Someone from the Past Pt. 03

This is the last part of a Romance story written in 3 segments.

There is more sex involved in this last chapter but if you are looking for something a little steamier, then, as I stated in previous parts, this might not be the tale for you.

All characters depicted as engaging in sexual activity are over 18 years of age.

As always constructive comments or criticism are welcome but please remember to enjoy it, it is just a story.

Someone from the Past - Part 3

Chapter 9 - Time with Alice...

The sound of her alarm clock startled her awake and Gwen reached over to turn it off before struggling to force herself out of bed to spend her Saturday with Alice.

Falling back on to the pillow, she stretched trying to wake up, her mind focusing on the young girl's brother as she stared up at the ceiling.

'Had he made up with his girlfriend?'

'Would he move back to London if he did?'

As she wondered about him and what he might be doing she blushed, remembering the previous night and how she had pleasured herself, imagining him in her bed.

Pushing the erotic thoughts away she slipped out from under the duvet and, putting on her glasses she pulled on a robe and made her way downstairs to the kitchen. As always the light switch sparked but she ignored it and busied herself putting on the coffee machine and getting breakfast ready for her young guest, before she woke her.

As she worked she worried about what she was going to do for the day.

She hadn't made any plans and, aside from doing what she normally did, she wasn't sure what to do to keep the little girl entertained. Perhaps, once she had done her shopping and cleaned up a bit, they could sit down together and watch a movie together.

However, as it turned out she needn't have troubled herself, once she was awake, Alice seemed to be more than happy just being with her.

Catching the bus, wandering around the supermarket and even helping with the housework, Alice chattered away happily with virtually no hint of the recent trauma in her life. There were a couple of moments however, when she went quiet and the tears started, something clearly triggering memories of her recently deceased parents.

"Are you ok Alice?" The second time it happened Gwen sat down and put her arm around the child.

"What will happen to me if Rob doesn't want me?" She sobbed almost hysterically.

"Has he said he doesn't?"

The eight-year-old shook her head, "N... no."

"And I don't think he ever will sweetheart. He loves you."

"But what if she.... she doesn't want me?"

"I guess you mean Jenna?" Gwen asked, already knowing the answer.

Alice continued to cry, "Yes, she... she doesn't like me, she hates me."

"If your brother has to choose then he'll choose you every time." The older woman told her reassuringly.

"You really think so?" Alice bit her lip and sniffled, looking up at her teacher hopefully.

Gwen smiled at her, "I know so. Now, what film would you like to watch later?"

Letting her young guest choose the movie Gwen ordered them both a pizza and settled on her sofa with a happy but very tired little girl to watch Frozen.

Sitting there she let herself drift into a daydream; all she needed was Rob Davenport next to her and her life would be perfect.

Once Alice was asleep Gwen sat down with a glass of wine and looked at the phone number Rob had left with her.

'Should she ring him?'

She was desperate to hear his voice and seek some sort of reassurance however feeble it might be but what excuse could she use?

Picking up her phone several times she even started to punch in the number on a couple of occasions but her nerve always failed her and she put her mobile down again.

'What if he had made up with his girlfriend?'

'What would she say?'

Eventually she gave up and switching off the television, that she hadn't really been watching, she took herself off to bed.

Tossing and turning she struggled to fall asleep and when she finally did she had a disturbed night.

Tired and slightly irritated she was up early on the Sunday morning.

The last 48 hours had been absolutely wonderful, spending it with the eight-year-old she regarded as her younger sister. The only thing missing from making it perfect was her brother Rob, but she knew that was something that would never happen.

Staring vacantly out of the kitchen window at the grey skies she thought about him going away again. This time would be worse than it had been before and it made her feel sick in the pit of her stomach.

She was sure he would decide to go back to London and take Alice with him, after all what was there here for him.

Almost as a knee-jerk reaction, she resolved to herself that she would let him go regardless of how difficult it would be. She knew that this time, not seeing Alice again, would make it even harder for her, but she had no idea what else she could do.

It was time to move on and live her life instead of pining for someone she could never have.

"Is my brother coming back today?"

The small voice startled her and she jerked around to find Alice standing in the kitchen doorway looking up at her.

"Err.... yes, yes he is Alice, he said he'd be back on Sunday."

"Is.... is she coming with him?" The eight-year-old asked hesitantly.

Gwen smiled, "I don't know sweetheart. He just told me he was going back to talk to her and sort a few things out."

Seemingly satisfied, at least for the moment, Alice sat down with her breakfast and Gwen followed suit, sipping her coffee and nibbling on the slice of toast she had made for herself.

"I wish you were Rob's girlfriend." The youngster said after a minute or two, "You're much nicer than her."

'I wish I was to.'

Gwen thought to herself but didn't say it and instead, she simply grinned, "I expect your brother would have something to say about that."

"But he likes you." The youngster whined almost petulantly.

"Well, we've got a few hours before he gets back." Gwen changed the subject, "What do you want to do till then?"

"I don't mind really." In the manner of all children Alice shrugged.

"How about we have a walk, go to the bakery and I can have a coffee while you have ice cream?" What do you say?"

"Can I have a strawberry one?" The 8-year-old asked suddenly excited.

Gwen laughed, "You can have whatever you want. Now finish your breakfast and then we can get dressed."

It was close to 10 o'clock when they left the cottage for the half-hour stroll into the village.

As it was a Sunday the bread making part of the bakery was closed but the recently opened café side was open and, as usual, was fairly busy with people stopping by for a morning coffee and to read their newspaper.

The bell over the door tinkled announcing their arrival and the teenage girl serving behind the counter looked up and smiled.

"Hi Miss Davis, we don't normally see you in here on a Sunday."

"Hey Andrea, I know but Alice here wants an ice cream and I'll have a cappuccino please."

"Where's your brother then Alice?" Andrea asked the youngster.

"He's gone to London." The eight-year-old replied offering the minimum of information.

"I've got her till he gets back later today." Gwen added by way of further explanation.

Once they had been served the two of them settled themselves in a corner and had only just sat down when the door opened again and Mark Yates walked in.

Spotting Gwen immediately he ordered at the counter and, leaving the girl to bring his drink to him, went and sat down, uninvited.

"Well, this is a pleasant surprise." He smiled at her and then glanced at Alice, frowning.

"Hello Mark."

"Hello Mr Yates." Alice said unenthusiastically.

"What are you doing with little Miss Davenport on a Sunday?" Mark looked at her curiously.

Gwen sighed, "Her brother has gone back to London for a couple of days and I said I'd look after her."

"Still cosying up to him?" He snorted derisively at her response, "When will you learn and start dating me properly?"

She knew he was right and anyway she had already decided that morning to move on with her life.

"You... you're right Mark." She said admitted, albeit a little reluctantly. "I suppose I should start to live a little."

Sitting back surprised he grinned, "Great, why don't I pick you up later this evening and we can have dinner tonight?"

For a moment she thought about saying no, she had no desire to date someone she considered to be a supercilious prick, but, thinking about her new resolution she didn't.

"I err... I don't know... I mean..."

"Oh, come on Gwen. We'll have a nice time, I guarantee it."

'What else was she going to do tonight?'

Thinking about her evening she knew that once Rob Davenport had collected his little sister and Alice was gone she would simply sit and wallow in self-pity.

"Sure Mark, why not. Pick me up at six. I'll make sure I'm ready." She said with a self-confidence she didn't feel.

Alice had sat and thoughtfully watched the interchange between the two adults and, once Mark Yates had finished his coffee and gone, she turned to Gwen.

"Is Mr Yates your boyfriend? Is that why you don't like my brother?"

Gwen paused for a second, not wanting to make any commitment about Mark, "I do like your brother Alice. I like him a lot but he's with Jenna."

The little girl pouted, "I hate her, she's mean to him."

