2208

Happy New Year?

My arse.

What’s happy about watching a large collection of people- most of whom are strangers to you- getting drunk in your house? And a scene like this is particularly depressing when you feel as moody and pissed off as I do.

I sigh as the doorbell rings, hauling myself up off my perch on the stairs and trudging towards the door. Chances are, with everyone else involved in the merriment in the living room, I’m the only one who heard it. I pull open the door and my eyes narrow.

Hers widen in response. “Dougie!” she exclaims, like she didn’t expect me to be here. I know it’s an act, because she’s not stupid and she knows that- if she rings my doorbell- there’s normally a twenty-five percent chance that I’ll be the one opening the door.

I nod curtly, “Hey.”

She looks nervous as she steps into the hallway. What is she even doing here? “So, how are you?” Again, I don’t know what she expects. Is there an appropriate answer to this question from your ex, barely a week after she dumped you on Christmas day?

“Fine,” I say with a shrug.

“Good.”

We stand in awkward silence for a moment, then a man steps in through the front door. He’s small and slim, with stylishly gelled bleach blond hair and surfer shorts- even though it’s winter and we’re in the middle of London. I turn my gaze to him questionably. I haven’t seen him before, and I wonder who invited him. Then he slips his arm around her waist. “Shall we go right in?” he asks her in a Scottish accent. Not Glasgow, I notice, which is the only Scottish accent I can really recognise. Somewhere else. He smiles at me, “Hey. I’m Cameron.”

“Dougie,” I offer, even as my insides clench. Not only did that bitch have the gall to come here, but she brought a bloody date with her!

He shakes my hand enthusiastically- having no idea what he’s managed to get into the middle of- and I feel calluses on his fingers. A guitar player? She’s going for another musician? “Nice to meet’cha,” he gushes, before she nudges him on the arm and pulls him off to the kitchen.

I ball my fists tightly, feeling the veins in my knuckles twitch. Great. Just…great. Just when I think I’m set for an evening of peaceful brooding, she arrives. Does she really have to flaunt how fast she’s moved on? And why does he have to be so damn cheerful?

Just then, Danny wanders along from the kitchen, a perplexed look on his face. “Doug,” he said carefully. “Did you know that-?”

“Yup.”

“With another-?”

“Yup.”

“Oh.” He pats me on the shoulder, obviously not sure how he’s supposed to behave under these circumstances. I don’t know, either. “Though,” he remarks suddenly, glancing over his shoulder to check they hadn’t come into the corridor. “He’s blatantly a rebound.”

I frowned, “What do you mean? How can you tell?”

He gives me an incredulous look, “Blond, excitable, dudish. Mate, she’s found another version of you.”

I choke on air, and splutter. “What?!”

He rolls his eyes now, “It’s obvious, Doug. Trust me on this. She regrets it. That’s why she’s here- to make you jealous, to make you fight for her so she doesn’t look like the one who comes back begging.”

“I’m not fighting for him,” I say determinedly. He slants me a look, but I shake my head. “I can’t be bothered with her games.”

“Then let’s hope she gets the message soon.”

*****

2313

I drum my fingers off my knees roughly, trying to focus on something other than the fact that my ex is insistently sucking face with her new Scot. But I can’t focus on anything without seeing them in my peripheral vision, and it’s driving me crazy. Tom notices them with a look of disgust and starts to stand, but Giovanna puts a hand on his arm in restraint, shaking his head even though the look on her face is akin to his. I feel better for having them on my side.

But their gyrating still gets to me and I stand up, trying to keep my pace casual as I walk out of the room. I’m not upset by their antics, as I thought I would we. Rather, I’m furious. Furious that she thinks that she can come here and flaunt herself in my face and I’ll fall at her feet again. I need to teach her a lesson, teach her that I can’t be played.

Moving through the kitchen, I grab a can of Coke and carry it out into the garden. The bitter air cools my flushed face, and I feel instantly better. I crack open my can and take a pull on it, before tipping my head back to look up at the sky. The light breeze ruffles my hair. I don’t know how long it is before someone steps out beside me. “You not drinking?” Danny asks.

I shake my head, “If I have alcohol, I’ll just end up getting drunk and making a tit out of myself. That’s not how I want this night to go.”

“Wise choice,” he acknowledges. “So how do you want this night to go?”

“I want to rub her face in the fact that I can enjoy myself without her,” I said honestly. “Show her that I don’t need her.”

“Do you?”

I lowered my head, and turned to look at him, “I don’t need her. The break-up showed her true colours. I consider myself lucky to be out of it.”

“Good for you.” He shifts on his feet so that he’s facing me straight on. Only the light flooding out from the kitchen illuminates the curious expression on his face, “So what do you intend to do?”

My response is a lame shrug. “I have no idea. Snog someone else at New Year?”

“Who?”

“I have no idea.” To be frank, there’s no-one at this party that I really feel the immediate urge to pull into a lip-lock. “You?”

