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I assembled my ad hoc wardrobe in preparation for dinner, laying it out on the huge bed and inspecting for dust, pilling, and creases. My main concern was about my trousers, as almost everything else I had planned to wear was new. I immediately regretted not picking up a new pair when we went shopping, but it was too late now. I need not have worried because a close inspection revealed just a couple of loose threads inside the waistband.
I assembled the ironing board and pressed my new shirt, ridding it of that 'new' look. I slipped on my trousers followed by the shirt, leaving it open to absorb the coolness of the fabric into my skin. I pulled on my new socks and stepped into my shoes, which literally sparkled under the lights. As I finished buttoning my shirt, the bathroom door opened, and a goddess stepped out in a light haze of steam and refracted light.
Zöe stepped into the room, a shy smile playing around her lips. She looked stunning in a turquoise linen dress that hugged her slim form, accentuating her delicious hourglass figure. Held on her shoulders by two spaghetti straps, it revealed the light tan of her bare arms, naked, save for an elegant silver bangle that hung jauntily around her elegant wrist. She laid a matching silk shawl across the back of an easy chair near the bed, held out her arms and twirled seductively in a circle, showing off the entire effect as her hair swayed gently.
"Will I do?" she asked, knowing the answer already.
It took me every little bit of restraint to keep me from picking her up and taking her to bed.
"Jesus, Zöe," I said, "you're beyond beautiful."
"Well come over here and kiss me, Danny," she said. "I won't break."
I didn't want to disturb her makeup, so I hugged her to me. She kissed under my chin and smiled. She saw the tie I held in my hand.
"Are you wearing a tie?" she asked.
"I could use it as a shawl, if you like," I said, "then we'd match."
"No, I can't believe someone would make this kind of effort for me," she said, taking the tie from my hand and easing it over my head.
"It's just a tie," I said, "I think the establishment demands one."
She did the first turn on the tie, and I finished it off. I grabbed my jacket and slipped it on, held out my arms and said, "This is about as good as it gets, love."
"You're so handsome, Danny," she said, lifting her shawl from the chair and placing it delicately around her shoulders and arms. "Let's eat."
She took my hand as we walked down the corridor to the lift and held onto it all the way down to the bar, where we were greeted by Ethel and Denis, dressed to the nines, as I suspected they would be. Ethel squealed as we walked into the room and ran to us, kissed me on the cheek and enveloped Zöe in her arms in a huge heartfelt hug.
"It's absolutely wonderful to meet you, Zöe," she trilled, "I've been looking forward to this all day. You look absolutely stunning."
"Thank you, Ethel, so do you," she replied, her eyes shining, "Danny tells me lovely things about you."
Denis stepped forward, took Zoë's hand, and kissed it. I could see her shiver with nerves at the touch of his lips on her hand. Her knees bent in a semi curtsey.
"Denis Fairclough, Zöe," he said. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"For me too, Denis, thank you for your hospitality," she said, handing a small, gift-wrapped package to Ethel as she spoke.
Ethel took it and her eyes misted over somewhat as she kissed her on the cheek. They turned away from Denis and I, and huddled together as Ethel opened the gift and Zöe explained what it was. They began chatting away to each other and we were left to our own devices. Denis was telling me about his attempt to gain a Michelin Star in his restaurant, but I was too interested in what was in the gift we'd brought, so I stopped him in mid-flow and stuck my nose into the two girls' conversation.
Zöe had brought her a silver Squirrel Nutkin figure and was telling her how Tara loved Beatrix Potter. Denis joined us as she explained how we came to decide on a night in a country inn and how she thought that this gift held more significance to us than a suite of Waterford glass. She was shining as she told the story and her eyes met mine as she reached out and took my hand, stroking it gently with her thumb.
"You're a very lucky man, Danny Sheehan," Ethel said, "You'd better make sure this one doesn't get away."
A waiter appeared with four flutes of champagne on a silver salver and distributed drinks to all four of us.
"The Roebuck Bubbles 2015," he said. "A French Vintage from the CÎte de Sézanne Region bottled specially for The Roebuck Inn."
"Here's to absent friends and new friends too," Denis said in toast, and we drained the glasses in one.
He led us to a table in the corner and asked for the bottle of champagne. Between the four of us it was gone in a flash. We chatted excitedly about life and future plans as Denis looked at his watch and then at the barman, who just nodded assent and appeared beside us with another salver containing four drinks that were the colour of lemon juice.
"The Roebuck French 75," he said. "A take on the classic cocktail aperitif named after the 75mm Field Gun used by the French military in World War 1. We add a soupçon of the juice from locally grown Mulberries to add a little sweetness. It's won several awards."
He left us as I tried it for taste. I'm not really a cocktail lover but this was exceptional and took me all my time to just sip it instead of draining it in one go. Zöe sipped hers before taking a larger drink from it. She winked happily at me as she put her glass down on the table as another waiter brought us four embossed menus.
"Chef Andy Towers, welcomes you to the Roebuck Inn," he said. "Please see our specially prepared menu for your dining pleasure this evening."
Denis and Ethel looked proudly at the card and at us as we read through them.
"These are little souvenirs of your visit," she whispered to Zöe, and Zöe squeezed her hand in delight.
It was an impressive menu and was obviously something that they were using as a trial run for their Michelin Star attempt, and it read,
Compliments of The Roebuck Inn
Curated by Head Chef Andy Towers
MENU
Bienvenu:
The Roebuck Bubbles 2015
Aperitif:
The Roebuck French 75
Amuse:
White Gazpacho, Lemon Foam
Commencer:
Lobster, Bay, Caviar, Lemon Foam
Pres-Entrée:
Smoked Butternut Squash Sorbet, Mangalitsa Spalla, Manchego Cheese
Entrée:
Roasted Sladesdown Duck, Tamarillo, Grapefruit, Fig Leaf Marinade
Pres-Dessert:
The Cherry Bakewell, Cherry Foam, Muscat
Finir:
Garden Apples, Gooseberry, Woodruff, Birch Sap and Marigold
Café:
Petit Four et Espresso / Latte / Café
Digestif:
The Roebuck Pumpkin Martini
Bon Appetit
"Oh this is very impressive, Denis," I said.
