melody_out-of-the-blue-2

OUT OF THE BLUE by Melody <<< part 1

PART 2

James drank another Jameson's and coke, the measure of coke decreasing with each drink that he poured and he was now on number five. He had made a note of Sally's phone number when they had been in the kitchen; the number rather helpfully was listed in the little panel on the phone. Whilst she had had her back to him, James had keyed it into his mobile phone's memory. He studied the clock, anxious to know how her date had gone and hoping that it hadn't gone well. Was it too late to call her? He decided to leave it until the following day, he would have to stew over it until then. If he called her now she would lose her temper with him, and he may lose her forever.

James placed the fingertips of his right hand over his lips, they still tingled from the kiss they had shared. Oh how he had wanted to deepen that kiss when Sally had responded to him, but the satisfaction that he was still able to arouse her had delighted him enough, and he had been prepared to wait and bide his time to get more from her. Despite the passing years, he yearned and ached for her; having held her in his arms, he wanted to again, and to have her naked in bed beside him. Sally was the only girl that had evoked these emotions and passions with him; other girls had come and gone, none of them meaning anything to him, and his attitude towards them had been callous, almost cold and indifferent, with the lack of emotion he experienced, he may well have been shagging groupies. Now that he knew where she was, he wasn't about to give up on her; they were meant to be together; it was that simple.

Sally dumped her briefcase on the kitchen table and went to make some coffee; it was a little ritual she had, putting the coffee machine on as soon as she got in. Whilst the machine did its business, Sally ran a bath and added a fizzy bath bomb, she needed to relax and to think. Throughout the day the urge to try and contact James had been building in her, although the only way that she could do that was to call Martin, whose number was still on her phone. She hated herself for giving into him so soon and attempted to deceive herself by saying that it was only curiosity, and that they were going to be friends, nothing there. Then she would think about it a little more, tell herself off for being stupid, and resolve to have nothing to do with him; unfortunately for her, neither her heart nor her head was in concordance with that point of view.

Relaxing in the jasmine and ylang ylang bath, she cursed when the phone rang, oh talk to the answering machine and leave me alone. When she heard James' soft voice, her ears pricked and she strained to listen to his message, alas, he was speaking far too softly and she didn't pick up a single word. With the serenity of her bath disturbed, and all manner of thoughts and scenarios running through her mind, Sally got out of the bath, wrapped herself in her towelling robe, grabbed her coffee and went to listen to the message; James wanted her to call him back and had left his number for her, so she wrote it down on a nearby pad.

For half an hour she stared at the phone and the number on the pad, debating whether or not to return his call. Would he see it as Sally being interested in rekindling their romance? Well, who was she kidding, she wanted him, and he knew it already. Still, was it the right thing to do? Oh she loved him, that she admitted, although with reticence, the fact that he had cheated on her still remained; could she trust him? The band was more famous now than ever, and James in particular had a strong female following, the temptations now were far greater than they had previously. What a dilemma! It was wrong of her to base her decision on past events but she couldn't run away from what had previously happened, without at least considering it and the affect that it had on her. Perhaps James was telling the truth, and was genuinely remorseful about having put their previous relationship in jeopardy. Sally decided that the only way she would find out was to take a chance on him again; if he was willing.

“Hi ya James, I just heard your message.”
“I didn't know if you would call me back.”
“Neither did I.”
“Well I am pleased that you did. How was your date last night?”
“It was ok, nothing special.”
“Are you in tonight?”
“You know I am,” she laughed, “I'm here talking to you.”

James laughed at her reply. “No, are you going out later, only I wondered if you fancied some company.”
“Early night tonight,” she lied. “Maybe another time.” Play it cool girl, make him sweat a bit.
“That's a shame; I was going to bring a take away meal over, save you cooking.”
“My tea is in the oven,” another lie, “it will be ready in a couple of minutes.”
“Having anything good?”
“Erm...pizza,” yet another lie. Why was she doing this? It would be much easier to say that she wanted to be alone.
“Sounds good, you know I love pizza.”
“It's one of those individual ones. Anyway,” she said, changing the topic quickly. “I'd better be off before its a cinder, see you James.”
“Sally...”
She hastily put the receiver down, flustered at how James was making her respond.

