You Got It Wrong - Part Thirty One

Chapter Thirty One

A/N - Sorry once again for the delay, a new story is floating around and distracting me. Trying my best to get this one going again!

Theo couldn’t stop the smile that broke on to his face, it was more than a smile, it was an inane grin, but as he rushed towards her he was uncaring. Pulling her to her feet, then into his arms, he planted his lips gratefully on hers. Since she’d left him and Melody at the hospital, she’d been in his thoughts, he hated that he’d abandoned her earlier that morning, just after finally convincing her that he was worth a risk. The night they’d spent together...he could feel physical pleasure in the memory of that time, and it almost overpowered the sensations and familiarity of kissing her once again.

As his lips devoured her hungrily, he suddenly remembered where they were, outside the HQ of one of the biggest banks in the country, middle of the afternoon, centre of London. He lifted his lips from hers, and smiled at her half closed desire filled eyes, it was an aphrodisiac in itself.

He moaned softly, his arms still wrapped around her, “I wanted to take you to lunch...or cook you something...”

                “Your place?” She suggested, “it isn’t THAT far away.”

He did a mental calculation, “it’ll take at least half an hour this time of day. We’ll take up half the time we’ve got together travelling...” Lifting a hand, he stroked her cheek tenderly with his thumb. “And besides, I’m not sure I can wait that long...” He took a deep breath, then literally shook himself, “Sorry, you’re worth SO more than a quick screw.” He moved her to arm’s length, the sudden sobriety making him sensible. “I promised you lunch...” When her mouth dropped in a hint of disappointment, it made him laugh, “you aren’t making me being chivalrous any easier young lady.”

He knew that the way she was biting her bottom lip was a deliberate flirt, and it was almost working. His thumb rubbed over her lip, freeing it from her teeth, and he could see the slow intake of breath at his ministrations, “I want to spoil you, I can’t do much, but I can do THIS right. Ok?”

He watched as Nina rolled her eyes, “and what if I say there’s a couple of ham sandwiches and a bottle of Moet chilling in a room in that hotel over there?”

She pointed at a hotel across the road and he felt a jolt shudder through his body at the thought of her, the privacy of a hotel room and two hours with NO agenda.

                “Really?”

She nodded, “I can’t stay beyond five, so I had to maximise the use of my time too...you know?”

Nina watched his eyes flare, pupils huge for a moment, dark, watching her, he didn’t know what to make of the confession, and frankly, neither did she. She had planned a little lunch, a chat, some mutual flattery maybe, but what she hadn’t realised was that as the miles between her home and the rendezvous point reduced, her need for him in the most base of ways would increase. She was a ball of frustrated emotions by the time Theo finally emerged from the location of his meeting and she was glad that she’d booked the hotel. His fingers were running over the sensitive flesh of her upper arms, and she was leaning into his body as a reaction to that contact.

                “You are a...” she flinched waiting for some sort of criticism, suddenly hating her presumptious move, but then he broke into a grin, landing his lips on hers gratefully. “...amazing. Lead the way,” he finally managed.

The room was basic, a bed, a desk, a small chair, and as they burst through the door, Nina saw things for what they were, a seedy room for a sneaky encounter, and she was awash with self doubt. And at that very moment, Theo’s arms encircled her from behind, his lips finding her neck.

                “This is the greatest idea. JUST what I needed. You...time...and champagne. Is there a better way to spend an afternoon?”

She smiled as he turned her, bringing his lips to hers, and as he devoured her, his fingers moved to the straps of her dress and she was barely aware of it falling away, until she felt her responsive breasts press against the fabric of his jacket. With a moan of pleasure as his tongue teased her earlobe, she began to divest him of his suit.

                “Wish I’d thought of this,” he gasped as their desire reached furious levels, they were ravishing each other greedily, gorging on sight and taste of the other.

She gave a coy smile, “so you don’t think I’m cheap?”

He pulled away from his position of ravishing her neck, and stared at her, “cheap?” He shook his head vehemently, “the fact that you want this as much as I do, well...it makes me speechless.” He sighed, “I only wish it was something and somewhere more extravagant...you deserve the best.”

Nina looked around the room, “you saying this isn’t the Ritz?”

He smiled, studying her slowly up and down, “you won’t get such an amazing view in the greatest five star hotel in the world...as you.” He backed her towards the bed, then grinned as she fell backwards onto the mattress. With a shake of wonder at the splendour that view made, he reached for her feet, lifting them to his shoulders. As he nipped kissed on the sole of each foot, he moved closer to her, until her legs were draped over his back and he was diving into pleasure her with his skilful tongue and inquisitive fingers.

Nina was still coming down from the highest peak of pleasure that she’d ever known when Theo started to climb her body, peppering kisses over her stomach, breasts and shoulders, his stubble creating even more sensitive skin as he nuzzled her cheek and jaw.

She was biting her lip, and her arms were rigid as she tried to control her emotions. Theo chuckled, “that good?”

She nodded, “amazing...” She reached out with one hand, “my turn...”

He shook his head, reaching for his wallet and pulling out a condom, “prepared this time...” Seeing her face he added, “not that I was expecting this...just wanted to be prepared for anything...after the last debacle.”

With wide eyes she watched him tear the packet, then slide it on, and couldn’t hide the gasp as he pulled her on top of him.