"I'll never get through all of this food, Ethel," Zöe said with a delighted squeal.
"They're all small courses, Zöe," Ethel explained, "in fact a couple of them are just a taster spoonful."
"We want you to give us your unvarnished opinion on the food, though," Denis said.
"In comparison to what?" I asked. "The cheeseburger I had last night?"
Zoe looked at me and we all laughed.
"That was NOT a euphemism," I whispered in her ear.
She looked straight at me, smiling and kissed me softly on the lips.
"I'm not complaining," she whispered back.
"Ah no, lads," Denis said, "no PDAs allowed tonight."
"Oh shush, Denis," Ethel said as she leaned over and kissed Denis, "romance is encouraged and celebrated here."
"Ah here, you two," I said in protest, "get a room."
"We're booked out," he said, a grin on his face.
"Then use the beer cellar like you used to years ago."
"Danny Sheehan!" Ethel screamed in mortification as Zöe collapsed in laughter.
It was a wonderful evening of conversation, badinage, and laughter as we caught up and got to know each other. ZĂŽe and Ethel bonded immediately and held each other's hand as we walked the grounds in a postprandial stretch of the legs. The starlit sky was clear and dark, illuminated only by a few sparkling stars and a half moon, which added the final perfect touch to the evening. Denis and Ethel left us with promises to replicate the evening as soon as possible and we strolled back inside the bar, intending to demolish another of those fantastic cocktails.
"Are you trying to get me drunk, Danny Sheehan?" ZĂŽe said, with a twinkle in her eye as we stood at the bar.
"Do I need to?" I said.
"No," she said, "this is one of the best days of my life and I want it to end perfectly too."
We sipped our cocktails as she leaned against me, my arm around her, my thumb stroking the fair skin of her shoulder.
"I don't know about you, love," I said, "but I wouldn't mind a burger."
"Fuck off, Danny," she said, and we had a fit of laughing before we emptied our glasses and retired to our room.
I had to admit that, although the portions at the restaurant were tiny in comparison to what you'd get at somewhere like a Toby Carvery, I felt stuffed to overflowing as I unbuckled my belt and struggled manfully to sit down in the room. Zöe sat beside me and snuggled up against me.
"I'm fucking stuffed full, Danny," she said.
"I know, I think we should just relax a bit and let it ease off," I said.
I switched on some music at low volume, and we sat there with my arm around her.
"This is lovely, dim lights, soft music, a fireside seat. A girl could get used to this."
"It is, Zöe, until the world decides to fuck it up."
"It's the kind of thing we should do on a regular basis, Danny," she said, "do you not think so?"
"Is that a commitment?"
"Did you not get my commitment over the past couple of days?" she asked, her eyes twinkling in the firelight.
"I did, and I hoped," I said.
"Can I ask you something?"
"You can ask anything, love," I said.
"Today, Austin said that you were planning on moving to Ireland," she said, "is that true?"
"As I said to him, Zöe," I said, "it was something that was offered to me last year. I only mentioned it to him because he was hounding me to work directly for his company. I believe I said that if I was going to move out of Liverpool, I'd be going in the other direction entirely."
"So you're not going to Ireland?"
"Not unless you're coming too," I said, and she kissed me.
"I would if you were," she said.
"Really? Fuck, that IS a commitment, Zöe."
"I'm going to leave you for a few moments, Danny," she said as she rose to her feet. "I have things to attend to."
"That sounds very inscrutable," I said, "what are you up to?"
"You'll see," she said as she picked up a white linen bag and disappeared into the bathroom. "You'd better be naked when I return."
I laughed but she held a serious look on her face as she closed the door behind her. I supposed I'd better do what I was told and began to undress. It didn't take too long, but I felt I might have a little time to, at least, fold my clothes properly.
I dimmed the lights slightly allowing the moonlight to colour the room in soft shadows of yellows and greys, the flames from the fire adding an animated glow, lending an atmosphere of mystery and romance.
I sat on the edge of the bed, absentmindedly folding and unfolding the tie in my hand, and reflecting on the day. It had been wonderful. Zöe was amazing. She was the ultimate contradiction. She was a strong woman, yet also a nervous little girl, looking for acceptance and positivity as she sought her place.
She was a confident and protective mother who guarded her daughter and protected her with the zeal and ferocity of a lioness. Passionate in her approach to everything, yet mindful of the consequences, when she put her heart on display she did so with fervour. I was sure it had been bruised, even broken, from time to time. but she was resilient and generous with her affection.
She was also a very beautiful lady. Her soul was pure, her heart open. The light of love shone from her spirit through her eyes, looking straight into one's soul. She affected a comfortable elegance that didn't intimidate those around her, she soothed the misgivings of strangers with her attention and gentle demeanour and when she knew what she desired, she had little hesitation in pursuing it.
A shaft of light appeared and interrupted my thoughts as the bathroom door opened, quickly extinguished as she stepped outside and closed the door quickly and softly. I could see her slowly make her way across the room, my heart lurched as I took in the sight, froze it, and locked it way in my mind.
She appeared to be surrounded by a halo of haze as she walked towards me with a shy smile on her face. Naked, save for a turquoise thong, she reached where I sat on the bedside and wormed her way between my knees, hooking her arms around me and holding me close. She was soft and smooth in my arms and my penis reacted instantly.
She smiled at me as our lips met with soft kisses and gentle nudges of her nose against mine. Her tongue sought mine with brief attachments, her lips constantly touching mine, softly holding me in their thrall while our breaths mingled as a blanket of desire descended upon us, shutting everything that was peripheral to the touch of her lips and the feeling of her skin against mine outside.
