comments each time a new party of guests came in to be seated.

Thankfully once the embarrassing part of the conversation was over, David and I quickly slipped back into safe territory and I started to relax and just enjoy being with him. That was why after arriving back at my place and unlocking the front door, I felt comfortable enough to ask him in.

"Would you like a night cap? I'm sure I can also scrounge up something wickedly chocolate, even if you just want to take it home for later."

Stepping towards me he leant down and whispered "There's actually something else wicked I would prefer instead." He then kissed me with such forcefulness it took my breath away. Any thoughts of coffee were gone moments later.

~*~*~

So, it turns out I really AM that kind of girl, the one who will sleep with a guy on the first date. Technically tonight could have been considered our second, given we had shared coffee a couple of days ago but that was just semantics. Whatever it was, I no longer cared. I had just let myself succumb to David (several times) and all his charms and I was now a wanton woman – it felt like bliss.

Still laying butt naked on the island in the middle of my kitchen; I was grateful now I had opted for the larger size; still a little sticky from the residue of the chocolate we had found a use for, I couldn't believe how happy I was. Aside from being dateless for months, I had honestly thought my life was pretty good and that I was happy enough, as far as things went. Turns out I was wrong.

Snuggling on the bench, neither of us with the inclination or energy to find somewhere comfier to be, David idly traced the remnants of the tattoo I couldn't wait to be rid of. I sighed.

"You know" he lazily began in a sated drawl that really broadened the Irish lilt I loved; "I am very grateful now that I had been late to art class the other night."

"Oh; why is that?" I wondered, caring little about art and more about what we could be doing with the little chocolate that was left in the pot.

"Because, had I been on time I would have sat up the front like usual, which would have made it harder to hide just how 'happy' I was to find you as the model."

~*~*~

Considering what we had just done I was still embarrassed to think he had seen me in the all together that night and so I flushed a little. Either that or it was at the thought that I had actually caused that reaction.

"Had you been in the class that night I never would have volunteered my services; especially after I learnt I had to be naked. I didn't even know you were there or I would have left."

"Why?"

"Because I...I just would have. I had already embarrassed the shit out of myself with the stripper comment and stupid remarks about salmon bars; the last thing I needed was for you to find me more exposed."

He pulled me in closer, as though to stop me rolling off the edge despite the amount of room we really did have. "Believe me, it was a sight worth being late for. Like I say, I was happy to be towards the back where no-one could see how much so. It could probably explain my comment too. Had I had more blood on the brain than in my pants, I might have found a better way to compliment you that night."

Embarrassment, shock at the compliment (tonight and in the class) or just the sheer happiness I felt now was enough for a tear to spring to the corner of my eye. I had been with other men but none had ever made me feel as special as I did right then; even if the compliment hadn't seemed like one at the time. I honestly had no comeback that would tell him how I felt right at this minute and so I kissed him. I would show him with actions; and chocolate; just what he and his words meant to me.

~*~*~