Page 71 of It Was Always You

‘You have to look more relaxed, Adders, she’s coming to your home. Let her see you as you in your own environment.’ Lily’s words rang in his head. She talked as though he was some kind of study and she was David Attenborough or something. He laughed and shook his head. As long as she doesn’t jump out of the understairs cupboard speaking in hushed tones with a camera crew in tow. Although knowing Lily, anything was possible and she actually did have access to the camera crew. After opening the understairs cupboard just to check, he made his way to the front door and tentatively opened it.

He plastered on a big smile. ‘Hey, Jess, come on in.’ He stepped aside to allow her to pass.

‘Hi, Adam.’ She reached up to kiss his cheek, placing her hand on his chest, and then stepped inside. He helped her off with her coat and hung it on the peg at the bottom of the stairs. She too had dressed more casually in jeans and a lilac V-neck sweater. It reminded him of something Eve would wear. A pang of sadness stabbed his heart, and he began to feel guilty for bringing Jessica home.

She handed him a bottle of wine. ‘I thought maybe I could get a taxi home, if that’s okay with you?’ She looked concerned.

He did his best to replace his fading smile. ‘Oh… yeah, sure.’ But you will be going home! He took the wine through to the tiny kitchen with its table for two neatly set out at one end.

Jessica closed her eyes and inhaled. ‘Something smells wonderful, Adam. What have you made?’

He reached for a couple of glasses. ‘I made beef in a red wine sauce. Is that okay?’ Shit, I never even checked if she eats beef.

‘Mmm, sounds wonderful.’ The sound she made was almost erotic and Adam swallowed hard. Phew.

‘So, you had a good holiday, then?’ He tried to keep his voice breezy and failed miserably considering she had just orgasmed over the smell of bloody beef in red wine.

She sidled over to where he was draining a pan of vegetables. ‘It was good. But I was glad to be home.’

‘Oh? Why’s… why’s that?’

She was touching his arm now. ‘Oh, Adam… because I was looking forward to seeing you again.’ She took the colander from his trembling hands and placed it on the drainer beside the sink. Reaching up onto her tiptoes, she pressed her mouth against his, flicking her tongue out to taste his bottom lip. He stood frozen to the spot. ‘Adam… it’s okay… you can kiss me back now,’ she whispered against his lips.

Forgetting himself for a moment, his hands snaked around her waist, and he kissed her, sliding his tongue between her parted lips. She groaned quietly as their tongues joined in a mutual dance. The kiss became deeper and more passionate as Jessica ran her hands through his hair and he slid his hands down to her bottom. She moaned again. Shit, what am I doing? He suddenly pulled away. This was a little too much, too soon in the home he had shared with Eve. It felt wrong.

He stepped back. ‘Erm, I’d better serve the food up or it’ll be ruined,’ he stuttered.

Jessica smiled and took her seat at the tiny café-style table.

‘You’re really sweet,’ she giggled as he served the food onto plates and placed them down.

He felt heat flush his cheeks. ‘It’s just a little hard for me… this… here.’ He gestured around the room.

Her brow creased and she tilted her head. ‘Why is that?’

Surely she should have figured that out for herself. He sat opposite her. ‘You’re the first woman I’ve invited back here, since Eve passed.’

Her face dropped and her cheeks coloured. ‘Oh, gosh, of course, I’m so sorry. I should’ve realised what you meant. I feel foolish for kissing you like that.’

He shook his head. ‘No… no, it’s fine. It was a… a nice kiss.’

She looked up at him from under her long lashes. ‘I thought so too.’

Adam’s phone began to ring. The ringtone that Lily had programmed in under the nickname Cheesy was Queen’s ‘You’re My Best Friend’, and it was calling to him from the lounge. He placed his knife and fork down.

Jessica watched him. ‘Can you just ignore it?’

‘Oh, yes, yes, sure.’ He didn’t like ignoring Lily, but she would understand. Hopefully. The ringing stopped and Jessica sighed with what Adam surmised was relief. Two seconds later it started again. He placed his cutlery down again.

Jess’s eyes darted to his. ‘Adam?’

‘Look, Jess, it’s Lily’s ringtone⁠—’

She huffed. ‘I guessed as much. Can’t she leave you alone for one night?’

‘Look, I’ve told you it’s not like that with Lil and me. But she knew you were coming for dinner tonight so⁠—’

Jessica slammed her cutlery down. ‘So, no doubt she thought she’d spoil it for us?’