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Chapter 39 – Kelly's Place

Arles had left the gravesite with Kelly. Her tiny, electric, green car silently took them to the freeway. Neither one of them said anything for a while. Arles wasn't sure why he had decided to leave with her, but knew it was a better option than returning with any of his family at the moment.

Oh, the teasing that he would endure.

Kelly broke the silence. "Do you mind if we first go by my place? I'd like to change."

He relaxed. "That's fine. I've actually never seen your place."

Kelly smiled. "It's nothing to brag about."

Arles looked down at his bracelet and increased his personal shield to 100%. "Do you live on your own? Flat mate? Family?"

Kelly glanced back at him. "Alone. I moved out last year."

Arles propped his arm up on the door and looked back at her. "You get on with your parents?"

"I get along really great with my Dad." She admitted.

"But, not your Mum?"

She glanced back at him. "Step-mom. I just….I was just ready to live on my own."

He rubbed his chin and adjusted the air conditioning to blow on his face.

"Do you live with anyone?" She asked.

He nodded. "Yeah. I have a flat mate. He's never there, so it's a brilliant arrangement."

She giggled. "I suppose it is."

Kelly turned off of the freeway and onto one of the side streets. It was a rather nice part of town with apartments and hotels. She turned onto another road and into a parking deck of one of the tall, apartment homes.

She turned off the car and looked back at him. "And we're here."

He got out of the car. They walked together to the elevator. Kelly took out a card, and pressed it to a panel to turn it on.

Arles put his hands in his pockets and rocked on his feet. "Carded entry?"

Kelly pressed the button for the 23rd floor. "Yes. The deck also has a lock out on it. My car has one of those….little boxes."

Arles nodded. "I'm impressed. Safe."

The lift began to move.

Kelly smiled. "It was the only way my Dad would allow me to move out. It had to be safe."

"Yeah, what does he do?"

Kelly grinned back at him. "Why?"

"I'm just curious." He smiled and shrugged his shoulders.

The lift dinged as they reached the floor.

They walked down a hallway that seemed very plain. The walls were white and a potted tree sat every few feet. After a few twists and turns, Arles was certain that he wouldn't be able to find his way back to the elevator without her help.

She put her finger on a panel next to a door and it unlocked. She smiled and opened the door to the flat.

They stepped inside to a small kitchen, sitting room combination. A bar divided the room. The apartment was very clean, bright and welcoming. Green plants were everywhere, and made the space seem very cozy and inviting to Arles. The leather sofa sat on a colorful rug. Shelves with framed photos and books sat neatly in the corner. The telly hung on the wall with a small table underneath it. A large window overlooked the city. The lighthouse could be seen in the distance.

Kelly pointed at the window. "You can see the ocean from here, if you look hard enough."

"Why isn't the lighthouse on the ocean? That's so strange."

She took off her jacket and draped it on her arm. "Well, it was. Then a hurricane came through, and simply moved the beach."

Arles nodded. "Interesting."

She squeezed his arm, "Make yourself at home. I have to get out of these shoes."

He watched her disappear into a doorway that he assumed was her bedroom. He took off his jacket and hung it on the back of the barstool, then loosened his tie. He hadn't realized how hot he was until then. The cool flat felt nice after being the hot sun all afternoon.

Arles walked over to the fridge and was surprised when he saw the entire top shelf was Vitex bottles.

"And it follows me everywhere." He mumbled.

He looked around and found a bottle of water. He closed the fridge and drank it as he walked around the kitchen.

His phone dinged in his pocket. He took it out and leaned against the bar to read his message.

Genie: Grand is fine. Being her usual self.

He smiled in relief and replied, "Please tell her I'll come see her later."

Genie: Did we embarrass you enough?

He rolled his eyes. "She hasn't mentioned it."

Genie: So, you're with her now?

He groaned. "Yes, we came back to her place."

Genie: Without Quauthin. What would Papa say?

He remembered his personal shield setting, and turned it off. "I can see his disapproving face now. Don't worry about me."

Kelly walked out of the bedroom. She was wearing a different dress and had pulled up her hair. She was barefoot. "That's much better."

Arles put his phone in his pocket and smiled at her. "That's a lovely dress."

