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| JAMES ONLY WANTS FUN by Janey PART 2 For a week he was aimlessly moping around, unable to settle or concentrate. He decided to ask his dad if he could visit him. Monty was delighted but warned his son to modify his behaviour. “I know that you are a grown man James but I will not tolerate you bringing different girls back here purely for sex. If that’s all that you want you can book a hotel room.” James greed without argument, it would not be right for him to abuse his father’s hospitality in that way. “How long are you planning on staying son?” “A couple of weeks if that’s ok dad.” “That’ll be fine. I’ll be staying a few nights at Martha’s and when she stays here you will damn well be polite to her.” James did not like his father’s current lady friend. Monty had been seeing Martha for three month’s, six weeks of which he was in America, alone. In James’ humble opinion Martha was too forward, gauche, opinionated and far too overbearing for his father. Monty was not his usual jolly self when she was around, mostly because Martha demanded to be the centre of attention. “Dad, I’ll be the perfect gentleman, in fact warn me when she’s staying over and I’ll get out of her way.” “James!” bellowed Monty in despair. “Can’t you be happy for me?” “I was happy for you and Ana dad. Oh I know that she was my age but you two were so well suited. Why you finished with her I’ll never understand.” “It was her age James, she should have been dating you not me.” “Now you’re being silly. Ana adored you and if you had any sense at all you would call her up and see if she’s dating.” “I can’t believe that you’re condoning such a relationship.” “Well I am.” Ellen knocked on Monty’s back door then walked into the kitchen without waiting for a reply as she always did, at Monty’s insistence, and put a basket of fresh baked bread loaves and cakes on the table. “The baking fairy is here Monty,” she called, putting the kettle on to boil. “Something smells good.” “James!” Ellen was stunned. “Monty didn’t say that you would be here.” “I only asked him last night, then I got a train straight over.” He smiled tenderly to her, then turned his attention to the food she had brought with her. “No wonder my dad loves you! Do you always bring him stuff?” “When I bake I bake a lot and Monty appreciates it so why not?” “I’m not disagreeing with it Ellen,” said James softly. “It’s very kind of you to take care of him like that, thank you.” Ellen was confused. Could this really be the same annoying James that she had met and found so irritating? If he continued like this she would be in danger of falling for him. That was a scary thought. “Don’t worry,” said James as though reading her thoughts, “I know how abominably I behaved to you and I am sincerely sorry.” “What you mean is that because Monty is home you have to behave.” He laughed. “Kinda true but ya know I did kinda like come to that conclusion alone. What do you say? Can we start again and see if we can actually be friends? It would certainly appease dad if we managed to get along.” Ellen stayed and had a few cups of tea with him, finding that they had quite a lot in common and the conversation flowed easily for them. When James asked her to go with him to the cinema one evening, Ellen shocked herself by saying yes without hesitation. “That movie was good but not as good as the one we saw last night,” chirped Ellen walking back home, arm in arm with James. “You could have warned me that you were on holiday,” James sniggered. “When I invited you to the cinema I didn’t intend it to be every night!” “You didn’t have to agree to come with me,” she smiled, leaning a little further into him. “I often go alone.” James stopped, taking hold of both of her hands in his. “Would it surprise you to know that I want to be with you? I like you Ellen; I mean REALLY like you. You’re the reason that I came back so soon, you were in my thoughts, in my dreams.” “Oh surely that make them nightmares then? You hated me.” “I didn’t hate you. I was annoyed at my father’s attempts at matchmaking but I respected you for being so spirited and independent. I got scared because of how you made me feel. Truth be told I’m still scared, the feeling’s getting deeper.” “Perhaps we shouldn’t go to the flicks anymore then,” offered Ellen. “I don’t want to lead you on.” “I don’t think that you are. I think that you like me too.” “Not the way that you think.” The rest of the journey home was in awkward silence. “What have you done to upset Ellen?” asked Monty over tea that weekend. “She hasn’t been around and as soon as you appear when we’re chatting in the garden she makes her excuses and leaves.” James glared at his father. “I was very stupidly honest with her and she didn’t like it.” “Oh James, what the hell have