Chapter 11

For the briefest moment, it might have been possible to explain away the kiss as an intimate gesture between close friends. Enide and Andra, however, were no longer merely touching lips. Their mouths were upon each other’s and their tongues mingled urgently. As if that weren’t enough, they soon began caressing one another in ways that left little doubt that the two were well-versed in this sort of thing. They were engrossed in a make-out session — snogging right in front of me.

I was, of course, shocked and confused, but also, intensely aroused. It is not a state of affairs I would endorse. I was dumbstruck with lust yet a part of me strained to stop the two and insist on an explanation. A voice in my head demanded to know, “So, what about me and Enide!?”

The two didn’t carry kissing for long, but it was long enough for a thousand questions to race through my mind like a whirlwind. Once they’d stopped, I couldn’t decide if I ought to be grateful or disappointed. I couldn’t help but notice how flushed their chest had become and the way their cleavage heaved enticingly.

Andra could not have been more serene or sanguine. Enide on the other hand seemed thoroughly flustered, too embarrassed to look at me directly.

Andra stood and held out her hand to Enide, then turned her head toward me. “Fayard ... would you stay?” she asked over her shoulder. She led Enide toward their room but paused before entering and again turned toward me. “I won’t be long,” she smiled before softly closing the door.

It was as if a spell had been lifted, restoring the use of my limbs. My nerves were intensely agitated and my mouth was very dry. I stood and poured myself a glass of water then gulped it all down before collapsing back onto the sofa.

Like any red-blooded male, I harboured erotic fantasies of girls together, naked bodies entwined, touching, caressing, writhing in ecstasy and all that sort of thing. My friends and I would joke about girls, especially ones at boarding schools getting up to all manner of delightfully lewd things with one another. However, I had thought of such things as intensely private, maybe even a kind of sororal secret — never to be disclosed or openly discussed.

I pondered and wondered about the implications of what I’d witnessed. It couldn’t be that Enide preferred girls otherwise why would Andra try so doggedly to foster our relationship? But then ... what was going on between them? With a long, exasperated sigh, I let out a deep breath, feeling like a frustrated child.

Mercifully, Andra reappeared before I lost my sanity completely. After closing the door, she lingered with her hand still on the handle, a wry smile across her face. She swayed towards me, smoothing the front of her dress with each step. “Sorry to keep you waiting Rody. These dresses are pretty but not easy to get in or out of,” she remarked breezily and sat beside me.

“Andra, what ——” I mumbled pathetically before my words petered out. Given the confusion reigning in my thoughts, I suspect I must have looked rather slack-jawed and bovine-like to her.

Andra smiled a sluggish, inebriated smile. “It’s just a girl thing — it happens all the time, really — between girls I mean,” she explained. “It’s not like Eni and I love each other ... no, no — that isn’t right,” she stopped and giggled before continuing. “We do love each other. I suppose what I mean is that we aren’t in love with each other,” she explained. “I’m sorry Rody ... am I making sense?” she asked. “I’ve never tried to explain any of this before. It’s difficult to put it into words.”

I said nothing but she must have seen some hint of comprehension and continued. “We started by just kissing and such, at first — we hadn’t even turned fifteen yet,” Andra revealed with a coy smile. “It was just exploring — wanting to see what it was like — what it would be like ... with boys,” she explained. “Although ... Eni already knew the boy she wanted,” Andra recalled, chuckling.

I leaned back on the sofa, watching her. Andra seemed especially radiant at that moment, filled with a kind of inner glow and loveliness. In my hazy mental state, I fancied her to be some sort of angelic being, sent down from on high to bestow my heart’s desire. It was such a sentimental, fanciful notion that I laughed aloud. Andra chortled as if she was privy to my inner thoughts.

“Is this what she was talking about?” I wondered aloud. “Eni kept telling me I didn’t know who she was,” I clarified.

“Yes, I suppose.”

I still didn’t understand where this was leading. If this thing between Andra and Enide was nothing more than youthful frolics, then why did Enide believe it to be an obstacle between us?

“Andra ... why is Enide so ——” I found myself slurring, unable to get the words out. “What’s Eni worried about?” I managed to ask.

“Rody ... she doesn’t want us to stop,” Andra answered hesitantly. “Neither of us wants to,” she added a little more assertively.

Suddenly, it all became clear. “She wants ——” I stammered, and became annoyed with myself as I ground to a halt. “Eni wants to be with ... both of us?” I asked once I was able to string the words together.

“Yes,” Andra answered in a small voice. “I suppose that’s one way of putting it.”

I wasn’t entirely certain how many other ways there were of “putting it” but this wasn’t the time to quibble over details.

Andra heaved a deep sigh. “Eni has never been with a man ... not really,” she confided. “She’s tried with a few but ... it never took,” she grinned, amused by her own odd phrasing. “It was always going to be you — she was always waiting for you ... even after she convinced herself she didn’t want you anymore. She couldn’t bear to ... you know ——” Andra shrugged before carrying on, “Go all the way with anyone else.”

