Girl Heart Boy: No Such Thing as Forever (Book 1) by Ali Cronin Page A

was gone four by the time we got home, having parted with the girls at the night-bus stop. I didn’t even remember them saying goodbye. One minute they were there, the next they weren’t. It was about the only good thing to happen that entire night. It didn’t get any better, either. Me and Joe went into his bedroom and I turned around to close the door, literally sighing with relief that it was all over. When I turned back, he was comatose.
    All I could do was brush my teeth, get into bed beside him and wonder what the hell I was doing there.

6
     
    ‘Sarah … Hey, Sarah.’
    I slowly opened my eyes. Joe was leaning up on his elbow, watching me. He ran a finger down my forehead and over my nose, bringing it to a stop on my lips. He leant forward and, removing his finger, kissed where it had been, then he put his finger back and traced round my mouth. ‘Sorry. I had to wake you.’ He fixed his eyes on mine. ‘You are so beautiful.’ He paused. ‘I need you.’ And he kissed me deeply and tenderly, his mouth soft and warm on mine.
    Oh God. I knew I should still be angry, but he’d been drunk last night. No one’s really themselves when they’re drunk.
This is the way Ashley and Donna do it
, I told myself.
Just go with it.
Joe pulled away from me then, and slowly kissed his way across my breasts and over my belly button, until his face was level with my crotch. I fought the urge to stop him when he started to take off yesterday’s knickers, but then I felt his tongue on me, and the world disappeared again. And this time he didn’t stop until my wholebody fizzed and hummed, and I grabbed his hair and whimpered.
    A couple of hours later, we came up for air. Joe wrapped the second condom of the morning in a tissue and dropped it on the floor then, after planting an affectionate kiss on my right nipple, flopped on to the bed and pulled me to him.
    ‘So am I right in thinking you came a grand total of three times this morning, young Sarah?’
    I turned on to my side so I could see his face. As I thought: smug. ‘Pretty pleased with yourself, aren’t you?’ I said, smiling.
    He inclined his head modestly. ‘The facts speak for themselves … And you’re welcome.’
    I laughed and shook my head in mock disbelief. ‘Pride comes before a fall, Joseph.’
    ‘What does that even mean?’ he said, feigned confusion furrowing his rather lovely brow. ‘Like, what does falling over have to do with pride?’
    I laughed then realized that he wasn’t joking. Maybe a knowledge of the metaphorical nature of old granny sayings isn’t a vital component of a politics degree, but still. Duh. Anyway, it made me feel slightly less petrified about seeing his friends again. If nothing else I could dazzle them with ‘Too wrongs don’t make a right’ and ‘A bird in the hand is worthtwo in the bush’ (although to be honest I didn’t have a clue what that one was about).
    Joe turned away from me, taking my arm with him so I curved round his back. ‘So,’ he said, kissing my hand. ‘I guess the question on everyone’s lips is: how do I compare with the others?’
    I tried to sound light and unbothered. ‘What others?’
    He spun round so he was facing me again. ‘No way. You weren’t a virgin?’ I shrugged and smiled. ‘Wow. Well, I have to say: you’re a natural.’
    I beamed. As compliments go, it was way up there. ‘You don’t mind, then?’ I asked, and he gave me a
what do you take me for
look and flopped on to his back. We lay silent for a minute. I raked my fingers lightly up and down his chest.
    ‘Mmm, that’s nice,’ he murmured, his eyes closed. I watched his mouth curve with contentment and felt a slight thrill that it was me who was making him feel like that.
    No use kidding myself. Last night might as well never have happened.
    ‘So when did you lose yours, then?’ I asked, keeping my voice low so as not to destroy the mood.
    Without opening his eyes, he said: ‘Fifteen. Honey Jessop. We went