First Impressions. - Part 22.

"If you take a look at my life and everything that's gone wrong with it, which is everything, then the only common denominator in all those cock up's is me." Steph declared before John silenced her by placing his fingers on her lips.
"You could say that for everyone. It's meaningless. The only common denominator in all my catastrophes is me. I was messing things up and making mistakes long before you came into my life. Now shut the hell up." His forcefulness shocked her into temporary silence. The kiss he delivered surprised her. "I am not perfect. You are not perfect. You're perfect for me. I love you. I'm going to keep telling you that until it wears out. I make mistakes all the time. I married a woman I didn't even love."
"Your worst one was having anything to do with me." She murmured petulantly.
He gave her a stern look.
"We've got a lot in common."
She folded her arms defensively.
"Name three things."
"Our favorite movie is? Some Like It Hot. The final line of which is? Nobody's perfect."
Her lips curved into an involuntary smile.
"We like going to the theater and Italian food."
"Name two more."
"You love writing and I love reading." He retorted.
"That's cheating."
"Alright. We both like dancing. We've got similar taste in music, but draw the line at seeing an entire opera." He paused.
"Is that enough though?" Her counter arrived after some delay.
He frowned.
"Moving on to a more sensitive subject. I take great enjoyment out of making you feel good. I get pleasure from giving you pleasure. I'm ashamed to admit the kick I get out of giving you orgasms is better than most of the sex I've ever had."
Now he'd reached one of those critical points she'd been dwelling on.
"How did you get so good at oral? You said you were inexperienced. You'd never been with a woman since Arabella left you."
His discomfort both pleased and disappointed her. Now he'd confess about his numerous love interests. Insisting it was only sex.
"Umm.... I got advice from Karen and Suzie. They told me what they liked and to mix it up a bit. Watch your reactions and find out what got the best results. It was all theory. No practical. They're both gold star lesbians."
"What's a gold star lesbian?"
"It's one who's never been with a man. Or been penetrated, by anything. In a way their daughter Hayley was a virgin birth. They were both really helpful."
That seemed believable. It could be a crock of shit, made up to appease her unreasonable jealousy. She'd trust but verify for now. Time to change her angle of attack.
"What were you celebrating the other day?"
His brow furrowed as he shrugged.
"I'm not sure what you mean."
John was being evasive. She'd hit pay dirt. If only it wasn't a portent of their impending split. The first crack in this doomed relationship. Best to tear the plaster off, rather than delay.
"I saw you doing a victory dance, in your office. The day before yesterday i think."
"Oh." Here it comes she thought, he looked conflicted. "Ah. I've got a bit of a confession to make. On a positive note, it does amply illustrate I'm not perfect. You might not like this."
"What did you do?"
He shifted in his seat.
"You might not like this, but please believe me I did it purely out of revenge. And spite. There was an awful lot of spite on my part. I cannot overemphasize this enough."
"Oh God what did you do?"
John took a deep breath. Released that one, then took another.
"It was slightly illegal."
She was actually worried for him now. Also very intrigued.
"How illegal?"
"Very. But morally I believe I was justified. I tricked your old boyfriend Brendan into going to Brunei. He's been detained by the authorities there. I can't recall the exact charges, but it's to do with him having a reportable contagious disease. I worked out he was asymptomatic so he's never had his VD treated. It's a criminal offence in Brunei to knowingly expose others to a potentially life altering disease. It is in most places, but the sentences are longer there and the prisons are a lot worse than anywhere else I could send him. I've also probably ruined his career. No one's going to want to employ a photojournalist who's an ex-con barred from visiting most countries. According to Karen he will get a minimum of two years hard time. She's also exploring the ramifications of you suing him for slander. That's up to you though. As is suing your former employer. Karen says they'll settle out of court to avoid the bad publicity."
Not only was it petty, it was brilliant.
"You did that for me?"
John shrugged again.
"Not entirely, if I'm honest. If it wasn't for him I could have been having sex with you right now." He rolled his eyes. "It's been a long time. It's gotten much worse since I met you. I'm barely clinging onto my shit right now. What I really wanted to do was kick his balls from one end of the country to the other. I've got you, Bella and Taz to think of though. Sorry if I've gone too far. Strictly speaking it's entirely your business, not mine. I shouldn't have interfered."
His eyes were downcast. Steph slid onto the floor at his feet, looked up into his face.
"Why haven't you tried?"
"You've suffered enough trauma this past year or so. Me adding to it wouldn't help. Honestly? If I had pressed you would you have been able to?"
"A couple of times I thought I could have. I'm not sure though. Are you going to...?
She left it hanging there.
"I'm prepared to wait until you're comfortable. I'm not happy about it. You really get my motor running. I've never felt this way about anyone. You know once this is all sorted, you can go back to your old life don't you? Become the hotshot reporter, you've always wanted to be. Flying off all over the world."
"Is that what you want?"
He sighed.
"No. I want you to be with me for the rest of my life. But that's pretty selfish. Asking you to give up on that dream. I couldn't do that to you."
It wasn't exactly an epiphany. More of a throwing open of some thick curtains. She'd wanted to be a princess and a ballerina at various points in her life. Priorities changed along with dreams. What did she really want to do? Oh yes, that was it. Stephanie stood up taking his hands.
"Come on."
"Where are we going?"
"To your bed. I think it's about time you put the meat to me. I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

They lay in the glorious aftermath of their first sexual union. It hadn't been as painful or uncomfortable as she'd feared. She'd been tense and nervous, as had he. They'd done it. They'd actually done it. Now here they were. Naked in one another's arms. Steph raised her head from his chest, smiling at him. She reached out, tracing his lips with her finger.

"That was..." She began.
"Quick?" He quipped. "I told you it's been a long time."
"You didn't set any records. Believe it or not I've had quicker. Are you ready to go again by any chance?"
"I'm as ready as I'll ever be." He had a strange look in his eyes, almost mischievous. "Why would you be willing to give me pleasure, when you get nothing in return?"
She chuckled.
"Because I love you and take pleasure from your enjoyment. Or it could be I like the funny little noises you make when you climax. I love you John Bennett, that's all the reason I need."

This time it lasted a lot longer. Entire minutes passed. During which she came to regret the funny little noises joke. Her noises were a lot louder. Eventually, when they rolled part, the two of them had one thing more in common. A joint interest you could say. They'd made love.

"Oh shit." Steph exclaimed. "We've left Helen and Taz alone. They'll have no idea what's been going on. Although in a way it serves them right for turning on that baby monitor so you could eavesdrop. Come on let's get cleaned up. Then we can go mess with their minds, by pretending we've decided to call it quits."
"That's evil. Might be fun though. As long as we don't take it too far."