I stared back and struggled to keep my expression neutral. Waves of guilt and shame coursed through me and I cursed myself for my dalliances at the brothel.

“Go and be with her Rody. She’s waiting — Eni’s been waiting for you a long time,” Andra said in a hushed tone. “That you wouldn’t accept ... this — it’s what she’s been afraid of ... why she’s been holding back,” she explained earnestly but then giggled suddenly, saying, “I suppose there are one or two other things but ... they can wait,” she added with a mysterious, knowing glint.

“If this isn’t what you want, then leave her be,” Andra said, becoming serious again as she spoke. “Go back to your room — forget about tonight. Tomorrow we’ll wake up and go back home ... just as before — still friends,” she told me, her tone filled with reassurance.

I took a deep breath, though I already knew any attempt to think all of this through rationally would be futile. There would be no thoughtful contemplation of the choice before me — my only way-star was the overwhelming sense of yearning I felt for Enide.

Andra studied me closely before speaking. “I suppose you’ll have to think of us as a package — like a badly wrapped present you can’t return,” she mused with a playful laugh.

“There is nothing wrong with the way you’re wrapped,” I answered, making a show of looking her up and down. “Your metaphors, on the other hand, could use a bit of work.”

“Are you going to sit here and exchange witty banter with me,” Andra enquired sarcastically, “or go and make love to the girl waiting for you?”

“Ah ... yes, well, fair point,” I conceded, sheepishly and rose to my feet and walked toward the door.

I won’t deny feeling tense and nervous. I suppose it was to be expected under the circumstances though I had no intention of telegraphing my inner jitters to Andra. I paused at the door to gather myself, only to be startled when Andra suddenly appeared beside me.

“There is no hymen or such to worry about. We took care of that ourselves,” Andra confided cheerfully. “You needn’t be too gentle,” she went on in an almost motherly tone, which, given the circumstances, was rather off-putting. “Not that you shouldn’t be tender with her,” she added.

“Thank you ... Andra,” I said pointedly. “Any further insights? Do you have other suggestions — tips, pointers?” I asked sardonically.

Andra laughed, evidently undeterred by my sarcasm. “May I share with you the best piece of advice I’ve ever received?” she asked, with a twinkle in her eye.

I rolled my eyes at her with resignation, gesturing for her to continue. Andra leaned forward before imparting her sage advice. “Never mind where it is ... just rub, rub, rub.”

I closed my eyes and shook my head, but couldn’t help smiling. Andra was already sauntering back towards the sofa. The longer I was out here, the more Andra would tease me. I took a firm grip on the handle and opened the door, stepping inside.

The bedroom was shadowed, dimmer than the lounge but not so much that my eyes needed time to adjust. Enide was sitting up in bed, looking delicate, perhaps even vulnerable, yet graceful and poised at the same time. She wore a white nightgown which clung very loosely around her shoulders. Her long hair cascaded down her back, framing her face with a soft, gentle touch. Her lower body was under the sheets, endowing her with a sense of private intimacy.

We stared at each other for several drawn-out moments. I was certain Enide had taken care to position herself just so in that large, comfortable bed but when it came to it, she didn’t give me long to admire her efforts. Whatever doubts might have passed through her mind, she didn’t dwell on them for long. Her face lit up and with a swift motion, she flipped the sheets away from herself, leapt out of bed and with long, graceful strides, came rushing toward me.

My arms extend toward Enide of their own accord, but I remained immobile. She flew into my arms and we were locked in a tight embrace as her body wrapped around me. I was kissing her face, her neck, and luxuriating in the feel of her silky hair against my face. We were both mumbling, trying to say things to one another, but I couldn’t even make sense of what was coming out of my own mouth, much less understand Enide’s utterances.

I relished the sensation of her soft breath against my face. Finally, I realised what she’d been half moaning, half whispering. “I wish you’d known how much I wanted you.”

After that, everything became instinct. My hands roamed across her back, seemingly of their own accord, searching for contact with her flesh, with only her thin gown acting to obstruct me. Some still functioning part of my brain wondered how the garment, with its wide, open neckline which barely clung onto Enide’s shoulders, hadn’t fallen away already. Somehow we finally managed to kiss one another, both of us moaning with relief and desire. Enide wiggled against me as she pressed her open mouth against mine.

I held her close, then pushed back a little and let my hand creep up to fondle her breast. They were not enormous, but a good size — undeniably firm and thoroughly squeezable. I dropped my hand from her chest and our arms went around each other once again. We began making out properly, slower, in a less frenzied way. I lost myself to her sweet lips.

After some uncertain duration, the urgent ache in my loins brought me back to myself. I discover my hand had crept down her back and was busy fondling her buttock while my mind had been lost to the rapture of her mouth. She coiled her leg around my side as if she wanted to climb me. Enide had full hips and a round, projecting ass with plenty to grab onto. I scooped her up and with Enide clinging to me, walked toward the bed, then bent forward to lay her down among the sheets.