“Me?” he asked in shock.

I nod as it all falls into place in my mind, “Yes! Please… Just so she thinks that I’m done with her.”

He looks uncomfortable, “I don’t know, Doug…”

“Please…” I beg, fully aware that I sound pathetic but deciding to regret it in the morning. I need to kiss someone- male or female. She’s have that stupid, pretty Scot Cameron, and I can’t have no-one to kiss. You have to help me out!”

He sighs, “Fine. But it’s only to help you save face.”

“Thank you!” I hug him tight, repeating the sentiment over and over into his ear in a breathy whisper before releasing him.

He shivers as the cold hits him again, “I’m gonna go back inside. You coming?”

I shake my head, “I’m going to stand out here for a while longer.”

“Okay. Just don’t freeze your balls off.”

I smile slightly as he goes inside, then it fades again. This is perfect. Danny really is the best person that I could have cajoled into kissing me. Getting back at her will be so easy…. He’s the one who fills her thoughts. How do I know this? Because it’s one of the truths she spat at me during our final argument as a couple.

“To be honest, Dougie, you’re just not that great a catch. Now, your friend Danny…he’d be a good prize. One of the best looking guys I’ve ever seen… You just pale in comparison… But no hard feelings, yeah?”

This’ll be a way to send a blow into her stomach. I’m not angry at Danny about this. That would be pointless because it’s not his fault that she’s attracted to him. So, it’s time to prove that I’m done with her, whilst having a little fun by shattering her spirit somewhat.

It’ll be a twisted pleasure that’ll make me feel so much better.

*****

2357

I catch Danny’s eye across the living room, and he smiles at me, letting me know that he’s still fine for our plan to go ahead. I nod back at him, smiling as well. Then there’s a tap on my shoulder. I turn to look into her face, and scowl, “What?”

“Can we talk?” she asks hesitantly.

I look away from her, “Now really isn’t a good time.”

“There’s never going to be a good time.”

“Then why don’t you just give up now?” I ask bitterly.

She takes hold of my upper arm firmly, “It’ll only take a moment.” I realise with a heavy sigh that she’s not going to give up, and allow her to pull me out into the corridor. Once there, I tuck my hands into my pockets.

“Better make it quick. We don’t want Cameron to miss you.”

She winces, “I’m sorry for bringing him. It was insensitive.”

“It was,” I admit. “But do what you want. You’re no longer my responsibility.”

“Don’t be like this.”

I shrug, oddly at ease, “Be like what?”

“Moody. Distant. Like you don’t care.”

I roll my eyes, “And how am I supposed to me? Happy and chirpy? That seems more like Cameron’s expertise than mine. Sorry.”

“I don’t like Cameron,” she blurts out.

I stare at her, “In that case, you’ve been giving him the wrong signals all night. I need to get back in.”

But she blocks my way, “Dougie, I made a mistake.”

“Good for you. Now deal with it,” I snipe, pushing her aside and reaching for the door handle.

She snags my wrist and hauls me back around to face her. “I want to give it another try.”

I blew out a frustrated breath, “Well, it’s too late!”

Suddenly, there are cheers from next door, as the New Year is timed in. She stares at me, and reaches up to cup my face in her hands. “No, it’s not,” she pleads, moving in slowly. I keep my eyes on hers, but something draws me in and I feel her lips brushing over mine.

“Dougie,” a firm voice interrupts, and I pull back, dragging my eyes off hers to meet Danny’s. “A word?” he says tensely.

I reach up to peel her hands off my face, ashamed that even for a moment I might have let her kiss me. “You can have ‘em all. I’m done here.” Then I step back and follow Danny up the stairs and into my room, ignoring the sounds of distress she admits as I walk away.

Once he shuts the door, my foot connects with the bed, “Damn it!”

“Calm down.”

“I’ll calm down when you haven’t just had to save me from kissing my ex!” I exclaim. “I mean, damn it! I didn’t even drink and I still managed to make a tit of myself! What’s wrong with me?”

“It’s New Year! Every singleton feels vulnerable at this time of year!”

“Yeah, but there’s vulnerable, and then there’s downright stupid!” I retort.

He moves to me, “Hey… Cheer up. I can always give you that kiss I promised you…?”

I sighed, “It doesn’t matter any more. She’s not here to see it.”

He hangs his head, and shifts on his feet. “It matters to me…”

Confusion fades in as I look back up at him. His eyes are downcast, his face anxious and weary. His fists are clenched by his sides. I don’t understand. Why’s he so upset over a stupid little kiss? It’s not like he’s…

Unless…

I’ve never really questioned why he never has any girlfriends despite the fact that half the female population of the world are probably lusting after him. But… could he be…? I step closer to him cautiously, raising a hand to put it on his arm. He jolts at the contact, and his gaze flicks to mine in alarm, scared of my reaction to the new discovery. Still moving slowly, I slide a hand up over his jaw so that I’m cupping his cheek. Then I rise on my tip-toes and touch my lips to his gently.