Gwen digested that snippet of information but didn't change her mind; Rob would be leaving and taking his sister with him, she had to face up to that fact.

"Just finish up your ice cream sweetheart and we'll head back for some lunch. I'm sure your brother won't be too late picking you up."

By the time they had walked back to the cottage and eaten lunch there was still no word from Rob, so the two of them settled on the sofa to watch another movie.

Whether it was the restless night or the exercise it wasn't long before Gwen's eyes started to droop and, unable to fight off the tiredness, she was soon fast asleep. Next to her, engrossed in her film, Alice paid little attention to her and left her to doze once the movie was over.

The clock showed it was close to five-thirty that evening when Gwen eventually yawned and opened her eyes.

"Oh good, you're awake." Alice got up on the sofa next to her, leaving her colouring on the floor.

"What... what time is it? How long have I been asleep?"

"It's past five o'clock and I'm hungry." The little girl informed her.

"Shi..." Jerking upright Gwen stopped herself swearing and looked around her, "Hasn't your brother turned up?"

"No." Alice pouted, "When is he coming?"

"Very soon I expect and I... I need to get ready." She started to get up, "Oh bugg.... Damn... what do you want to eat sweetheart?"

"Umm.... eggs and toast please."

Scurrying around in the kitchen Gwen quickly made scrambled eggs on toast for her charge.

"I need to shower and get changed. If Mr Yates arrives can you let him in please Alice?"

"Mmhhmm." The eight-year-old looked up at her and nodded solemnly as she shovelled the first forkful into her mouth.

Gwen had barely stepped under the hot water when there was a knock at the front door and, just as she had been asked, Alice went to open it.

"Hello Alice. You're still here then."

"Hello Mr Yates, my brother is coming to pick me up soon."

"Come in Mark, I'm running late but I won't be long." Gwen shouted down from upstairs, "I just need to get dressed."

Barely 5 minutes had passed with the teacher and the 8-year-old sitting in silence when there was another knock at the door.

"I'd better get it." Mark told Alice as he went to answer it, coming face to face with Rob Davenport.

"Oh, it's you."

"Oh err... is.... is Gwen here?" Rob stammered, taken unawares.

"She's just getting dressed. I'm taking her out to dinner." The older man smirked triumphantly, "I guess you're here to collect Alice?"

"Err... yeah... Is she here?" Rob stuttered.

"Alice get your stuff, your brothers here." Mark called to the young girl before turning back to Rob.

"If you've got any intentions for Gwen you can forget them. I told you the other day she's spoken for." Mark told him, keeping his voice low, "I'm her boyfriend and I'm telling you she's taken, so fuck off."

"I told you I'm just an old friend."

The teacher sneered angrily at him, "Like hell you are I know what you're after. Well, you can...."

"Rob." Alice appeared with her bag, interrupting their conversation, "I'm ready."

"I'll say goodbye for you." Almost pushing them out of the door Mark closed it on them, a self-satisfied smirk on his face.

Coming out of her room Gwen was wondering if she was doing the right thing going on a date with her colleague. She knew it would never amount to anything, he was too much of an obnoxious jerk to be her type, but if she didn't start to date how would she ever move on?

'Did she want to?'

She was busy pondering the questions in her head when she stopped mid-way down the stairs as she heard Marks voice, "I'll say goodbye for you."

"Did I hear voices? Was that Rob.... has Alice gone?" Reaching the bottom step Gwen asked looking around.

Looking up at her, his smug smirk got even bigger, "Yeah, he just said to say good-bye for him and rushed her off."

"Oh, I wanted to say bye to Alice."

"She's gone. She didn't seem that bothered to be honest."

Gwen frowned, Rob was doing exactly what she anticipated he would, he was going back to Jenna, but that wasn't like Alice to go without a word.

She knew deep down the little girl wouldn't have left like that.

"Shall we go?" Mark's voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Are you sure she didn't....?"

"Of course I'm sure. She just wanted to go with her brother." He snapped angrily, "Now we need to go or we'll be late for our reservation."

"Yes, yes of course."

Picking up her handbag Gwen silently followed him out of the door still perplexed by what he had said...

Chapter 10 - A Change of Plan...

Taking a mouthful of his beer, Rob put his glass down and started to tear the envelope open so he could extract the single sheet of paper from within.

Pausing he looked at it, remembering his mother, before unfolding it and starting to read.

My darling Rob,

Hopefully by the time you read this letter its contents will be largely irrelevant but, in case they aren't and something has happened to us, I wanted you to know why we've done what we have.

First of all, we love you. No matter the distance between us or where you are in the world your father and I will always want you to be happy.

The reason I asked Gwen to be one of Alice's guardians should anything happen to both of us wasn't because I don't trust you. I do, but I can't see Jenna wanting to be tied down with a teenager.

She's not for you son, trust me, a mother knows these things. You need to find the right girl for you. I'm not going to tell you who it is. I think deep down you already know the answer to that question.

As for money, I would expect that we haven't left you much although your father is in the process of setting up two life insurance policies which, if they pay out, should resolve any financial problems you might have.

Whatever else happens you and Alice will own the garage and the cottage and there should be enough for you both to get by on.

All I ask is you look after your little sister. She has missed her big brother so much.

And think about your life.

Remember we love you loads.

Mum

The last remnants of any uncertainty or guilt he might have had about his feelings for Gwen had vanished with the evidence of his girlfriend's cheating. He was free now to do as he pleased but what about Gwen, would she be interested in him in that way?

'Did she have a boyfriend?'

The man had said they had an arrangement and that she was spoken for but what did that mean?

He resolved to ask her when he went to collect his sister.

Doing as he said he waited the two hours and, draining the last of his second pint, headed back to his apartment, collecting fish and chips on the way, relieved to find the place empty when he opened the front door.

Jenna had clearly gone, taking most of her clothes with her, leaving her keys on the table along with a note begging him to call her.

Not bothering to read it he screwed it up and threw it in the bin.

With his first problem solved Rob sat down to eat before settling down for the evening, doing his best to relax before what he knew would be a busy day tomorrow.

'Was his sister ok?'

'His parents had been right about Jenna.'

'Did the letter refer to Gwen?'

Turning on the television he sat and looked at the screen, without really seeing what was on it, as he tried to make sense of everything that had happened in the last couple of weeks.

Eventually he gave up trying to find the answers he didn't have and took himself off to bed, ensuring he changed the sheets before slipping under the duvet.

However, as tired as he was sleep evaded him.

An image of Gwen Davis filled his mind as he reflected on his mother's letter and his long-hidden feelings for the skinny dark-haired girl with the big glasses.

He was still thinking about her when he finally closed his eyes.

The sun was already up when he opened them again the following morning, stretching and yawning as he thought about his plans for the day.

He had made his decision, finding Jenna in bed with someone else had simply removed the last obstacle he had placed in his own way.

He was going to take over the garage and be a family with Alice. Now all he had to do was tidy up all the loose ends in London.

Two hours later, showered and dressed Rob opened the door to the estate agent's office, all the necessary documents he might need in hand, ready to take the first step and put his flat on the market.

Once he had put the wheels in motion with the agency he walked the short distance to a nearby coffee shop where, despite it being a Saturday, he had arranged to meet his boss.

Carl Harris looked up from his latte and frowned when the little bell on the door tinkled announcing his subordinate's arrival.

About the same age as Rob's recently deceased father, he had been something of a mentor and a friend to him since his first day with the company.

"How are you Rob? How did it all go?" Carl asked when Rob eventually sat down opposite him with his own cappuccino.

"As well as it could I guess, all things considered."

Taking a mouthful of his drink, his boss continued to ask questions, "And your little sister? How's she holding up?"

"She seems to be doing ok Carl. Kids always adapt so much better than adults." Rob picked up his own mug and took a sip.

For several seconds neither of them spoke again; Carl simply waiting and Rob considering what he was going to say to him.

