Chapter 4: An Evening Full Of Surprises
I looked down at my Direct Messages again. Had he really asked me out to dinner? I thought to myself I picked up my phone and rang my best friend.
"Molly" I said to her excitedly "you never guess what just happened"
"What?" she asked.
"Stu asked me out to dinner" I almost jumped, butterflies flitting about in my stomach.
"You're joking. Are you going?"
"Of course I am" I replied but then bit my lip "thing is though if I am going to help him get past his issues I can't get involved with him in that way. It needs to remain professional"
"Are you going to be able to do that?"
"Yeah I can" I said although I wasn't too convinced that I meant it. "He needs me to be a friend and nothing more. I don't think I'm his type anyway, so that will make it easier"
"Get him to introduce me to John?" she laughed
"Haha baby steps. It will happen though" I reassured her and said my goodbyes.
I needed to go out and buy something to wear as all I had were the clothes I was wearing. I wandered around Manchester and found a short black dress and a pair of heels to try on whilst window shopping. I looked at myself in the mirror of the dressing room nervously. I do not have much confidence to be honest and at that moment I nearly messaged Stu and said I wasn't coming but with a few deep breaths and a stern talking to myself I carried on.
I brought a few different pieces of make-up and got some perfume samples from Debenhams. Finally I decided that I needed to go back to my hastily booked hotel and get ready. I was already running behind and being late was not an option.
This particular hotel held good memories for me, it was where id stopped for the X Factor tour a few months earlier and had some fantastic times that week with my friends - so I wandered in with a smile on my face and once at my room jumped in the shower.
Thirty minutes, and much self-doubt later, I was ready. I put the finishing touches to my hair and looked at myself in the mirror, I felt my heart racing and I tried to calm myself down. I looked decent, the dress looked good, my newly lightened hair looked shiny and well styled, but I certainly wasn't a diva and definitely no Victoria (who I knew Stu had been dating a while back) I reminded myself that this wasn't about getting Stu into bed, but helping him get over his demons that were holding him back from the ring, the place he loved. But reminding myself really didn't work.
My phone buzzed and I answered it as I walked out the door
"I thought it was a little ridiculous if I kept contacting you through Twitter when I have your number, so here's mine if you need it"
I smiled to myself "Thanks Stu that means a lot. See you soon?"
"You bet"
I wandered down to the Arndale Centre, feeling a tad overdressed when I walked in between the shoppers but just put my head down and focused on getting to our meeting point. I eventually got to Costa (after getting lost a few times as per usual) and saw that Stu was already there waiting for me. My heart raced even more from nervousness once I saw him and I breathed deeply. He turned round and saw me when I got close and I saw his face break into a big smile
"Wow Lisa, you scrub up well" he said to me
"Haha is that what passes as a compliment these days" I giggled slightly
"I guess I'm not too good at this sort of stuff" he chuckled
I smiled at him "Nah you're off the hook. It's better than anything I've got for years" I admitted
"Really? That sucks"
"It's fine" I said quickly and moved to change the subject "Now where are we off to?"
"I know a quiet Italian place just around the corner. Is that okay?"
"That's awesome, I love Italian"
We walked together towards the restaurant and I was surprised how quickly we got there. When we arrived, we were seated immediately and ordered drinks (I mustn't get drunk I thought to myself)
"Come on, now" I said to Stu "How did it go? I know I'm charming but I got the impression that you wanted me for more than just my company tonight"
Stu looked up and smiled at me "Wow you don't pull any punches do you?"
"Sorry" I said "But I find that if I don't ask directly then it's easy to get side-tracked and I think that you need to talk tonight"
Stu nodded "Yeah you're right" he confessed "today was tough. My Physiotherapist told me I wouldn't be back until August and that sucks as there were plans for me to win the Money In The Bank match mid-July it just hit me a bit hard after everything else. It's my fault though"
"Have they told you that's a definite time-frame or that it's a realistic timeframe?" I asked
"Realistic timeframe" he admitted again.
"Okay, so there is a chance that with the right attitude and work ethic that you could be back sooner?"
"I guess…" Stu said hesitantly
"No I guess" I said determinedly "You need to believe that if you work hard enough, and truly believe that it's possible that you could be back for that match. Come on, I don't want Cody winning it" I laughed
Stu smiled at me again, but it held longer this time. "You really believe that?"
"I do. I don't say anything I don't mean" I looked into his eyes trying to convey the belief I had in him; He stared back at me, and something passed between us that I couldn't pinpoint. Stu quickly looked away, and my heart was racing; I tried to recollect myself I was annoyed with myself. I can't help him if I become too close I thought.
"You have caused such a difference in me in just one day" Stu said in wonder "I was at the bottom before I met you this morning and although I don't feel great I feel calmer when you are around me" he grabbed my hand "Thankyou"
"That's what I'm here for" I smiled and squeezed his hand.
"Look, I don't know how to say this but shall we make this a more formal arrangement? I don't expect you to sit and listen to me and my problems for nothing"
I wasn't sure what to say. Part of me wanted to say yes straight away as at least it meant that I would see him regularly, but part of me felt weird taking money off him as my own feelings were already more than a professional relationship should be.