you said?” “That I liked her a lot and it scared me because those feelings are getting deeper.” “Really?” “Yes dad, really. I told her that I thought she liked me too, she insists that she doesn’t and she doesn’t want to lead me on. That’s why we aren’t going out anymore.” Monty saw the pain in his son’s eyes; he was close to tears. “Oh son, I’m sorry.” “She’s the reason I wanted to come back. In spite of my best efforts I fell for her, in fact, I’m in love with her.” “Are you sure it’s not just a rebound thing after the divorce James?” James stared at his father in bewilderment. “I thought that you’d be pleased. You were playing cupid.” “I wanted you to get to now one another slowly, become friends. I didn’t expect anything to happen so quickly which takes me back to my question; are you on the rebound?” “Dad, you know that I saw a lot of women when you were away. Some of them were really lovely girls but Ellen is special. She has made me realise what love truly is. I have never experienced anything like this dad and it’s wonderful and really fucking scary.” “James!” “Sorry but well it is. I don’t know what to do.” “Well she’s still on holiday and she’s in because her patio doors are still open. Why don’t you take a bottle of wine over when we’ve finished eating and have a talk with her? Explain that you didn’t intend to frighten her off and that you still want to be her friend.” “Like that will work,” spluttered James sarcastically. “Sometimes we have to work hard for what we want James,” offered Monty with the benefit of his experience. “Put yourself in her position; she’s seen you cavorting with numerous women, why should she believe that you’re not just saying those things to get her into bed and then leave her?” “I wouldn’t!” “Ellen doesn’t know that James,” Monty emphasised. “You need to convince her and that will take time.” “Perhaps I’m jumping to conclusions. Maybe Ellen was being honest and she doesn’t feel anything special for me.” “That’s cobblers and you know it. I’ve seen the way Ellen looks at you, she views you as more than a friend but she’s afraid that you’ll break her heart.” James sighed heavily. “Oh dad, I’ve been so stupid. I’ve frightened her off by being an idiot.” “You can win her around if you try heard enough James. Think about it.” James went to see her with a bottle of wine, like Monty suggested. He went via the back garden knowing that Ellen would not be able to pretend that she wasn’t home when her patio doors were open. He knocked on the open doors and walked in. “I brought wine as a peace offering,” he smiled brandishing the wine. “Sorry for being such an abrupt insensitive little shit.” “I think it should be me apologising to you for over reacting,” smiled Ellen sheepishly, indicating for James to sit down. “No worries, as long as it means that we’re friends again.” They spent the evening laughing, joking and enjoying being together again. James nipped home to his dad’s to pick up a guitar and they then had a sing-a-long, James complimenting her on her voice. By the end of his second week at his dad’s, they were definitely friends again. Ellen was on nights but it didn’t stop her missing James. They had exchanged telephone numbers and sent frequent texts, but it wasn’t the same. James called her one night when she was getting towelled after her shower. “Why don’t you come and stay with me a few days Ellen? I could show you the sights and take you to some nice places.” “What’s the catch?” she giggled. “There isn’t one,” he laughed back. “You’ll have your own room, I’ll behave and definitely no bringing different girls back every night. I’ve learned my lesson.” “Won’t your girlfriend get jealous if you have me staying over?” He giggled cheekily back at her. “If I had a girlfriend you’d know about it Ellen, but I don’t.” “So long as I’m not putting anybody’s nose out of joint.” “You won’t be.” “Oh damn! I have to leave in twenty minutes. I’m not dressed and have no make up on. I’d better go or I’ll be late.” “You’re not dressed? Wow, there’s an interesting thought.” “Stop teasing.” “Who’s teasing?” he drawled. Ellen tried in vain to clamp down on the warmth radiating through her. His voice alone had a strange affect on her never mind when he came out with things like that. “I’ll scan and email you my rota, we can sort something out from there if you’re sure about this.” “Oh I’m sure.” James waited keenly for the email to arrive. When it finally did he was over the moon; Ellen had another week off coming up. All he had to do now was hope that she didn’t have plans that week. Surely though if she did Ellen would have mentioned it. He sent an email back to find out. Almost the first thing he did on rising next morning was to check for an email from Ellen. He was delighted when he saw her name flash up in the in-box: