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Chapter 44 - Chapter 44 - Waking up with Kelly

Arles lay in the bed with Kelly, watching her sleep. The sun had started to rise and shone through the windows of her bedroom. The thin drapes gave them privacy, although Arles had teased her that the only soul that would have seen their nude bodies would have been a passing bird.

Their evening had been perfect, in every way. He thought about telling her about him being "strange." Karen had told him that she would be alright with it. But, that was something you told someone you were in a relationship with. Not a friend. He had never had a friend like her. He found that he just wanted to lay and look at her lovely face and stroke her hair. Forget the entire world, and every one of his responsibilities.

She began to stir and he leaned over to kiss her chest.

She rolled over her back and giggled. "I went to sleep and you were doing this."

He continued to kiss her chest, "Maybe, I never stopped."

She laughed and he rose up to look at her.

"You are lovely."

She spoke softly and stoked his hair. "I love how you look in the morning."

He looked surprised, "Really? Like I need a shave? Hair all a fright-"

She teased and attempted an English accent, "Like you've properly been shagged."

He grinned at her.

"How was that?"

He smiled, "Terrible. Complete rubbish."

She giggled at him. "How did you sleep?"

He smiled, "Like I had been completely satisfied."

"Me, too." She gripped his strong arms. "Arles…I…ummm…"

He looked into her eyes. "You what?"

She smiled. "I'm glad you're here."

"That's not what you were going to say-"

"That's what you're going to hear!"

He laughed. "Tell me."

"I just did, my friend."

He rolled his eyes.

She closed her eyes and groaned. "When do you have to go back?"

He propped his head up on his fist. "I'm not sure. I need to check. I'm sure we have time for breakfast if you would like. I can make something, or we can go out."

She smiled back at him. "It doesn't matter to me."

He moved his hand from her cheek to her chest, and teased her nipples with his fingertips.

"Arles?" She asked softly.

His attention was on her breasts. He hummed.

"Why were all of those famous people there at John's funeral yesterday?"

He looked back at her face. "They are friends of his."

"I've known Karen for years. I would have known if she knew Rose Tyler!"

He propped his head back up on his fist. "Just ask me. Don't dance around it."

She closed her eyes, "It's just…."

"Just what?"

"Well, if you knew them, why didn't you tell me?"

"It's not something I advertise."

"But, you could have told me."

"How does that work? 'Hello. I'm Arles Bennett and I know Rose Tyler.' She's actually Rose Smith."

"That's right. She got married."

"You don't watch the news?"

"No way!"

"You don't-"

"Absolutely, I do not. There's nothing but, bad, scary stuff. Plus, it's boring."

He smiled and stroked her hair. "Boring, huh?"

No wonder she hadn't heard of him or Samuel buying Vitex from Pete Tyler.

"Very boring." She sat up and stretched. "I'd rather watch….something else."

Arles lay back on his pillow and looked up at her. The duvet covered her waist, but the rest of her body seemed to glow in the bit of light in the bedroom. "What else do you watch on the telly?"

She leaned on her arms and teased his accent. "The telly?"

He laughed, "Yes. The telly? The television."

She shrugged her shoulders, "I really don't watch it much. There's not…really….one thing I have to see. How about you?"

He rubbed his eyes, "Well, I like that show Naked Attraction."

"What is that?"

He smiled, "It's this dating show where the contestants are naked. It's the maddest thing you've ever seen in your life! I love it."

She laughed with him and lay down to play with his hair.

He put his hand on her hip. "That's probably best. The news is always, boring. Full of…bad stuff."

"But, that guy who married Rose….."

"Johnathon Smith."

"He knows Samuel, and you?"

"Yeah, he does." Arles rubbed his eyes.

"How?"

"Ummm."

Kelly sat up next to him. "New plan. Your sister."

"Genie." He helped.

"She's really your sister?"

"Yeah?" He didn't know where she was going with this. "Why?"

"Well, she's black."

Arles looked surprised, "Is she? I've never noticed."

Kelly pointed at him forcefully, "Don't be smart-"

He playfully looked like this was shocking information to him. "I have a black sister. How the hell did that happen? Genie?"

She shook her head. "I mean, I don't mind-"

"Well, she'll be happy to know that." He teased as he put his arm behind his head and smiled up at her. "She's black. Like I didn't know that."

She pointed at him. "Don't put words in my mouth."

"I'd rather put something else back in your mouth."

She playfully pushed him. He caught her hands and pulled her down to him, kissing her lips again. The wine they had enjoyed only hours ago, was still on her lips. He rolled over and lay on top of her as they continued to snog. She ran her hands across his back.

She smiled at him. "We need to shower."

He grinned. "I'll wash your back."

She giggled.

"Isn't that what friends are for?" He asked her.

She became serious. "Arles. Is there something you're not telling me?"

He considered. "Yes. I have a place. Just here on my back."

She rose her eyebrow. "What is it?"

"Oh, it needs a scratch. Just a really, proper scratch."

She rolled her eyes. "Arles-"

He caught her lips again and kissed her.