"You love me, Danny Sheehan," she whispered into my mouth as she took my lips with hers.
"Hmm?" I questioned through our kiss.
"You love me, don't you?" she breathed again as she sucked my top lip into her mouth and pushed me back on the bed.
She climbed in beside me, clinging to me as her eyes focused on mine, locking them in her gaze, a knowing smile playing about her face.
"I know that you love me, Danny," she whispered.
"How do you know that, Zöe?" I said, my heart beating, my look unsure and quizzical.
"You indirectly told me today."
"Did I?"
"Yes," she said softly. "When you arranged the meeting with Austin you said, 'Just be yourself and they'll love you too'. Do you remember that?"
"I do, and I was right, wasn't I?"
"Possibly. But the word, too, in that sentence has distracted me all day," she said, stroking my face with her thumb as her hand caressed my cheek.
"I don't understand."
"So I paid close attention to you all day. I saw how you looked at me, watched as you related to me equally when in company, registered every little touch and nuance, each smile, the crinkle of your eyes as they smiled at me. I saw how you worried, and I felt your concern during and after the fractious episode with bastardface. I felt how you enveloped me with your eyes and your heart as you calmed me down and guided me through it with a little humour and a heap of good sense."
"Ok," was all I could say.
"All of these thoughts and the beautiful day you gave me today were on a spin cycle in my mind, Danny. Your words, your deeds and your inadvertent little asides reinforced my thoughts about it," she said. "I, ehm, picked up the most overtly sexual lingerie that I've ever had the nerve to buy in my life today. I had planned to fuck you to heaven and back tonight. But then you said you'd only go to Ireland if I came with you. That was the top hat on the coat and tails, Danny. That was what told me I was right. You love me, don't you?"
I took her hand and kissed her palm, holding it to my chest.
"I'm head over heels in love with you, Zöe. I couldn't love you more, but I want to try," I whispered in the shaft of moonlight that almost suddenly appeared through the window as the moon travelled slowly across the sky.
"I love you, Danny. I tried not to, but I don't want to play games. I love you desperately and I want you now. My body hurts for you, I need you inside me. I don't want to fuck you, I want to make love with you, to feel you inside me, to be one with you."
She stood up and ran her fingers around inside the waistband of her thong. Her fingers found a silver clasp to the side of her hip, and she clipped it open. She removed it slowly and assuredly, holding it in the air as she smiled before releasing it from her fingers, dropping it on the floor.
She pushed me back down on the bed as she moved to lie beside me, wrapping herself around me and taking me away to heaven with her lips in the deepest, most trance-inducing kiss I had ever experienced. I felt myself floating as though out of my body. This beautiful woman, her lips of graceful tenderness, transcended everything I held to believe. Her tongue, soft and delicate, a portal to her soul, revealing her most intimate feelings, the depth of her ardour, the heat of her passion as it probed deeply in search of a reciprocal and found it in mine.
She sighed heavily through her nose as she was reassured and comforted, and our lips were as one together as we sunk deeper into our own world. A world where nobody mattered but us two, a world of joy and hope, a world with unbounded possibilities. I felt her hand on my chest as she touched me, moving in circular patterns as she detected my approval and desire. Her leg rested on top of my thigh, her vagina tight against my hip, soft, warm, and impossibly wet, nothing between us, totally naked and totally together as one.
She lifted her head, looking me in the eyes as the darkness crept over us, the room lit by the dancing flames in the fireplace. I felt her hand reach for me as it feathered its way across my chest and down over my stomach before taking my penis softly in her hand.
"I love you," she whispered as she lifted herself on top of me, straddling me and easing me inside her.
"You're very wet, love," I whispered.
"I know, it's been this way for the entire evening, Danny."
"I love you," I said,
She lifted her upper body and began to make slow, rhythmic movements of her vagina along my penis. She seemed to bring me deeper inside her than usual and it was a wonderfully intimate feeling as we poured all of our love into it. Her breath caught, She stilled, her head down, eyes closed. She took a deep breath.
"Zöe?"
"Danny, I'm coming," she breathed.
"Already?"
"Fuck!" she cried out as she chased her orgasm. "Don't move, please."
She emitted a series of moans and groans as her vaginal muscles gripped me. She was off somewhere in her head, keening breathlessly. Writhing slowly against me.
I pulled her to me and held her as her body shook. Her legs clamped me between them. A look of confusion tempered with joy appeared on her face as I heard a sultry little whine accompanied by a quicker series of movements before she screamed and clung to me as I felt a veritable flood encompass me.
We were enveloped in the sweetest scent as she slowly continued her movements around my penis. Her breath slowly returned to normal, and she rested her head on my chest, me still fully direct inside her as I stroked her head.
"Zöe?" I asked her, a concerned note to my voice.
"Sorry Danny," she said. "I think I peed on you when I came. It just burst out of me, it was intense, I don't know where that came from."
"You must have ejaculated in orgasm, love. Have you never done that before?"
"Never, I've never even heard of that," she said. "It was the most intense feeling, Danny. I'm still not over it. It's almost like a continuous extended orgasm."
"Are you ok?" I asked.
"Fuck, yes. It was indescribably wonderful," she said, "I just wish I knew where it came from."
"It came from your heart, love."
"I should take a shower, but I don't want to move, I'm still feeling it."
"Please don't, not yet. Don't end this moment, it's beautiful," I whispered.
"I want you, Danny," she said.
"You have me, body and soul, Zöe," I whispered as I turned her in her back, hearing her sounds of heightened arousal as we moved.
I began to move inside her, withdrawing slowly and seductively, listening to her sighs and little murmurs as we moved together. Penetrating her again as her hips moved against me, seeking my full length. I could sense a burgeoning intensity within her as she clung to me, her body shivering in desire. I could feel the onset of my own orgasm and strove to bring her with me. They were the most intense feelings I've ever experienced, it was ethereal, and we were both gripped by it.
