Pretty Tied Up

Chapter Four: Denial

After having her ankle bandaged and being given some painkillers, Liljana arranged to be picked up by Sands so they could go and take the photos they didn’t get around to doing the day before.

Liljana was more careful to look where she walked and wear trainers. Sands managed to get in a few cracks, but Liljana had just retorted with her own.

They found a log to sit on after they finished taking photos. “You know, you’re not as much of an asshole as I thought you were.”

“You’re a lot more feisty than I thought you were. So we’re even.” Liljana chuckled. “Meeting Dave again, today?”

“I, uh, why do you ask?”

“Just curious. What do you see in him?”

“He’s kind, caring, relatively normal.”

“Don’t you wish you were with someone who could make your blood boil with excitement? Make you want to shout and scream at him? Don’t you wish you were with someone who makes your skin tingle, just being in the same room? Someone who can give you that good low-down tickle without even touching you?” Liljana looked up to meet Sands eyes to find they were looking at hers, a heated gaze which Liljana felt herself returning. Her gaze flicked to his lips and she licked hers unconsciously. Liljana snapped out of the trance when their lips were mere centimetres from each other and she stood up quickly, breathing deeply.

“I can’t.”

“Why?”

“I’m with Dave. I love him.”

“Are you in love with him?”

“I...I...of course.”

“You don’t sound too sure.”

“I think we’ve finished this conversation, Sands. Can you take me home? I’m sure you want to get back to your latest blonde bimbo. ”

“Jealous, Sugarbutt?” he smirked, standing up and walking towards her

“Far from it. I...” she trailed off and stumbled back as Sands almost stalked towards her, a gleam in his eye. She felt like she had lost her voice as she kept stepping back and Sands kept stepping towards her. She gasped when her back hit a tree, spinning around to look. Sands took the opportunity to press himself against her, trapping her body against the tree. He brushed a stray piece of hair from her face.

“We’d be great together.”

“Don’t” She breathed, but couldn’t move as his face slowly got nearer to hers.

“I could show you things.”

“Stop.” She wanted him to, she really did...

“I want to make you scream in carnal lust.”

“Mmmm.” Liljana could feel her body melt against Sands at the words and couldn’t find the energy to form any herself. She allowed him to lift her chin and meet her lips with his. He teased her at first, placing small kisses on her lips but as the kiss got longer, he slipped his tongue between her lips and she let her tongue entwine with his. The sensations elicited from his lips made Liljana almost dizzy. She didn’t realise her hand behind Sands’ neck holding him to her. It was when he let his hands rest on her bare skin, just above the waistband of her jeans that Liljana broke apart from.

“Stop. I can’t do this.”

“Why?”

“Because I said so.” Liljana pushed Sands away from her and started hobbling back to the car. Sands watched her for a minute, trying to think of anything-hobo’s, food, sheep, something to make his boner go away before racing to catch up.

***

Liljana sighed inwardly as she was kissing Dave. Something was missing. ‘Yeah, a whole person,’ said the voice in her head, sarcastically. ‘“I want to make you scream in carnal lust.”’

“What?” Liljana said, pulling back.

“What, what? I didn’t say anything.” Dave frowned, “Are you okay? You’ve been a bit off these past two weeks.”

“I’m fine.” Liljana settled over Dave’s lap on the sofa and resumed kissing. ‘“blood boil with excitement... that good low-down tickle without even touching you... are you in love with him?... carnal lust...”’ “Stop.”

“What? Lil, are you okay?”

“I...can you go? I need some time to myself. Sorry.”

“Why? You know you can tell me anything.”

“Please, Dave. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Liljana climbed off of Dave and waited for him to leave, unable to meet his eyes.

Liljana sat on the sofa her head in her hands.

Knock knock

“I said can you leave, Dave.”

“It’s Sands.” Came a muffled voice through the door. Liljana sighed, cursing inwardly.

“What do you want?” She said as she opened the door, hand on her hip.

“Trouble in paradise?” He smirked.

“No. What did you want?”

“Thought we could work on the photos.”

“Can’t we do this tomorrow, Sands?”

“Nope. We agreed to do the photos on the computer and I figured you’d like to get them over and done with.”

“It’s broken.” She lied. Sands raised his eyebrows, “So what’s that over there?” he indicated towards the computer, visible from in the lounge with a game of Solitaire occupying the screen. Liljana sighed, “Fine. Come in.”

She shut the door and cursed herself for not thinking of a better excuse.

They sat at the computer, manipulating images for hours, Liljana had tried to avoid touching Sands and jumped when they both went for the mouse at the same time, blushing furiously. Sands had kept stealing glances at her, his looks occasionally lingering on her lips.

“So are you going to tell me why you were yelling at Dave?”

“Is it really any of your business?”

“Well, I figure it might have something to do with why you jumped right out of your seat when I touched your hand.”

