Sidequest for Love by L.H. Cosway

“Pretty sure I’ll be ready to go again in a minute or two.”

“That’s impressive.”

He reached for my chin, tugging my mouth to his. “When it comes to you, I always aim to impress,” he rasped before capturing my lips in a heated, languid kiss.


***

All week, Neil and I grabbed every stolen moment we could to spend together. We were in a sexy lust haze, the two of us lost in our own little bubble. I could barely concentrate enough to work, and I knew I was coming across completely distracted on my livestreams, but there was nothing to be done.

Every time I let my mind drift, it inevitably wandered to images of Neil and me tearing at each other’s clothes, desperate to get our hands on one another.

Because of work, I didn’t get to see him all day on Saturday. Sunday was Michaela and James’ engagement party, and I’d gone all out and purchased a new outfit online for the occasion. I even paid for expedited shipping like the luxurious bitch that I was.

What was the point in life if you couldn’t treat yourself from time to time?

I’d certainly treated myself. The dress was from Alexander McQueen, and it cost the equivalent of two months’ rent. There wasn’t anything baggy or oversized about it, either. It was emerald green, sleeveless and backless, with thin straps and a sweetheart neckline. I’d purchased a studded belt to cinch it in at the waist. The skirt was calf-length and puffed out slightly. I was pairing it with some Louboutin flats I’d purchased second-hand last year.

Sarita appeared in my doorway. “Wait, is it St. Patrick’s day, and no one told me?” she asked, eyeing me up and down with a grin.

“Nope, green’s just a good colour on me,” I shot back, sticking out my tongue.

“Well, are you ready to go? Your man friend’s downstairs, and it looks like he parked on double yellow lines.”

“He’s not my man friend. He’s Neil. He’s my soulmate,” I crooned, and Sarita made a gagging noise.

“Oh, man. You’ve gone all romantic. Is this why you’re dressing like a proper lady for once?”

“Partly,” I replied, waggling my eyebrows secretively.

I’d been thinking a lot about what Neil said to me after I told him that I dressed in oversized clothes to avoid unwanted sexual attention on the internet. He’d then pointed out that I dressed in oversized clothing all the time, not just while live streaming. It had happened so gradually that I didn’t even realise the clothes thing had leaked into my everyday life. Now, I was making a conscious effort not to hide myself under layers of fabric and instead celebrate the shit hot body I’d been blessed with.

“Right, well, we’d better get a move on. The party starts soon, and traffic might be heavy.”

I nodded and grabbed my handbag. The gods had been benevolent and decided to bless Michaela with sunshine for her outdoor engagement party. In London, there was always a chance of rain.

Sarita and I headed downstairs, and Neil was standing outside his car, looking shiftily from side to side to make sure there were no clampers lurking in the shadows. He was wearing a suit, and I just about fell over, swooning so hard.

“Pardon me, Mr Bond, but you don’t happen to have seen a man hanging around? Brown hair, glasses, about this tall?” I asked teasingly as I approached.

Neil rolled his eyes and grinned as his attention fell appreciatively over my dress. “You look …”

“Like a stalk of broccoli. I know,” I finished for him, sticking out my tongue. He reached forward and grabbed my wrist, pulling me to him.

“That’s not what I was going to say, and you know it,” he murmured, whispering his lips across mine and sending a flurry of dirty thoughts through my head. “You look beautiful.”

“Let’s go,” Sarita said, hopping into the back seat. “We still have to pick up Mabel, and I hate being late.”

Neil cast me a searing smile before walking around the car and opening the passenger side door for me. I could certainly get used to this gentlemanly behaviour, I thought as I climbed in and strapped on my seatbelt.

On the drive, my phone buzzed. I sifted through my bag and pulled it out.

Adam: Okay, I did it. I just told Winona that I like her.

My pulse pounded as I read the message. This was so exciting.

Afric: Oh, my God! What did she say?

Adam: She said … the feeling is mutual.

Afric: Gah! I’m so happy right now!

Adam: And I just booked a flight to Miami to see her. This could end disastrously. I burn like bacon in the sun.

Afric: Pack lots of sunscreen, then. I want all the details. You have to promise to update me in real time.

Adam: Lol. I’ll try my best.

I put away my phone, still grinning as Neil pulled up to the hotel. A young guy in a waistcoat took his keys to park the car for him. I slid my arm through his as we took the elevator up to the rooftop garden where the party was being held. The doors opened into a gloriously sunny scene. There were tables topped with pretty flower arrangements while hotel staff handed out glasses of champagne to guests.

Michaela and James appeared, James in a suit and Michaela wearing a pretty red sundress.

“You two managed to work things out then?” she whispered in my ear as we hugged and I handed her the gift I brought.

“Yes, we did,” I replied.