Little White Lies

Luke cleared the stairs, three at a time, followed closely by a shower of underwear.
" Bastard ! Lucy shouted, hurling objects. Luke neatly dodged George Best who was fortunately in miniature form.
" My key-ring ! cried Luke. " You might have lost that !
" Lose it ? roared Lucy, her anger upping the temperature along the stairwell. "LOSE IT ? How about I lose it right up your lying arse ?
" You're alright, Luke held up his hands passively. " Er¦you haven't got my car keys on you by any chance ?
A small object pinged off his forehead. " Thanks, said Luke, retrieving the keys and placing them in his pocket.
" You're welcome. Now¦PISS OFF !

The street outside was sodden with rain and Luke didn't blame it. The skies were grumbling darkly and he had just stepped into a very deep puddle when he heard Lucy's voice call out.
" Luke !
He turned and faced upwards, hope rising tremulously in his eyes. Lucy's head appeared over the balcony of the flat.
" Yes baby ? Luke called up to her.
An overnight bag hurtled down and struck him full in the face.
" You forgot that, Lucy bellowed, " BASTARD !
Luke gingerly prodded at his nose and looked back up. Lucy was gone. He slumped down miserably on the kerb and contemplated the bruise that he would have tomorrow. This was not how he planned it. He thought he had finally found it: love that so many wanted but never got. Love that actually involved someone other than himself. Love where he enjoyed waking up next to a woman and hoping she'd stay for breakfast.
There was a moral to this and Luke knew it. If you're going to carry on with someone else, never, never, never ever carry on in your girlfriend's flat, even if you think she's at work all day. At least check the answerphone.
But it's not as though Stella wasn't worth the risk. Intelligent, incredible, pant-strainingly beautiful Stella. The softly seductive Jamaican exchange student who rented the flat above Lucy, humbling Luke into submission with her braided black hair, glowing skin and brilliant smile. She was fascinating. She was creative. She was witty. And she could fuck.
Oh boy, could she fuck ! She was the physical embodiment of The Kama Sutra. She could hammer you right through the mattress and that's when she wasn't in the mood. Luke had never known a woman with such¦abilities. Though letting Lucy in on the secret was not something he had envisaged.
It had happened this morning, outside her flat. Luke was going down stairs and she was going up.
It had happened so quickly, so fast. The memory seemed so unreal now he thought about it. It was only a couple of hours ago they were writhing in the grip of first heat. Only a couple of hours ago that he floored her shopping. Only a couple of hours.

" Oh my God, I'm so sorry, Luke had exclaimed, as apples and oranges jauntily sauntered off down the corridor. He bent down and began to feverishly retrieve the rogue fruit.
" It's OK, the girl soothed, her voice all soft and sexy.
" I was miles away, Luke spluttered, as he fumbled around.
" It's really no bother. The girl met Luke's eyes and they bored into him with a gentle, but intensive, force. They both reached for a Braeburn and their hands touched. Luke blushed. Girls didn't make him blush. She knew that and she smiled.
" Thank you for your help, she said.
" No mithers, said Luke, as nonchalantly as he could.
" I think that's everything, she said, popping the last item back in her bag.
" Looks like, said Luke. " You live here ?
" Mmm.
They were standing only a matter of inches away. Luke swallowed hard. His penis was engaged in a fearsome battle with his jeans' zip. He tried to focus.
" I'm Stella, she said, after a while.
" Luke, he replied. Another pause. " Do you want to come back to mine ?
What ? Where the hell did that come from ? Did that really just come out of his mouth ? He wasn't shy and certainly had no problem approaching women but that was forward, even for him. What on earth would she think ?
" I'd love to.
Of course.