"Ok Rob, what's going on?" The older man broke the silence, "Why the urgent need to see me on a Saturday?"

"I... umm.... I'm not coming back Carl." He stammered tentatively, unsure of the reaction he would get, "I have Alice to look after now and I... err.... I wanted to find out if there's any way I can get out of working my notice period?"

The other man sighed, "Contractually you're obliged to work out your 1 months' notice but I guess, under the circumstances, we can waive it. Although I will need you back in the office for a few days to clear up a couple of things up before you finish."

Rob grinned, relieved, "Thanks Carl, I really appreciate it."

"How does that pretty lady of yours feel about a move out to the sticks?"

"Ah well, that's another matter altogether."

"Oh?" Carl asked obviously interested, "What happened?"

"Long story but suffice to say we aren't together any longer."

"That's a shame. You'll not find a girl like that again."

Rob took a long swallow of his cappuccino, draining the cup before getting to his feet and smiling, "You know Carl I wouldn't be so sure of that if I were you."

Leaving his friend looking after him Rob started for home. It was close to midday and, with little else to do, he decided to have lunch and then dedicate the rest of the day to packing up his things in preparation for moving.

Getting totally wrapped up in what he was doing it was almost six o'clock when he called it a day and flopped onto the sofa. Deliberating for a minute or two as to whether he should call Gwen he decided instead to just phone for a pizza and, opening a beer, he put on the television and sat back waiting for his dinner to arrive.

It was then that he picked up his phone and noticed he had had several missed calls from Jenna. Wondering what she wanted he was just about to put it down when it rang again.

[Rob} Hello Jenna, what do you want?

[Jenna] I... I wasn't sure you would answer. I wondered if we could talk? Maybe tomorrow?

[Rob] Is there any point?

[Jenna] I'm really sorry Rob, please.

He sighed inwardly and capitulated, deciding it would be easiest if he agreed to her request.

[Rob] OK, I'll meet you at Coffee Plus at half past ten.

[Jenna] Thanks, I'll... I'll see you then.

Closing the call, he closed his eyes and wondered what sort of game his former girlfriend was playing now, only stopping his deliberations when the entry buzzer went, indicating his pizza had arrived.

Spending the remainder of the evening, after eating, catching up on an assortment of paperwork Rob finally headed off to bed, the problem of Jenna Marcombe still weighing on his mind.

Awake early he shaved and showered carefully, taking his time to get dressed, before setting off for what had been, when they were together, their favourite coffee shop. Ten minutes early he ordered himself a drink and an almond croissant and took a seat by himself in the far corner.

He had barely sat down when Jenna came through the door, giving him a weak smile before going to the counter. Ordering a latte, she kept glancing nervously back at him as if expecting him to disappear in a puff of smoke.

"Thanks for coming." She said softly when she finally sat down opposite him.

Rob shrugged and kept his expression neutral, "Not a problem, I like the coffee here. You know that."

"How long are you staying in London?"

"I'm going back today." He told her flatly.

"I see. I... err... I just wondered if you might be back for good?"

"I have Alice to think about." Rob reminded her.

"Oh yes, of course."

"What do you want Jen?" He asked, getting to the reason for her wanting to see him.

"To talk to you, to explain to...." Jenna let her sentence tail off.

"OK, explain."

"It meant absolutely nothing Rob." She avoided his eyes as she started to speak, "It... it's just the way this business works. He has the contacts for work and I... well I need to be seen if I'm going to have any chance of making it."

"And I'm supposed to accept that? You fucking around like that."

"It's not like that baby. It's just sex."

Taking a mouthful of coffee Rob didn't answer her and considered what she had just said.

"So, you'd be ok if I was doing it to?"

Jenna reached for his hand, "Of course I would baby, that's what I mean. We could have an open relationship and screw whoever we want."

Rob looked at her as she was speaking, trying to work out where the girl he had started seeing so long ago had gone.

Was this her ambition talking? Or had she been hiding this side of herself from him.

"I don't think so Jenna, that's not me and anyway, like I said, I have Alice to think about now."

Letting go of his hand she scowled, "How is the little princess?"

"She's ok."

"You found someone to look after her then?"

He nodded, "Yeah, just for a couple of nights while I came up to talk to you."

Just saying it made him think about Gwen and he felt his stomach tighten.

'What were she and Alice doing?'

"But you couldn't find anyone so you could come back with me?" Jenna asked tartly, her words bringing him back to their conversation.

"What would have been the point Jen. I think we both knew it was over a while ago. Seeing you in bed with Clyde simply confirmed it."

"So, there's no chance of us...."

Rob shook his head, "I don't think so. I've put the flat up for sale, I'm going home to stay."

"I don't suppose you would... maybe let me stay there... just until I find somewhere to live?"

"I don't know." Rob hesitated, "After everything and Clyde..."

"What if I promise not to have anyone there." She interrupted him, "And then when you come up to London you could stay there and maybe we could....."

Letting her sentence tail off she fluttered her lashes invitingly at him and ran her tongue along her lips, moistening them.

For a second or two he considered her offer, remembering how good the sex had been.

"You can stay till you find somewhere or the place is sold Jen but there'll be nothing happening between us."

Jenna sat back, a disappointed expression on her face, "Well, if you change your mind you know where I'll be."

He pushed the last piece of croissant into his mouth and swallowed a gulp of his drink, "I'll be leaving early afternoon so you need to be there before I go."

"Thanks for that Rob, I'll make sure I'm there by one o'clock."

Watching her leave he had a brief moment of melancholy as he thought about the time they had had together, but quickly pushed it aside; he had a different future to go home to.

Just as she said she would Jenna knocked on the door at precisely one and after a brief exchange Rob, eager to get back to his sister, took his leave and, loading his bag into his car, he set off.

He had barely got onto the motorway when he came to a dead stop, the traffic ahead of him stationary. It took almost thirty minutes before he was moving again.

As the afternoon progressed things got little better and a journey that should have taken just under two and a half hours was a stop start nightmare that took almost five.

It was nearly six o'clock when he pulled up outside Gwen's cottage, a feeling of excitement making his pulse race as he thought about seeing her again.

He had been right about Jenna and after reading his mother's letter he had quickly realised what she meant; she had known all along that the skinny dark-haired girl was the right one for him and now Rob was ready to admit it.

'But what about her supposed boyfriend?'

He knew he would have to ask her about that.

Knocking on the door he took a deep breath and waited as it was opened.

"Oh, it's you."

The face and the voice took Rob unawares and he stepped back, momentarily lost for words, when the man who had confronted him outside the school smiled at him.

"Oh.... err... is.... is Gwen here?" He finally managed to stammer.

"She's just getting dressed. I'm taking her out to dinner." The older man smirked nauseatingly, "I guess you're here to collect Alice?"

"Err... yeah... Is she here?" Still struggling with seeing him there Rob muttered off-handedly.

"Alice, get your stuff, your brothers here." The stranger called back into the cottage before turning to face him again.

"If you've got any plans for Gwen you can forget them. I told you the other day she's spoken for." The man told him coldly, keeping his voice low, "I'm her boyfriend and I'm telling you she's taken, so do yourself a favour and fuck off."

"I told you I'm just an old friend."

He sneered angrily at him, "Like hell you are I know what you're after. Well, you can...."

"Rob." Alice appeared with her bag, interrupting their conversation, "I'm ready."

"I'll say goodbye for you." Almost pushing them out of the door the unknown man virtually slammed it closed, leaving the two siblings standing outside.

"Charming." Rob murmured before taking his sisters hand and leading her out to his car.

"Who was that?" He asked Alice as they got in, "Do you know him?"

"He's Mr Yates, he's a teacher at school."

"Oh." Was all he said, a sudden feeling of hopelessness settling over him.

He didn't need to ask her now. Gwen obviously had a boyfriend...

Chapter 11 - Boyfriend Trouble...