As they joined she held her breath, only exhaling when Theo closed his eyes, tossing her head backwards, tilted toward the headboard. With each move she made his head lolled from side to side, and Nina was engulfed in her own power, her own control over the man who desired her so strongly.

Her eyes were closed, she could hear the vague sounds of the city streets via the window, but it was the pounding of her own heart that seemed to be deafening. Theo was across her, face down, heavy thigh trapping her, not that she wanted to be anywhere else at that moment. Like every other aspect of their early relationship, the last forty minutes had been a battle, both fighting for supremacy, both wanting control. But in the end they’d both succumbed at the exact moment, and collapsed in a jumble of limbs.

                “That was...incredible,” he breathed against her chest, his breath causing goose bumps to break out all over her body. His lips were level with his collar bone, and he kissed her there gently.

Nina could feel his heart and it was as rapid as her own, “what’s the time?”

                “Time I bought you lunch.”

She giggled, “I told you, I picked up two ham subs earlier,” he nodded towards the sideboard and he followed her eyes.

                “I’d actually eat burnt toast, I’m THAT hungry! I’m just glad you thought ahead.”

He swung himself up into sitting, then strode confidently across to the bathroom, disappearing inside for a moment before emerging, still brazen and happy in his skin. He grabbed the sandwiches, tossing them across to her, then brought across the champagne and two tooth mugs. “You’ve thought of everything!”

She blushed; it was such a ridiculous thing, to be holed up in a hotel in the middle of the day, just for sex...with sandwiches and champagne. Surreal.

She sat up in bed, keeping the duvet over her, tucked under her armpits, despite their closeness a few moments earlier, where he saw ALL of her, she was feeling a little self conscious, she watched him wrestle with the cork on the bottle and was amazed at his lack of inhibitions.

He sat beside her, and handed her a small glass filled with the delicious straw coloured fluid. She took the drink and sipped at it, savouring the taste for a moment, before ripping the cellophane off the ham sub and sinking her teeth into it gratefully.

Theo looked at her, half modest, half ravenous and wondered if he’d ever known anyone as unique as her, she never ceased to amaze him, she seemed to have a vitality, a vicarious way of living that was both infectious AND enviable. Reaching out he swiped a crumb off her chin, then tore at his own sandwich.

                “I’ve got to be at Melody’s nursery in just over an hour.”

She nodded, “I’ve got some stuff on too.”

She’d never betray Lilah, tell anyone what had happened, but she had more than a feeling that she was about to be more tied than he was helping her friend cope with the trauma she’d suffered.

His teeth sank into her shoulder as he moved their glasses of champagne to one side, and as he tugged the duvet from her, exposing once again those delectable breasts, the much desired sandwiches fell to the floor, disregarded.

Nina felt a little sordid as she dressed again. Theo was in the bathroom and she could hear the taps running, she’d been glad that he’d given her some space. When he emerged he’d pulled on his slightly crumpled suit and stood watching her gather her things.

                “This was an amazing afternoon.” Her response was a distracted nod, so he walked up to her, “I didn’t want this for us, for you. Next time it’ll be better, I promise.”

She shrugged, he was right, suddenly it WAS sordid, it WAS cheap, and she was embarrassed.

                “Nina...don’t do that.”

Her head lifted and she looked at him, “do what?”

He smiled, pulling her into his arms, “this was perfect, I’ve not been able to get you out of my head since the weekend, I think I’d have exploded if I’d had to sit opposite you in a coffee shop. So don’t cheapen this, don’t make it bad. Ok? It was perfect...YOU are perfect.”

And then he kissed her, and it was the ideal was to seal the day, his lips, warm, soft and generous, whilst being encouraging and strong and demanding. She was a mush of pleasure, not hot desire, but happiness. She’d never had a kiss affect her like that before.

Then her phone started to ring, Theo tried to murmur “ignore it”, but Nina couldn’t, and as she looked at the display, saw Lilah’s number, she started to panic.

As she answered and heard Lilah’s distraught voice, she glanced at Theo apologetically, then with a brief wave, ran from the room.

Lilah was sat in the garden, curled up on a bench hidden from the house when Nina came thundering through the house.

                “THERE you are.” She dropped to her knees at Lilah’s feet, “what happened sweetheart?”

Lilah wiped at a nonexistent tear, and when she finally looked up at Nina, she wished that she was crying because the reality was far, far worse. She looked troubled...haunted, her dull eyes sunken into her pale face. She shook her head silently, so Nina did all she could, and slid onto the seat beside her, an arm pulling her friend into her body.

It was maybe twenty minutes later, after watching a brave squirrel venture closer and closer after some cherries that had fallen from the tree, that Lilah finally spoke.

                “I was supposed to meet Amelia at the Grosvenor, but I’d only just got out of the cab when I saw him...going in to the same place.”

Despite speaking, she hadn’t lifted her eyes from the floor, and Nina had to lean around her to meet her eyes, “what? Who?”

The word “Mark” came amidst a sob of real pain.

Nina tried to convince her to contact the police, it was all very well trying to ignore the man, the trauma, the whole thing that happened, but if she was likely to bump into each other regularly then things would be very difficult. Lilah protested that she wasn’t a usual frequenter of the hotel, and the occasion was a fluke. But Nina wasn’t so sure. This wasn’t something that could be swept under the carpet, and if ever she’d believed it was, the last few hours had proven different.