Remembering that she did have some individual pizzas in the freezer, Sally took one out and put it in the microwave to cook, deciding that she couldn't wait the fifteen minutes that it would take in the oven. Unable to decide what to have with it, Sally settled for having it on its own.

“Now what?” she said out loud on hearing the knocking on her door. She paused the dvd that she was watching and checked through the spyhole to see who it was; it was James. Nervously she turned the key to unlock the door, knowing that he was pissed off that she had hung up on him.
“Are you ok?” he asked in a panic, rushing into her home. “I got worried when the phone went dead and I couldn't call you back.”
“Just a technical glitch,” she said, happy that he had given her an excuse. “I think the phone is working again now.” Sally pulled the towelling robe tighter, aware that she was naked beneath. She had decided not to get dressed because she wasn't going anywhere or expecting company.
“Any chance I can come in now I have come all this way to see you and make sure that you're ok?”
“Erm, I would prefer that you didn't, I can smell alcohol from here.”
“I've had one, last night I had a fair few, thinking about you on that date of yours.”
“You were never jealous!” she mocked.
“You know damn well that I was, so don't act all surprised and innocent missy!” he grinned back at her. “It was driving me nuts thinking about what he was doing to you.”
“He didn't do anything,” Sally assured him, appearing somewhat sheepishly at him. “Not even make sure I got into a cab safely; he left early.”
“He what?”
“If you're going to raise your voice you had better come in.” They walked through into the lounge, Sally turning off the film she had been watching. “Sit down, I won't be long.”
“You don't have to get dressed on my account Sal,” James chuckled.
“I'm doing it so that I don't feel so self conscious,” she smirked before slinking off.

A few minutes later, Sally returned in a pair of oyster coloured pyjamas, carrying a bottle of wine and two glasses. “I'm assuming that you would like one as well?” she grinned.
“That's very kind of you,” he smiled warmly. “Perhaps just the one before I get back.”
“Ok.” Sally refused to say anything else to his comment, knowing that James was waiting for her to.
“So,” said James after taking a sip of the wine, “why did your date do a runner on you?”
“I didn't say that he had, only that he left early.”
“Sorry, my mistake, doesn't explain why he buggered off though.”
“It was a catastrophe; feel better now?”

James realised that he was actually feeling quite bad about it, rather than pleased that it had failed miserably. It was wrong of him to be so bitter, if Sally came back to him, he had to work for her and show her that he still loved her. It would have been better if the date had gone well but they had decided not to meet again, at least Sally would have had a good night out and been ok about it; not that she appeared particularly distressed. James wondered if it had been Sally that had called an end to the night, thus upsetting her date, making him go early. Still, there was no excuse for the pillock not sticking around a bit longer to ensure that she was safely placed in a cab to go home, that was down right rude and bad mannered in James eyes.

“No it doesn't,” he said softly. “What happened?”
“We didn't gel,” she said simply by way of a brief explanation, hoping that James would leave it alone.
“That doesn't excuse him not staying until you got a cab Sally, what if something had happened to you?” His brow was furrowed from his concern and worry.
“Hey, don't dwell on it,” she said cheerily, “I got home ok.”
“That is not the point,” he stressed. “Obviously that twat had no consideration for your welfare.”
“That's rich coming from you,” said Sally with a cough from swallowing some wine awkwardly as James made his comment. “You didn't consider me or my welfare when you shagged a groupie. If I stayed with you, what sort of sexually transmitted disease would I have got huh?”
“I wore a condom!” shouted James, getting irate with her.
“Oh well that was kind of you.”
“Come on Sal, I don't wanna argue about that anymore,” he pleaded with her, his eyes dull and lifeless with sadness.
“Stop criticising others when you aren't a bloody angel either.”
“Point taken, I'm sorry,” he said with obvious remorse. “So, what film were you watching?”
Sally chuckled. “Saw 2, before that I watched the first one; I am in the mood for a horror fest.”

“You and your horror movies, some things never change do they?” he giggled, recalling the many nights they had spent on the sofa watching various bloody and gory movies in the dark. Sally had always loved them and James was invariably the one that would shriek in shock or surprise, or recoil from the gore that assaulted his vision, whilst Sally took it all in her stride and was never phased or distressed. They had never found a movie that really scared her.
“I can't remember the last time I saw one that was really scary. I watched 'Hostel' the other night; tame and predictable.”
“You're kidding me? That one shook me up.”
Sally chuckled. “Horrors never were your forte; they nearly always petrified you.”
“Not an especially masculine quality of mine, I'll admit. Still, I got lots of nice reassuring cuddles from you during and after the films and it was worth watching them for that alone.”