A tingle shoots through me at the feeling of his lips on mine, and I pull back slightly to gauge his reaction now. He moves his mouth back down so it collides with mine again in a firmer kiss that lingers this time. His hand comes to rest on my neck as his lips caress mine.

Then it’s like someone flips a switch.

The pressure changes and he pulls me into him. Our mouths open and our tongues meet for the first time, battling ferociously as the lust begins to pound through us. I want him, I realise. I’ve never wanted a man before, and never wanted a woman as much as I want him now.

I adjust my grip on him, threading my hands in his hair so as my mouth can plunder his more fully. He moans into my mouth, his hand on the small of my back to bring me closer to his body.

The door opens. “Dougie, I-” Then a gasp as she sees us locked in this passionate embrace. It seems I’m still getting my final revenge…

I pull back from Danny, not even looking at her as I snarl, “Get out.” My eyes bore into Danny’s as I hear her gasp and scramble out again. The door clicks shut, and I smile at Danny. “Some people just don’t know how to knock…”

But he puts his hand on my chest as I move in to kiss him again, “She’s going to tell people, Dougie.”

“So? Might as well give her something to tell.”

“I don’t want you to regret this.”

I grab hold of his face and plant a firm kiss on his lips. “I’m sober, remember?” Then his eyes grow large as I pull off my t-shirt. I keep my eyes on his as I slowly rid myself of all my clothing.

He swallows, nervous now as he glances towards the door. “Someone could walk in at any moment.”

I chuckle, moving towards him and unbuttoning his shirt for him, “That’s half the excitement right there.”

“It’s not a good idea,” he attempts, his voice hitching slightly as I push his shirt off his shoulders and turn my attention to his belt.

I smirk at him, “The fun things rarely are.”

Then, with that said, I shove down his trousers and fix my mouth over his again. He responds eagerly, unable- like me- to resist the power of our kisses even though he protests. He steps out of his trousers as I push him back towards the bed, his hands all over my body, making my skin flush and prickle wherever he touched. But the kiss is broken once more as I push him down onto it.

“We have a house full of guests,” he reminds me as I straddle him on the bed.

“They’re too drunk to notice we’re missing,” I murmur, kissing up his jaw line slowly.

“But-”

I move back, pout in place, “Danny, do you want to shag me?”

I feel the heat radiating off his cheeks as he nods quickly, “Of course.”

“Then shut up and do it.”

On that order, he rears up so that his mouth meets mine again, pulling me down into another passionate kiss. My whole body tingles as it connects with his, and he flips me onto my back, taking control as he becomes certain that this is what I want. I moan into his mouth as his clothed crotch begins to grind into my naked one. The feeling is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before, and I can feel myself hardening more with the friction he creates.

His mouth feasts on mine, steady and powerful. I never imagined him to be such a perfect match for me, but our mouths gel together and I would be happy to stay this way. But he pulls back after a while and smiles at me slowly, easing down his boxers. My own penis is almost fully erect by this point, and I let out a loud moan as he allows our crotches to collide once more, my vision blurring with the pleasure.

My member aches, and my whole body desires him. I want him, I need him. Why is he teasing me? I whimper slightly as he grinds into me slowly, screwing up my eyes and twisting my head to the side. “Danny…” I breathe as he presses into me.

He cups my face in both of his hands, forcing my eyes back onto his. “Look at me, Dougie,” he tells me firmly, and I open my eyes. “I want you to look at me during this. Just keep your eyes on me.” I nod, my gaze fixed on the blue of his. He leans in to kiss me quickly, but the eye contact is regained almost straight away. “This might hurt,” he warns.

“Don’t.”

He nods, and suddenly the most horrific pain strikes through my body. He pushes into me, stretching the skin like it wasn’t used to, and making it burn in agony. I gasp, but keep my eyes on him as I’ve promised. His face contorts as well, and he whispers, “It’ll get better.” Then he bucks his hips and thrusts right into me. I cry out, tears pricking the corners of my eyes. Why’s this so painful? Is this how sex is meant to be? He continues to thrust, his eyes piercing into mine in a way that means I can’t look away.

And then something happens.

I moan loudly, all pain forgotten in a moment as the most incredible pleasure surges through me. I arch my back and my hands grip his hips, my short nails digging in as I urge him to continue with his thrusts. The waves of immense pleasure cause my vision to distort even as I try to keep focus on him, and his hand wraps around my penis, pumping in time to his own thrusts. I give a shuddering cry as I come, exploding all over his hand and our chests. He follows a moment later, climaxing and filling my body with the essence of him. He collapses on top of me and we lie there for a long moment, spent.

I giggle slightly, brushing his hair out of his eyes. “Happy New Year, Danny.”

He rolls his eyes, looking up at me, “Guess you could say that.”