"Danny, I'm going to... Danny!!!"
She screamed as she ground into me. I felt a further release of fluid from her, an elongated stream of warm, fragrant ejaculate as she shook with the intensity of a mini typhoon, keening and crying as she lost control of her body, taking me with her.
My movements inside her became quicker, longer. I felt another smaller series of orgasms in her as mine built, quicker and more powerfully now. She was almost babbling as I felt myself begin to explode inside her, several powerful streams of semen erupting from my penis as we lost complete control.
I felt a further orgasm from her as her vagina took ownership of my penis and we rode through it all gently and slowly. Rediscovering how to breathe as we, bathed in sweat and ejaculate, we joined together side by side, fingers interlaced, slowly allowing the emotion and sensations of our lovemaking to subside.
The sunshine streaming through the window woke us the next morning as I woke to see her looking at me, a smile on her face, her eyes shining.
"Do you still love me?" she whispered.
"I adore you," I said. "Do you still love me?"
"Yes, and I'm not letting you go."
I kissed her and she rested her head on the pillow beneath her head.
"But what about this overtly sexy lingerie you bought?" I asked and she laughed.
"What about it?" she grinned.
"Oh, nothing. I was just thinking out loud."
"All in good time, my love," she said, "but I'm fucking starving, can we get something to eat?"
"Do you want to eat here or in the restaurant?"
"I don't mind, I'll have to shower if we're eating downstairs."
"We can shower together after breakfast, if you like," I said. "I don't want to wash last night off just yet."
"It was amazing, Danny," she said as she put her arms around me.
"You were amazing, Zöe, I love you so much it hurts," I said. "Let's throw on a few clothes and visit the restaurant."
"Fuck it! You're right," she said, "let's do that. I need a smoke in any case."
We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, not having to check out of the Inn until noon. We had a smoke and a little amble around the grounds, our heads still full of the previous evening.
"How are you, Zöe?" I said gently.
"I'm really great, love," she said, taking my hand as sat on a park bench under some trees along a pathway. "Last night in bed. I have no words to describe it. It transcended everything I ever thought I knew."
"I've never seen anyone as aroused as you were last night," I said.
"I should fucking hope not, Danny Sheehan," she said with a laugh.
"You know what I mean."
"Yes, I do," she said. "I can't explain it. The nearest I can get to it is that it was a pure expression of my love for you."
"In what way?"
"I don't know, Danny," she said. "We usually have fantastic sex, and we give each other mind-blowing orgasms through oral and other means. Last night I wanted, no, needed to just make love with you, nothing except feeling you inside me with your arms around me, telling me you loved me and me telling you with my lips and my body."
"I got that, Zöe," I said. "It was a moment in time, a comet in the sky."
"It was," she said, "but I want to do that again."
"We will. But I'd like to feel my tongue inside you right now," I said, "I cannot get enough of you."
"I want you in my mouth too, Danny, shall we go upstairs?"
"Yes please."
"We'll need to shower first, though," she said, "I stink."
We reached our room and she disappeared into the bathroom as I put the mess we made of the bedding back together as best I could. She arrived back a few minutes later, all sparkling clean and shining. Drying herself off as she walked, naked, through the door. I patted the bed and ran to get the shower before she changed her mind and decided she had missed something.
It just took me a few minutes and I dried myself off and returned to the bedroom, picking up her thong from the previous evening off the floor. She had climbed back into bed and was snuggled up against the bracing Autumnal air. I felt a slight chill and dived in beside her, pulling her to me and comforting myself with the feel of her warm body against mine. She slipped her arms around my neck and kissed me.
"I love you, Danny," she said, with a smile. "I love being able to say that."
"I love you," I said.
We kissed and she reached for my penis, awakening it fully. My lips found her left nipple and sucked on it as it hardened and extended in arousal. I slid my hand down over her stomach and she sighed as my finger slipped between her legs and the lips of her labia, finding her extremely wet. She dragged my mouth to hers and kissed me fiercely, sighing as my finger slowly swirled inside her vulva and around her clitoris, driving her desire higher. She seemed to be more aroused than usual, maybe because of the previous evening, as she rolled her groin against my fingers, encouraging me to move quicker and touch her with more pressure.
She was gasping for breath as my finger penetrated her vagina. Her back arched as I stroked her G Spot, taking her to a crashing orgasm within minutes. It was accompanied by a powerful expression of clear fluid which arced from her and landed on the counterpane.
"Jesus, Zöe," I said in amazement.
"Sorry, Danny, I can't control it," she said as she grabbed me and pulled me inside her, "I need you inside me right now."
I rolled on my back and took her with me, her eyes closed in high arousal. I could hear an almost continuous soft whine from her when my penis slipped inside her as she slowly lowered herself on to it, sheathing it quickly and beginning to writhe along it.
I tried to calm her, but she was moving fast, chasing her orgasm. It hit quickly as she cried out in ecstasy. I held her close, holding her trembling body in my arms as she spasmed irregularly above me. I remained erect inside her as she became calmer, an occasional shiver fluttering through her.
She smiled.
"What the fuck is going on, Danny?" she said.
"I'm not sure but I have an inkling," I said.
"Go on, tell me."
"You didn't gush that time," I said. "The proper term is Female Ejaculation, it's natural, Zöe."
"But why has it never happened before?"
"It happened several times last night," I said with a grin.
"Yes, but that was the first time ever," she said.
"I admit that I know little about it," I said, "but I do notice that it only started after we declared our feelings."
"So are you saying that something opened up inside me somewhere?"
"No, I'm just offering an observation," I said.
"But it was only me who reacted differently, Danny," she said, concern in her voice. "It was a completely different feeling, and not in a bad way by any stretch."