She went over to the fridge and took out a Vitex. "Thank you."

He sipped his water and looked at her.

"Water, huh?" She asked.

He nodded. "How are your feet?"

"Much better now that I'm out of those shoes."

"I've never understood how woman can wear shoes that make their feet hurt."

She leaned against the bar in front of him and looked down at his shoes. "So, you're telling me those are comfortable?"

He glanced down at the black dress shoes. "These aren't bad."

She rose her eyebrow. "You see her more that she's dating your brother. How is Karen?"

He sat down the water, "She's upset. Karen and her Dad were close."

Kelly nodded. "What happened? No one is saying."

"Then I shouldn't say."

"But, you know?"

He drank the rest of his water and returned to the fridge to get another bottle. "Classified information."

Kelly groaned. "Oh, it isn't."

He opened another water bottle and sipped it. "It actually is. You don't want to get me into trouble, do you?"

She shook her head in surprise. "Wow. I thought you were kidding-"

"Nope. It's true."

"If it's classified, how do you know?"

Arles sipped the water. "That's classified, too. Anyway. Umm. I like your place. It's…"

"Small." She finished his sentence.

"Nice. I like this. I used to have one like this. Back where I used to live. It was small like this. There were two bedrooms. Sam and I shared it."

She smiled. "This one only has one bedroom. But, it's just me."

He sipped his water. "Yeah. The floor plan is the same. The other bedroom was just there, next to the loo."

She giggled, "The loo."

He grinned, "The loo. Yes."

She sat on top of the bar and crossed her legs. "Are you in a hurry to go get a drink?"

He glanced down at the water he held. "No. Are you?"

"No. I wanted to talk to you. Tell you that I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"The other morning. I really….got into your face about wanting us to define….us-"

He shook his head. "I'm not cross about that-"

"You've not texted or called since then. I'm sure I've overstepped some imaginary boundary we have."

He shook his head and sat down his bottle of water. "No, I've just been busy. It's alright. It's something we should talk about."

She looked at him in shock. "Really?"

He nodded as he crossed his arms. "Yes. Bet you didn't think I was going to say that, huh?"

"So, what is this? Between us?"

He leaned on the cabinet behind him. "Truthfully. I don't know. I like whatever it is."

She smiled, "So. Definitions. That's what we're doing."

He sighed. "Yes. Let's do that. Are we…in a relationship? I say, 'no'."

She nodded. "I agree, it's too soon. I've only known you for a few weeks."

He looked at her in surprise. "No? You're good with that?"

She sipped her Vitex. "Yes. And I bet you didn't expect me to say that, huh?"

He grinned, "I didn't. Okay. Wow. Umm. That levels the pitch."

She giggled and repeated, "Levels the pitch?"

"I mean, you understand that I'm just not good with relationships."

"You've had a bad relationship and you are basing all of your future ones on that."

He looked surprised at her. "How do you know that?"

"You said you had a girlfriend. How long ago was it?"

He sipped his water. "A while. And that's not why."

"Can you tell me why?"

He considered. "I'm just not wired that way."

"That's what you say, but can you tell me what that actually means?"

He crossed his arms. "Two people. Get into a relationship and suddenly, everything is about the other person. You lose that bit of yourself. That, independence."

"So that's what you want? To be independent?"

"I'm more independent now that I've ever been in my entire life."

"And you find that you like it?" She asked.

"I really do."

"Learning about yourself. Things you prefer, things you hate." She nodded. "I understand that."

"Being able to make my own decisions. With just me, I suppose, to think about. Does that make sense?"

"Of course. If you were in a relationship, you would have to make your decisions with the other person in mind."

"Everything is about the other person. Your entire life! I see it with Sammy now, and don't get me wrong, I love Karen. But, everything is about her."

"And you find that you miss Sam."

"Well, I still see him. And Karen is so much like him. It's rather frightening. She's not as reckless as he is. I think she has finally put the screws in his feet, to nail his ass into the ground."

"Reckless, huh? Always getting hurt?"

"Always. And not little things either. Big things. It's a wonder he's still alive."

"So, she's saved him. That's the reason you have been so accepting of their relationship."

He nodded. "I guess so. I haven't really thought about it. That and he's happy."