Hey Jamesy, No I don’t have any plans for my week off but I don’t want to be a burden. I warn you now that I’m high maintenance! HAHA :-D Send me directions so I can find you, I don’t fancy getting lost in London. Work is still quiet, hope it stays that way. Love Ellen X x x Her emails always made him smile, she always signed off ‘love Ellen’ how he wished it was ‘all my love’ or some other similar sentiment directed at a loved one. James waited on tenterhooks for Ellen to arrive worried his directions had not been clear enough for her and that she had got lost. When she finally pulled up outside his home, James felt like dancing for joy. Instead he settled for running out to meet her. “I was getting worried about you,” said James hugging her warmly. “No need, as you can see, I’m ok.” Ellen shivered under his embrace; she really needed to learn to keep a lid on her wants and needs were James was concerned. If she gave into him, he would lose his respect for her, more importantly she would lose her self-respect. It would also give him the misguided impression that she was like all the others. “I hope your room is ok.” James seemed nervous when he opened the door to her bedroom. “Oh James!” she gushed. “It’s beautiful, and the flowers! So many flowers.” “I figured it was a nice way to take out the smell of a bachelor’s home.” His brown eyes gleamed as he smiled. The duvet was turned back at the top exposing pale lilac satin bedding. Ellen smiled; he had gone to a lot of trouble. It had been a dream of hers to sleep on satin sheets. She turned and smiled to him. “I never told you,” she laughed, tapping him on his cute little backside. “Told me what?” “That I’ve always wanted to sleep in satin bedding.” “Oh that.” Again he laughed. “I just kinda like thought that it would be nice for you.” Embarrassed he shrugged his shoulders. Did she know that he was attempting to romance her? Ellen was special, not purely because she refused to fall into bed with him, everything about her was special, unique. For the first time he knew what genuinely being in love was all about. For the first time he was going to take things slowly and do it right. If he ruined this, he would never forgive himself. “Oh boy,” moaned Ellen flopping on the sofa, taking off her shoes and rubbing her aching feet. “Why didn’t you warn me that you would have me traipsing miles? I could have put some sensible shoes on.” James giggled and went to the store cupboard under the stairs, returning with a bowl for her to put her feet in. “You stay there and relax.” He ran upstairs and put some thick liquid into the bowl when he got back to her. “I forgot the warm water!” he chuckled. When he eventually added some water to the bowl, warmth spread over her, comforting her immediately. “Hmm, tea-tree and peppermint; nice.” He handed her a soft towel. “There you go, sit back and relax. Let me know when you want more warm water adding.” Ellen sat back, closed her eyes and smiled; over the five days she had stayed with him she had become more enamoured. Monty was right, James really was a very nice bloke. In fact he was downright adorable. Leaving him was going to be one hell of a wrench yet it was also the best thing that could happen; she needed to put distance between her and temptation. “Fancy some cucumber?” “Uh?” she grunted. “For your eyes honey!” he laughed, his brown eyes lighting up with joy. “I can’t offer you a face mask but I do have cucumber.” “Oi!” she exclaimed smacking his arse then laughing like crazy when he whipped his socks off and stuck his feet in the bowl. “Are you trying to tell me that I have baggy eyes?” She poked her tongue at him. “I wouldn’t dare! I thought it may help relax you a little bit more but you’ve missed the boat. I’m not getting my feet out of this bowl for a while, it’s far too nice.” “Some host you are,” she grinned leaning into him, relaxing her head on his shoulder. James closed his eyes and sighed. Being so close to her was wonderful and so natural. He tried hard to remember a time when he had been so at ease with a woman. After much soul searching he realised that he hadn’t. “Ah this is nice,” he said softly. “Two friends soaking their feet and having a laugh. All that’s missing is the wine.” “Again I say some host you are!” He tried to look hurt but the smile on his lips gave him away. “You are right when you said that you’re high maintenance!” then he stuck his tongue out at her. “Watch it. A bird may think it’s a worm and come and peck it out.” “The last time I checked I didn’t have any birds in the house.” Smirking like mad, he tapped the tip of her nose with his fingertip. Ellen hugged him against her, keeping her head on his shoulder. In a few minutes she was asleep, James smiling as he watched her. She was so beautiful, not in a classically good