“I just wanted to have some ‘me’ time.”

“Really? So it wasn’t about yesterday?”

“What about yesterday?” She said, ‘Pretend nothing happened...’

“We kissed, Lil.”

‘Or not.’ “Huh. How ‘bout that?”

“Didn’t you feel anything?”

“Disgust? A violent urge to be sick? Sure.”

“Heat. Passion. Desire.”

“Must just be you, Sands.”

“You’re lying. I felt it. I felt it in the way you kept me pressed against your lips with your hand on the back of my neck. The way you moved against me.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Liljana snorted and pushed her chair back from the computer, “It was a momentary lapse of composure. It won’t happen again.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.” She said, inside wishing that he’d just push her against that wall and-‘No! S.hit! What’s wrong with me? I love Dave! Sands is just...sexy. That’s all there is to it.’
Liljana met his eyes and felt her skin tingle at his intense gaze.

“Why won’t you give in?”

“Give in?”

“I know you feel something for me, Lil. I can see it in your eyes.”

“No you can’t. I don’t feel anything for you. Why are you pushing this?”

“I like you, Liljana. I really like you.”

“I know this may come as a bit of a shock to you, Sheldon, but not every living, breathing female fancies you.”

“You’re not even willing to just give it a shot?”

‘Oh, I would love to, Sands, but you want to know why I don’t? You really want to know why? It’s because I don’t want to be another woman you fu.ck, then chuck out the next week because you get bored of me. Yeah, your reputation precedes you, Buddy. I don't want to become just another one of your whores.’

“I don’t see the problem. It doesn’t sound like you’re in love with Dave. Why are you with him?”

‘Because he’s safe.’ “I’m happy with him.”

“Really?”

“Stop trying to analyse my relationship! I’m not going to break up with him and I’m not getting together with you!” Liljana’s eyes flashed with anger.

“Got your motor running though, haven’t I?” Liljana could feel a blush creeping up her neck and crossed her legs tighter.

“I don’t know why I haven’t thrown you out yet.” She scowled, standing up and walking into the kitchen. She started making coffee and shifted uncomfortably when she heard Sands had followed her.

“Why don’t you?”

“Why don’t I what?”

“Throw me out.”

“Photography-”

“We’ve practically finished it.” Liljana added sugar to her coffee, refusing to turn around as she heard him step closer to her on the tiled floor. A shiver went down her spine and her arms and neck became covered with goose bumps, her body betraying her.

“Cold?” Sands whispered with a hint of amusement, his voice right beside her ear. Liljana dropped her teaspoon with a clink. She gripped the worktop with both hands as he pressed his body gently against hers. His hands caressed her exposed arms, stroking them gently as he dipped his head, burying his face in her neck for a moment, “You smell so good.”

“I...I...”

“...can’t? Turn around.” She turned. Before she knew what was happening, his tongue was begging entrance to her mouth. She felt the warmth spreading through her body, could feel her heart speed up, hear the blood rush in her ears, feel herself wanting to let go. She could feel it. The warmth as it spread through her body, the tingles where his fingertips touched her skin, the passion. Her hands came up of their own accord, skimming his back, tracing delicate patterns on the back of his neck and fisting in his dark hair.

They slowly found themselves wandering across the kitchen, bumping into the table, chairs and the doorframe to end up in the hall. Sands walked them up to the front door, backing Liljana up against it. He slid his hands down her body and squeezed her butt before lifting her up, her legs wrapping around his hips. Their kisses went from teasing and passionate to hungry and passionate. Liljana moaned loudly when Sands rolled his hips.

Knock knock

Liljana squealed and dropped her legs, parting from Sands, meeting his gaze, their eyes clouded with lust.

“Lil, are you okay?”

‘Shit. Dave’. Liljana looked down guiltily, “Quick. Go and hide in my room. First door on the left at the top of the stairs.”

Sands raised an eyebrow but nodded and went up the stairs while Liljana leant back against the door for a second, catching her breath before opening the door.

“Wow. Nice bed hair.”

Her eyes widened as she glanced in the mirror, “Well, uh, you know how I like to fight the pillow.”

“I wanted to apologise if I did any thing earlier...”

“No. I was just...I feel a bit ill. I just don’t want you to catch anything. Must be the 48 hour bug that’s going around.”

“I suppose. Can I come in?”

“I’d rather be on the safe side. Don’t want you to have to spend time from college.”

“I guess. I’ll see you tomorrow, then?”

“Definitely.” She said and Dave kissed her cheek briefly, before leaving.

Liljana sighed as she shut the door and banged her head against it in an effort to remain calm. ‘Right, it’s easy. Just tell Sands to leave. Tell him it was a mistake. Tell him... anything except what you really want.’

Liljana jogged up the stairs and pushed open her bedroom door, her eyes widening at what Sands was holding up.