Take a Breath (Take 1) (4 page)

 
  Jessie laughs and slaps me on the arm, “Stop Ana, you’ve put
that in my head now, how am I going to be able to look at him tonight
over our fettuccine?”          My eyes widen,
“Ahh, Italiano this evening then Miss Lindsay?”  She smacks me
again excitement sparkling in her eyes.  

 
 “He’s taking me to that new Italian restaurant in Reston. 
I’ve forgotten the name but the food there is supposed to be to die
for.”  

 
  I raise my eyebrows, “Lovely, well you must let me know all
about it.”  I pause, “Well, maybe not all the details.”  

    Jessie gasps, “Ana, I really do not know what you mean.”  

    I look at her perplexed.  “Come on Jessie, it’s me you’re talking to now.”  

    She gives me a big grin, “Well, he may get a little something, something.”   

    I laugh, “That’s my girl.”

The
rest of the day goes by relatively quickly and I’m away by 6pm with
Jake in tow leading the way.  He seems very quiet with me now,
back to how it used to be.  Most of the journey is made in silence
until we are out of the car and settled in the house.  

 
 “Ana?”  I whip round to face him.  “I’m having a couple
of days off still despite what has happened.”  

 
  I remember him taking this time off as he was supposed to go
away with my mum for a couple of days to Williamsburg.  

 
 “I’ve cancelled everything at Williamsburg and I’m staying
here.  I’ve decided to have a barbeque two weeks on Saturday, will
you stay for that?”  

 
  I feel the weight of sadness come across my face thinking of the
chaos my mum has caused, “Of course Jake, what time are you having
it?”  

 
  He grins, “Around 4pm, should be a nice day.  Matthew will
not be here that weekend as he is going camping with a few of his
friends.  Clive’s dad is taking them all.  They won’t be back
until that Sunday afternoon.”  

    I grin, “Matthew will enjoy that, thanks for the invite.  I’ll look forward to it.”  

 
  He lets out a sigh, “Good, well I’ll invite a few from work and
I’ll be off from the Friday before so gives me time to get things
organised.”  

    I nod in agreement and set off up the stairs to my room.

Chapter 5

The
next few days go by quickly and Jake was doing his best to avoid me but
then that was not an unusual occurrence.  Jake threw himself into
work and I took my time out running to let off some sexual
tension.  The days Jake were home I went out with Jessie, so not
much contact came between us.  However, the last few days into the
week started becoming stranger and stranger.  It was Saturday and
I decided to go for my morning run.  I woke up at 8am and I don’t
know why it happened like that but it did.  My body must have felt
it had enough sleep.  Normally I like to lie in on my days off but
today I woke up bright and early and full of energy, so I had to let
off some steam.  Jake was already up and out for the day and
Matthew was getting ready to spend the night round his friend Clive’s
house, so I knew I would have the house to myself when I got
back.  Everything was normal as I said goodbye to Matthew and
wished him a great time round his friend's house.  The run was
pretty non dramatic and straight forward; it was when I got back that
things started getting weird.