looking way but it was everything about her. She had grace, charm, determination, warmth, empathy and so many other virtues. “Ellen honey wake up,” he said softly, not wanting to scare her awake. “You’ll have wrinkly feet if you keep them in there much longer.” “Umm,” she whimpered, stirring very slightly. “Water’s cold now.” James bent down and raised her left foot onto his knee and began drying it for her. “You need a slave to pamper you.” “No, I have you to do that.” She raised her head and smiled at him. “How could I let someone else do it when you do it so well?” The temptation to kiss her was enormous but he knew that he had to be careful. It was too soon. “Mmm that was lovely,” she sighed kissing his cheek. “Now you can get the wine!” “Oi!” James tickled her until she was begging him to stop with tears of laughter in her eyes. He stopped and they embraced, waiting for their laughter to subside. Ellen put her legs over his, still embracing him warmly, her head tucked lovingly into the curve of his neck. “I’m glad I got to know you,” she reflected earnestly. “You are not at all like you made out you were. You’re very caring, sensitive and…” she paused, driving James mad with anticipation, “you’re the best friend a girl could have.” He closed his eyes; her words smarted. He kissed her hair and whispered, “thank you, I’m happy you feel that way.” Partly it was true, he was pleased that she had grown to like him and be close to him, but also he was gutted; he was hoping for so much more. “So Jamesy,” Ellen said flirtatiously playing with his hair, “what are we going to eat? I’m hungry.” “I’ve exhausted my repertoire, “ he giggled. “Shall we order out?” “Let’s do that tomorrow, my final night.” James’ heart lurched; he didn’t want her to go home. “I guess we could.” “Hey what’s wrong? You sound down in the dumps.” “I wish you could stay longer; I’ve had fun.” Ellen looked into his eyes and saw the sadness. “So have I.” “Really?” She gave him a huge, genuine smile and again kissed his cheek. “Very much.” “I’m pleased.” “Me too.” The smile wandered from Ellen’s mouth. Would now be a good time to kiss him and let him know that I’ve fallen for him? She couldn’t do it, convinced that James would misinterpret her actions. A quick fling was of no interest to her and James had told her before that he wasn’t interested in anything deeper. The problem was, his feelings had intensified and changed since that discussion; he loved her. Awkwardly they continued their inane discussion about what to eat; avoiding what both really wanted and needed to talk about, the change in their feelings. “So, will you come again?” James asked nervously when Ellen had put her things in the boot of the car. “I’d love to,” smiled Ellen giving him a huge hug and kissing his cheek. “It’s gone by so quick.” “Tell me about it,” moaned James in return running his hands through his hair nervously. Not the most confident of men away from the stage, his complex emotions were getting the better of him and tying him in knots and he didn’t return her hug for fear of not letting go and kissing her silly. “You can give me a hug goodbye you know. I don’t bite.” Her smile was so warming, her voice full of compassion and understanding. If he didn’t know better he would swear that she was attracted to him. The emptiness that took a hold of him when Ellen drove off stunned him. Inside he felt cold, sad and lonely. Being her friend was hell when he wanted so much more but he knew that he had to bide his time. If he moved too fast he would scare her away. All he could do was keep his fingers crossed that in time Ellen would start to want to be with him the same way. If that didn’t happen, his heart would break. The drive home was long and lonely for Ellen. She was missing having him cracking jokes with her already. If only James was interested in a relationship rather than only flings she would have kissed him but being cast aside after a night of what she had no doubt would be spellbinding sex was not what she wanted. Being his friend was going to be hell at times especially when he took a girlfriend home to meet Monty. She tried to brush the thought from her mind; girlfriends were probably a long way down the road yet. Over the following year Ellen and James continued to spend time together. Monty would often chuckle as he watched them; they couldn’t see what was obvious to him, that they were meant to be a couple. James stopped sleeping with girls completely determined to prove to Ellen that he was trustworthy. One day when James was visiting his dad he and Ellen went to the local pub for a quiet drink. “James,” Ellen mused thoughtfully. “Why does that tone of voice worry me so bloody much?” he asked rolling his eyes. Ellen tittered. “Guilty conscience perhaps!” “Yeah right!” “Don’t shout at me