"No it wasn't, love," I said. "I can't explain it because it's never happened to me and I have no knowledge of the phenomenon, but I was kind of floating and you were with me. The orgasms I had last night were almost hypnotic. They were sacred, if that makes sense, and they were different in that I was solely conscious of you being there with me, sharing both of our states of ecstasy."
"Yes! Exactly," she said, kissing me quickly.
"It might just be that we truly love each other and that we feel secure enough in it that we lay ourselves wide open to each other."
"Trust," she said. "Trust that there's no barriers between us. That has to be part of it."
"I think so, and it's opened up a whole new world to us," I said.
"You think so?"
"I know so, Zöe," I said, slowly withdrawing from her and rolling her on her back, kissing her deeply as her head landed softly on the pillow beneath her.
I felt her sigh and relax as our tongues gently touched and slipped softly together. I kissed my way to her breasts, feeling her squirm slightly as I paused to reacquaint myself with her soft, silky skin. Gently sucking her nipples and teasing them with my teeth.
I resumed my journey, kissing down over her abdomen and everywhere that made her squirm more before lifting her knees to allow me access her soft pink vulva, soaked from her recent ejaculation and hosting the intoxicating scent that was individually hers.
I heard a low moan from her as my tongue engaged with her inner labia, causing her to arch herself upwards in search of the touch of my tongue to her vagina. She was warm to the touch, warmer than I'd remembered, as I placed my hands underneath her, holding her gently as my tongue touched her vaginal entrance, creeping deliciously inside. Her breath became ragged and heavy as her hips moved against my tongue.
"Don't stop, Danny," she groaned.
My tongue moved from her vagina, along her inner labia to her clitoral hood, finding her aroused clitoris and stimulating it with the very tip as she cried out. I repeated this movement from her clitoris to her vagina, dipping my tongue fractionally inside her and then flicking it back again before repeating it in a quicker and continuous rhythm. Her breathing became anxious as the tone of her sighs sounded like a high-pitched whine, taking her higher and higher.
I was lost in her taste, her aroma, and the heightening of her state of arousal. I wanted to be nowhere else, and my body was reacting in ways I didn't recognise or understand. I felt myself entering a state of bliss as her little frantic breaths became more and more pronounced as she held my head tightly, almost directing me to where she needed me most.
She suddenly broke and I felt her lose complete control of her body as she cried out in orgasm as the sensations ripped through her. A gentle release of fluid poured from her vagina into my mouth. The taste of her warm, sweet ejaculate danced on my tongue as I caught it and swallowed it gratefully, having swirled some around my tongue like a musk scented mouthwash.
She chattered away in a garbled stream of unrecognisable sounds as she shook agonisingly in my arms, her body in spasm as she rode out the explosion within before suddenly crumbling in my arms, spent, sated, and enveloped in a shimmering light as she lay before me on the bed, her hands in my hair and her breathing coming in deep gasps. I knelt between her legs to make sure she was ok, and she smiled a sexy, sleepy smile. She lifted her arms, and I bent forward slightly so we could hold each other.
She wrapped herself around me and pushed herself and me back to an upright position, lowering herself onto my erect penis as she guided me inside her with her hand.
"I need to feel you coming inside me, Danny," she breathed in my ear as she writhed against me slowly.
She commenced a rhythmic movement taking me completely inside her and then slowly releasing me before repeating the action over and over again. It was such a seductive and sensuous feeling as her vaginal walls gripped me simultaneously with a catch in her breath as she pulled me closer and a look of feral need in her eyes. Her movements increased in tempo as she began to almost keen into my shoulder, where her face was buried.
"I'm almost there, love," I gasped as the feeling hit me like a thunderbolt.
"Don't stop, Danny, let it go, I want it all."
I felt my head swim as I plateaued and released a strong and voluminous stream of semen inside her, maintaining my position and momentum as I recognised the ragged signs of an impending orgasm from her. It was a gentler climax for her this time, and I was thankful for that. I laid her down on her back and held her in that position until she recovered and kissed me sweetly with a smile on her face.
"That was fucking incredible," she whispered as she nuzzled under my chin. "I love you."
"I love you, too, Tiger," I said, and we collapsed in laughter.
We lay there in silence, the sound of a clock ticking the morning away relentlessly. She lifted her hand to look at her watch.
"Do you have something to attend to?" I asked.
"No," she said, "I'd love to just stay here forever."
"I know what you mean."
"We can't, though, can we?"
"No. What's on your mind, love?" I said, reaching for her hand.
She lifted my hand up and ducked under my arm to rest her head on my chest.
"Where do we go from here, Danny? Are we deluding ourselves?"
"It's a new world for us, love," I said, "so let's take it one step at a time."
"Where do you see this going?" she said. "How do you see us getting there?"
"I have some thoughts but you're focusing on the 'us' part, and that's the most important part."
"Tell me your thoughts," she said.
"Well, before we plan on a pathway, we need to be certain that we want to be together," I said.
Her eyes flicked up to mine.
"That certainty is the foundation for anything we do, Zöe," I said, "after that, anything is possible for us."
She smiled a smile of relief.
"I've never been more certain of something in my life, Danny. I love you and I need you."
"I feel the same, Zöe," I said. "So let's tease this out a little."
"Ok, what are you thinking?"
"Right, well the first consideration is our final goal," I said. "In my mind it is to be together totally and completely."
"Are you talking marriage?"
"Not unless we feel we want to, that's just a piece of paper at the end of the day. No, I mean we live together as a couple and build towards that goal," I said. "There's a lot to consider and a lot to do."
"I don't mind rolling up my sleeves to make that happen, Dan," she said.
"Me too, but Tara is also part of this," I said, "my children too, but in a different way."
"How?"
"Well they're settled abroad so it's just a matter of acceptance for them," I said. "I hope they'd be happy for us and I'm sure they will be."
"Oh God, what if they don't like me?"