Gwen was still wondering about Alice's rather abrupt departure when she was shown to her seat in a rather elegant Japanese restaurant.

"You'll like it here." Mark told her rather presumptuously, "The sushi is excellent

"Oh... err... right."

Swallowing hesitantly, she looked about her and wondered if now would be a good time to tell him she didn't like sushi.

The waiter came over and, without bothering to ask what she wanted, Mark ordered a bottle of wine for them.

"I'll choose for us." He told her somewhat discourteously, "It's not the best I've had but it's a decent enough red."

Gwen's heart sank; it was going to be a long evening.

Things didn't get any better when the waiter brought the bottle and she put her hand over her glass, "No thank you, I don't drink red wine."

Mark immediately took the glass from her, "Of course you do, everyone does."

She didn't say anything and just frowned as he poured her a drink and sat it on the table next to her.

"Try it, it's not bad." He suggested.

Ignoring him she perused the menu, struggling to find anything she wanted to eat, and in the end a frustrated Mark simply took it off her.

"Here let me choose for you. I know the choice here can be a little overwhelming at times."

"I'm sure it is but...." Gwen went to object.

"Don't worry I won't pick anything too spicy for you." His patronising tone made her squirm.

"Thanks." She said more than a little sarcastically although it was clearly lost on him.

Pushing her food around the plate she left most of her meal and ignored her wine, simply killing time until Mark was finished.

"We should go we have school tomorrow." Gwen said, sipping her coffee at the end.

There was a distinct lack of conversation in the car and the atmosphere was decidedly chilly as he drove her home.

"Did you have a good time?" Mark asked lamely when he parked outside her cottage,

"Yes thanks." Gwen lied.

"How about another coffee then?" Switching off the engine he leered at her and unfastened his seat belt, obviously intending to come in.

"Oh I... I'm a bit tired and I... I've already had one so do you mind if we don't Mark?"

A rather disgruntled Mark Yates frowned, "I suppose so.... I just thought now we were an item...."

"Thanks." She went to get out of the car, stopping when he grabbed her arm and pulled her towards him, kissing her.

Taken by surprise she didn't resist to begin with, letting his tongue press against her lips, then coming to her senses she shoved him away.

"Get off... I don't want..."

"Come on Gwen, don't be coy."

"Goodnight Mark." She said determinedly, opening the car door.

"When can we get together again then? After all, now we're dating we need to...." He asked resignedly.

"I... I'll talk to you at school." Eager to get away from him she was becoming a little scared by his presumption that they were now a couple.

Leaving him staring at her back she slid out of his car and closed her front door behind her, leaning back against it and breathing a sigh of relief. Her weekend had gone from almost perfect to the worst she had had since her mother had passed.

However, it wasn't the date that was causing her unhappiness, even though it had been awful.

'Why had Rob whisked Alice away without a goodbye?'

'Why hadn't he even bothered to say thank you?'

Suddenly it was obvious to her. He had made up with Jenna and was taking his sister back to London to live with him and his girlfriend.

Slowly the tears started to roll down her cheeks as she realised her dreams were shattered all over again, this time for good.

She would try to go on with her life but not with Mark Yates.

The next morning saw a reluctant Gwen force herself out of bed to get ready for work. She would see the little girl she adored so much knowing that she would be disappearing out of her life in the near future.

'Could she use her status as a guardian to prevent it?'

She knew that was unlikely. Rob was her next of kin and could probably claim some sort of parental responsibility.

Forcing herself to put one foot in front of the other she made it to the stop just in time to catch her bus and, slumping into a seat, she stared aimlessly out of the window, watching the world go by and wondering when Rob was likely to leave.

Her day went by in something of a daze. The big double doors on the garage were wide open and only made her think about going across to ask him when he was going. At the same time, she kept her distance from Alice as much as she could, desperate to ask the eight-year-old what her brother had planned.

Walking out of the gates at the end of the day Gwen virtually collided with Rob when he collected his sister.

"H... hi..." She managed to mumble, stopping just short of actually bumping into him.

"Hello." His response was stilted and formal.

"How are you?"

"Sorry I can't stop, we've err.... we've got things to do."

Turning away Rob took Alice's hand and led her towards the garage leaving Gwen fighting to stop herself from crying as she watched the only boy she could ever love walk away from her, possibly forever.

Somehow she muddled through to the Friday, expecting every day to hear that the garage was closing, that Alice was leaving the school and that Rob was going back to London.

Avoiding Mark Yates was also a priority for the week. She had to move on and find someone to help her get over Robert Davenport but he, most definitely, was not that person.

She was heading to the staff room on the Friday lunchtime when she heard Mark talking to someone in his classroom.

"So, how's it going with Miss Prim and Prissy?"

"I'll get there." Mark chuckled lasciviously, "I took her out for dinner last Sunday. It won't be long now."

"Anywhere nice?" The unknown voice asked.

"That Japanese place. The one that does the really good sushi."

"Very nice, but you'll have to keep her away from Rob Davenport." The voice replied, "He's had a thing for her for years."

"How'd you know that?" Mark pressed the other man.

"His sister, Alice, is friends with my mate's younger sibling and she told her that her brother really likes Miss Davis."

"He's pretty much out of the picture now. I told him to stay away from her last Friday and then when he came to pick his sister up on Sunday I made him think that I was her boyfriend and she was taken."

Gwen took a step back, barely able to breathe.

'Rob liked her. Rob Davenport had a thing for her.'

'He hadn't walked away without saying thank you, Mark had got rid of him with a lie.'

Trying to digest everything she had just heard she made her way to the staff room and poured herself a coffee.

"Hey babe. I wanted to catch you." The hand on her arm made her shudder.

Biting her lip, she tried to control the anger boiling up inside her when she heard Mark Yates behind her.

"Well, here I am." She said cooly, turning to face him.

"I was thinking we should go out on Saturday night...."

"No thanks Mark." Gwen replied softly, aware that several other teachers had stopped what they were doing and were watching them carefully.

"Why not? If I want to take my girlfriend out I will."

"First of all, I am not your girlfriend!" She declared vehemently "And second, if I don't want to go out with you I won't."

"What the fuck is your problem Gwen? I thought we had a good time last weekend apart from you leaving me high and dry. Now you've been avoiding me all week and playing hard to get."

"My problem is that you're a lying, conceited two faced bore. How dare you tell Rob Davenport that he should stay away from me."

Mark Yates grabbed her arm, shaking her and shoving his face into hers, ignoring the horrified looks from the other teachers in the staff room.

"You'll stay away from that fucking tosser, you're my girlfriend now and you'll bloody well do as I say, do you understand me?"

"Mr Yates!" Christine Tomlinson's voice startled everyone, "My office... now."

Looking around at the faces staring back at him he let go of Gwen's arm and took a step back, "I.... I err... I wasn't...."

"Now if you please." The head of the school glowered at him and then turned on her heel and walked away.

"Gwen..."

"If you ever touch me again you'll regret it." Gwen hissed quietly as Mark went to speak to her.

Turning to follow the head teacher, he glanced around the room again, clearly hoping to see a friendly face, and saw nothing but anger and disappointment in his colleague's expressions as he followed Christine out of the door.

As soon as he left Gwen was surrounded by the rest of the staff, some enquiring as to whether she was alright while others wanted to know what the scandal might be.

Everyone was still busy talking when the head came back into the staff room, "Gwen, a word if you please."

"Close the door." Christine told her when they reached her office.

"Am I... am I in trouble."

The head of the school smiled, "Not in the slightest. The only thing you did wrong was to actually go out to dinner with Mark."

"Where is he?"

"I've suspended him pending a full HR review."

"If he's lucky he'll get off with an official warning and a strongly worded suggestion that he move to another school."

"And if he isn't?"

Christine frowned, "Dismissal."

"Oh, I hope that doesn't happen."