"Did I say something wrong?" Stu asked worriedly
"No, no" I quickly reassured him "it just feels weird taking money from you when it's something I want to do anyway, I don't need it honestly"
"Lisa, I have the money and I can't think of anything better to spend it on at the minute so please don't feel weird about it"
"Okay" I conceded "as long as it covers my expenses and time then im fine with it" we shook hands and the deal was done. We both slightly smiled at each other, and I wondered whether I could remain totally objective about this.
Our meals were superb, and I drank far too much wine than I should have and we shared some heated banter about the state of football, and my football team in general. We discovered that we have very similar music tastes as well which made conversation easy, I couldn't believe how much we had in common. I think we both laughed more that night than we had in a long time
"Do you want to go to a club" Stu asked me as we prepared to leave the restaurant
"I don't think I can cope with teen dance music" I admitted with a laugh "Im getting old"
Stu smiled understandingly "I know of a club not far from here that plays rock and indie music if that's more to your taste?"
"Sounds good to me"
"Great" Stu put his arm out, and I linked my arm in his. We walked down the street chatting happily. The club wasn't far away and once we entered I heard the familiar tones of Journey blasting out of the speakers.
"Excellent" I said almost to myself "Now this is more my scene"
"Yeah same here" Stu said happily "what are you drinking, or shall we see whether you can really take your drink?" He said to me mischievously.
"Don't start this!" I laughed "You will lose"
"We shall see about that" Stu chuckled and walked up to the bar, ordering 10 shots
I groaned "please don't tell me there is Sambuca there" I had bad memories of Sambuca shots
"There may be a couple" Stu laughed "Come on then let's see who can drink them first"
Never one to back down from a challenge I picked up the first one and clinked the shot glass with his "Im going to regret this"
"When you lose you mean?"
He hadn't taken into account my fierce sense of competition though, and I indeed beat him, although I nearly vomited at the last Sambuca shot.
"Oh My God! That was vile" I managed to groan, putting a hand over my mouth.
Stu laughed heartily "the look on your face was priceless"
"Nice to know my distress was amusing" I replied with mock disgust on my face
The night was a huge success, and I couldn't believe when I looked at my watch that it was nearly three am. At the club, it became a Classic Rock evening, and Stu grabbed my hand, dragging me to the floor once a Guns n Roses number began to play.
"I can't dance to this" I laughed. We had shared a lot of laughs in the last few hours.
"If I can, then so can you" Stu laughed back and jigged around like a man demented, I snorted with laughter
"What do you look like?"
Stu grabbed my hands and spun me round, I knew I was probably very drunk at this point but I just didn't care. All of a sudden the music slowed down and I felt very self-conscious. I began to head back to the bar, when Stu grabbed me
"Don't go" he said sincerely "look I know we need to keep this professional in a way but just dance with me tonight please"
I looked at him, and against my better judgment walked back towards him. My heart was racing.
"I don't know whether this is a good idea or a bad one" I said flustered
"Sh" Stu said softly putting his finger over my mouth "just dance" He put his arms around my waist drawing me closer "Today has made me more positive than I have been for a long time and that's down to you, I just want to dance with you, nothing more"
I relaxed into his arms. surely a dance can't do any harm, I reasoned with myself and wrapped my arms around his neck looking into his eyes. I almost melted as he smiled at me and we danced in silence just feeling the closeness of his breath on mine. We looked into each other's eyes, it was as though we couldn't break the gaze, I could feel the tension between us and I knew that if one of didn't stop now we may do something we would regret, I looked away and the moment was broken
The night ended about 15 minutes later, and Stu walked me back to my hotel.
"Do you want to come in for a drink" I asked him. For some reason I just didn't want to let him go
"I can do that" Stu replied, yet he didn't seem too sure
"You don't have to" I said slightly hurt
"I do want to" Stu said softly
We walked into the hotel, me showing my keycard to the security man on the door he seems to recognise Stu. I received confirmation of that scarcely a minute later.
"How are you doing this evening Mr Barrett" he smiled, and so did I but it was at the use of his ring name
"Im okay thank you" Stu replied with a smile "It's ok if I come in for a drink with my friend"
"Sure it's okay" the security guard said with a conspiratorial grin, and I blushed fiercely
Stu looked at me, shook his head and laughed as we walked to the hotel bar "That's a nice shade of red you are going there"
"Sh" I said good naturedly "Why does everyone assume that because I'm with you I have to be sleeping with you"
"I guess that may be the obvious assumption when we walk in together this late at night. Doesn't matter what they think anyway does it?"
