Chapter 5
Alesha slowly came awake. She was wrapped in the duvet, surrounded by pillows, so warm and cosy. She loved Saturday mornings. Well, it was not quite morning yet. All was still dark outside. Some noise on the street must have woken her... And then she felt a leg move above hers.
God! James... It all came back to her. They had had a few glasses of wine. It had felt so nice sitting there on the sofa with James. And so she had forced herself upon him. Well, not forced herself exactly, but she had definitely initiated the first kiss, and the making out, and the move to the bedroom... James had not protested, but he had been following her lead. It felt great yesterday. Tender and exciting at the same time. She had felt elated, on top of the world, as she finally made love to James. He had been as she had imagined, and more. But now reality was back with a vengeance. Alesha felt panic creeping up. What would he say? Would he regret it? Would it be awkward? Of course it would! What had she been thinking?
He was curled up against her, smelling of sleep and Jo Malone's Amber and Lavender. Alesha inhaled deeply. She loved smells and she had immediately recognized his sent when she first met him four years ago. As the years passed and she grew more and more enamoured, she had seized every pretext to feel close to him. Including adopting Jo Malone's Vetyver has her signature scent. Childish gesture... There was nothing childish about what had felt last night, and was now feeling. Two very different but powerful emotions. Bliss, and then fear of what was to be... He stirred gently behind her. Alesha forced herself still, trying to gain some precious moments before the uncomfortable morning-after routine began.
James was sleeping. He felt warm and cosy, curled against a soft body. He inhaled slowly as he came to. A distinct smell: elegant, spicy and a bit sweet. Alesha's. He could not name the fragrance but he had come to recognize it as hers. Alesha... So last night had really happened. Her invitation to come up for a drink. The kiss she had initiated. The kisses that had followed and the slow progression to her bedroom. He still could not believe it. It had felt so good, exciting and comfortable at the same time. As if it was a natural conclusion to their friendship. But she had been somewhat tipsy. What if it had been the wine fuelling Alesha's amorous mood? God, he hoped not. What to do now? Would she feel awkward to find him in her bed this morning? Ethan! He was due in Hampstead at 9:30. That solved the question... but if he tiptoed out, would she imagine he was treating her like a one-night adventure? If he woke her up to let her know he was going, would it seem...? Shit! He felt like he was 16 again.
James turned his head to look at the alarm clock. 6:55. He should really be going. He turned back to Alesha, cuddled again for a few moments while she was still asleep and unaware of his predicament. He finally pressed a soft kiss on her shoulder and started to ease up slowly, so not to wake her.
Alesha had felt James waking up behind her. He had cuddled more closely at first and then seemed to realise where he was. He had gotten very still. Was he already regretting it? After a few endless minutes, he had relaxed. She almost thought he was going off to sleep again. And then he sighed gently and pressed a kiss to her shoulder, lingering for a few seconds before starting to get up. These few seconds were a good sign, surely? What should she do? Pretend to be asleep while he tiptoed away or face the music?
She opened her eyes slowly. James had his back to her. He had his slacks on and was looking outside the window as he buttoned his shirt. She looked at him, loving the slim built of his back, the way he kept himself erect, the effortless grace... She was in love, and last night had just added to her infatuation.
James turned his head, as if he could feel her eyes on his back. He smiled at her, ruefully.
"I have to go. Ethan will be home soon."
Alesha looked sleepily at him, still snuggled in the duvet. "Off course..."
"Alesha... Do you regret...? Should I apologize again?"
Alesha could hear the uncertainty in his voice. He was concerned about her reaction.
She looked at him, trying to gage his emotions. She took the plunge. "No. I don't regret last night. Do you?"
James shook his head, smiling. He knelt beside the bed, caressed he cheek with his hand and bent to kiss her. Alesha closed her eyes, feeling his lips on her own, relieved. She could not help her lips widening in a smile. James lifted his head, looking at her questioningly? Alesha blushed.
"Nothing... Go. You do not want to have Ethan waiting on your doorstep when you get home."
James got up, still looking at her. "He's leaving tomorrow around 6. Care for a late supper at my place?"
Alesha tried to pretend she was not beaming, failing. "Yes. I'll see you around 7:30."
James bent his head and smiled as he grabbed his jumper on the floor. "It's a date, then."
He turned to go, glancing back at her when he got to the bedroom door. "You're beautiful in the morning, Lesh... See you tomorrow."
Alesha watched him get out of the room, she could hear him take his coat from the rack, and then the door closed. She turned on her back, looking at the ceiling, smiling. She drew her hair from her face with both hands. "Yes... Yes, Yes!"