"Forget about Mark, Right now Miss Davis, I want to know just what you intend to do about Robert Davenport?"

"I don't know." Gwen groaned miserably, "What if he's going back to Jenna to live in London?"

"And what if he's staying here with Alice?"

"Do you think he might?"

Christine chuckled, "Why don't you just ask him and then, while you're at it, tell him how you feel about him."

"What.... No, I... I couldn't." She protested weakly.

"Go and talk to him Gwen. Please, for me."

"I... I have to get back to class." As she said it the young teacher opened the door and fled.

'What if she told him how she felt and he rejected her?'

'What if he said he was moving back to London?'

No, there was no way she could ever tell him that she was in love with him and had been for a very long time, even if it were true and he had a thing for her.

She was leaving school later that afternoon when she saw that the garage doors were still open. Remembering her last interaction with him earlier that week had not gone well she wondered if she could do as Christine had told her?

'What would she say to him?'

Taking a deep breath, she started across the street before her courage failed her...

Chapter 12 - Misery...

Knowing Gwen had a boyfriend didn't change the way Rob felt about her or his plans to remain and look after his sister while running the garage. But it did mean he wouldn't be making his feelings known to her anytime soon.

Pushing his disappointment aside he determined to spend his time focusing on Alice and his new found role as brother and substitute parent, with or without Gwen Davis.

Tony had the garage open as usual when Rob dropped his sister to school on the Monday morning.

'What would he say to her if he saw her?'

Knowing that she had a boyfriend he was desperately hoping he wouldn't bump into Gwen as he escorted his sister across to the school gates and was more than a little relieved when she was nowhere to be seen.

Heading to the bakery he collected two coffee's and two croissants before walking back into the garage.

"Take a break Tony."

The older man looked up from under the bonnet of the car he was working on and grinned, "Anything you say boss."

"Less of the boss." Rob chuckled and handed over one of the cups before leading him into the office so they could sit.

"So, have you reached a decision about the garage yet Rob?"

Tony took a sip of his coffee and asked for the answer to the question that had been on his mind since Rob's parents had been killed.

"Yeah, I'm staying." He told his mechanic, "And I hope you'll stay with me."

The other man smiled, "Like I said before I've been here for a long time with your father and I'm much too old to be looking for something new so, if you'll have me, I'd like to."

Rob smiled back and held out his hand, "So, what's on for today?"

Drinking their coffee and finishing the breakfast croissants the two of them went over the jobs scheduled for that day and apportioned out the work between them.

Getting his hands dirty in the garage was something Rob had been looking forward to and now, after learning that Gwen was with Mark Yates, he knew it was something that would help to take his mind off of her.

"You do know it's nearly four o'clock Rob." Tony shouted across the workshop.

"Shit, I'll be back in a minute." Leaving the job he had been on Rob dashed out of the garage, wiping his hands on his overalls, knowing he was very late picking his little sister up.

Alice was standing at the main entrance with a woman, who he assumed was a teacher, and another child of about the same age.

The rather annoyed expression on the woman's face told him he was in trouble.

"Hi, you must be Robert." She held out her hand, taking him completely by surprise, "I'm Melissa Tudek, Chelsea's mother."

"Oh... err... yes, hi." He glanced at the other child who he guessed was her daughter, "I... umm... I know I'm a bit late."

"No matter. Chelsea wondered if Alice could come for a sleepover tomorrow, for her birthday?"

At a loss for what to say Rob fumbled for an answer.

"Please Rob, please." His sister looked up at him, her big blue eyes pleading with him to say yes.

"I... I guess so." He capitulated and agreed, wondering what he would do in the cottage on his own.

"Yay." Alice bounced excitedly and hugged her friend.

"If you can drop her to me about four o'clock. We'll have a pizza and movie night." Melissa handed him a piece of paper, "That's our address."

The two friends said goodbye and Rob started back across the road with his sister.

"You're late!" She told him when they were out of earshot.

"Sorry munchkin, I got wrapped up with things at the garage." He told her apologetically.

"You know I could walk across the road by myself." Alice declared as he took her hand, "I am old enough."

"We'll talk about it."

They were exiting through the school gates, not really paying attention to what was happening around them, when he literally bumped into Gwen. Going to grab her he barely managed to stop himself when she spoke.

"H... hi..." She stepped back and mumbled, avoiding looking him in the eyes.

His stomach tightened and he took a deep breath as he tried to control the surge of emotions that washed over him.

"Hello." Trying to remain impassive Rob's response lacked any sort of warmth.

"How are you?"

"Sorry I can't stop; we've got things to do." Forcing himself to turn away from her Rob virtually dragged his sister across the road leaving Gwen looking forlornly after him.

"Don't you like Miss Davis anymore?" His younger sibling asked as they reach the garage forecourt.

"Of course I do."

Alice frowned, "Then why were you rude to her?"

"It's an adult thing. You'll understand when you're older."

"Is it because she has a boyfriend?"

Rob looked at his little sister and knew he couldn't be angry with her for asking, "Yes, a little bit I suppose."

The eight-year-old thought about it for a moment and then, seemingly satisfied with his answer, went to sit in the office to wait while he finished up.

"I'll lock up if you want Rob." Tony told him as he went back to what he had been doing.

"Let me get this done first." He busied himself under the bonnet of the car he had been working on, trying to push all thoughts of Gwen Davis and her love life out of his mind.

Finishing the job he was on, Rob left Tony to close up and took Alice home to spend an unhappy evening thinking about the girl he loved.

His week continued in much the same miserable vein; taking his sister to school, avoiding Gwen and her boyfriend as well as getting to grips with the garage. Trying his best to remain upbeat in front of Alice, despite the fact he felt his heart had been ripped out and stamped on, time seemed to drag by for him.

Struggling through to the end of the week, his misery wasn't helped by the fact that most days he caught sight of her walking to school but, even when he saw her, he made no attempt to speak to her.

What was the point?

He needed to move on now and by the Friday afternoon he was seriously considering driving up to London on the Saturday evening, after dropping Alice off at her friends, to spend the night with his ex-girlfriend Jenna.

'Would she see it as a sign he wanted to get back with her though?'

That possibility scared him.

He was committed to looking after his younger sibling now and he knew the one thing that Jenna Marcombe did not want was the encumbrance of an eight-year-old interfering with her blossoming modelling career.

"Rob." He was underneath a car when a voice interrupted him and he glanced out at a very shapely pair of women's calves next to the vehicle.

Sliding out he looked up, more than a little shocked to see Gwen Davis standing there, biting her lower lip nervously. She looked as gorgeous as ever and his pulse rate jumped despite his surprise at seeing her.

"Oh, hi Gwen."

"I... err... I know Mark... he... umm.... he made things a bit awkward... between us but I... I wondered if we.... we could talk?"

Pushing himself up off the floor he wiped his hands on a rag, his six-foot frame towering over her as it always had, "Sure, do you want to come into the office."

"No... not here." She suggested hesitantly looking around, "Would you like to come to dinner tomorrow night?" You can bring Alice."

"Won't your boyfriend mind?" Rob responded more than a little sarcastically.

"He's not my boyfriend and he never has been." Gwen snapped, "So, will you come or not?"

"Alice is at a friends for a birthday sleepover so sure. I've got nothing else to do."

"Great. Six o'clock then." She told him before turning to go.

"Gwen..."

Looking back at him her heart thumping, she paused, "Yes?"

"Thanks." Rob felt his anxiety lift a little.

"You're welcome. See you tomorrow."

Watching her walk away he wondered what she wanted to talk to him about.

'It had to be the will?'

What else was there?

He was still pondering her possible reasons when he dropped Alice off at her sleepover the following afternoon. Leaving his phone number with Chelsea's mother, he rushed home to shower and change, switching his shirt several times before he was satisfied.

Driving over to Gwen's house he felt a growing sense of trepidation about the evening.