She sipped her Vitex, "So, going back to us then."

"Oh yeah. Sorry. I got off on that." He rubbed his chin. "I suppose I do enjoy it. I just, I've never been in a situation like this."

"Like this? A friend with benefits?"

He sat up on the cabinet across from her. "Yeah. And are we being completely honest here?"

She smiled warmly. "I would prefer you to be honest with me."

He nodded. "I've had other…meet-ups? Can I call it that?"

She sipped her drink. "Yes. I know what you are saying. Hook-ups? I have too."

"I actually had the thought of telling you that this is a fling, but my sister and Karen advised me against saying that."

Kelly smiled, "A fling?"

"But, that's before I we had this talk."

"You were going to break up with me!" She realized.

He threw his hands up, "We're not together!"

"You know what I mean, Arles."

He groaned and sipped his water.

"Look, Arles. We don't have to change anything-"

"But, that's what you want-"

"But, it's not what you want. You want a friend, without complications. Right?"

He looked back at her and nodded. "Yes! My life is complex enough without adding a relationship to it. That would….be the limit. Over the limit!"

"Okay. So, that I'm sure I'm understanding this. You've just moved here. Trying to establish what is going to be your life."

He sipped his water. "Yes. Completely different place from where I lived before."

"Different job as before?"

"Yeah. Gosh, a teacher. Who would have thought I would have agreed to do that?"

"What did you do? Back, in your old life?"

He groaned, "Ummm. A lot of, public appearances. Charity functions. Family things."

"Like, politics?"

He shook his head. "Not politics. No. Just….it's hard to explain."

"Okay. But, you are here now, and attempting to rebuild your life. And that's overwhelming to you."

"Not overwhelming, just….I don't want to pull someone else into it…."

"Someone you would then have to add to the mix of everything you are sorting out."

"And, honestly, I find that I really enjoy the freedom of that. Just being me. Not worried about another person. Like Sammy is. Like Legate is. Like…."

"Anyone with a relationship is."

"Yeah. See, you get it! I just want to make sure you realize it's a problem with me. Not anything with you."

She smiled, "Thank you for that. And remember, if things change in that area…."

"I'll tell you. Sure." He smiled, "This was a good chat."

She giggled, "I love our chats. You're so easy to talk to, Arles."

He sipped his water. "So, definitions. Let's show all of the cards."

"Gambler?"

"Yes." He told her. "Friends?"

"Friends. Are we seeing other people?"

He rubbed his chin. "I don't know. What do you think?"

"Well, I feel as-"

"Ah! No feelings in this. Don't have feelings! No!"

She laughed, "Sorry. Let's explore that a moment. What would you say if I told you I was going out on a date with another guy?"

Arles thought about it. "Is he better looking than me?"

"He doesn't have the accent, so no."

"Sleeping with him?"

She thought. "Well, maybe he's-"

"No! I don't like it. Next question."

"So, I'm not seeing anyone else."

"No. And I won't either. I won't sleep with anyone else, either."

"Okay. And this is….friends-"

"Friends! Yes! That's all!"

She shrugged her shoulders. "Okay. Because, long distance relationships never work-"

He snapped his fingers, "Yes! And I live so far away-"

"New York, that's how many states away-?"

"Seven. Eight if you go through New Jersey."

"Do you have to go through New Jersey?"

Arles shook his head. "No. Next question."

She giggled, "This is progress. Okay, are we going out for a drink?"

"Would you rather stay here? It's hot out there."

She smiled as she jumped off of the bar and smiled. "We could get delivery, if you like. Are you expected back at Anne's?"

Arles sat his water down and shook his head sadly. "No. She has a lot of people there. She won't miss me."

"And you need to be away from it for a while, huh?"

He nodded as he looked away. "I really do. I didn't realize how much."

She stepped into where he sat on the cabinet and ran her hands across his oxford shirt. "You are so handsome in a suit."

He looked down at himself and smiled, "You've never seen me in a suit, have you?"

"No." She smiled.

He jumped down from the cabinet and stood in front of her. "So that means, I've never kissed you, while I was wearing a suit."

She giggled. "No. You haven't."