"No" I said rather too quickly. Stu laughed again "Come on you" he said as he put his arm round me "let's give them something else to talk about. He held me close as we walked to the bar
The next hour or so went rather quickly, much more quickly than what I would have liked. We talked about his life, career and his plans for the future until we both were falling half asleep in the chairs
"Im going to have to go to bed" I said to him after zoning out for about the hundrethth time
"Yeah im shattered as well" he replied "Here, why don't I walk you to your room and then grab a taxi home?" He called over the security guard before I could respond and asked him to ring a taxi to be here for about fifteen mins time. We walked over to the lifts and entered the first one to arrive
"I have had a wonderful night" I said to him
"So have I" Stu agreed "first one I've had for a long time really. You help me relax and make me feel positive when you are around"
"That's my job" I grinned
"Then you are worth every penny and so much more" he smiled to me
"Of course I am" I grinned "cheap at half the price perhaps I need to charge you more" I hadn't noticed people get in the lift and I heard them stifling giggles and I blushed again. What did they think I meant! I looked round and saw Stu laughing, not even trying to hide it.
"You are enjoying this aren't you?" I accused him
"Me? Nah" but he carried on laughing anyway
We got out at the third floor and walked the short distance to my room. I unlocked the door and turned to Stu not knowing quite what to say. My head told me to say goodnight now and walk away, yet my heart was telling me something completely different. My heart, as usual, won. You want to come in for five minutes while you wait for your taxi?
"Yeah as long as you are sure" he replied looking at me intensely
This really isn't going to end well; I thought to myself but walked into the room anyway and shut the door behind me. I took off my shoes next to the door, and was about to turn and offer him a drink from the minibar when I felt a pair of arms round my waist drawing me in close. My heart skipped a few beats and almost stopped altogether. I knew this was wrong, I knew I should pull away but for some reason I just couldn't I wanted it to happen too. Stu must have sensed my hesitation and he whispered in my ear "Just let me have tonight Lisa, I know we are both slightly drunk, I know tomorrow we may regret it but at this moment this seems right just don't push me away"
I felt his lips graze my neck and my whole body trembled with his touch, god I wanted him so badly it was almost surreal. I felt his hands travel down the length of my body, exploring every curve I felt my body reacting to him instantly and I turned round to look at him, our eyes meeting and in that moment any resistance I had left me. He cupped my face in his hands and kissed me gently
"I think you may have saved my life today" he whispered; I felt my eyes fill with tears at the tenderness.
"This is the start of your road back" I replied softly "and Im glad to be a small part of the journey.
He drew me in closer, wrapping his arms tightly round me and kissed me deeply, the kiss becoming more intense as time went on, each of us invading each other's mouth; His hands reached down to the hem line of my dress and pulled it up and over my head; I shivered, not with the cold but the anticipation of what was to come.
I began to undo the buttons of his shirt; I needed to feel the warmth of his body next to mine. Once id removed his shirt, I began to explore his body with my hands, it was more perfect than I had ever imagined and I began to undo the belt of his jeans, feeling his arousal underneath them
"God you feel so good" Stu groaned and then kissing my neck and moving down to my chest every kiss creating sensations that I never even thought possible. I lowered his jeans and boxers and took in every part of him; I began to kiss his chest and lowered my way down to his growing arousal and took pleasure in the moans that escaped his lips as wrapped my mouth around it.
"Fucking hell Lisa you're good" he managed to mouth with a tone barely above a whisper as I took him in deeper, and he grabbed my hair roughly, I could feel him tense up and then he grabbed me under my arms lifting me up to his level again and turned me round so my back was against the wall; He kissed me deeply and lifted my leg so it was round his waist. Drawing back slightly he looked at me and smiled as he entered me, god it felt so good it was so long since id felt this wanted.
His rhythmic thrusts became more intense, and I arched my back tensing and he lifted me up and lay me down on the bed, never stopping. Both of us were close now, and needed the release it would bring. We kissed each other passionately and Stu's thrusts reached their peak and we both reached our climax at the same time. We collapsed into each other's arms and just lay there listening to our hearts beating. Eventually Stu moved and lay down beside me. He looked at me and brushed my cheek with the back of his hand
"Well, that was a bit unexpected" he smiled, satisfied "I promise you that this was not my intention tonight, I just wanted to chat"
I looked at him curiously "you're regretting it already?"
"No im not" Stu reassured me "I just didn't want you to think this is what I set out to do"
I relaxed into his arms "that's ok then. Let's worry about everything else tomorrow"
"Do you want me to go?" he asked me, lifting his head.
"No I don't" I admitted honestly "I don't particularly want to be alone"
Stu looked at me and smiled slow and sweet
"Then I won't go, I don't want to go. I said I wanted tonight with you, and that means all of the night. I know that it can't go any further than tonight, I know that getting too close may affect the working relationship we want to have, but it just felt right tonight and I know that meeting you has really affected my life in the best way possible"
"Thank you" I said genuinely; Stu drew me into his arms and we lay there just enjoying the feeling of not being alone. Both of us have had tough times over the recent months, and being able to relax wasn't something that came easy to me, but I could honestly say that this was the most relaxed I had felt for a long time.
Stu kissed me gently "Goodnight my life saver" he said quietly.
I looked at him, not wanting this moment to end "Goodnight" In what seemed like seconds we both fell asleep in each other's arms, not knowing what tomorrow would bring.