It had been almost a month since that rainy Autumn night when Lee and Lucy, having had one too many wines and getting on to the conversation of how long they both been celibate, had agreed to become 'friends with benefits'. They were both single, both missed sex and they trusted each other. It seemed like a no brainer.
From their first, experimental kiss, something clicked, and things escalated very rapidly. Gaining confidence from the alcohol and fuelled by their obvious attraction to each other, hands soon began to roam and before either knew it they were ripping off each other's clothes with an urgency that surprised them both.
Still only minutes after Lucy had suggested they tried this, the pair were lying naked and exhausted, skin slick with perspiration and breathing heavily as their heart rates began to slow down. Lucy was still lying on top of Lee and could feel his body trembling against hers. Neither could speak at first, and were unsure of what to say anyway.
As they came down from the waves of orgasm and back into reality, both tried to comprehend what had just happened. Their first time may have been a slightly drunken fumble on the sofa, but it wasn't awkward, as it could so easily have been. It may have been over fairly quickly, but it had felt really good, neither could deny that. It was now, as the effect of their hormones wore off, that the awkwardness threatened to set in.
Lucy was the first to speak, "Wow. That went well then…"
"Mmm...hmm", Lee struggled to find words. He was slightly in shock. "Yep…I…I think this arrangement could work".
Lucy had chuckled then and Lee relaxed a little. She didn't regret it, and he obviously hadn't repulsed her, to his relief.
…
Since then, Lee and Lucy had hardly been able to keep their hands off each other. At least that was until yesterday. Lucy had arrived home from work and immediately sought out Lee, who was in his bedroom.
When she suggested he put down his magazine so that he could help her 'let off steam' after her stressful day at the office, he made an excuse about having a headache. Lucy left the room feeling disappointed and confused. Lee had never rejected her advances before. In fact, he was often the one who initiated sex.
She lay in bed that night trying to get to sleep, and her thoughts kept returning to Lee. Why hadn't he wanted to sleep with her? She told herself she shouldn't be bothered. They were friends. This was just a mutually convenient arrangement. So what if he wasn't in the mood this evening. She couldn't expect him to be at her beck and call every time she felt horny.
Tonight shouldn't have bothered her, but it did. The truth was, Lucy was in love with Lee. She wanted a real relationship with him, but didn't know if he felt the same. If she told him she might scare him off. He might run a mile and then she would lose him completely. With what they had, this arrangement, at least she was able to be close to him, to satisfy her physical desire for him even though her emotional needs were not being met. Having 'no strings attached' sex with Lee was better than not being with him at all.
The last few weeks had been revelatory for Lucy, as Lee was incredible in bed. More than that, when they did have sex it wasn't just mechanical, there was genuine intimacy. Lucy always felt an emotional connection with Lee, and thought he must feel the same. Neither spoke of this this though, so Lucy concluded that maybe she was wrong. Perhaps the feelings were one-sided. All of this swam around Lucy's head as she tossed and turned in her bed. Maybe Lee really did have a headache earlier, she though to herself. Or maybe he doesn't find me attractive anymore. Perhaps I'm not good enough in bed, maybe he's bored with me already. She struggled to shut off her brain for some time until sleep finally overcame her.
…
The following day…
Lee looked away from the television as Lucy entered the flat, her hands full with several bags of shopping. She smiled at Lee, removing her jacket before joining him on the sofa, placing the carrier bags down at her feet. She picked up the remote control and switched off the TV, causing Lee to protest.
"Hey, I was watching that".
Lucy fluttered her eyelashes suggestively, and ran her hand slowly across Lee's thigh. She smiled as she felt him shudder at her touch.
"Come on, I know those Hollyoaks women are better looking than me but I'm actually here in the room. It's been a couple of days...too long", Lucy whispered then began to kiss along Lee's jawline and neck.
Lee gasped, feeling himself twitch as Lucy's hand travelled higher, then despite himself covered her hand with his and gently moved it away.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing".
"So why did you stop me".
"I don't know"
"Tell me what's changed. Before yesterday you were all over me and now… Don't you want me anymore?"
"I want you, I always want you".
"I was thinking, last night in bed. I went shopping".
Lee was a bit confused as to why Lucy was telling him this.
"So…you're always going shopping. What's new?"
"I went shopping, for us".
"I don't understand".
Lucy took the carrier bags from the floor and opened one of them, showing Lee. He froze, staring wide-eyed and open-mouthed at the contents.
"I went to Ann Summers, I bought some…stuff".
Lee gulped, "I can see that, it looks like you bought half the shop. Erm...why, what made you?"
"I thought maybe you were bored with me. Thought you might want to spice things up a bit"
Lee was only half listening, as he had started to rifle through the array of toys and 'implements' Lucy had purchased. He knew he was probably blushing like a beetroot now.
"What is that for?"
"Lee, don't play the innocent with me. I've seen your internet history"
"I mean, where does that go?...and that…how would that even... Now that, that's clearly designed to make a man feel inadequate. And don't get any ideas, because this…" Lee pointed at a scary looking item, "this is not going anywhere near me. You bought handcuffs? Blimey Lucy".
"Don't pretend this isn't turning you on. Because the bulge in your jeans is telling me otherwise"
"It's not that…"
"Look, if you don't want to use any of this stuff then I bought some outfits too. We could try some roleplay. You know, doctors and nurses, teacher and pupil, boss and secretary…".
"Husband and wife". Lee interrupted Lucy
"What?". Lucy wasn't familiar with that one.
"Lucy. I'm not bored of you. These last three weeks – the best sex I've ever had. And by the way, those Hollyoaks women have nothing on you. You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. The thing is…I've been thinking too and I went shopping as well".
"Oh?"
"I have something to say and I'm not sure how to say it. I'm nervous so forgive me if I babble, but please let me finish before you say anything".
"Okay".
"The reason I said no last night and why I stopped you earlier is because I can't do this anymore".
"But..." Lucy's heart sank.
"You said you'd let me finish"
"Sorry, go on"
"I can't go on having meaningless sex with you, because it's never been meaningless to me. I love you…I've been in love with you for a long, long time and this isn't enough. I want to be with you properly, to be a couple".
Lee paused, but seeing Lucy's shocked expression change to a wide grin, he felt brave enough to continue.
"This is a risk as I'm not sure how you feel but when I went shopping earlier I bought this".
Lee reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. Lucy's hand flew up to cover her mouth. Was he about to? Her heart started to race.
"Lucy, I know this is really sudden but I love you so much. I'll understand if you think I'm insane and you say no but…God, this is not how this sounded when I rehearsed this. What I'm trying to say is, will you marry me?"
"Yes!"
Lee was in a bit of a daze now and didn't comprehend Lucy's reply.
"Oh well, I understand. It's okay if you want to forget this ever happened…hang on…did you say yes?"
"Yes!"
Lucy was now crying and grinning at the same time, nodding furiously. She flung her arms around Lee's neck.
"I love you too", she sobbed the words into his shoulder as they clung on to each other. Finally breaking apart, Lucy held out her hand and Lee slipped the sparkling ring onto her finger. She kissed Lee then, with more emotion and conviction than she had ever kissed him before.
Drawing away from his lips she breathed, "I missed you. I missed this"
"Me too...", he whispered, recapturing her lips.
Lucy broke their kiss again, causing Lee to sigh in frustration. "Oh, one more thing…sex with you. It's the best I've ever had too"
"Really?", Lee's eyes lit up.
"Really", Lucy replied.
"In that case, shall we go to bed?" Lee asked, the need now evident in his voice.
With that Lucy practically leapt of the sofa, and started to pull Lee towards her bedroom. He didn't have to ask her twice.