"I know they'll love you, Zöe, but if they don't I'll divorce the bastards."
"Danny! You're bad."
"They'll love you, how could they not? You're fucking amazing."
She kissed me.
"You mean that, don't you?"
"Yes, I do, Zöe. You're the most amazing person I've ever known."
"And you love me."
"Yes, and you love me."
"Ok, so are you saying that you want to introduce us to them or me?"
"It's both," I said.
"Do we do that by phone or something?"
"Initially, and then we fly out there to meet them in person."
"Ooh, I always wanted to go to the States."
"Of equal, if not more, importance is young Tara," I said, "she needs to be reassured of how important she is to us. I need to form a relationship with her over time and ensure that she's happy and healthy."
"You've thought a lot about this, haven't you?"
"A little bit. We have to look after those we love and respect their right to either like it or loathe it in the hope that they can be accepting over the course of time. How do you think Tara would take this news?"
"Well she knows about you, which is more than your kids know," she said. "She helped me to pack, and she asked me a fuck load of questions. She was as excited as I've ever seen her, which makes me think she'd be all for it."
I looked at my watch. It was 9:50. I picked up my phone as Zöe watched me with interest.
"What're you doing?" she asked.
"Making things right," I said and hit the call button, it answered quickly.
"Dad, are you ok?" Jessica said.
"I'm great, Jess, how are you two doing?"
"We're good. Dad, it's not 5:00 yet," she said.
"Yeah, I know but I have some news that can't wait," I said.
"I hope it's good news."
"That depends on your perspective, Jessica," I said, "I've met a lady and I've fallen in love with her and we're going to be together."
"Who is she? What's she like? Do you think she'll like us? Do you think we can meet her? We have video conferencing now you know."
"Yeah, we've had video conferencing here for years, Jess. You forget that we used to own that place over there once."
"Dad! Don't prevaricate answer my fucking questions!"
"Ah, there's the fiery little girl I love so much. Ok, her name is Zöe, she's beautiful and wonderful, she's more concerned about your liking her and yes, I'm going to bring her over to meet you all."
"What does she like? How old is she? Does she have children too?"
"Ah fuck this, Jess, you can ask her yourself," I said, handed the phone to Zöe and got out of bed saying, "I think you could say she's on board, I'll leave you two to have a chat, I need the bathroom and a smoke."
I came out of the bathroom, and they were screaming with laughter about something that they accuse me of doing. I dressed and took my cigarettes out to the balcony, happy that I'd called Jessica. I was sure that my two would be fine with it, but I was still concerned about young Tara.
I'd need to make sure that she was cared for, and I intended to do just that. I extinguished my smoke and came back inside to hear Zöe telling Jess about Tara's school and I felt my eyes mist when Zöe said, "yes, she will be your little sister, Jessica, and I can't wait to meet you."
She handed me the phone.
"Happy?"
"Thrilled," she said, "Zöe is amazing, Dad, she really loves you. Did you slip her a pill or something? You need to get her and Tara to move in with you. They need to get out of that Norris Green kip."
"I love you, Jess," I said. "Now fuck off, I have to ring your brother."
"There's no need, he's visiting us for the week, he's just been speaking to Zöe too. He's happy, all three of us are happy now, Dad. Mum would be pleased. When are you coming over? Remind Zöe to send me her number and email."
"I will," I said, "I'll talk to you soon."
"What the fuck happened there?" I asked.
"She misses her Mum, that's all," Zöe said. "But she has me now. I'll never be her Mum, but I can be a shoulder for her."
She jumped out of bed and hugged me.
"Thanks for that, love. I think we all needed that," she said, "now take your hand off my arse and light me a smoke, we can attend to that when we've had a ciggie."
She pulled on a robe, and we adjourned to the balcony. She blew some smoke out through her lips and a smile appeared on her face.
"What?" I asked her.
"Oh, it's something and nothing," she said, "Jessica asked if we were getting married."
"Did she?" I said. "Wow. What did you say?"
"I told her we hadn't ruled it out, but it was a bit early in the game for that kind of talk."
"That's fair enough."
"She hasn't got a very high opinion of where we live, though."
"Where do you live, ZĂŽe?"
"Norris Green," she said quietly.
"What's wrong with Norris Green? Parts of it are a bit rough, do you live in one of those areas?"
"Scarisbrick Lane. It's not one of the old redbrick houses it's a newer construction in the middle of a terrace."
"I know those houses," I said, "they put a cement render on them and made a Hames of the whole road into the bargain," I said.
"Yes, I think the guy who was in charge was fired because of it."
"Yeah, he probably got a huge payoff to get fired," I said, "I heard they were going to use a brick slip finish over the render to bring it more into line with the streetscape."
"Allegedly, although I think that's, most likely, just a rumour."
"Do you own your house?"
"No, I'm just a tenant, why?"
"No reason, are you allowed to buy it?"
"Yes, but there are strings attached, Danny," she said.
"There usually are. What do they look like?"
"The strings?"
"Yes."
"I'd have to get a twenty-year mortgage from the Council and I can't sell it on for five years after purchase," she said.
"Do they still take a cut of the equity realisation?" I asked.
"Yes, but it diminishes as the term shortens," she said, "do you think I should buy it?"
"No, it doesn't make financial sense to buy it, ZĂŽe," I said. "You won't get a return on the long-term investment of interest over capital in the selling price at the end."
"But in twenty years, it might have increased in value, Danny."
"It will increase but, given the historical comparable, it's never enough to cover you," I said. "In fact, if you were to place the equivalent of the mortgage payment into a long-term bond, you'd do a lot better with your money."
"But then I'd have to buy something somewhere else, and I'd be off on that fucking merry go round again."
"How old is Tara now?" I asked.
"She'll be twelve next birthday, why?"
"So she's, what, in Junior school, sixth year?"
"Yes."
