A/N: Hey Everyone, apologies for the long delay between chapters again! I hope you enjoy this.
The kiss lasted much longer than I expected, but luckily it didn't progress to anything too far. He broke the kiss naturally, taking a step back and holding my hands as he now gazes at me with a boyish smile on his lips. I am feeling...well I don't know exactly but I suppose embarrassed further. That never should have even happened. I am not ready, I know I am not. This is supposed to be a fresh start, no men, happiness and sorting myself out.
"Well.." he smirks, and I think he is trying to be endearing with a joke.
I hum a 'mmm' with a tight smile in response and glance around my bedroom.
"So, where are we putting this wallpaper?" he asks to break up the awkward silence that has started to form.
I stutter looking around and then suddenly point to the far right wall. I think behind my headboard is perfect for a feature wall. He smiles and nods in approval, so I must have made a good decision. I smile again, tight lipped because I just cannot relax now, and quickly grab my empty glass. I notion to Tim that I am just going to fetch a top up and quickly make my way from the room so that I can allow myself to breathe properly again. I step just out into the hall before I let out a deep breath and relax my shoulders.
"I'll just go fetch some paste then!" a voice chirps behind me, making me gasp and instantly tense up again.
Spinning quickly I turn to face him and nod. That's a great idea, he can go and I can pull myself together, calm down and stop acting like a total pyscho!
"Won't be long" he nods and smiles as he hurries off through the living room and to the door.
I linger in the hall until I hear the front door close, and then I creep along just to check he has actually left and isn't lurking to try and catch me out. When I am sure he is gone I hurry into the kitchen and help myself to another large glass of wine. That lasts a minute or two before it is topped up and I finally decide to wander over to the sofa and sit down. Relaxing instantly, I lean back against the cushions and snuggle up comfortably as I continue to sip at my wine.
Having watched the clock, I know that Tim has now been gone for half an hour, and its another ten minutes later when I hear a car pull up outside, the loud opening and closing of doors, and even though I am prepared and expecting him to walk through the door any second, I still jump when he does finally come straight in with a loud "I'm back", before he actually realises I am sat right there in front of him.
"Come on then, we have work to do!" he smirks at me as he lifts the tub of paste up to show me.
I roll my eyes and sip my wine.
He shakes his head and approaches me, coming around and standing in front of me, before reaching for my arm and effortlessly pulling me out of my comfort as he smirks and pulls me up on my feet. He nags me a bit, calling me lazy as I whine following him through to the bedroom again.
"Right, well if we get the painting done first, and then tomorrow I will nip to my grandparents and borrow my grandpa's paste table for your 'feature wall'" he smirks at me.
I sip my wine and raise a brow at him.
"Come on then, put that wine down, its not like you can paint with a glass in your hand!" he chuckles.
"Who says I can't" I smirk, reaching for one of my new brushes and waving it around in front of him.
"Me!" he smirks, "You'll make a right mess of it"
"Wanna bet?!" I smirk back, sipping my wine and waving my dry brush around again at him.
"Ok, you're on" he grins picking up a roller.
I smirk back, sipping my wine again and watch him open up the lightest of the paint colours. He asks which wall, and I point to the one which has the door, and is opposite the window. Best to have the lightest colour there as it will reflect the light and make my room seem a little brighter I suppose.
We start painting, I am one end, he is the other. Tim starts by neatly going along the edges of the wall, the complete opposite of me, as I just slap it on in the middle of the wall and spread it about all over the place as I sip wine, and sneak glances at Tim, who appears to be sneaking a glance at me from time to time too. It's nice to have someone so interested in me, and I feel like a teenager, but all the same I have my doubts and all the guilt of feeling that I shouldn't be allowed any fresh starts after what I did to Nick. As I get to thinking in the silence, the worse I start to feel and the more wine I consume. Its amazing how quickly I get through this stuff. Having to pause to get a top up, I fill up a glass for him also and shakes his head as he takes it, has a sip and places it back down to return to his painting.
Me however, I am getting very very tipsy.
"Tim, Tim, take a break" I giggle as I stumble over to him with a brush with paint on the tip.
"We should get this wall finished at least" he smiles glancing at me.
"No, come on, take a break, drink some wine...have some fun!" I giggle reaching out for his hand and pulling him away from the wall.
"Can I not finish this first?" he smirks.
I shake my head and pull him close to me.
"Carla...what are you..."
But I leave him no time to finish that sentence as I place my lips against his and kiss him hard.