You Saw Me

18

By the time Henry managed to break free from the group of girls, it was almost closing time. He came over and sat down next to me on the sofa we were sitting on. Gayle, Ana and Sarah took the hint and snuck off. Just then I noticed how Jeff, Lloyd, Cam and Matt stood up in front of us with their backs turned, shielding the view. It wouldn't look conspicuous to others, but knowing what I knew, it was obvious that they were helping Henry have a private moment.

"I'm so sorry it took so long", Henry said while looking me in the eyes. "They can be very insistent at times. But I owe them my success so I always try to treat them with kindness".

He was endearing. I smiled at him and put my hand to his cheek. "Don't worry about it, I got some quality time with the girls", I said feeling a sense of calm. The real talk I had with my friends was a good wake up call. I just had to stay in the moment. I definitely preferred when the moment included Henry, but I needed to relax.

Henry leaned forward and kissed me. Slowly at first, taking his time to pause and look into my eyes. I gently let my tongue slide in between his lips and found his tongue warm and soft. That ignited a thirst in him and he pulled me closer sliding a hand up my thigh and under my dress. I tensed slightly thinking he was going to touch me like that in public, but his hand lingered on my thigh, tracing circles, which kinda tickled. I drew my face back and looked at him, wondering why he was lingering. He smiled that cheeky smile at me as he leaned forward and whispered: "Payback from earlier".

***
Leaving the bar became a project. Jeff checked for fans as we waited in the bar. Once again I caught myself feeling sorry for Henry. The constant worry that someone would see him or catch him in an inconvenient situation. I hugged him and whispered in his ear, "I'm sorry it has to be like this".

He held me close and rested his chin on the top of my head. He took a deep breath and spoke almost in a sigh "I'm grateful for all I have and everything they do for me". It sounded like a mantra. Could be something he said to remind himself that it didn't originate from a negative place, but from the love he was the receiver of. I stroked his back and kept silent. It didn't feel like a proper moment to ask him, if he was truly happy.

Jeff came back in and fetched us. The group of girls had lingered around outside for a while, but the bouncer had asked them to vacate the premises, as they were closing up. Jeff had handed him a tip and thanked him for being a sport about it.

We decided to walk back along the beach to the condos to see my friends home safe and so I could grab some essentials for staying at Henry's beach house.

***

It was peaceful on the beach. We walked hand in hand barefoot in the sand. Henry carried my bag over his shoulder. The waves rolled in and touched my feet. It wasn't cold in the water, so I stopped outside the beach house and let my feet sink in the sand for a while.

"Water's nice", Henry pointed out while looking down at his feet.

I nodded and turned so we were face to face.

"Hi..." He smiled at me and sighed.

I was suddenly overwhelmed by the desire to surprise him and run into the water. I grabbed the bottom of my dress and pulled it over my head. Then I smiled cheekily at him, turned and ran into the waves.

"Jeez...Ellie! What're you..?" I heard him call after me followed by him laughing. I turned to face him and saw him drop his shorts and shirt and run after me.
He ran like a lifeguard and threw himself into the waves after me. I laughed when he grabbed me by the waist and lifted me up.

"You have to be careful out here in the dark, miss." He said in a fake Southern, American accent. It made me laugh so much I was hardly able to breathe when he threw me over his shoulder, and carried me back to the beach. He laid me down in the sand and pretended to yell: "WE HAVE TO DO CPR, CLEAR!" and tickled my sides. "Coming in for mouth to mouth". He leaned down and kissed me. I kissed him back passionately.

"You're so goofy", I laughed as he laid down next to me on his side.

"And you're lovely", he said while twirling a lock of my hair between his fingers. "I can be myself with you".

I smiled at him and turned on my side so we were facing each other. "Really?" my voice came out smaller and more fragile than I meant it to.

"Yeah. You get me. I don't have to pretend with you", he seemed to get emotional saying the last part.

So I kissed him and whispered: "Take me home, sir".

"Yes ma'am", he obliged and picked me up and carried me up to the beach house.