Chapter 7: Kiss me like you want to be loved
She was wearing a pair of navy blue joggers, a pale grey slouchy shirt that hung of one shoulder, and large hoop earrings, her hair freshly washes and tousled down her back. Peter smiled as she opened the door after buzzing him up. Carla Connor was known for her impeccable glamour, not relaxed beauty. He felt rather lucky to be privy to seeing her in this state.
'Come in' she said, leaning on the side of the door, slightly awkwardly.
He stepped into her flat, he'd been there once before when collecting a very drunken Leanne a few months ago. There was something dark and exotic about it, a stark contrast to her bright, jolly flat.
'Here' she said passing him a glass of OJ.
'Thanks' he said taking his coat off and taking the glass from her.
'Bought it especially, you should count yourself lucky' Carla said.
'You shouldn't have' Peter said.
'Oh come of it Peter, £1.45 is hardly going to break the bank' Carla chuckled, walking over to her couch, a bowl of nuts in one hand, and large glass of wine in the other.
'So, you want me to talk' Carla said, assuming Peter would sit in the seat opposite her.
'No, Carla, this isn't a concealing session' Peter said sitting beside her on the couch, turning his body to face hers.
'I bloody hope not' she said, stern for a moment before relaxing and laughing.
'So, are you as excited about this wedding as Leanne is?' Carla asked Peter.
'Maybe not quite as much, she think's its going to be the wedding of the year' Peter laughed.
'Shouldn't it be, for you' Carla pondered.
'I suppose, I'm just looking forward to making her my wife' Peter said.
'Oh bless' Carla said in a sarky manner.
'Could be you one day' Peter said.
'Think I've had enough weddings thank you, I'll stick to being single, can't be hurt that way' Carla said.
'We're not all bad cops you know' Peter said leaning forward.
'You, maybe not, but I don't know.. men.. too complicated for my liking' Carla said.
'Go Lesbian' Peter teased.
Carla scoffed 'Women are even worse' she said.
Peter laughed with her. 'You'll find someone, someone who will change your mind' Peter said.
Carla sighed, her arm casually resting on the back of her sofa, she let her head fall to lie on her arm, not taking her eyes of Peter.
'You seem so sure of that' Carla said.
'It can't be hard Carla, your beautiful, funny, kind.. I could go on' Peter said.
The next few moments went by in slow motion, like a stereotypical teenage movie, their faces inches apart, they both paused. Their eyes flickered from each others, to their lips. Peter could feel her warm breathe, beating softly against his lips. Before they knew it, their lips met, hovering over each others, eyes closed, savouring each other. Their tongues slipped into each others mouths, and for a moment neither of them thought of anything else. It was a mutual decision to break the kiss.
'I'm sorry' Carla said. Their faces were still close, their lips perilously near.
'No… I.. I don't want to hurt you' Peter said, realising the effects of their kiss.
'No.. you wouldn't want that would you' Carla whispered, her eyes meeting Peter's.
She couldn't resist the urge to press her lips once more to his, the void between them disappearing. To her surprise, and Peter's own, he didn't push her away. He let his tongue dance with hers, he let his hands clasp her arms, and pull her so she was pressed to him, let his hands run through her hair.
He could feel her eyelashes, flickering against the skin of his cheek, delicate and gentle.
Her hands crept up his chest, wrapping around his neck, not wanting to let him go.
'I don't think we should be doing this' he mumbled through their kiss. Carla's eyes pleaded with him not to end their embrace.
'Please, don't go Peter' Carla said, vulnerability lining her voice