Later they boarded a train back to Brighton and Nina really didn’t know if she was strong enough to be everything for her friend. As Lilah snoozed, the rhythm of the train relaxing her, Nina’s phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen.

                “Grinning like a buffoon all afternoon, THAT’s what you do to me. Hope your afternoon was ok?”

It was half question, but she also knew he wasn’t prying, not really.

                “Enjoyed today too, some personal shit going on, nothing to worry about, honest.”

He took a few moments to reply, “Daniel has offered to have Melody on Sunday...he’s taking her to the cinema. You free? For lunch, a glass of wine and one of those amazing kisses you have?”

She literally swooned at that message, then glanced guiltily at Lilah before sending her answer, “sounds perfect. You’re in my diary.”

Theo looked at the response and a bolt of lust hit his groin, it wasn’t her diary he wanted to be in. And the thought made him more than a little hot under the collar, as he was taking a couple of calming breaths, the door to the room he was in opened, and in walked a social worker.

                “Hey Melody, you ready to come see you Mummy?”

Theo tried to hide the grimace as she waved so innocently at him, then followed the lady out of the room and towards the supervised contact room that housed her mother. 

You Got It Wrong - Part Thirty

Chapter Thirty

Nina held Lilah helplessly in her arms and tried to comfort her. It seemed ages until her friend’s body started to relax, a hint that she was asleep. Once that happened, Nina could cuddle her into the pillows then think back through all she’d said, all she’d hinted at.

Nina knew nothing about Mark, the man that Lilah had been on a few dates with. Usually her friend was transparent, if anyone kept secrets then it was Nina, this was so out of character for Lilah. She thought back to the last few weeks and months, she’d been absorbed with her love/hate war with Theo Peterson, that she’d neglected her friend. She KNEW she was fragile, knew that dating again was a huge step. Then there was Daniel. Something had happened between them, she was sure of that, and again Nina had ignored it, ignored her friend’s distress. She was devastated, Lilah was never the type to mess around between two men, and the fact that she’d headed out the previous evening intent on playing one off against the other...Nina groaned, she should have KNOWN, she could have stopped this. Not that this was anyone but this bastard Mark’s fault. NO one deserved what he’d done to her friend, NO one. No matter what had preceded it.

She stroked Lilah’s hair, tucking the stray strands behind her ear, then left the room, she needed to get away for moment.

Sat downstairs with coffee, she still couldn’t get her head around the fact that someone had  hurt Lilah, generous, loving and beautiful Lilah, rape...she had no clue how horrendous that must be, and to find Lilah with the bleach, trying to rid herself of the memory, of the touch of the bastard. It terrified her, if she hadn’t broken into the bathroom how much would she have done? Where would this have ended?

Nina shuddered. She had no idea how to cope with this, no clue how to manage things.

Lilah slept until morning, and apart from the bouts of dreams, the shouts, the cries that happened several times, she slept well. But Nina was awake a head of her and waiting for her eyes to open.

                “Hey,” she offered at the first fluttering of lashes.

Lilah struggled to open her puffy eyes for a moment, but when she focussed on her friend, Nina could see the terror there, “don’t hide from me Lilah. OK?”

                “I want to pretend it didn’t happen.” Her first words were defensive, distancing her from the event. But Nina knew nothing was that easy.

She took her hand, squeezed it, and when Lilah’s eyes opened again, Nina’s were level with them, “none of this is your fault. He did this, you are innocent, ok?” Lilah tried to evade her gaze, so she grabbed her chin and forced her to look at her, “you can’t pretend it didn’t happen, you have to talk about it, you have to deal with it. Because I’m not letting this ruin you, you here?”

A solitary tear escaped her eye and she closed them, biting her lip.

Nina had never felt so helpless, so frustrated, so angry as she did watching her friend struggle to function, to cope. “We should go to the police.”

                “NO!” Lilah’s terror was complete, “no way.”

                “But they can get him; he can be put away for it.”

Lilah shook her head, “I go to the police, they will poke and prod me. IF it gets to court I’ll have to face him, describe what he did...” she shuddered. “EVERYONE will know what happened, and I can’t cope with that. I want to forget. Move on.”

It was Nina’s turn to shake her head, “it is not that easy. You know that.”

But Lilah had rolled away from her, closed her eyes, “no one else can know. You are my friend. You can’t betray me.”

Those words haunted Nina as she set about her Monday work. Lilah had locked herself in her room, and whilst that worried Nina, she knew her friend needed some time. She had some work to do, she had to keep the rest of the world afloat as things were so up in the air, and the business, the jewellery, the designing, it had to keep going.

She’d worked diligently, and emerged at mid afternoon pleased with herself, and for the moments she was absorbed in work, she could almost, but not really, pretend that nothing was wrong.

Lilah was in the lounge, in her pyjamas, knees curled up in front of her, the news on TV full of financial crisis and natural disasters ripping apart countries that were ill prepared to cope with it. Lilah was watching the plight of a family in Africa coping with living with AIDS, highlighted in HD detail.

                “Hey?”

She looked up with a smile, “sorry for earlier, I was being stupid.”

                “No you weren’t!” Nina lowered herself to the arm of the opposite chair, “you were anything but. “I still think you should take it further.”