Sally blushed, the fond memories creating a warmth deep within her. Since splitting from James, watching horror movies hadn't been as much fun for her, and she knew that that was the reason why; she loved the cuddles as much as he had. “Unless you're in a rush to get back, why don't you stay and watch it with me, not that I'll be supplying any cuddles though.”
He smiled; she was warming to him and getting more and more comfortable about being with him. “Actually, I haven't seen 'Saw 2', so if you honestly don't mind...”
“If I wanted you to go I would have said so,” she smiled. “Come and sit over here with me, you can help yourself to the crisps and nuts then.”
“Don't forget the wine,” he smiled, moving over to the sofa that she was on. “Or am I only allowed one glass?”
“I have some more in the kitchen,” she smiled, “so help yourself.”
“I will. Once the movie has finished I'll call a taxi.”

James watched her switching the dvd on again; this was all going much better than he had dared to hope for. He couldn't help but watch her arse when she went to turn the light off, it swayed beautifully, the loose pants of her pyjamas doing little to hide her sexy curves and contours. She was in good shape; not skinny, but with soft, womanly curves and small but pert breasts; her nipples were noticeable as well, and had him salivating. Were they so prominent because she was aroused he mused thoughtfully; he certainly hoped so.

She settled down beside him and smiled. “I'll start from the beginning, I hadn't watched much of it.”
“Will you get up in morning?” James asked.
“I'm not at work,” she explained, “I took a leave day, I've accrued loads of them and they need using up, hence why I'm having a horror movie binge evening.”
“I don't like the sound of that,” he chuckled mischievously. “How many do you have lined up?”
“I want to watch at least one more after this, you can choose it if you stay.” Sally purposely let the sentence float around in the air for James to take in. She wasn't going to let him share her bed but if he wanted to stay, and she hoped that he would because she was enjoying his company, she had a spare room for him to use.
“Why don't we both see how it goes?”
With an air of excited tension, they started watching the movie.

Two movies later, and the clock telling them that it was half past midnight, Sally turned to James. “I'm still in the mood for more, how about you?”
James showed her the empty red wine bottle. “I'm certainly in the mood for some more of this,” he grinned. “Have you got anymore, or was it just those two bottles?”
“I have plenty,” she smiled, not noticing how close they were now sat. “It happens to be my favourite so I always have a good stock of it.”
“You must get some funny looks walking out of a supermarket with a trolley full of booze.”
“I buy it on-line, much easier and they bring it to my door.”
“You always were the practical one,” he joked. “I'm pleased that that hasn't changed.” He placed a hand on her knee, stroking it gently, his body leaning in to hers. When their lips met, they sighed and slowly put their arms around each other, moulding their bodies.

“Was that my thank you for providing you with entertainment, wine and snacks?” she asked after, her arms still holding him against her.
“No, it was because I wanted to,” he said nervously. “Have I overstepped the mark?”
“What do you think?” By way of an answer she pressed her lips against his once more, her tongue nudging his lips softly, asking him to open them for her entry.
James brushed his head tenderly against hers. “There are other things that we could do aside from watching another movie,” he whispered sexily in her ear.
“Oh no,” she said pushing him away a little. “Sex is definitely not on the agenda, so get those thoughts out of your mind now.”

“Why not? You're as interested as I am and don't deny it.”
“I'm not,” she said honestly, her hands still touching his torso. “We can take our time can't we? This is like a new relationship James, a lot has happened in those intervening six years, and I dare say that we've both changed a bit. I want us to get to know each other and not resume from where we left off.”
“I want you so much Sally.”
“Then you'll wait for me,” she said matter of factly. “After what happened before I must be crazy to let you back into my life so quickly as it is.”
“But we are a couple again? I can tell people about it can't I?”
“A few close friends and family I suppose, but don't make a big deal about it.”
He hugged her tightly to his body and kissed her forehead. “I won't make the same mistake again, I promise you that.”
“You mess up this time and you are out of my life for good.”
“I understand that.”

