Chapter 16: Target Acquired
Stacey walked out of the villa with her head down, her shoulders shaking, and her steps uneasy. She didn’t leave. Instead, she walked further into the community. She saw the various houses and didn’t stop until she saw a small park area.
It was overflowing with green. Even in early autumn, it showed no signs of withering. She found a seat in the shade and sat down. She didn’t raise her head.
She was waiting. She wanted to see which fish would take the bait. She didn’t have to wait long.
Ten minutes after she sat down, someone sat beside her.
"You don’t need to cry for a guy like Malcolm," the person sitting beside her said.
She heard the voice, but she didn’t look up. "I’m not crying." Her voice sounded nasal.
"Tch, sure you aren’t. Seriously, don’t beat yourself up. And you know what they say..."
Finally she raised her head. Her eyes were just the right shade of red, making her look aggrieved and vulnerable. "What do they say?" She pouted.
She was leaning forward. The trench coat was partially open. Her buxom bosoms were on display. If she shifted a bit more, her nipples would be bare for all to see.
She watched him swallow and smirked inwardly.
"Well?" she asked when she saw him stop talking.
"Uh," he coughed. "The best way to get over someone is to get under someone else."
She laughed mirthlessly.
"Under who? I’m not looking for another relationship. What I need right now is a stiff drink."
She wiped her face and sat up. She got up, and as if feeling the breeze for the first time, she looked down and saw the coat open. Hurriedly, she fixed the coat.
"Did you see anything?" she asked accusingly.
"I saw," he replied frankly, then apologized. "Sorry. I just saw it when you turned and didn’t want to embarrass you. How about this: you said you need a drink. I live close by. How about we go to my place? Forget about Malcolm and drown your sorrows. I’ll take you home later."
She laughed, a broken laugh. "A drink for almost seeing me naked? Why not. I’m not particularly in the mood to head home right now."
The two walked together, making small talk. She sniffled a few more times, and released a few more tears. She asked him for his name. It was David.
It didn’t take long for them to arrive at his place. It was bigger than Malcolm’s. The furniture was less gaudy. Stacey felt she made the right choice. The richer someone is, the less overstated their lives appear.
Seeing the living room with its cool tones, unlike Malcolm’s, which was full of gold as if compensating for something, she felt this one could work.
Maybe he could last longer than Malcolm.
"You have a nice place."
"My parents have a nice place, you mean."
"Either way, you’re living it."
He laughed. "Let me get you that drink."
He led her to the sofa where she sat down. She didn’t look around. She kept her hands folded in her lap and played with her fingers. She didn’t look up until she saw the glass he placed under her nose.
"Thank you."
"No need to be so polite." He sat beside her. Close enough to feel warm, but not close enough to be an invasion of privacy.
They talked for another half an hour about silly things, and Stacey found herself genuinely laughing at the things he said. As they talked, they drank. And as they drank, they moved closer.
Stacey was fanning her face after having laughed at yet another of his jokes. She tugged at the collar of her coat. Her eyes were misted, and she kept murmuring about being hot.
"You could take it off, you know."
Stacey wagged a finger and giggled, "Nope."
"Why not?" he asked, eyes shining.
She leaned in, whispering conspiratorially. "Because I’m naked." She giggled, then pouted. "I wanted to surprise him. Looks like I’m the one who got the surprise instead."
He didn’t say anything for a minute, then he finally spoke. "Come with me. I’ll get you something to wear."
She stood up without much argument and followed. As she walked, she stumbled on the stairs, needing David to catch her.
"You ok?"
"Yeah, just tipsy."
He didn’t let go and brought her to his room.
He placed her on the bed and went to look for clothes.
"Your bed is huge," Stacey commented.
She leaned back on the bed, feeling the silk under her body. It was cool. She wanted to feel it skin to skin. Without a care in the world, forgetting that David was bringing her clothes, she took off the coat.
When he skin met the silk, she sighed.
David stepped out of the closet. "This shirt should be..." He saw her and stopped in his tracks.
Stacey looked over at him, flipped onto her stomach, and placed her chin in her hands.
"Your bed feels really nice." After saying this, she laid her head on the bed and started rolling around.
David wasn’t sure what to say. When he saw her naked, he had to admit, his body did react. He wasn’t innocent when he decided to bring her back, but seeing her like this, he couldn’t help but swallow hard.
Stacey sat up and patted the bed. Her eyes squinted as she smiled. "Come try it. It feels good."
He sat next to he, rubbing his hand against the fabric. "It does."
She watched his hand. "You can’t feel it like that. You have to take this off." She reached for his shirt, not giving him a choice as she pulled it over his head.
She pushed him onto the bed, then stood up; her steps faltered, and he rose to grab her. She stabilized herself before pulling at his pants.
Seeing her unharmed, he let her do as she pleased. When they were both completely naked, she told him to roll.
He looked at her in amusement but gave in to her request. Together they rolled on the bed. Stacey laughing, and him shaking his head at the childish behaviour.
Finally they stopped. He pulled Stacey close, and she curled up in his arms.
"That was fun."
He hummed a response.
"Stacey."
She hummed, eyes closed.
He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. She flung her leg over his waist and snuggled closer.
"Are you sleeping?"
"No, I’m resting my eyes. I’m not drunk. I’m not sleepy. I’m just enjoying freedom."
"I think you’re a little too free. You’re naked in a stranger’s bed. If I wanted to, I could have my way with you right now."
Her eyes were still closed. "You’re not a stranger, you’re David."
He didn’t say anything, only reach between the two of them and touch her core. She was wet.
"You planned this, didn’t you?"
She opened her eyes, a bitterness in her gaze as she looked at him.
"I didn’t. But you won’t believe that." Then, she kissed him. It was a quick kiss, and she pulled away. "In the spirit of freedom."
She pulled away from him, getting ready to put her clothes back on. He didn’t let her go.
"Let go. I’ve already made a fool of myself."
He didn’t give her a chance to say anything else. He kissed her.
Inside Stacey’s head, a mini Stacey was jumping around. She thought to herself, target acquired.
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