                “NO!” Lilah snapped at her, “I’ve told you that won’t be happening. SO let it go.”

Nina strolled out into the kitchen and poured a drink, she didn’t know how to deal with this emotionally charged Lilah, one minute crying, another angry, resentful, they’d both been blessed with fairly stress free lives, other than the split with her boyfriend and Nina’s dreadful family, they lived in bliss.

She couldn’t snap, couldn’t shout at her friend, she had to remember that this wasn’t her friend, this was a traumatised person and she couldn’t snap at her.

                “Do you want some dinner? Or shall we go out for Nando’s special?”

Lilah appeared at the doorway, a tear trailing down her cheek, “I’m sorry for shouting...I’m just...out of sorts.”

Nina’s heart bled for her friend, and she walked over and pulled her into a bear hug, “I’m not worried if you snap at me, but I AM worried about you.”

Lilah offered a pained smile, “I’ll be fine. I just don’t want anyone to know. I don’t want people to talk about me...judge me.”

Nina wanted to protest at how Lilah was innocent, that she had no reason to feel so at fault, but then she had no idea how her friend was feeling, how violated, how destroyed.

                “No one does, no one would. But you don’t have to question whether I’d say anything. I wouldn’t, you know that.”

Lilah nodded with a grateful look, “Nando's? Extra hot sauce?”

The following day Nina was up early she’d barely slept, and she knew that Lilah hadn’t slept either, she cried out so many times in her sleep, that it wasn’t truly until about four am that she seemed to settle. Nina had spent the night back and forth between their rooms, and in the end she’d slept next to her friend, once again holding her tight as she shook in pain and desolation.

                “Sorry it’s early, and sorry I haven’t been in touch...family hell. You still good for tomorrow? Hope so, I can’t wait to see you. Theo”

The message appearing on her phone both surprised and pleased her, not that she’d be able to leave Lilah, not the way that she was. So she reluctantly replied.

                “Hi, I’ve not text either, ditto. Been a bit random here, and may have to cancel tomorrow. Needs must. Can I confirm in the morning?”

She poured herself a mug of coffee as she waited for his reply.

“You’re killing me slowly! Of course I’m ok if you cancel, but I do SO hope you manage to clear your diary. I can’t wait to see you and can’t see much space in my diary the rest of the week. Purely selfish motives.”

She moaned softly at that, the thought of an hour in his company, to have him listen to her, flatter her, talk to her...instead she’d be home trying to find a way out of the torment of her best friend’s life. She didn’t begrudge that, she HATED what had happened, hated that the sparkle had left her friend’s eyes, but she rued the almost comedic timing of everything.

Lilah’s’ blisters were angry and rather evil looking, Nina wasn’t happy, but her friend was morose, reluctant to get out of bed, and wouldn’t entertain the thought of a doctor looking at her wounds. Nina was concerned on SO many levels, the trauma of the incident, the crime, her mental health, her wounds. Each factor was a worry, and she was willing to put as much effort into making Lilah do something about it. She lived in denial for large parts of the day, then broke down when it all caught up with her. If she wouldn’t report it, seek justice, then she had to deal with it, counselling, that was the next stage, and Nina spent the best part of the day searching for a suitable therapist locally. Finding one would be easy, but getting Lilah to attend, to be honest...that was another thing.

                “So can I see you later?”

Nina’s heart lurched at the sound of Theo’s warm voice along the phone line, she wanted nothing more than to spend a late lunch with him, but she had more pressing issues on her plate.

                “I’m not going to make it, I’m sorry.”

She could hear the disappointment in his voice as he replied, “I understand, I’m not exactly giving you much...”

She sighed, “it’s not that Theo, I swear, it’s just something has cropped up and I can’t leave here really. Can we rearrange?”

                “You know how crap things are for me. I’m trying to get things sorted. I’ll call you later when I’ve juggled my full diary. I am sorry Nina, this probably sounds as though I’m not bothered, but I am.”

That confession made her blush and she was only glad that he wasn’t in the room to see the effect it had had on her, “I understand Theo, we are both busy, both have commitments. How’s Mansell?”

He sighed, “frustrated, upset.”

                “I’m going to call and see him soon, when I get chance, take him some chocolate. He’ll like that.”

                “You are too generous; he’ll love to see you, though arguably not as much as I would.”

It was her turn to sigh, “I’m sorry. Another time I’ll be there. Ok?”

As she reluctantly ended the call, she looked up to see Lilah leaning against the door frame to the kitchen watching her.

                “What are you putting on hold? Don’t for me...”

Nina smiled, she didn’t want to rub in the fact that she had Theo, not when it had gone so disastrously wrong for her friend, “nothing, was just going to meet someone later...”

                “Theo?”

Nina blushed, dropped her eyes for a moment, when she finally looked up, Lilah was in front of her, “don’t blow him off for me. I was horrible to you on the weekend, I didn’t mean it, I was just hurt...angry...”

                “With good reason. Look, if he’s worth it, he’ll wait. You on the other hand, as much as you want to deny it, you and me need to do stuff, how about the cinema later?”

Lilah shook her head, “life goes on. Amelia comes home later; I said I’d meet her for a few drinks, then some business chatter. Shall we head to the big smoke together?”