for not believing you but it is quite incredible that you haven’t been out with a woman or slept with one in all this time.” A hurt look washed across James’ features and he started to frown. “You think I’m lying?” “Not as such, no,” Ellen explained hurriedly, resting a hand over his. “Are you afraid of telling me? Worried that I’ll think less of you maybe?” He stared at her, not sure of what to say. “You really want to know what happened to stop me?” “Yes. I don’t for one minute think it was my disapproval.” “You’re kinda right,” he smiled then suddenly he drank the rest of his beer quickly, plonking the empty glass forcefully on the table. “If you really wanna know drink up. No way am I discussing this stuff in public.” “No one can hear us,” Ellen insisted. “Don’t care,” he said standing up. “Now drink up and we’ll go back to yours for a chat.” Intrigued she did as he requested, grinning madly when he took her hand for the walk home. “So,” she said giving him his whisky and sitting next to him on the sofa. “Why not tell me in the pub when I asked you?” He grinned nervously at her. “Wasn’t sure how you would react and I didn’t fancy being stared at if you went mental.” Ellen dropped her head down. “You have been sleeping with women still.” The sadness was evident in her voice and body language. “No Ellen,” he said, gently tilting her head so they made eye contact. “I met a very special woman, that’s why I stopped.” “Oh. Why didn’t you tell me? I’m happy for you.” “Is that why you have tears welling in your eyes?” “Do I? I hadn’t noticed,” she lied unconvincingly. James shook his head and giggled, annoying Ellen. “Don’t you take the piss out of me James!” she stormed. “Oh honey I’m not,” he said sweetly. He put his glass down, took her right hand in his and smiled. “I fell in love with you Ellen.” Their eyes locked onto one another, their gaze unwavering whilst James tried to anticipate her reaction and Ellen tried to make sense of what he had said. “I told you once not to take the piss out of me James.” This time she didn’t care that her tears began to fall. “Not when I love you the way I do! That’s despicable.” She tried to get up but James held her firmly down by her shoulders. “I’m serious Ellen,” he smiled. “That first time you stayed with me confirmed it for me. Unfortunately I had blotted my copybook with you in spectacular fashion and I knew that I would have to prove to you that I had changed. Hell I didn’t know if you cared for me or not, other than as a friend.” The sincerity in his eyes and the tone of his voice was undeniable; he was telling her the truth. With a small smile forming Ellen sat down, holding his hand properly now. Neither of them spoke for a while, needing to take in what they had said and the possible consequences. “I hated you because I loved you, if that makes sense. I didn’t want to fall for you but I did. At first I’d found your behaviour abhorrent because I didn’t appreciate the way you were maligning Monty’s good name. Once I took my blinkers off I realised, fight it as I may it was no good, I fancied you.” “Only fancied me?” he teased. “At that point yes.” Ellen allowed James to pull her closer to his body until they were cuddling. “I was too scared to say anything when I finally accepted how I really felt about you. I didn’t want you to think that if I kissed or cuddled you that it would make a one night stand acceptable. Plus I was concerned that you would throw it back in my face and tease me. I got scared James.” “So did I Ellen. The times I wanted to kiss you or take you in my arms and hug you but I couldn’t. I thought you would think I was just being the same horrible obnoxious James that you expected so I decided to take it slowly and earn your confidence.” “Well it worked,” Ellen blushed. “Thank goodness for that,” he grinned. “The thought of not having you in my life was…well, I don’t have to worry about that now do I?” Ellen giggled. “You’re being a presumptuous!” “When I got married I had the world and his wife telling me I was making a mistake. Truth be told I didn’t have the feelings for her but I’m a stubborn git and was convinced it was time to settle down and make the best of it. Don’t get me wrong Ellen, I did love her, very much but not as much as I had loved other women, so I only have myself to blame.” “It wasn’t your fault that she had affairs James,” Ellen sighed. She smile tenderly at him then kissed him lightly on his mouth. “You didn’t deserve her doing that.” James whimpered when she broke the kiss. “Let’s stop talking about that shall we? That kiss was very nice but a touch too brief for my liking.” She stroked his face slowly. “Oh I’m sure I can rectify that,” she winked. James moaned as their lips met, closed his eyes and guided her body down on the sofa. End. <<< Janey's stories |