More than anything, I longed to look at her. She reclined across the bed with her hair fanning around her head as if it had been meticulously arranged by attending nymphs. The nightgown was off her shoulders now though her breasts remained just about covered. The hem had ridden up to reveal most of her smooth, enticing thighs. She looked up at me smiling happily, delighting at the effect she was having on me.

I could only bear to look at her for more than a few seconds before the desire to touch her overcame me. I fell upon her like a ravenous beast. I wanted to devour her — to consume her. My blood felt scorching hot as it coursed through my veins.

I leaned over Enide’s body, kissing her. It might be more accurate to say I was gorging on her. I cradled the back of her head with one hand, and caressed her face with the other, holding her in place. Enide kissed me back just as ardently, moaning into my mouth, goading me on.

Needing to catch my breath, I pulled away from her mouth, breaking our kiss. Enide gasped, breathing hard as her sumptuous breasts heaved enticingly. She gazed up at me as I loomed over her and smiled like a girl who finally had what she wanted.

I was becoming paralysed with desire. I wanted all of her — all at once. I lunged at Enide, pulling her nightgown down her body until her breasts were fully exposed. There was no method or technique to what I was doing. I kissed, caressed, sucked and nuzzled everything within reach. One moment I was feasting at her breasts and the next, I was kissing her throat and jaw. My hands too were everywhere, sometimes caressing gently, sometimes squeezing or grabbing insistently.

Enide was arching her back, pressing herself against me as her fingers entangled themselves in my hair. My mind was a frenzy of lust as she encouraged me to keep going, to do more. It was almost beastly, my urges were primitive and animalistic.

I stopped and pulled back from her, trying to regain some semblance of control before I lost myself completely. Enide took this as an opportunity. “Too many clothes,” she declared breathlessly while pushing the braces off my shoulders. I pulled my arms out of the loops as her delicate fingers unbuttoned my shirt. Once she’d loosened all the exposed buttons, her hands moved seamlessly to my trousers, unbuttoning the waist. I pulled the shirt tail out and threw it aside. Enide lay back, her hands stroking my arms, taking me in with hungry eyes. She smiled, then bit her lower lip. I was so overcome by desire that for a moment, I had to turn my gaze away.

I had a sense that Enide wanted to be on top. I gathered her against myself and rolled us over so that I lay on my back with Enide sitting across my crotch. She looked radiant and triumphant. Her upper body was bare with the white fabric of her gown gathered around her waist. Before I could reach for her again, she grabbed the gown, pulled it off over her head and tossed it aside.

Enide sat astride me completely naked. I searched for some blemish or flaw, something to latch on to so the experience would feel real instead of a fevered fantasy — but found none.

Her skin had been touched by the sun, leaving a light and subtle bronze sheen on her complexion, neither too dark nor too deep, but just enough to exude a glow.

In my mind’s eye, I could see her basking in the sun, her naked form glistening with a seductive sheen. Enide laughed and I felt an odd twinge of embarrassment when I realised she must have felt it against her.

“What are you thinking about?” Enide asked curiously.

I sat up and pulled her against me. “You. It’s always you — you’re all I think about now,” I told her.

She beamed and snuggled her face into my hair. Then she kissed my cheek and forehead, dropping lower to plant her lips on my neck and shoulder as her hands caressed me. I wallowed in the sensation but having to resist the urge to roll her over and have my way with her was a kind of agony.

I closed my eyes and tried not to lose control. I felt her push me back down on the bed and re-opened my eyes as she leaned over me, staring into my eyes. Her beautiful locks cascaded around us, enveloping the two of us in a cocoon that seemed to block out the entire world.

We stayed like that for a little while, just staring at one another. I realised my hands were on her hips and began caressing her. She sighed deeply when I grabbed a handful of her buttocks, pressing the enticing flesh. Enide and I began kissing again and my hands — entirely of their own accord, came up to caress her shoulders, stroking her hair as we kissed.

Enide pulled away, looking down at me with a mischievous grin. She climbed off and urged me toward the side of the bed. I shuffled forward until my legs dangled down to the floor. She reached over and undid the remaining buttons on my fly but then I stopped her.

“Socks come off first,” I explained. This was one of my inviolable sartorial rules. I hated the sight of men wearing socks with no trousers. I bent down and pulled off my socks. Though she fidgeted impatiently, Enide indulged me.

As soon as I had disposed of my socks, she returned to the task at hand. She helped me pull down both my trousers and boxers in one go but then stopped in her tracks. Realisation came to me a split second later. I’d forgotten about my condition.

“Ahem ... I ... um,” I mumbled haltingly, wondering how to explain my pharmaceutical mishap.

Enide interrupted before I’d even begun. “Eh ... Andra,” she called out in an unexpectedly casual tone.

I realise how stupid this must sound but my initial impulse was to suggest she raise her voice, owing to Andra being on the other side of the door. No words left my mouth, however. Instead, I nearly jumped out of my skin when Andra appeared before me, more or less naked save for her small, close-fitting blouse.

“Fayard!” Andra exclaimed, staring at my erection.