Chapter Fifty
Sunday 4th August
At Last
Harry stared disconsolately at the record player. Only moments ago he'd been thanking his friend for leaving it for them to find, and now it just seemed yet another obstacle. Something else that instead of bringing them together had pulled them apart.
"Play it again," he heard in a breathy voice by his ear. He'd not heard her move, but she was stood right next to him, her hand reaching up to touch his shoulder.
"We always did need more time than anyone else," she said hesitantly. Harry swallowed. He looked into her eyes again and this time he saw what he needed to see.
"That song is particularly short. A second chance?" he asked.
"I think we went past second chances a long time ago," she replied.
"A second dance then?"
"My pleasure," Nikki replied offering him her hand.
Harry placed the needle down on the record and turned to pull her against him. He'd had enough of waiting and he'd seen enough in her eyes to be sure that she wanted him every bit as much as he wanted her. He gave her the tiniest of kisses and pulled away.
"You want more?" he asked in response to her confused expression.
She smiled and nodded and Harry kissed her harder the second time.
Nikki hooked her hands around his neck and pulled him towards her. This time neither of them pulled away.
"We're not impossible, are we?" Nikki asked as the music died away a second time. This time the arm cooperated and returned automatically to its rest.
"No we are not impossible," Harry agreed reaching up and stroking her face.
"Do you think we'll finally be able to reach?"
"Reach a place where we'll both be happy?" he asked following her train of thought precisely.
"I have to believe that," he said and brushed his thumb across her cheek.
"I want it all too," she said boldly looking him in the eye. "I want you."
"Forever?" Harry asked, not willing to accept anything less.
She nodded, her eyes now fixating on his lips. She'd not forgotten the feel of Harry's lips on hers after their weekend in New York. And kissing him during the song had reawakened the reality of that memory. In all the lonely months of ignoring him and hating him, she'd never been able to bury that feeling; the taste of his lips, the tantalising flavour of his love and desire for her. She knew she'd had plenty of bedfellows over the years but none of them had ever kissed her with the same passion that Harry Cunningham had.
He stroked her lip with his thumb. "I have really missed you," he said.
"I've been here," she replied.
"Not like this, not in my arms, not together, not like this."
"This?"
"Yes THIS!" he said, kissing her forehead, her cheeks, her lips, her neck.
"I like THIS!" she announced ruffling his hair.
"Nikki?" he murmured.
"Don't stop," she pleaded.
He nuzzled his face into her neck, she could feel the brisk stubble on his chin and the soft nips of his lips and her limbs become heavy as her core began to ache for his touch. Back in New York they had both been fast and frenzied but it was clear now they had no need to rush. It was no less passionate; more so in fact but today there was no hurry. They had time. They had the rest of their lives. They were together; at last.
"What do you suppose is on the other side of that record?" Harry asked as they paused to catch their breath.
"You're not ready to finish dancing yet?"
Harry shook his head; "I was just getting into the groove." He walked over to the old record player and immediately she missed the warmth of his embrace. She watched him flip the disc over. "The label's still on the other side," he said with a grin.
"You recognise the song?" Nikki asked.
"No, but I like the words," he smiled and moved the needle across to the vinyl. This time instead of an orchestral opening there was a brassy jazz style opening.
"You know that house Nikki…" He held his breath, he didn't want to push her too far too soon, but there was no denying it, they had both agreed they were in love with each other months back and feeling her dancing in his arms, her body close to his only confirmed the fact that he didn't want anyone else ever again. He wanted her, just her and her forever.
"The one on St Cecilia Road?" she hardly needed to ask, there was only one house.
"Do you think we can afford it? Together I mean."
I don't want you to be no slave;
I don't want you to work all day;
"We'll find a way. It's not impossible when it's possible." She grinned at him.
"No it's not," he agreed and pulled her close to him, swaying gently.
But I want you to be true,
"Are you asking me to move in with you?" Nikki said.
"I thought you already had," he said audaciously.
She blew out her cheeks and stared at him. "Not here," he laughed, let go of her hand and gestured around the room. He tapped his chest. "You moved in here years ago; I wouldn't want it any other way." You stole my desk and my heart, he thought to himself.
And I just wanna make love to you.
...Love to you...
At Last: Etta James,
Flip side of the original 7" single 'I just want to make love to you,' Etta James