Theo had always been creative, practical, being the boss of the renovating company took him away from what he loved doing, and instead forced him into meetings, planning, budgets. Today’s meeting was going to be offset by lunch with Nina, and that had made it seem worthwhile, but now, instead, he had no sweetener, nothing to look forward to, nothing to make it tolerable. Instead he had a meeting in the city, a huge banking company had a huge amount of vacant office space they wanted converted into a training centre, accommodation, a restaurant, a HUGE project if he got it. And that meant selling his abilities, he had faith in his team in the capabilities of his company, but he his heart just wasn’t in it today.

He hated travelling to the city, hated being away from the creative part of his world and hated wearing a suit for work reasons. So it was no surprise that he scowled when he arrived at the immaculate marble fronted bank with his huge portfolio carrier under his arm.

He didn’t believe in over digitalising everything, his plans, constructed by him and his architect colleague were on traditional boards that needed to be displayed in the offices. Awkward to carry, but he still felt were more impressive than computer screen images.

The presentation went well, they were accomplished, and this, whilst being a big job, was not beyond their scope, and he knew they’d do an amazing job. Fortunately the bankers seemed to be impressed and that was a good thing. With a promise of “we’ll be in touch”, he and Tim, the architect, emerged out into the bright early afternoon sunshine.

                “What you up to now Theo? Back to the site?”

They were working on another big project across town. Theo shook his head, “not sure yet, but I’m not heading all the way back there. If I change and drive there, it’ll be almost time to leave.”

Tim nodded, “well I’m back to the office if you need me?”

                “Well then you can take these?” he handed Tim the boards then watched him climb in a taxi.

With a sigh of frustration, he turned to call his own cab when a voice gained his attention, looking across the forecourt of the bank; he spotted the oasis in the desert, the shelter in a storm.

Nina. Sat there, looking delicious in a cute sundress, smiling at him. As he walked toward her, she smiled, “surprise!”

You Got It Wrong - Part Twenty Nine

Chapter Twenty Nine

There was nothing Nina could do, but lie rigid on her bed for what seemed like ages. She tried to read her book, the latest Dan Brown, but his rather elaborate and often farfetched mystery couldn’t drag her away from the reality that was her life. She’d had such an up and down day, from being abandoned in bed that morning, to being shouted down by her best friend.

Eventually her anger at what had happened subsided, it had to. It wasn’t gone, but in her mind was replaced by memories of the previous evening...and morning, before it all went wrong. Theo. She’d never relaxed in a man’s company like she had with Theo, it had been amazing. She couldn’t believe the things he’d done...that she’d let him do, and then what she’d done to him. After being burnt as a teenager, she’d been more than frugal with her male companions. And in over ten years she’d never let go like she had the previous night, and she’d never wanted to. She blushed, then stretched, savouring the tingles and the aches all over her body. The body of a siren, a sexy goddess, that’s what Theo had made her feel. Special.

But Lilah once again invaded her thoughts, the woman who’d been so derogatory to her earlier had been more than a friend for SO many years, she was a sister. And she was never anything more than supportive of her. Yep. Nina sat bolt upright, that wasn’t Lilah that she’d encountered downstairs, her caring, understanding bestest friend wasn’t the woman who’d talked down to her. Lilah hadn’t seen Daniel the night before, Nina knew that for a fact, and maybe she’d be disappointed at that, but she’d never been vindictive, Lilah wouldn’t hold that against her best friend. That wasn’t Lilah. And the one thing she knew better and in more detail than herself was Lilah.

She had to find her. Moving forward, trying to haul herself to her feet, head back downstairs she froze when her phone started to ring. Glancing at the screen, she gasped, her heart flew to her mouth and she collapsed onto her back. Only four letters could do that.

                “Theo?” her voice was a croak of emotion.

His was like a warm kiss, “hey Nina. Thanks for earlier. I really can’t thank you enough.”

                “No problems, she’s a pleasure. A credit to you...how’s Mansell?” There was a stilted awkwardness between them that she hated, but couldn’t change.

                “Argh...the concern is STILL all for him then?”

She giggled, “he came first, I knew him before I knew you existed.”

He groaned loudly, “do you have any idea what you’re saying?” When she giggled at the innuendo, he added, “and you’ve been lying on your bed all day thinking of him have you?”

It was her turn to gasp; she was just relieved that he couldn’t see her blush.

                “I guessed right? WOW!” His comment was far too cocky, but Nina was suddenly embarrassed, she had to salvage things.

                “NO!” she exclaimed rather too quickly, “I’ve just had a hard afternoon. Remembering last night...and this morning has made the afternoon go quicker.” That made her blush again. Her foot was finding her mouth FAR too many times.  

He exhaled a long, slow sound, “I cannot tell you what that makes me think...you are...ARGH!”

She giggled again, wishing she was a little more frugal with the truth, she shouldn’t wear her heart on her sleeve, but she was so un-savvy when it came to relationships, she couldn’t play those games.

Finally he managed to muster, “I want to see you, as soon as possible...but Melody.”

                “I told you, I understand.” She WANTED to understand a lot more than she did, but really she wanted to see him, kiss him, touch him. She blushed again, what was going on with her?

There was a pause before he said, “I know you do. I just wish I could sort things, but I have to protect her. I have to keep her separate to us.” She loved the sound of ‘us’, and couldn’t fight the inane grin. “I’m in a meeting til about two on Wednesday, I collect Melody at four. A late lunch?”