And Stella had him. Completely. No fumbled awkwardness, no pretence about coffee, she just slipped her hands around his neck and buried him in her lips. Moments later, Luke was running his hands over her tremendous curves as they writhed in the sweat of pure passion, wordless and very sweaty. She caressed him with her kisses, tantalised him with her tongue, exploded him between her hips. It was heaven, ecstasy and just when Luke thought he wouldn't be able to take it any longer, Stella trembled and, with a breathy purr, slid off his humbled member.
Afterwards they just lay there, breathing and contemplating. The moment didn't need to be spoiled with chat. Luke idly fingered Stella's hair and she lazily nuzzled the nape of his neck with her lips. Everything seemed perfect. Luke wondered how this moment would ever break.
But then fate can always be relied on at times like these.
" THE FUCK ?! Lucy was glowering at the bedroom door.
Quick thinking was needed. Luke realised he would have to utilise all of his considerable charm and guile to get him out of this one.
" Er¦had a good day babe ?
Bugger.
" Oh well, let's see, Lucy was boiling nicely. " Office, coffee, too much caffeine as usual. Filing, reports, meetings and¦what was it now, something really important¦oh yes, that's right¦boyfriend SHAGGING ANOTHER WOMAN !
" Well, you could have let me know you were coming home early.
" OH, I'M SO FUCKING SORRY, DARLING ! Lucy screamed, her vocal level well above normal by now. " NEXT TIME YOU WANT TO BOP SOME TART IN MY FLAT, PLEASE SHOW ME THE SCHEDULE BEFOREHAND. WOULD HATE TO BE IN-FUCKING-CONSIDERATE, WOULDN'T I !
" I'm off, Stella announced, sweeping her clothes up and edging past Lucy with improbable poise.
" Good idea, one murder in this flat would be bad enough ! Lucy fired over her shoulder at Stella's departing back. The front door slammed shut.
Lucy looked at Luke. Luke looked back at Lucy.
" So, Luke said, attempting nonchalance. " Cup of tea ?
" OUT !
" Really ? Well, I could always buy some more¦
" YOU ! OUT ! OUT, OUT, OUT !
Luke managed to fumble on a pair of boxers before Lucy chased him out of the flat with a hairbrush. He cleared the stairs, three at a time, and waited¦oh right, we did that bit.

Luke tugged on a t-shirt and was doing up a pair of jeans when a car pulled up beside him at the kerb. The driver's door clicked open and a man got out. He placed a hand on Luke's shoulder, a concerned look on his face.
" Luke ? he said, bemused. " What's going on ? You alright ?
" Hey Neil, " said Luke. " I'm fine mate.
Neil looked at the bags scattered around the street.
" What's this ? he said.
" Oh, I'm¦ Luke frantically racked his brain for an explanation.
" You moving out or something ?
" Yeah that's it, moving out.
" Oh. Why ?
" Oh you know. Though I hope you don't, thought Luke. " Time to move on, sort myself out.
Neil looked unconvinced for a moment but then smiled.
" Well, I respect that, mate. But you're welcome to stay for as long as you want. Can't have my little brother out on the streets now, can I?
" Really, I'll manage.
" Course. Neil slapped Luke on the back. " Need a hand with your bags ?
" I can manage, ta. Luke couldn't stand this. He just wanted Neil to go.
" OK but call me soon, Neil insisted.
" Will do.
" Nice one.
They shook hands and then Neil walked towards the block of flats. When he had gone inside, Luke threw his head back and let out a full sigh of relief.

Neil placed his key in the lock and opened the door to the flat. The sight that greeted him stopped him dead in his tracks. The place was a mess. Smashed crockery everywhere, objects resting in places they shouldn't have been and Lucy crying in the kitchen.
" Lucy ? Neil called, uncertainly.
" Neil ! Lucy exclaimed, jumping up from her stool. She fervently wiped away her tears. " How was work ?
" What the hell has happened in here ? Has Luke done something ?
" What makes you say that ? Lucy said, alarmed.
" I saw Luke outside and he seemed a bit jumpy.
Lucy hung her head. She was, for the first time in two hours, relieved.
" You can tell me, Luce, Neil said softly. He walked over to her and stroked her cheek. " Just say it, whatever it is.
Lucy looked up into his gentle, trusting face and the tears sprung again. How could she begin ?
" It's got nothing to do with your brother, she said, unable to look Neil in the eye. Neil smiled, a spark of knowledge igniting his face.
" What is it ? said Lucy.
" I know, said Neil, still smiling.
Lucy went white with fear. He knew. Of course he knew. How could he not ?
" You know ? she said, tremulously.
" Mmm. Neil nodded and picked up an open envelope from the breakfast bar. He waved it admonishingly in her face.
" Credit card bill, he announced, triumphantly.
" Yeah, sure. Lucy felt beaten.
" I've told you not to go so mad. You know what a state you get yourself into.
"Yes, I know.
" Come here.
Neil swallowed his wife up in his arms and squeezed her tight. Lucy felt like she was suffocating.