Retrospective: Paris - How things happened

3.9. Mae West - Forget it
Fall 1993, Mae's apartment

Francesco furrowed his brows, and Mae could almost physically sense his discomfort.
Oh God! 

She had single-handedly ruined their friendship with just one sentence.

Now was going to tell her that he couldn't stay here anymore. And where would he go?

He had no home!

He rubbed his temples.

"Mae, this is –"
His expression changed to something undefinable when their eyes met.
"Not a..."

He didn't finish. 

A few quiet seconds passed.

Just when she thought she should explain that nothing had to change and that he could stay here without worrying that she would peek behind the shower curtain – most certainly not!– But if he did worry, she would try and help him find another place –

Somehow, his tension dissolved, his shoulders relaxed. Instead, the softest smile bloomed on his face, and his warm amber eyes were warmer than ever. Hesitantly, he reached out and brushed her jaw with his fingertips. "Forget it," he whispered, more to himself than to her. Slowly, carefully, he leaned over and touched her lips with his.

Overwhelmed by surprise and dream-dazed, Mae closed her eyes and melted into the gentle kiss. It was much more than the tiny kiss in the hallway; it grew, it spread, and its warmth reached through her entire body, tingled along her spine and down into her core. It manifested its heat in hot, damp pulses inside her lap. How quickly had this kiss turned into more than just lips? How could this single kiss make her want so much more, want it all right there and then?

It must be because it was Francesco; but also – exactly because it was him – she couldn't just act on her desires. Just a few minutes ago, he'd been still haunted by the horrible things that had happened to him. Mae wanted so desperately to love him, but was that even possible when the core expression of love had been twisted and turned to hurt him? Reluctantly she broke off the kiss with a sad gasp for air.

When she lift her eyes, they met his. Still warm, and now questioning. And in the midst of their connection of souls, the tiny dissonance that had accompanied the surprise kiss and had grown louder as she'd remembered his previous relationship, finally became clear.

"I thought you were gay!" She cried out.

Francesco blinked in surprise. He let out a small chuckle, then rubbed his neck, somewhat embarrassed. "I don't know," he murmured. "I thought so too, but it's not quite like that. I guess I cannot make up my mind."

"So, you can like, like everyone?" Mae tried to understand. How convenient, to not be limited in your options!

"God, no! Just- it doesn't seem to matter if it's a man or a woman," he said with a small, shy grin.

Saying he liked 'women' after just kissing her, flustered Mae a little. Flushed with the silly feeling of flattery and exuberance, she said, "as long as you like me, whatever."

It sparked a wickedly amused gleam in his eyes. He cupped her chin and kissed her again, this time with no trace of hesitation or shyness. Mae tumbled backward onto the sofa under his ferocity, him right after; on top of her. As she caught him, her hands gripped onto his firm, warm skin – his sweatshirt had slipped up during the fall.

She could feel him holding his breath through his ribcage.

He raised up and let off of her, his eyes full of examining curiosity. They told her he wanted the same as her. In an instant, he lifted her back up and pulled her T-shirt over her head. 

She hadn't put on a bra after her shower. His eyes tracing her bare chest, cut off her breath and showered her with a mixture of nervousness, unexpected shyness, and arousal.

In retaliation, she grabbed the hem of his sweatshirt and pulled it over his head, too. Mae bit her lip when she noticed his bruised body – the injuries must be from the assault a few days ago – but they didn't seem to hurt him anymore. He shook off his surprise over her sudden attack and his hair out of his face. The hint of a sloped smirk spread across it, then he pulled and pushed her backwards onto the sofa and covered her waist and belly with fierce kisses. With his tongue on her skin, where could she go with all this overwhelming excitement? Mae could barely see through her hot haze, and quiet moans escaped her lips.

She barely registered how he swiftly slid down her shorts – together with her underwear. His lips followed his hands, until they reached their final destination between her legs.

Oh holy-

It didn't take her long to climax under his kisses.

Her moans weren't so quiet anymore.

When she opened her eyes, his face was above hers again. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and revealed a sly smirk. Incited, she searched for the opening of his jeans and fumbled unsuccessfully with its buttons. She wanted, needed to feel him deeply! With the help of his warm hands guiding hers, she finally got rid of all the bothersome fabric that separated him from her.

With her legs wrapped around his hips and her arms around his shoulders, he was just close enough. She pressed his face into the hollow of her neck, her fingers entangled in his hair. His breath was heavy and hot against her skin. He moved slowly but firmly, almost roughly, inside her.

More!

She encouraged him to push faster as she rode on the high of her post-climax; feeling how he was getting closer and closer to come as if his arousal were her own.

One second later, they found themselves both on the floor. 

"Ouch!" Mae had hit her elbow falling down. The tickling pain that spread through her arm instantly wiped out the rush of euphoria and she grimaced. But when she looked into Francesco's baffled face, she cracked up in laughter.

"It's too narrow," she giggled, and meant the couch seat.

His mouth softened into an amused grin.

For a moment, he looked as if he didn't know what to do with himself. Mae too, was a little unsure. Both sat naked on the floor, the heat of the moment had evaporated, but their hunger was far from satisfied.

"You- you got some rubbers left, somewhere?" He muttered to the coffee table, and meant if Mae was up for more. She answered by jumping up and digging into her handbag, and quickly found her just-in-case supply. Impatiently, Francesco pulled her towards the bed, and shortly after they were all wrapped up and entangled with each other again.

They stayed locked in each other's arms long after Francesco had finished, too. As if they separated now, they would never have the chance to be close again.

He breathed stealthy kisses on her jaw and neck, and traced her collarbones and shoulder with his fingers. She ran hers through his hair, silky and smooth, and thick.

Both were lost in each other's presence and serene silence.

"I love you too," he whispered against her neck, finally breaking the silence, and rolled to the side to look into her eyes.

If only he could always look at her like that! His eyes said more than words ever could.

"You're the kindest and sweetest person I've ever met," he said softly.

To counter the rising hot flush in her cheeks, she added rather clumsily, "And the prettiest."

He chuckled and she saw the mischief sparkle in his eyes. She was already preparing a witty response, expecting him to tease her, when his gaze softened again.

"And the prettiest," he confirmed, tucking back a strand of hair that had fallen over her face.

Just then, the doorbell rang, catapulting them back to reality.

"Oh, crap! Charli and the others are coming over to study," Mae cried out. Hastily, she and Francesco gathered their clothes and got dressed before their friends could climb the five flights of stairs. If they found out, it would be so embarrassing, so cliché! Charlotte had teased Mae endlessly, insisting that she would eventually 'convert' Francesco, despite Mae constantly denying her interest!

"Are we gonna say-" Francesco stopped mid-sentence.

"Nothing," Mae shot back without a second thought. Just then it crossed her mind how harsh her reply was, but surprisingly Francesco looked anything but hurt or offended. On the contrary, he seemed relieved! He nodded, and just a second later he acted as if nothing had ever happened.

Just as Mae finished putting on a bit of make up, it knocked on the door.