It wasn’t much, but it was more than she could have had without him being awkward, “sounds amazing I’ll come into town, text me when you’re free.”

Once again Theo sighed, “you are so...perfect. Thank you Nina.”

As the line went dead, she blushed again, but there was no one to see it, or to hear her rapid breathing and speeding heart. But it had been a long time since someone had called her perfect for no reason. And a long time since she’d felt boneless, lying in a mush on her bed.

When she was on the phone she’d heard footsteps on the stairs and the bathroom door locking. Since she’d hung up it still hadn’t opened.  So Nina hauled herself back to her feet and set off in search of Lilah.

Tapping on the bathroom door, she called out, “Lilah, you still in there?”

                “Go away,” she snapped through the closed door.

The two words started in an attempted snarl, but ended as a sob, and suddenly Nina was worried, “what’s up babe? You sound...”

                “Nothing. Just leave me alone.”

Nina lowered herself onto the floor, and tried to peep through the keyhole, but she saw nothing, “I can’t do that. Let me in. Please.”

There was no reply to that, and Nina thought she would honestly walk away, until she heard what sounded like a stifled painful cry. Uncaring of the possibility of hurting herself, or even damaging the house, Nina stood and shouldered the door three times until it flew open, then she almost cried out herself. Lilah was stood naked in the bath, a scourer in one hand, and a bottle of bleach in the other, her stomach and legs looked red raw, and tears ran down her face in rivers. As she looked at Nina and met her eyes, she slumped to the floor of the bath.

                “Shit!” Nina wasn’t sure what happened next, but within seconds she had removed the bleach and the cloth from her hand, and was flushing her friends skin with a cool shower on full blast. “What have you done darling?”

She reached for Lilah’s face, lifting her chin and begged her to open her eyes, instead silent tears slipped through her tightly closed eyelids. Nina imagined she’d have to keep the water running for at least half an hour, but she wasn’t sure that Lilah would manage that long, she was pale, and very unsteady. Nina pulled her close, and Lilah’s head slumped onto her shoulder, and the hand not holding the showerhead, wrapped tightly around her. All the time Nina was murmuring encouraging words, exactly what she said she had no idea, but she just kept talking.

When her friend started to shiver, Nina finally helped her out of the bath and across the hall to her bedroom; Lilah’s was too far away. Dry and reclined on the pillows, Nina placed cold damp clothes over her stomach and thighs, and then helped her into a t-shirt.

                “I need to call a doctor darling.”

Lilah reached out and grasped her wrist, “no. Please.”

                “You’re burned,” Nina was petrified, her lower abdomen and thighs were now sporting some blisters, she was no medic, and she worried about dressing them, infection. She looked at Lilah’s face, but her friend had turned towards the window, reluctant to even look at Nina.

“Tell me what happened please?” Nina knew that she was crying too, she couldn’t stop, she had no idea why her friend was hurting herself, why she was switching off to everything, but she knew it was something serious, that life would never be the same again...that Lilah would never be the same again.  She didn’t remember starting to cry but her face was wet with tears and she wasn’t surprised to find them coursing down her cheeks, she’d never been so scared. Lilah still faced away from her, so Nina climbed onto the bed next to her and held her in her arms until she was quiet, presumably asleep.

It gave Nina chance to check her skin. There were small patches on mainly her right thigh and right hip that were blistering, the rest looked better, red, sore, discoloured, but intact. So she headed back to the bathroom for dry dressings and pain killers. When she was happy that she’d covered the most sore parts, she helped the now stirring Lilah in to some tight pyjama bottoms to help secure the dressings, then pulled the duvet over them both.

Lilah’s head was on her shoulder and she was stroking her friend’s hair when she spoke next.

                “What happened? You were happy going out last night.”

Lilah gave a gentle head shake of refusal and in incensed Nina, “you were trying to burn yourself Lilah, you can’t tell me it was nothing, TELL ME what happened, or I’ll call the doctor, and a mental health nurse, and the police if I have to. You are too important for me to pretend this has happened. I LOVE you; tell me what is tormenting you, please?”

For ages Lilah’s eyes were held tightly closed, refusal to even be part of the moment only frustrated Nina further, but then she turned in her direction, opened her eyes for the briefest second, then spoke in a quiet, restrained voice, “I thought I was going to see Daniel.”

Nina stroked her hair, hating that Daniel’s absence had contributed to her friend’s pain, and wondering what the hell had happened at that dinner to make her like this, she was emotionally fragile, Nina knew that, had seen it in the past, but this was something else, something more. “He was babysitting for Theo,” she offered.

She nodded as she swallowed a sob, “I like him, he was the only reason I went, ‘look what you could have won’ type thing, you know?” She stifled a sob, “but he wasn’t there...and Mark...the date...he wasn’t happy...”

Again she broke down into sobs, and Nina stroked her hair patiently, yet nervously, dreading the next words that her friend was going to say, “I was going to stay at Amelia’s...but he followed me out of the taxi, so I reluctantly gave him coffee. When I tried to get rid of him...he told me I was a tease...”

Nina felt sick, bile had risen to the back of her throat, and her fists had gripped into fists, “you’re not that baby, don’t EVER think that. What did he do?”

