Naomi is half straddling me as she leans down to kiss my neck. When she sees I'm awake, she grins and pecks me on the lips.
"Morning, sleepyhead," she says lightly.
"What precipitated this?" I ask, struggling to get out from under her. Not that I'm not totally enjoying it.
She doesn't answer, just leans down and gives me a slow, lingering kiss. Yes, there was tongue and involved, and yes, I did kiss back. My heart is racing. It's not often that I, little Emily Fitch, am in a bed with a really hot girl. A really hot girl who seems interested in me. I pull her down for another kiss. This one is as passionate as the first. She runs her tongue across my bottom lip. I gladly let her in.
I'm finally forced to pull away as the need for air is too great. Naomi doesn't let me go for long; she attacks my lips again. Her hand slips under my shirt and runs up and down my back. She begins to pull the shirt off, which I gladly help her do. Her shirt is next, followed by our pants. Soon we're just down to our bras and panties; I'm panting heavily. We resume our kissing, more fervently than before.
Wait, Naomi," I manage to get out between kisses, "I can't, I can't do this. It's not right. You're vulnerable right now. I would be taking advantage."
"Does it seem like you're taking advantage?" Naomi replies, her eyes darker than I've ever seen them.
"Yes." Realization hits me hard. "In fact, I think you're using me. You want a quick fuck, but you're not ready for the emotional commitment. You can't be."
"For fuck's sake, Em, it's not like we're getting married. I want this. And I know you want this; I'm not blind, I've seen the looks you've given me. As for me not being ready, I've screwed loads of people since Fio—since her. How can I not be ready?"
"Oh yeah? And how many of them have you called back, how many of them were one night stands? You can't even say her name without breaking down." She's silent, her face betraying her. I continue, "I really, really like you. I don't want to fuck up any chance we could have by moving to quickly. I want to take you out to dinner, see a movie, go to the park. I want us to be an 'us' before we get together like that. I want us to make love, not have a quick 'n' dirty shag."
She looks angry. I'm almost scared that she's going to slap me. But no, she does nothing except for sliding off of me and putting on her pants. "I think you should go, Fitch."
"Naomi, you're not being fair. Let me stay; you're obviously upset."
"No, Emily, you don't have the right to say that. I put myself out there and you rejected me. And you're right, I was just looking for a quick shag. Do you honestly think I'm interested in you apart from you being hot? I don't want to go out to dinner or go to the park or see a movie with you. We're never going to be an 'us'. I've learned the hard way that I don't need anyone."
"I know you're lonely, Naomi. I think you need someone to want you. Well, I do want you. So be brave and want me back. Actually like me, not just for a fuck. I know it's hard, opening up after something like this happened. But you'll never get over it if you never let anyone in to help."
"Fuck you. I want you out of my house, now!"
I resign myself to leaving. I pull on my shirt and pants as quickly as possible, then lean over to kiss Naomi on the cheek. She recoils at first but allows me to do it all the same.
"I'll see you tomorrow after we get to the Bahamas."
She doesn't reply, just stares at the wall. I'm slightly annoyed with her puerile behavior, but really what can I do? Once I get back to my flat I begin to pack. Fuck, why did I wait this long? It takes me almost an hour to finish, and then I'm exhausted again.
I lug my bag out the door, God it's heavy. I've packed all the essentials plus a bunch of random of shit that I probably won't use. I'm not the lightest packer I admit. As I'm walking out the door, I bump into Lawrence, my fit neighbor. Yeah, yeah, I'm gay and everything, but that doesn't mean I can't admire a fine piece of man-candy.
"Oops. Sorry, Emily, didn't see you there."
"Oh, it's fine. My fault, really."
"Can I help you with your bags? I've a flight to catch myself." He indicates to the duffel bag on his shoulder. Did I mention he's got a huge crush on me and has been trying to get me to date him ever since I moved in. Flattering really, but it gets to be a little much. Except of course when it comes in handy. Like now. What, he's athletic, ok?
"Thanks, that would be amazing. I'm running a little late to tell you the truth." He hoists my bag up and we walk briskly towards the train. Just as we're walking in I see her. Shit. Of course she's taking the train at the same time as me, that's fucking wonderful. I try to hide behind Lawrence's bulk, but it's too no avail. Her stormy blue eyes catch mine, and she gives me one of her characteristic Naomi scowls. I'm cowering in the corner when I think up a scheme. A dastardly scheme. Ok, not really dastardly at all. I move in closer to Lawrence, and whisper in his ear in what I hope looks like a sexy tone, "Go along with this or I'll kick you so hard in the balls that they'll come out your mouth."