"This is perfect for her, ZĂŽe," I said. "If she finishes her Primary education this year she'll do so without disruption. That means she might be able to switch schools to somewhere closer to home if you'd like to move into my place."
"I was going to take her out of our local school this year, in any case," she said. "Do you want us to move in with you?"
"Yes, I do," I said, "it's a nice space, three bedrooms, secure, all mod cons, slap bang in the middle of the city, and overlooking Albert Dock."
"Shopping," she said dreamily.
"Where do you shop now?" I asked.
"We use the Broadway Crescent precinct but it's fucking expensive and there's only a restricted choice of what you can buy there."
"I'm a one-minute walk from Liverpool One, Zoe, and you pass a million other shops on the way there."
"Tell me about it," she said, "Tara is going to be a little madam in a year or two, so shopping will be a must for her."
"Does she take her SATs this year?"
"Yes, this summer."
"That should be our first marker then, Tara's SATs," I said. "How is she doing with studying etc.?"
"Her mind wanders," she said. "Her concentration levels are typical for her age."
"How about this?" I said, "I can collect her from school three days a week. I've a friend who does SAT Grinds for kids on a one-to-one basis."
"Grinds?"
"Private tuition."
"Three evenings a week?"
"Yes, he says that the kids benefit from have pressure free weekends," I said, "he's got a 98% success rate in the top six percentile."
"Is it expensive?"
"No, it's actually free to me," I said, "I got his mother a spot in the Roby Lodge Care Home when no one else would take her. He keeps telling me that he owes me his life back, the least he can do is take our little Princess in for a few weeks."
"You're going to spoil her, aren't you?" she said, her eyes shining as she hugged me.
"I'm going to spoil you both," I said. "It's about time someone did."
"You spoil me enough already, Danny," she said. "Let's go back to bed, we need to check out in an hour or so."
"One more thing we need to consider," I said as she dragged me into bed.
"What's that?"
"Your ex." I said. "We're going to have to put him in the picture, Zöe."
"When?"
"As soon as possible," I said. "Once we start letting this out, he's bound to hear about it."
"Yeah," she said, "leave that with me."
"What's his name?"
"Jed, short for Gerald. Jed Ward."
"Jedward?" I asked with a grin.
"Now you mention it," she said and collapsed in laughter.
"What does he work at?"
"I'm not sure, some kind of metal fabrication," she said, "he works for Armstrong Fabricators."
"In Bootle?"
"Yes, do you know them?"
"Yes, Parky Armstrong and I went to school together."
Zoë was a bit distracted as we drove out of Manchester. She had been quiet as we left the Inn, but I put it down to a bit of sadness that our sojourn was at an end.
"What's up, love?" I asked.
"Nothing at all," she said. ""I was just thinking through everything we talked about."
"Ok, you have questions?"
"A few," she laughed.
"Ok, shoot," I said.
"These Grinds," she said, "they're three nights a week?"
"Yes."
"How long is each night?"
"An hour."
"One hour?" she said. "Is that all?"
"It's enough," I said, "the kids are only twelve at most."
"Ok, never mind that then," she said, "how will you pick her up?"
"In the car," I said, "I'll drop her off and collect her when she's finished. I'll make her some lunch and drop her home. I'll even help her with her homework if she likes."
"Her father doesn't do even half that much for her," she said.
"Yeah, well he's a prick."
"I know, but he's enough of a prick to put a spoke in our wheel, Danny."
"Possibly, but I think we should talk to him face to face," I said.
"Fuck that," she said.
"We have to keep in mind that he is Tara's father, love," I said. "He has the right to know everything that concerns his daughter in the same way as you have."
"I know. I hate it when you're always right."
"I'll fuck something up soon, don't worry about that."
"I'll forgive you if you do," she said and took my hand.
"You know, we have oodles of time on our hands, why don't you ring him and ask for a meeting?"
"Today?"
"Better out than in," I said.
"Fuck! I know it's the wise thing to do but I really don't want to see him yet," she said.
'"Well we can't say anything to Tara unless he's in the picture first, love."
"Yes, I know," she said, "I suppose it'd be better to just rip the plaster off."
She took out her phone and called him. They exchanged a few terse words and he agreed to meet us at a Costa Coffee in Golden Square, Warrington, on our way to Liverpool. He was going there for his lunch break from work.
We were about fifteen minutes out, having cleared the traffic of Greater Manchester and it was obvious that she was very nervous. I took her hand and squeezed it and she smiled crookedly.
"What do I say to him, Danny?" she asked.
"Say what you have to say and give him the unvarnished truth," I said, "that way he can't come back and say anything to the contrary later. You're simply looking after the welfare of your daughter, and she is his daughter too. How can he object?"
"Do I tell him everything?"
"As much as you need to and no more. Give him the facts and don't get into a conversational tone with him. Be business like in the way you usually are," I said. "If you do that, it'll intimidate the shit out of him."
"He's going to argue every little detail," she said.
"Yes he is, but that's his job."
"What if he objects to the tutoring?"
"It's something she needs, Zöe, but if he'd rather do it himself then you can offer to let him do it," I said, "I would, however, remind him of his tardiness in the past and his penchant for letting everyone down. I'd also tell him that he'll have to book and pay for the lessons himself, along with registering with the school as the appointed person to collect the child at the end of each lesson. If he misses one of them, he'll be charged with neglect. I guarantee you that will be the kicker."
"Good idea, Danny," she said. "That'll scare him shitless."
"Can I ask if you're allowed to take her out of the country without his consent?"
"No, but I just do it," she said. "Why?"
"No reason. I'll mostly stay quiet and just listen. If you need me to step in just let me know."
We pulled into the car park and Zoë saw her ex walking into the Costa shop. She grabbed the door pull and made to get out.
"Wait for a minute, give him time to order something," I said.
A smirk appeared on her face.
"What are you up to?" she asked.
