10. Haunted and adored by attractive women/a bountiful selection at your discretion/I know I'm diving/into my own destruction/so why do we choose the boys that are naughty/I don't fit in so why do you want me/I know I can't tame you/but I just keep trying/'cause I love to wash in your old bathwater/Love to think that you could love another/I'm on your list with all your other women.
Bosco woke up with a splitting headache, his eyes stinging from the subtle lighting of his bedroom. He felt a warm body move beside him and he turned his head, smiling. Erin lay with her back to him, curled up in a ball, the covers wrapped around her slender body. He sighed, and ran a finger down the curve of her naked back, planting his lips on her shoulder. She moved under his embrace, a gentle smile forming on her full red lips. Her eyes however remained closed, refusing to open to the pain of day.
"Mornin'," he whispered, his voice hoarse. She smiled again, turning to him.
"Mmm, good morning," she replied, her eyes still shut. He chuckled, brushing hair from her forehead.
"You sleep ok?" he asked, staring at her peaceful face. She nodded, cuddling into him.
"Like a log, my head hurts though."
"That's what drinking about ten litres of alcohol will do to you," he said, his fingers tracing the outline of her face. Her eyes fluttered open, her pupils dilated and unfocused. She was beautiful. She groaned loudly.
"That's not what I drank is it?" she asked, her head buried into his chest. He laughed again.
"I may be exaggerating a bit," he conceded, "About eight litres."
She made an attempt to hit him, but because of her extreme fatigue her wrist fell limp against his arm. "I hate you," she mumbled, her lips kissing his skin. The feel of her breath against him felt ticklish and he had the urge to push her away. She gazed up at him, blinking several times. "I had a good time last night."
"Yeah. Me too," he agreed kissing her head, "Would you like coffee?"
"Coffee would be great," she replied, smiling. He nodded and pulled his body out from under hers, causing her to lie face down on the mattress. He then threw his legs out the bed, pulling on his boxers that lay strewn on the floor along with the rest of their clothes. Making a move for the kitchen he glanced back at her. She sat up on her elbows, hugging a cushion to her chest staring at him with was what only he could describe as 'bedroom eyes'. "Don't be too long now," she whispered winking. He smiled and walked into the living room, stretching as he crossed the floor.
He switched on the kettle and yawned, staring out at the sunny day. The light blinded his eyes and so he thought it best to take some painkillers. He poured himself a glass of water and dropped the tablets in the liquid, listening to them hiss as they dissolved. A knock at the door distracted him and without hesitation he opened it.
Faith stood in his doorway, clutching a brown paper bag and two cups of coffee. Her hair fell over her face, obviously annoying her eyes. She blinked furiously to move the strands that restricted her vision. He felt the undeniable urge to brush them away but instead kept his hands firmly wrapped around the glass.
He was more than surprised to see her on his doorstep at what he presumed was quite an early hour.
"Hey!" she breathed, "What the hell happened you this morning?"
He frowned, perplexed. "Breakfast," she reminded him, "You were meant to come round to mine this morning. Emily was looking forward to seeing you."
He closed his eyes, cursing himself for forgetting. "Sorry Faith. I forgot."
She bustled past him, sidestepping him through the door. He watched on helpless, as she put down the bag and coffee and shrugged out of her cream jacket. He examined her from a distance – it wasn't often she dressed nicely but today may have been the exception. She wore a dark green skirt and a brown string strap t-shirt, revealing her creamy skin.
She turned to him, her eyes travelling the length of his very nearly naked body. He was muscular and tan, his skin smooth and even. It was the first time she realised this and she felt a blush rise in her cheeks. She turned her head to hide it, biting on her lower lip. Taking a breath she looked back at him and forced a feeble smile.
"Look at the state of you at this time of the day," she laughed, "Don't worry though. If Bosco doesn't come to breakfast, breakfast will come to Bosco."
"Faith…" he murmured. She leaned on a kitchen chair.
"You know you're not very hospitable to your guests. You haven't even offered me a seat yet," she teased, "How did last night go? Very well by the looks of things."
"Huh?" he said blankly. She frowned.
"The rings around your eyes, the glass of water in your hand," she said pointing at him. She glanced around his apartment and noticed a female coat draped over the sofa. "A very not Bosco-like jacket in your living room…"
Her eyes glazed over and she licked her lips. "Faith I…"
"Maurice Boscorelli, what is taking you so long?" Erin's voice emerged from his room. Faith gazed at him still a little confused. She had seen all the signs but still refused to believe what he had done. And she wasn't quite sure why. She looked towards his bedroom as Erin appeared in the doorway, dressed in little more than his shirt.
Faith was immediately embarrassed, her gaze falling to the floor as she straightened up. She swore inwardly at her lack of complete sense. "Hi," Erin said, staring curiously at Faith.
She forced a smile. "I'm sooo sorry, I didn't know," she gushed, her cheeks flushing with colour, "I'm just gonna…"
She slid back on her jacket, swiping her keys off the table. She was more than flustered, struggling to clear her head of the dizzy feeling it was experiencing. Bosco watched her sympathetically. She pinched the bridge between her nose and eyes as she struggled for words.
"Ah…I'll just…I guess breakfast is on me Bosco," she said, laughing, "You can owe me some other time." She turned back to Erin. "See you."
"I'm Erin by the way," the woman called after her as she made a b-line for the door. Faith nodded.
"Faith Yokas," she responded.
"I figured."
Faith sighed and gave another wry smile gazing at Bosco. He avoided her blue eyes at all costs, staring at the kitchen table. "Yeah. Bye."
She slipped out the door, closing it quietly behind her. Trying to make a quick exit she nearly tripped over her own feet, the embarrassment not fading. The air outside felt like Bacardi, and a huge wave of relief rushed her at thought of being free from the building. She rested her head back against the brick wall taking a slow breath, annoyed at her less than elegant exit.
Meanwhile inside Bosco stood face to face with Erin. She watched him, her expression rather indifferent. He wasn't sure what to say to her. She broke the silence.
"I'll be in the shower."
"Yeah, of course, take your time," he replied, clearing his throat. She turned to go but hesitated, her gaze connecting with his again.
"I don't do this very often Maurice," she informed him quietly, "I don't sleep with guys I just met a lot. You were the only exception. And I'd really like to see you again-"
"Me too," he told her, gulping hard. She looked at him sadly, her palm pressed against the doorframe.
"But I don't want to get hurt. I don't want to get in the middle of something that's just too complicated. I have had enough of complicated relationships."
"You're not getting in the middle of anything," he replied, stepping towards her.
"You say that but her behaviour… and yours say something totally different," she sighed, closing her eyes, "I don't want to be that girl."
"You're not. Honestly. Faith and me are just friends, I swear, she's just embarrassed about barging in," he explained.
"Don't hurt me Boscorelli," she warned, "If you're gonna I'd rather know now while I still can get out with some dignity intact."
He grasped the angles of her face in his hands and looked her in the eye. "I really like you Erin. I don't wanna hurt you. You've gotta believe me."
She stared back at him considering his statement. "Ok," she whispered, "Ok then."
He kissed her mouth and she savoured his taste, pulling back reluctantly. He felt her slip free from his grasp heading for the bathroom. She didn't look back and he didn't take his eyes off her.