I
came home and I switched my shower on but nothing happened.  It
started to play up something chronic and I don’t know why all of a
sudden it wasn’t working.  I had to have a shower though because
the heat was getting to me like nothing else and the sweat was pouring
off me.  I was wondering what to do and thought it best to use the
family bathroom down the hall.  No one was in so I could basically
do what I liked.  I made my way over to the middle of the landing
holding on to my towel and toiletries.  The poor bathroom felt
unused.  I bet no one has ever been in it before.  The lovely
marble sink is ready waiting for me just at the door, with the shower
tucked neatly in the corner.  To the right was a huge Jacuzzi bath
that looked inviting, but it’s probably best I don’t use that as it may
make me as sexually frustrated as I felt.  I slipped open the
glass door to the shower and turned on the faucet.   
Once the water felt tepid I slid the towel down to the floor and walked
in.  The water was lovely.  I stood there for a while with my
eyes closed just savouring the moment.  I turned round to wet my
hair taking in just how good this all felt.  I put some shampoo in
my hair and starting lathering.  Once rinsed I went to work on the
rest of me.  I trailed my hand down across my breast and squeezed
my nipple.  I pushed my head back eyes still closed fantasising
that Jake was here with me touching me, caressing my whole body. 
I pictured an image of his lips and the way they curved up into the
sexiest smile I’d ever seen on the planet.  I placed my hand down
towards my sex and squeezed ever so lightly.  My heart racing I go
to work rinsing off the rest of the suds tracing my hands across my
breasts until my nipples were rock hard.  I push my head back one
more time to make sure the suds are all out of my head and when I’m
satisfied I pull my head back up and open my eyes.  My heart skips
a few beats as I stare into the eyes of the most beautiful turquoise
green.  Our eyes are locked for a few seconds, him gaping at me
and me feeling like the world’s worst pervert for touching myself
up.  Why did I forget to shut the door and why did I do what I
just did, but above all of those questions just how long has Jake been
standing there for?  My gasping is what jolted us both out of from
our longing stare.  Jake quickly about turns and leaves. In my
panic I quickly shut the shower off, run out and then I slip going arse
over on the bathroom floor.  “Shit, shit, shit, and double shit,”
I shouted.  God my bum was going to be sore later.  

   “Ana, are you ok?”  

 
  Jake walks in and I’m still bare ass naked on the floor. 
Oh how much more embarrassing can this get?  He quickly averts his
eyes and holds out his hand to lift me up, but he does so with such
severity that as I got up, I slam bang into his wonderfully solid
chest.  If all this wasn’t so fucking totally embarrassing it
would be comical.  My hair and everything else dripping wet is now
soaking the T-shirt that Jake is so finely wearing.  He wraps his
arm around my waist and holds me up to him.  We stare again for a
few moments time standing still.  The only thing moving are our
hearts beating against each other’s chest.  Surely he’s not
feeling what I do?  I look down towards his lips and can’t help
but lick my own in sweet tortured anticipation of locking his with
mine.  He trails his eyes down towards my lips catching the moment
they let me down and gave the game away.  I suddenly feel
something hard against my groin and I gasp knowing that this is
affecting him as much as me.  The fire between my legs burn hotter
than they could have ever done in that shower, but of course the shower
just helped tip me into the horny mush I’m in now.  I wait in
glorious agony for him to make the first move.  I grip his arm,
breasts heaving against his chest.  How many more hints does he
need?  His eyes seem to study every square inch of my face and the
thought sends me into overdrive.  If he doesn’t kiss me soon I
think I’m going to explode.  Without thinking he seems to squeeze
me into him a little deeper and my legs turn to jelly.  I’m yours
godammit, take me, my head screams.  The need for him quickly
turns to rejection as he releases me and turns his head, but not before
noticing just how erect my nipples are for his touch right
now.  

 
 “I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean to...”  He’s trying to look
everywhere but me now as I frantically grab my towel off the floor and
wrap it around me.  “Are you ok?”  

 
  No I’m not fucking ok.  I feel ashamed as hell, rejected as
hell and sexually frustrated as hell.  Of course I’m not ok. 
“I’m fine, thank you for helping me.”  He nods his head still
unable to look in my direction and swiftly heads down the stairs. 
How am I going to look him in the eyes now?

I
quickly make my way back to my bedroom to get dressed knowing I’m going
to have to face him again soon when the need for food is now
overwhelming me.  I slip a tank top on and a pair of short shorts
and head downstairs, hair still wet from the shower.  I walk in
the kitchen and find him there eating some scrambled eggs with
toast.  My stomach grumbles in protest and I quickly notice that
the other side of the breakfast bar is another plate of eggs for
me.  

   “I made you some extra, I hope you don’t mind?”  