"Nothing. Just let him stew a bit."
We waited five minutes before leaving the car. Zoë waited while I walked to her side and took my hand. I handed her a £20 note. She looked at me curiously.
"What's this for?"
"When we go in, we'll say hello and you run up to the counter and get us something to drink. I'll have a flat white and one of those raspberry almond things."
"I'm not hungry, Danny," she said.
"It doesn't matter, just get a drink and something to eat, it'll throw him a bit if you appear relaxed and offhand."
"Are these part of the Danny Sheehan meeting tactics?"
"It's out of my playbook I'll give you that" I said. "While you're at the counter Jed and I will have a little chat, man to man, so take your time and ask how they make coffee beans taste so nice."
"My hero," she said with a wide smile, and she kissed me just as we walked in through the door as Jed, her ex, looked on and quietly fumed.
We approached the table he was sitting at, and she introduced us. I shook his hand and smiled at him as Zöe excused herself and went to the counter. I smiled and blew out my cheeks before sitting down across the table from him.
"Changeable weather, Jed," I said.
"So you're Danny," he said. "Tara mentioned you a few times."
"Did she?" I said, "I haven't met her yet. From what Zöe tells me she sounds like a beautiful child."
"She has her moments, like all women," he said, and laughed.
I just smiled.
"Do you still work for Parky Armstrong?" I asked.
He sat back with a start.
"Yes, do you know him?" he asked timidly.
"I know him well, I'll be golfing with him during the week," I said. "I'll tell him I was talking to you. What are you doing down these parts?"
"It's an air conditioning job, we're running the ducting," he said. "Do you know Mr. Armstrong well?"
"Since we were kids," I said, standing to help Zöe with the tray as she joined us. "I'm also a shareholder in the company."
I busied myself with placing coffees and pastries on the table and I noticed Jed's Adam's Apple bobbing up and down in his throat as he swallowed something and then wiped his brow with his open hand.
"Does that make you my boss?" he asked.
"It depends on how you look at things, Jed. Is it ok for me to call you Jed? Or do you prefer Gerald?"
He looked at me in total confusion and fear.
"Jed's fine, thanks."
"Great," I said as I sipped my flat white, it was surprisingly nice. "The coffee here is gank, isn't it, Jed?"
"Sometimes it's alright."
"But not today, eh?" I said, hoping he'd agree with me.
"Yeah, it's not the best today."
"So look, we won't keep you long, I'm sure you have to get back to work," I said, "I'll let Zöe fill you in."
I pushed my chair back ever so slightly and watched as she began to speak. She ran through our spiel, and he just listened to her, his dead eyes nervously flicking from one of us to the other. When she finished, she sat back and took a sip from her cappuccino as she tried to remain composed.
"So, you two are thinking of moving in?" he asked.
"Yes," she said, "only we're not just thinking about it."
She took my hand for support.
"Ok, what about the house?" he said. "Are you giving it back to the Council?"
"Well I can't leave it vacant!"
"No, I mean, can I have it?" he said.
"If you can talk the Council into it then go ahead," she said, "I won't stand in your way."
"When?"
"When what?"
"When are you moving in together?"
"After Tara's SATs."
"When is that?"
"Ah fuck off Jed," she said, "surely you know when that is."
"I don't, nobody told me."
"This summer and she needs help with her studies."
"Do you want me to help her?" he said. "'Cos I don't have time."
"You leave all that to us," she said, "we'll get her through it. I need you to do one thing though."
"What?"
"You need to tell your solicitor about Tara's and my change of address," she said, "or do you want me to do that?"
"You do it, I'll tell him that your brief will be in touch," he said, his eyes watching me.
"Ok, is that it?"
"I think so," she said, "I just need your agreement to allow Tara live with us in a new location, is that an issue?"
"Eh, no," he said, stealing a glance in my direction.
"I'm in work on Monday, I'll get my solicitor to put something together and you can sign it."
"Will he send it to my brief?"
I pointed out the window at a virtual office in one of the units beside the Costa. They both turned their heads to see what I was pointing at.
"You know," I said, "that sounds overly cumbersome and possibly expensive. Why not draw something up that you can both sign, and we'll take a copy each to the solicitors? Either that or I could drop it into Bootle for you, into your job."
"No, that's ok, mate," he said, "let's do it now."
Zöe looked at me, a little perplexed. I just nodded imperceptibly. She left us and I saw her walking into the VO, returning less than five minutes later with two white envelopes in her right hand and a smile of trepidation on her face. She placed them both in front of Jed and he signed them without reading them. I stood up and we all shook hands. He went to hug Zöe but she resiled from his touch and just nodded at him. I held out my hand and he shook it.
"It was nice to meet you, Jed," I said, "You did a good thing here today. Tara will never forget this."
"Thanks," he said. "Does Tara know yet?"
"No, I'm going to tell her now," she said, "we wanted you to be the first to know."
"Thanks, that was nice of you."
Zöe picked up her envelope and we stood to leave; I took one pace away before turning back to him.
"One more thing while I think of it, Jed," I said. "My kids live in the USA, and we want to tell them in person. You don't mind if Tara comes along with us, do you?"
"No, not at all," he said.
"Good man," I said, and we left the shop.
I could hear her suppressing a scream as we walked to the car. When we got in she threw herself at me.
"Are you really his boss, Danny?" She asked, her eyes shining brightly again.
"No."
"You clever little fucker."
"Less of the little if you don't mind."
"You played with his mind," she said.
"No, I didn't," I said. "He just followed the breadcrumbs I dropped for him."
"You left him nowhere to go with bringing Tara to America with us," she said. "He had to say something that was an extension of the question you asked."
"True, I engineered it in the same way as opinion polls can engineer a required response, that's all," I said. "Where to next?"
She looked at her watch.
"I'd like to see my new bedroom if I could."
"Just see it?"
"What do you think?"
END
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