Through more hysterical tears, Nina could barely make out a word, it was all gasps, random words uttered through sobs and cries, it was all incoherent...except for a few words, a few devastating, earth-shattering words,  “...angry...force...rape...”

You Got It Wrong - Part Twenty Eight

Chapter Twenty Eight

A/N Sorry, this chapter got deleted somehow from my laptop and I've struggled to recapture it in its original glory, I may go back and re-edit. Hope you're still avidly following and haven't given up. Things are about to hot up and get a little more intense. Love to hear your opinions! 

Nina lay rigid in bed, every inch of her skin buzzed with memory of his touch, her lips were sore from being thoroughly kissed, and as she tried to move her legs, they groaned in protest. But she couldn’t stay in bed, the pillow beside her smelled of the man who’d walked out, and she couldn’t believe he’d abandoned her. Again.

With a deep breath, she jumped out of bed, and straight into a hot shower, but even as she aggressively scrubbed her body clean, she couldn’t get the sensation of his hands touching her out of her mind. Hair clean, body more than exfoliated, she had no option but to turn the shower off and head back to her bedroom. Her sanctuary that was now forever tainted by the man who had walked out so abruptly. With a solitary cry out, she dragged the bedding off her bed, replacing the sheet, pillows and duvet cover.

Then she lay in the crisp fresh, usually rewarding bed, but her active mind wouldn’t let her sleep. He used Mansell. Theo Peterson used his ill grandfather as an excuse to get his arse out of her bed before the sun came up. She had no words for how she felt, how much she hated him. She’d finally let down her guard, finally after years let someone back into her bed...and he did this.

She hated that she could no longer trust her instincts; they are what she’d lived on for years. Now she knew nothing. Other than she’d spent a rapturous night in the arms of a scumbag.

Nina tried to close her eyes, but sleep eluded her, she got it wrong...didn’t she?

With a grunt she reached for the phone beside her and dialled the home. Pam the night manager answered on the third ring.

                “Pam? It’s Nina; I was just calling to see how Mansell’s night went?”

The other woman sighed, “great until about four am. He woke up...well he swore he’d had another stroke. We called an ambulance...he’s back in the General, but to be honest, I wonder whether it was a panic attack. He was a much better when the paramedics arrived.”

Nina slumped back against the pillows, he wasn’t lying. Thanking the woman, she hung up then immediately sent him a text message.

                “How’s Mansell? Been worried about him.”

A reply almost immediately popped on to her screen.

                “He’s ok. Settled back on the ward. Too much too soon it seems.”

She stared at that for a while unsure of what to say, when another message appeared, “And you’re only worried about HIM? The lucky man, anyone would swear I ran out on you without a goodbye. I am sorry.”

She sighed, her heart surging with pleasure.

                “I accept that apology...again.”

She was dressed when a reply once again appeared.

                “It won’t happen again. If you still give me the time of day.”

Laughing she gave a final response of, “We’ll see.” Then as a deliberate after thought, she added a winking face.

It was totally inappropriate to skip in to a place where people were ill, suffering and in pain, so as she reached the hospital, Nina tried to curb the spring in her step, and modify the inane grin that was plastered on her face. And as she got closer to the ward, she suddenly became anxious, she felt like a nervous teenager at the thought of seeing Theo after the night they’d shared, and it was only as the lift took her to the fifth floor that she truly relived any moment of the last twelve hours, and there was a LOT to relive. She blushed at the memory of what his hands, tongue and lips had done to her...and how she’d reciprocated.

A doctor in the lift carriage with her looked at her strangely, and she realised that she was both grinning and blushing profusely. Dropping her head, she avoided his gaze until the doors opened and she could escape.

                “How is he?”  Nina asked the nurse emerging from Mansell’s room.

                “Settled, he’s been upset...”

She sighed, “he’s ok though?”

The nurse nodded, “he’s no worse, just tired...a bit too soon maybe. Go in, he’ll be glad to see you.”

Nina peered around the door and was relieved and disappointed in equal measure to see the old man alone. But he looked pale, his eyes sunken even in sleep. He must have sensed her, because he opened his eyes briefly before turning to look away from her.

                “Hey Mansell, how are you?”

He shook his head, eyes closed, “I’m not...” He exhaled slowly, then finally looked at her when she moved to him and laid a hand over his.

                “I hope you’re not worrying about things.”

He shrugged, “my legs were caught up in my bed, I couldn’t move them...I thought I had another stroke. I panicked.”

Nina gave a soft laugh, “no one blames you for being scared, you’ve gone through so much, give yourself a break Mansell. Ok?”

Closing his eyes, she hated the tears that welled there. He was weeks from having a stroke, it was no surprise that he had found it difficult and scary going home. “You’re allowed to be scared.”

He scoffed at that, “I’m sure my grandsons will agree with THAT sentiment.”

                “But we do!”

A voice from behind made them both look up, Theo was stood there looking delicious, leaning against the doorframe, a pretty, smiling Melody on his hip. Daniel, suave and suited was the other side of the door. Both looked at Mansell with such love and affection that it made Nina gulp for air. Giving his hand a squeeze, she smiled at him briefly before standing up.

                “Melody, I want to go get a doughnut. You wanna join me?”

Melody grinned then looked up at her father, when he nodded, she wriggled out of his arms and rushed over to Nina, “granddad, I’ll see you later.”