He looked into her eyes as he gently laid his hands on either side of her face. His lips met hers and the simple kiss turned into a passionate snogging. He could feel her hands in his hair as her tongue danced with his.

"Just friends." He reminded himself, but found his trousers were getting tighter the longer they snogged. He thought about her dress and how she probably was wearing the thin, thong like she had worn before. He pictured himself pulling it off of her and seeing her beautiful, shaved area between her legs. How smooth it was, how inviting it was to him. How much he loved running his tongue across it, and inside of it. How is tasted. How she sounded when he did that.

She stopped kissing him and looked at his face. He didn't open his eyes as his continued to daydream about her. She smiled at the look on his face. "Arles?"

He slowly opened his eyes and looked at her. "Friends." He managed to say.

She wrapped her arms around him and pressed her body to his. She felt the bulge in his trousers and stepped back to look at it. She smiled. "Yes, friends."

His lips met hers again and they continued with their kiss. He picked her up and sat her on the bar. She ran her hands through his hair and continued to kiss him as he reached up her dress and pulled off the thin thong she wore and tossed it to the floor.

His hand returned to her middle and he gently explored it with his fingers. She spread her legs wider to invite him. "I love that."

He grinned at her. "How long does it take you to do this?"

She giggled, "Probably as long as it takes you to shave there."

He laid his forehead to hers and looked into her eyes. "It helps me go deeper. I think you like it."

She caught his lips again as he began to tease between her legs.

He was enjoying kissing her more than he ever had enjoyed kissing anyone. She did it, perfectly. If he thought he may want to slip his tongue into her mouth, she had already opened it for him. He loved the way she would catch his bottom lip every so often and suck it.

She whispered, "Arles?"

He slowly opened his eyes again, as he had done before. As if he was waking from a dream.

She smiled at his reaction. "I've never seen you do that before. Are you alright?"

He cleared his throat and nodded. "Yes. What's wrong? Shall I stop?"

"Maybe we should move to the sofa? Or somet-"

He picked her up and she squeaked in surprise. He carried her over to the sofa and gently lay her down. His lips met hers and they continued to snog again. He wondered how he had never noticed her fantastic kissing before.

He felt her hands unfastening his belt, and he quickly took over to undo his trousers. She pushed them down, with his pants and he felt her hands on his stiff staff. She slid her hand across it, moving the skin gently and making him forget what he was even thinking about only moments before.

He teased between her legs again and she pulled up her skirt so he could put himself inside of her. He gently slipped inside and only went halfway in. He brought his fingers up to tease her clit was he moved.

She moaned. "Please."

He kissed her neck as he continued to stroke halfway into her. "Not yet."

He moved his finger inside of her opening, along with his staff. He rolled his hand over and teased her inside. She sprang up and shouted.

He grinned.

She covered her face as she panted.

He took out his finger and went deeper into her, twisting his hips and watching her face. She had almost blacked out the last time he had done this and he wanted to make sure she would do it again.

She stopped breathing.

He leaned down to be close to her face and whispered to her. "Breath. Stay tight. Almost there."

She shouted the remainder of the air in her lungs. He kissed her neck as she panted into his shoulder.

He pulled himself out and rolled her over on the sofa. She was like clay in his hands.

He pulled up her dress and entered her again from behind. His strokes where deep and deliberate.

"Tell me when to stop." He told her quietly.

She panted. "Don't stop."

He continued and after a bit, thought he may black out this time. She was so silky. Both inside and on the outside. His hands couldn't stay off of the area, so smooth to the touch. He had to take a few seconds to catch his breath.

He pulled out of her and rolled her over on her back. She looked up at him and smiled, "So much better without a condom."

He lay back on the sofa with her. "I didn't bring any. I'm taking some medicine, Kelly."

She giggled, "I know. You've told me about it. I'm taking something, too."

He closed his eyes and lay beside of her to catch his breath. She wrapped her arms around him and he lay on her chest.

"Arles." She said as she kissed his head.

"Huh?" He managed.

"Do you want to go to bed?"

He grinned and rose up to look at her. "Can't a man pull himself together first?"

She laughed. "Can you stay here tonight?"

He looked into her eyes and smiled. "I think so."

She kissed him again. He laid his head back on her chest and she ran her fingertips through his sweaty hair.

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