He pales at my words, and gives me a discreet nod. I lean over and kiss him full on the mouth. He pulls back for the tiniest of seconds, then eagerly returns the kiss with vigor. And tongue. Ew. I pretend to be enjoying our little game of tonsil hockey, while trying to covertly glance over at Naomi. She looks furious. Perfectly executed, Emily. I try to break apart from Lawrence, but he seems insistent that our lips stay locked. Finally I manage to get away, er, I mean end our loving kiss. Lawrence leans over to me, "I don't know what you're doing, but I like it." The smell of his cologne is overpowering. I try to refrain from gagging. Grabbing his hand, I drag him over to Naomi.
"Naomi, I'd like for you to meet my ex, Lawrence."
He sticks out his hand for her to shake; she looks at it with disdain before finally grasping it in hers. "You two seem very, uh, close."
"We're still very tight," I reply as I feel his hand drifting southward towards my ass. What a pig. I give him a lovestruck glance. "Still close, er, friends. We're neighbors, so it's easy for us when, you know, we need a place to um-"
"Shag, yeah, I got it." Her face is painted with jealously. My plan is working, I see.
"So what time is your flight, Naomi?"
"10.40."
"Mine too! What a coincidence!"
"Not much of a coincidence, actually. There aren't that many flights to the Bahamas." Her voice is cold.
"You're probably in first class anyway."
"No, why would I waste my money on that?"
"I don't know, you're rich?"
"I take the train to work everyday, do you think I could suspend being cheap for long enough to spring for a first class ticket?"
"Guess not. Well I'll probably see you when we get there. Bye, Naomi."
She scowls again and looks away. Between the two of them, she and Effy are a right gloomy pair. I pull Lawrence back to our seats.
"So, Emily, you've got the hots for me, eh?" He whispers lecherously in my ear.
I pull him in closer, trying to look as intimate as possible "Lawrence, you've got about as much chance with me as you do Naomi Campbell. The, uh, supermodel one."
Naomi's glaring has reached a new level of ferocity. If looks could kill, Lawrence would be dead on the floor. Oh yeah, she totally wants me. Or she's swallowed something sour. Lawrence keeps his arm around me for the entirety of the ride, blech. I do not see the appeal of bulging muscles and man-smell. I get to the airport with barely enough time to check in. I look at my ticket-7F. When I get to my seat I'm met with another not-so-unwelcome surprise. Naomi again.
"Jesus Christ," she says, sounding infuriated, "Of all the people, it had to be you, didn't it."
"I'm sorry you're so displeased to see me," I say sarcastically as I take my seat. Goddamn, the seats are tiny; I'm practically falling over into her lap. Not that I'm complaining or anything. The plane takes off and I begin to drift off; I had a late night. I don't get much sleep, though; I feel a hand pushing me away. It seems I fell asleep on Naomi's shoulder.
"Sorry," I mumble, "Didn't mean to."
"Just don't to it again," she replies. Her face contorts into something nasty, "And all I can say is that I'm sorry I'm not Lawrence. You move quickly, I see. Wasn't it just yesterday that you were falling all over me?
"What can I say, he's charming. Attentive, too."
"I didn't even know that you were into men. Thought you preferred the fairer sex."
"Normally I do, but he's the exception. He's special, he makes me swoon. And in bed, oh my God! He's, well, let's just say-" I trail off when I see Naomi's expression. Completely and utterly enraged to say the least. She grabs my hand and pulls me towards the bathroom stalls. When we reach the little aisle, she slams me into the wall and presses her lips to mine. I try to pull away, mainly because I'm extremely confused, but she holds my head in tighter. I begin to kiss back, slipping my tongue out to caress hers. She gladly accepts it and we continue to kiss for several more minutes.
"I can't stand it, I can't," she breathes out between kisses.
"S'ok, it's ok," I murmur back.
She pulls away, and we're both panting. I steal another kiss before she gasps out, "Wait. Let me get this out. Seeing you with him, it made my blood boil. I, I do care you about you, like you. A lot. And it scares me to be honest."
I'm stunned by her admission.