Mansell grinned, “bring me back a doughnut? They are my favourite!”

As Nina led her out of the room, Theo reached out and linked his fingers around her wrist, “thanks.”

                “No problem.”

An hour later, Nina sat back in her seat; arms folded over her stomach watching Melody demolish a second doughnut. She should have limited her to one really, but then again, she was happy, quiet...and there’d been little contact from Theo. The family needed to talk, that was blatantly obvious. 

                “Come on then, let’s go find your Dad. It’s getting late.”

The two grandsons were deep in conversation outside the hospital room when they approached, and Theo looked up as he heard Melody call out his name.

                “Ok?” She asked.

He nodded but it was Daniel who spoke, “just trying to get to the bottom of what we’re going to do. Don’t worry, we’ll deal with it. You ok little lady?”

Melody held out a paper bag, “there’s a doughnut for Granddad. I ate yours Uncle Daniel!”

He squatted down in front of her, “really? You ate MINE?” He tickled her ribs as she squealed in excitement. It was then that Theo’s hand appeared at her elbow, and he led her across the corridor.

                “Thanks.”

                “She’s a good kid.”

Theo smiled, “that maybe, but I meant for giving me another chance. I am hardly breaking myself in two to do the right thing here; I’m a long way from impressing you.”

She looked up at him coyly, “oh, I don’t know. I’m occasionally impressed.”

He lifted an eyebrow and smiled, “well that’s good. I hope I have chance to impress you again...soon?”

Nodding, she responded, “I’ve got a lot of work on, but I wouldn’t rule it out completely.”

                “I’ll call you.”

Back in the empty house, Nina really did want to work on some designs. She had half a dozen commissions on her books, but she wasn’t in the mood to crack on with them, not really. Not when she could make a cup of coffee and remember in glorious detail all that had happened the previous night. She was still sat there, daydreaming when the front door opened.

                “Hi Honey!” She called out to Lilah, “do you want some lunch? I’ve got a chicken roasting as we speak.”

There was the sound of movement, but no firm response, so she followed the sounds into the hallway to see Lilah disappear upstairs. “Hey Lilah. You ok?”

                “Fine," her voice came muffled from behind her closed bedroom door.

                “I’ve got dinner on. You hungry?”

                “Need shower.”

With a shrug, she returned to the kitchen, obviously Lilah was hung over, she didn’t handle the day after alcohol well, Nina knew that. So she refilled the coffee pot and waited for her friend. But it was a long time until she appeared.

Nina had placed the large roast chicken onto the table along with some homemade coleslaw and roast potatoes and freshly cut bread when Lilah finally entered the room. Her face was sallow, her damp hair scraped back in a clip, and she was dwarfed by a huge towelling robe

                “You ok?”

Lilah shrugged, opening the fridge and reaching for a carton of orange juice, “feeling a little fragile.”

                “Dinner?”

She sat opposite Nina and sighed, “haven’t got much appetite.”

                “Feed a hangover, you know the rule.” Ignoring her resistance, she loaded a plate for each of them. “Tuck in.”

Whilst Nina ate, she was aware that Lilah sat opposite her unmoving.

                “What’s up?” She asked swallowing her food greedily.

Again Lilah shrugged, it wasn’t like her to be so defensive, so introverted.

Placing down her knife and fork, she reached across the table and took Lilah’s hands, but she immediately snatched them away.

                “Lilah?”

Her friend stood, kicking out her chair, “I’m tired. Ok?”

She watched Lilah fill a mug with coffee then stand, nursing it in her hands as she leaned against the work surface, eyes dropped to the floor.

                “It’s more than that.”

She lifted her eyes finally, and gave a half smile, “no. Honestly, I’m just tired...”

At that moment Nina’s phone bleeped, looking down she grinned at the name on the screen. Theo. Opening the message she couldn’t wipe the inane grin off her face as she read his message.

                “Thanks again for earlier. You are a legend and a star. Must treat you to repay your kindness. Dinner one night? Will let you know when I’m free? Theo.”

                “What’s making you smile?” there was an animosity in Lilah’s voice despite the insistence that she was ok. 

It was Nina’s turn to shrug, but Lilah was suddenly animated.

                “Who text you?”

Pleased to see her friend react more normally, she smiled, “Theo. Just wanting to meet in the week.”

                “And? You look ready to explode.”

Nina stared at her friend for a moment, “he stayed here last night.”

                “You slept with him? Theo Peterson?”

Chuckling at her friend’s amazement, she nodded, “I might be the most picky woman in the world, but I never said I was frigid!”

She expected a grin from her friend, a laugh or a sympathetic pat on the back. What she didn’t expect was a screaming fit.

Lilah stood in the kitchen, glaring at her, “are you mad? He is the least trustworthy man you can imagine. You are like a bloody child, you don’t SEE the big picture, you don’t SEE what he’s doing to you. Nina he is using you, and you like a fool have just gone and done THAT with him! Really?”

 Nina backed away from her, genuinely stunned. She had no answer for her accusations and the diatribe that followed her as she climbed the stairs. Lilah was all she had, her best friend, her confidante, her sister, and often her mother. But on the one time that Nina took a step towards a man, something she hadn’t done for SO long, in almost ever, her friend ripped her to shreds.