'Maybe she was going to decline being Alice's guardian?'

The more he thought about it the more he came to the conclusion that was what the evening was all about.

A little apprehensively he knocked on her front door at six o'clock as instructed and heard her moving around inside as she came to let him in.

"Hi Rob. You made it." Smiling nervously, Gwen opened the door to him allowing a delicious aroma of cooking to reach his nose.

"Oh... hi Gwen." Unsure of what sort of welcome he was going to get Rob stood and looked at her, her slim figure clothed in a dark blue mini dress that clung to her curves, "You.... you look...... amazing."

It wasn't a particularly revealing dress, although the thin straps exposed a lot of her shoulders, the scooped front only hinting at the breasts that were hidden beneath the material. However, it was much shorter than anything she normally wore, the hemline only coming down to a little below mid-thigh on her and revealing a substantial amount of her nylon clad legs.

Her whole ensemble was finished off with a pair of sensible 2" black stilettos making her sexy legs seem even longer than they were.

"Thanks. Do you like it?" Gwen smiled encouragingly, "I bought it this afternoon."

"It's very nice." Rob murmured, now even more unsure about why she had invited him.

"Dinners almost ready." Darting back into the kitchen she left him to follow her, "Come on in."

Standing in the kitchen doorway he was watching her bustling around busily when she turned to him and grinned, "Instead of standing there doing nothing you could make yourself useful. There's a bottle of wine in the fridge so maybe you could pour us both a glass."

"Sure. So, what did you want to talk to me about?" He asked as he prepared the drinks.

"Let's have dinner first." Gwen smiled at him, her heart thudding against her ribcage at the thought of the conversation she was going to have with him, "Then we can sit down properly."

A few minutes later she placed two plates of homemade lasagne on the table, along with some garlic bread to share.

"Now eat." She instructed as she sat down opposite him and picked up her knife and fork.

Eating in a slightly uncomfortable silence Gwen resisted the urge to pester him with the questions she was desperate to ask, punctuating the quiet with just the occasional enquiry about Alice

"That really was excellent." Putting down his cutlery Rob leant back in his chair, "Thank you."

"Coffee in the living room?"

"Perfect."

With the meal finished an extremely nervous Gwen headed to the kitchen to make their drinks while Rob started to clear the table.

"Leave those and go and sit down."

"Are you sure?"

She nodded, "Go. I'll be in in a minute."

A little reluctantly he did as she told him, going through into her living room to anxiously wait for her and the talk she wanted to have with him...

Chapter 13 - A Declaration of Love...

In the kitchen Gwen busied herself making their coffee, her heart hammering furiously in her chest as she thought about what she was doing.

After taking the plunge and going across to the garage she had started putting her plan into action.

Heading into town on a mini shopping spree that afternoon, she had treated herself and, by the time she returned home, she had the new dress she had on and the ingredients for their dinner amongst her purchases.

Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm herself down. The first part of her scheme, doing the shopping, had been relatively easy but now, face to face with Rob Davenport, she wasn't sure she could go through with it.

However, being this close to him physically yet feeling he was now so far away from her emotionally was an intolerable situation for her.

'What could go wrong?'

He could laugh at her; tell her he didn't feel the same way or simply say he was going back to London.

"Come on girl, it's now or never." Gwen remonstrated with herself as she took the mugs through to the living room.

Immediately she was seated on the sofa she turned to Rob, swallowing anxiously as she tried to start the conversation she needed to have.

"Are.... are you going back to London? To be with Jenna?" Her heart almost stopped as she blurted out her most important question.

He looked at her curiously for a moment before answering.

"No, I'm going to stay here to take care of Alice."

"And Jenna.... Is she moving here?" She could feel her stomach tighten, threatening to disgorge the contents of her recent meal.

"Jenna...." Rob wondered how much to tell her, "... Jenna and I were really over a long while ago and now... well, I ended it properly when I went back to London."

The feeling of utter euphoria that went through her at his answer was indescribable and on impulse she leaned in closer to kiss him, their lips touching lightly at first. Clearly stunned Rob didn't move as her tongue teased delightfully between his lips, offering no resistance to her as the kiss started to deepen.

Suddenly she pulled back, her eyes wide open as she stared at him in abject horror, her cheeks glowing scarlet.

"Oh God.... I'm... I'm so sorry Rob, I...." Terrified at his lack of response she stammered.

"Don't be, I enjoyed it." He chuckled looking her in the eye, "You just surprised me is all."

"I did.... I mean... you did?" Gwen bit her bottom lip, her face crimson, "I have to confess I've been wanting to do that since I saw you at the funeral."

He didn't reply and the two of them sat and gazed at each other for what seemed like an eternity, the desire in both of them reaching an intensity that neither could resist.

Reaching for her Rob pulled her towards him, her arms encircling his neck as she moulded her body against his when he kissed her, allowing him to slide his hand up to cup her breast through the material of her dress.

She didn't object to what he was doing, simply groaning her acceptance while his finger and thumb searched for her engorged nipple. Continuing to enthusiastically kiss him back her tongue explored deeper into his mouth to play against his, her fingers wrapping in his hair while she let him freely grope her tits.

Eventually, pulling her mouth away from his, a breathless Gwen looked at him, her heart beating wildly while her body trembled in anticipation.

"I want you so much." She whispered, terrified of how he might respond.

One of his hands cradled the back of her head playing with her raven tresses as his lips found hers again, the kiss even more heated, while at the same time the fingers of his other hand caressed the soft skin above the neckline of her dress, gently teasing the swell of her partially exposed chest.

"I want you too Gwen." Rob murmured into her mouth, "But are you sure about this?"

Slipping his hand under the material of her bodice and easing her dress strap off her shoulder, his fingers pushed inside her bra to fondle her left breast, pinching her sensitive nipple teasingly when he located it.

"Please, Rob. I... I've wanted this for such a long time."

Uncharacteristically throwing herself at him she no longer cared; even if he rejected her afterwards it wouldn't matter, for one night he would have been hers.

She shivered when, letting go of her boobs, his hand traced unhurriedly down the curves of her body to rest lightly on her knee for a moment. Then, starting to slowly ease up her leg, his fingers slipped under the edge of her dress, gently caressing her nylon clad thigh as they did.

Her kisses became increasingly passionate, encouraging Rob's hand to glide further until he stopped in disbelief, his fingertips coming into contact with bare skin.

'Stockings!'

Gwen's lips left his for a brief moment and she looked into his eyes.

"Do you like?" Her voice was little more than a sexy whisper.

"Yes, I like very much!" Rob barely managed to groan, his cock already straining at its confinement in his jeans.

"I hoped you would. I wore them especially for you." She whimpered softly, her thighs parting to allow his fingers to slip further up and stroke along her moist slit through the soaked gusset of her panties.

"Gwen" What's going on... are you sure about this?" Rob looked at her questioningly, lightly pressing the saturated material between her labia.

"Yes, I'm sure. I want you. I've wanted you since... since we met." She pressed her digits to his lips stopping him from replying.

For a moment he stared into her mesmerising deep blue eyes, his free hand drawing down the zipper at the back of her dress until it reached her bottom.

As the back peeled open Rob reluctantly withdrew his right hand from between her legs. Reaching up to slip the straps of her dress down her arms, easing her bra straps off along with them, tugging both garments down until he had exposed her chest to his eyes.

Automatically, Gwen covered herself with her arms, wrapping them across her chest aware of the fact he had never seen her naked boobs before.

Blushing scarlet she looked at him, staring into his eyes, "I... I need to tell you something first."

Rob swallowed, "If it's about Mark or if there's someone...."

"No." She cut him off mid-sentence, "There's no one, there... there never has been. I... I'm a virgin."

Lost for words he simply looked back at her, his mouth hanging open.

Gwen flushed an even deeper shade of red, "I've.... I've always wanted it to be you Rob. I... I want you to be the one who...."