James stayed the night in the spare room, knowing not to make a big issue of it. Right now he was on probation and had to earn her trust and her affection. For all they had been affectionate, both had to hold back, it would be Sally who dictated the pace of the relationship and despite his disappointment, James had agreed to that.

In the morning they went shopping and then had a pub lunch in the countryside, before taking a walk in some nearby woods for a couple of hours, and then slowly making their way back to Sally's car, for the drive back home.
“You'd better tell me where you live,” said Sally as they neared the city again, “so that I can drop you off.”
“Can't I stay at your place again?” asked James, with obvious disappointment.
“No, not two nights on the run, not so soon. We could go out tomorrow night if you wanted to.”
“Great! Are you sure that you won't be seeing too much of me?”
“James!”

“Go to your place, pick up some clothes and stay the night at my place; no strings attached. Come on Sally, I have time off and you're having a long weekend, why not make the most of it?”
“It's too much too soon James. I can stay with you tomorrow night.”
“We've been together all day,” he said, rubbing his face in agitation. “What difference does spending the night make? If you stay over tomorrow, we will still have spent almost three days together.”
“If you continue like this, I won't see you until next weekend, is that what you want?”
“You know damn well that it isn't,” he said with exasperation. “At the end of the day, you make the rules, however bloody ridiculous they are.”
“Fine,” she said nastily, “I'll see you next Friday. We'll see each other once or twice a week, and, if you don't like it, we can forget about this going any further.”
“Stop being so damn pedantic woman,” James yelled, hitting the dashboard in anger, making Sally flinch. “I know that I need to earn your trust but I don't see why I can't see more of you.”
“It's very simple James,” she said calmly, “I will not allow you to be the center of my life again. Before you would click your fingers and I was there, neglecting my friends and family, well this time, I won't do that. I intend to have time for everyone, including myself.”

James had no answer for her because he knew that she was right. He had been the centre of her world when they last dated, and she stopped going out with her friends and work colleagues and didn't see her family as often as she wished to, all because he had wanted her all to himself. If she went out to see a friend or her parents, he would be on the phone to her constantly, wanting to know when she was coming home. She had stopped going on nights out with her colleagues because they all took the piss out of her over the amount of phone calls and texts she received from James, he had sworn that he trusted her, he just hated not being with her.

One night when the whole of her office section had gone out for a meal and then to a late club, annoyed by his incessant calls, Sally switched her phone off, leaving him to get angry with the voice mail service, so that she could let her hair down and have fun for once. Unfortunately he had been staying with her at the time, and when she got home in the early hours of the morning, they had had a furious and vicious argument, ending with James putting his fist into the bathroom cabinet mirror, and having to go to the hospital to have it stitched. After that debacle Sally had decided that it was easier to stay at home, unless James was away touring, although she stopped that after a while too, because James would rage at her for going out and getting bladdered when he was busy working. What she later learned was that James regularly got pissed after a show. In many ways, that had been when the rot set in, and the relationship started hitting the skids. He had never hit her, but she had been afraid of him, hence why she did everything that he asked, to keep him pacified and happy. She loved him, always had, no matter how truculent he had been, but she had lost her identity along the way. When they had first met she had been feisty and determined, over the years he had worn her down, making her subservient and almost pathetic. There was no way that she was going to allow that to occur again.

“Ok,” said James, after taking some time to ponder it over. “I'll see you again next week. Am I allowed to call you?”
“A couple of times, no more.”
“Can I have your mobile number to text you?”
“I'll give you it when I've taken you home, but don't text me all the time James.”
“This is going to be so bloody bizarre,” he whined.
“If you don't like it, you can walk away. You can make the choice James.”
“You are making this so difficult Sally. This is going to take forever if we play it your way.”
“Fine, we'll call it a day now,” she said evenly. “I'll drop you home and not see you again.”
“I just think that you are taking this to extremes.”
“I've told you I'll drop you off, and then its over; no guilt, no recriminations. We should have both known better.”
“Yeah, I guess we should.”

The rest of the journey was spent in silence, except for James giving her directions to his home. When Sally began the drive to her home, she had tears streaming down her face. She had left herself wide open and vulnerable to him, and he had hurt her again. In her eyes, she wasn't being unreasonable, most couples saw each other once or maybe twice a week and took things slowly, what was wrong with her wanting the same?

part 3 >>>

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