 
  I smile, “No, thank you, I’m starving now after my run.”  I
sit down quickly and start to tuck in.  Man, his eggs are
good.  “I’m really sorry about earlier.  I’m so used to not
having to close the door to my bathroom that I just forgot.  I
know Matthew wasn’t here but still, it wouldn’t have been my best
moment.”  He studies me for a moment whilst eating his
food.  

 
 “No, it wasn’t the best idea but an easy mistake to make so don’t
worry about it.  Why were you using it anyway?”  He
asks.  

 
 “Well my shower wouldn’t turn on and I must admit I was feeling
pretty desperate.  I was so hot after my run, so it was the first
shower I thought of to use.  I hope that’s ok?”  

 
  He chews his food for a moment then speaks, “That’s fine; it’s
what it’s there for.  There’s probably a faulty valve that needs
replacing.  I’ll have a look at it before I hit the gym
room.”  

 
 “Thanks, that’s kind of you.”  I shift in my seat and
visibly wince.  My ass is really sore.  I bet I have a bruise
the size of Mount Vesuvius.  

   “Are you ok?  You seem in pain?”  

 
  I rub my behind a bit to try and ease it a little.  “I’m
ok, I think I may have broken my ass but apart from that I should be
fine.”  We both start laughing easing the tension between
us.  

   “Maybe I could rub some cream on it.”  

 
  The words are out before Jake could even register them and it
visibly sends him into total shock mode.  I had never seen anyone
look as horrified as he just did right now.  I sit there fixed to
the chair mouth agape staring at him.  He shifts uncomfortably in
his seat before rising.  He looks at me and then looks away and
this carries on for a few seconds with me still in complete
surprise.  

   “Erm, I’m going to take a look at that breast, I mean shower for you now,” and with that he was gone.  

 
  I wanted to gather myself together, grab him and yell, ‘Yes
please for the love of god rub some cream on my ass,’ but it was all
too late.  What I wouldn’t give for him to rub cream on my
bottom.  The thought sends my fantasies into overdrive.  I
think I’ll need to take care of that later.  The tension is all
too much with what has been happening today.

I
decide later that day to go and get some retail therapy.  Nothing
like buying a good pair of shoes to make you feel better about
yourself.   I make my way to Reston thinking that going there is a
good change to Tyson’s.  I seem to spend my life there when I’m
not working.  I don’t shop much I just like to look around. 
Saving sucks at times, but today I will make an exception.  I have
to buy some shoes no matter what they are.  Shoes will set me
free, that’s what I kept telling myself over and over.  After
looking in a dozen shops I finally find the most sexy red patent shoes
I had ever seen in my life.  Someone would have to be confident
enough to wear those.  Am I that confident?  I give myself a
pep talk telling my head that I need to live life a bit more and fuck
the price.  They’re the sexiest shoes I have ever seen and I must
have them.  I walk into the shop and straight away I’m greeted
with a huge smile.  Don’t you just love America?  

   “Good day ma’am, can I help you with something?”  

 
  I cringe, I hate being called ma’am, I’m 22 for goodness
sake.  “Yes please, do you have these in a size 8?”  She
beams at me again showing her brightly coloured train tracks. 

   “Great choice, these are always very popular.”  

 
  She disappears for a couple of minutes and comes back holding a
box.  She places the shoes at my feet as I take a seat on the
bench.  I slip off my sandals and place my feet in the high
heels.  I get up feeling taller than I have ever done before and
wonder whether I will end up looking too tall.  I walk over to the
mirror to have a look and that’s when all doubts fade about these
shoes.  

   “I think they look great on you.”  

 
  I think they do too.  “I’ll take them.”  I pay at the
till not realising they were $130, but I don’t do this all the time, I
need to treat myself every now and then.  I feel better
already.  Marvellous what buying a pair of shoes can do the for
the soul.

Chapter 6

I
was out so long that by the time I got back to the house it was already
past seven.  I walk in the door putting my keys down on the
display table and my bag to one side.  The smell of Chinese food
greats me as I follow it into the kitchen.