He managed to smile back at her, moving her hands away to expose her body as she bit her lower lip apprehensively, "You know you're bloody perfect Gwen. You're clever, funny and gorgeous and... well I made the biggest mistake of my life when I left you and went to university."

"You... you mean that? You're not just saying it?" She whispered softly, her long ingrained lack of confidence clearly showing.

"I've never felt this way about anyone else, not even Jenna." He told her leaning in to kiss her once more, his hand cupping a soft naked mound, feeling the hard nipple pressing into his palm.

"Take me to bed. Please Rob, I want you so much." Gwen could only moan softly into his mouth as they kissed again, pressing her chest into his hand while her arms remained encircled about his neck.

Taking her hand, he pulled her up onto her feet, watching as her dress slithered down her stockinged legs to pool around her shoes. Biting her lower lip and smiling coyly a half-naked Gwen followed him demurely as he led her through to the bedroom.

Letting him guide her back on the bed clad in just her stockings, panties and heels she nervously looked up at him, studying him, as he hurriedly pulled off his shirt and unfastened his jeans, kicking them and his shoes aside.

Once he was standing naked in front of her, Gwen found her gaze drawn to his crotch, flushing crimson at her first sight of the erect cock jutting out from it.

"I... I've never seen a man naked...."

He chuckled, "Well I hope I meet your expectations."

She giggled and nodded, a hint of trepidation in her expression as she watched him purposefully move towards her, his eyes riveted on hers.

"Should.... should I take my glasses off?"

"No way. They make you look like a very sexy librarian." Rob grinned, his comment getting another giggle from her.

When he finally moved over her she reached up, pulling his face down to her in a hot, torrid kiss that seemed to go on for ever until she broke it, resting her forehead against his chest.

"I've wanted you since the day I saw you. I.... I love you Rob. I always have." Gwen looked up at him her eyes wide behind her black framed glasses, uncertain about his feelings for her.

For a moment he simply stared at her, his expression unreadable.

"I... I'm sorry I...." She started to say.

"I love you to Gwen.... but are you sure? Do you really want me to take your virginity?" He stopped her, tracing his fingers across her upturned cheek.

"You do!" She replied, smiling coyly, "Oh yes! I've always dreamt it would be you. But are you sure? Something seems wrong?"

"You've taken me by surprise that's all." Rob gave her a slightly rueful look, "I just thought you were going to tell me you didn't want to be Alice's guardian and,....

"Are you being serious?" She giggled again, "I love your sister more than I... I love teaching."

"I'll be honest, I want you Gwen, but I don't want this to be a one-night thing."

A solitary tear ran down her cheek as everything she had ever dreamt of came within her reach.

"Me neither."

"Do you have any condoms? I didn't think...."

Biting her bottom lip she smiled, "We won't need them. I've been on the pill for quite a while for... well for you know... other things."

Rob didn't say a word and just lay down next to her, pulling her against him and starting to caress her; letting his hand move over her breasts, feeling her nipples swelling hard against his palm and then lowering his mouth to take them between his lips.

Her response to his touch was urgent and intense, her breathing quickening as she reached for him, her fingers closing around his erection.

Gently stroking him, her soft hand massaging his thick, pulsing meat, just as she had done in her dreams she whispered, "It... it feels so big Rob... I'm not sure I'll be able to take it."

He grinned reassuringly, "I'm sure we'll manage between us."

As he spoke his hand moved down, across her belly, his fingers hooking under the waistband of her lace panties.

Staring up into his eyes she lifted her hips off the bed letting him ease the tiny garment down her stocking clad thighs, untangling it from around her shoes and tossing the scrap of lace aside.

"Fuck!" He gasped, staring in disbelief at Gwen's shaven pussy.

"Do... do you like it? I... I read online that men like it." Her cheeks coloured crimson with embarrassment again as she looked at him staring between her slightly parted thighs.

"Yeah.... I do." Swallowing nervously, he brought his gaze up to eye level and nodded.

"Then make love to me." She told him staring at his cock, the colour on her cheeks deepening, "I want you to... to fuck me, to make me a woman."

As she spoke, she tugged him towards her, spreading her legs apart when his body loomed over hers.

Taking hold of his hard length, he slid the head along her juicy slit, making her gasp as the swollen tip brushed against her sensitive button, prompting her to push her stockinged thighs even wider.

"Please Rob.... Please.... I want you inside me." Gwen whimpered, eager to surrender her chastity now that she had come this far, "Now!"

His cockhead pressed into her entrance, her moist labia peeling open around it as he slowly entered her and she readied herself to accept a man for the first time.

"Ow... Ow stop... stop! It... it hurts!" She squealed, her body tensing.

Anxiously he paused, feeling the obstruction of Gwen's hymen resisting the penetration of his shaft, and looked down into her eyes as she lay spreadeagled under him.

"It will be over soon I promise." He waited for her to give him permission to claim her virtue.

Gwen bit her lip and nodded, "Do it. Don't hold back.... Take my cherry."

He leant in and kissed her tenderly, his warm lips sending a tingle through her body as he drew his shaft back a little, the tip nuzzling her opening, before driving hard into her dripping pink sex in a single firm stroke.

"Aaaahhhhhhhhh!" She screamed out loud when her hymen ruptured painfully, her back arching as she felt, for the very first time in her life, a hard cock fill her.

Holding his rampant prick sheathed in Gwen's tight scabbard he paused, waiting for her discomfort to subside. It proved to be an unnecessary consideration as her hips were already bucking up against him while her body squirmed upwards off the bed.

"Oh yes, yes.... fuck me. Please, just fuck me." Breathless, her fingers grabbed at his shoulders.

Responding to her pleas he began to move, pulling back then thrusting into her, his movements quickly settling into a steady rhythm while her gushing juices lubricated his throbbing shaft.

Beneath him her expression reflected the novelty of the sensations she was feeling, the delight spreading over her face as the only boy she had ever loved plunged his rampant manhood into her again and again.

"Don't stop.... please.... don't stop, just... just fuck me!"

Increasing his tempo Rob responded to her urging, feeling her wriggle and writhe underneath him, all the while trying to hold back his own desperate urge to satisfy his need for her.

Sensations she had never felt before began to flare into life inside her and Gwen's moans increased in volume as they did. Her slim fingers caressed across his arms and back while her heavy breathing quickened in time with his insistent thrusting.

"Oh god.... oh yes.... yes...... oh Rob... oh yes"

Arching her spine up off the bed and pressing her body against his Gwen started to shriek even louder as he hammered his tumescent length into her eager, welcoming slit.

Her wonderfully tight virgin sex clenched around his pulsing rod, making him grit his teeth, trying hard not to let himself erupt until he could bring her to orgasm.

Rob desperately wanted her to remember the occasion of her first time with pleasure but every stroke he made, along with her vocal encouragement, was bringing his own finish closer by the second.

"Fuck.... oh fuck.... Rob... I..."

Her climax took them both by surprise, Gwen's voice tailing off into a strangled scream as she gave vent to the first waves of her ecstasy.

"I.... I'm.... cuummmminnnggggggggggggggg!"

The piercing cry that accompanied her going over the top must have been heard by all of her neighbours it was that loud.

Her whole body tensed for a second and then jerked violently through the throes of her climax, her pussy clutching his shaft tightly as her vaginal muscles tried to milk his man cream from it.

"Ahhhh.... Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

All Rob could do was groan in response, burying his prick in her one last time as his own apex took him, hurling him over the precipice moments after her.

Sheathing his pulsing manhood deep inside her he flooded her belly with his seed, gasping and grunting until he was totally drained.

Laying together, still connected, for several long minutes, both of them fought to draw breath, until Rob's softening member finally slipped from Gwen's warm depths, closely followed by a substantial dribble of pink tinged semen.

Rolling off her he pulled her against him so that they lay in each other's arms, enjoying the feeling of post-coital bliss and letting as some sort of composure slowly return to them.

"Oh, Rob! That was... amazing." Gwen sighed, looking up into his eyes as their breathing steadied.

"I wanted it to be special for you." The sheepish grin he gave her sent a huge wave of love through her and she flung her arms around him.

"It was." Peppering him with kisses Gwen ignored the cum that was starting to ooze out of her gaping slit, "Thank you, thank you.... it... it was very special."

Eventually though she had to stop and, with her hand jammed between her thighs to catch the jizz that was now pouring out of her, she treated him to a view of her bare bottom as she dashed out to the bathroom to clean up.

"Can we do it again Rob? Please.... please!" Gwen's eyes were wide and she pleaded with him when she returned to the bed, her animated manner reflecting her eagerness.

"Sure, but I need a few minutes to recover."

His answer drew a sexy little giggle from her, "Ok, I guess we do have all night, just don't make me wait too long."

They did make love again that evening, his recovery helped by Gwen's soft hand caressing his cock back to its full hardness, before falling asleep in each-other's arms.

Dawn was just breaking when she opened her eyes and gazed at the sleeping figure next to her.

'Was she really in bed with Rob Davenport?'

'Had she actually given him her virginity?'

Smiling Gwen lay there for a while just enjoying the moment. It had been her fantasy for years and now she had actually fulfilled it.

She knew he would go back to his life in London now, no matter what he had said to her, and she would continue to live hers here in the village.

The idea of him leaving made her sad but she knew she would always have the memories of their one night together.

With that final thought she slipped quietly out of bed and headed to the kitchen for her morning coffee.

Waking up alone, in a strange room, Rob struggled for a minute or two trying to focus on where he was as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

'Gwen!'

Suddenly, remembering the events of the previous evening, he sat up and, hearing the faint sounds from downstairs, realised she must have already gotten up. So, slipping out of bed he pulled on his shirt and jeans before heading off to find her.

Dressed in an oversize t-shirt that showed her legs off, Gwen had her back to him as she busied herself at the kitchen counter.

"Coffee?" She asked brusquely without turning around.

"Please Gwen."

"Milk, sugar?"

Puzzled by her offhand behaviour he stared at her back, "Did I do something wrong?"

"It used to be milk and one sugar as I recall?" She continued, ignoring his question.

"It still is." He said totally perplexed, "What's wrong? Whatever I did, I... I'm sorry."

"Nothing's wrong." She sniffled keeping her back towards him.

He crossed the floor to reach her in half a dozen steps and pulled her around to face him, holding her in his arms.

"Yes there is. Now, what is it?"

Biting her lip Gwen let the tears she had been holding back start to fall, burying her head into his chest so she didn't have to look at him.

"What's.... wrong?" Waiting for a moment or two and getting no response he tipped her face up towards him and pressed her for an answer.

"I... I know I.... I can't compete with girls like Jenna.... the type of girls you go out with." Biting her lip, she whispered almost inaudibly, "And... and now you've got what you wanted you... you'll...."

"You're right Gwen you can't compete with them because you are so much more than any of them, especially Jenna." Lifting her glasses out of the way he wiped the wet streaks from her cheeks and smiled, "And just for your information the only thing I wanted and that I still want is you."

Gazing into her eyes he could see the struggle she was having with herself as she tried to believe him. A lack of self-confidence still lurking inside her after all the years.

"But.... why? Why would you want someone like me when you can have...."

"Because I love you. That's why." He said quietly, "I've loved you since that day in school when Johnny Marshall tried to bully you. I know I was only eight but it's true, I just never admitted it to myself."

"Do you really mean that?" She stared at him in disbelief, the hope in her voice filled him with desire for the girl in front of him.

"With all of my heart."

For a long moment she just looked at him as if trying to make up her mind.

"I love you." She finally whispered and, flinging her arms about his neck, she began to kiss him, pausing only to repeat the same three words again and again...

Chapter 14 - All Things...

"How does that look?" Alice asked hanging the last bauble on the Christmas tree and standing back to admire her handiwork.

"Absolutely perfect sweetheart." Sitting back on her heels Gwen Davis wrapped an arm about the child and answered.

"I totally agree, it's perfect." Rob's voice startled both of them and they turned to see him standing in the doorway.

"Rob." Alice squealed and dashed into her brother's arms.

"You're home early." Gwen smiled and got to her feet a little more slowly to go to greet him.

More than six months had passed since the night that they had professed their love for each other. Six months when she had spent most of her time at the Davenport's cottage.

They had been worried about telling Alice about them but, much to their relief, she had accepted the situation immediately, flinging her arms around Gwen and telling them how great it was that they were together.

Initially her reason to be at Rob's had been that the work she had going on at her house prevented her from living there.

Using the money, she had inherited from Rob's parents, she had set out to repair her cottage, including installing new wiring, and, having nowhere to live while it was being done, she had accepted Rob's offer to stay at his house.

The only difficulty with Alice had been separating her life at home and life at school, however she quickly got into the habit of using 'Gwen' when she was at home and 'Ms Davis' in class.

Although, much to everyone's amusement, she did occasionally slip up and call her 'mum'

As the refurbishment drew to a close and Gwen began to plan moving back to her own cottage things started to get a little strained between her and Rob. They had been living as a couple and sharing a bed, now the thought of living alone again, without the man she loved, left a dark cloud hanging over her.

She had been in the bedroom, tears streaming down her cheeks as she packed up her things, when Rob had walked in.

"What are you doing Gwen?"

"They... the workmen will be finished Friday so I.... I thought you would want me out this weekend." Her all too familiar insecurities and lack of confidence surged to the surface.

"What! Why?" He exclaimed incredulously, "Why on earth do you think I want you to leave?"

"I don't know I just thought...."

"Well stop thinking and unpack your things. Alice and I want my girlfriend here with us."

"Really?" She felt a flush of delight at being called his girlfriend.

"Yes, really. And anyway, it's her birthday next week and she wants her big sister around for it."

That had ended the discussion and, doing as she had been told, Gwen put her stuff away.

"Yeah, we didn't have anything much to do so Tony and I thought we'd close up early for Christmas." His voice jerked her back to the present moment.

"Oh ok." She said hesitantly, unsure if she should kiss him or not.

Things had been going really well since the discussion about her staying but the last few weeks had been difficult for her and she was wondering what was wrong. Rob had been becoming more and more distant and had recently travelled up to London, staying overnight, on two separate occasions.

Convinced he was on the verge of getting back with Jenna she had found herself becoming withdrawn, waiting for him to tell her he didn't want to be with her anymore.

As she thought about losing him she felt her eyes filling with tears.

"Are you ok Gwen?"

"Yeah I.... I'm fine. I'll get dinner going."

"Can we... can we have a talk? Please."

Turning back towards him she stared at her feet, a solitary tear trickling down her cheek, "Please don't break up with me Rob... please. I... I love you."

"What?"

She looked up at him, "Please.... I know... you've been staying in London. Was it to... to see her?"

"I haven't been seeing anyone, certainly not Jenna, and I don't want to break up with you Gwen. I love you."

"Then what..." Stopping mid-sentence, her eyes opened wide and she stared at him open-mouthed.

Going down on one knee Rob held out his hand, a small black box resting on his palm.

"Gwen Annabelle Davis..... I want to spend the rest of my life with you so.... will you marry me?"

"Please say yes Gwen.... Please." Watching what was happening Alice finally spoke, adding her own plea to that of her brother's.

The silence seemed to go on forever as she stared at him.

"Yes...." Biting her lip, she finally nodded and then threw herself at him, "Yes, yes, yes.... I'll marry you."

Crying with happiness she wrapped her arms about his neck and held out her hand to the eight-year-old, dragging her into a group hug as the three of them tumbled to the floor laughing.

Her dream was finally going to come true...