Blind Date by Wendy Clarke

Author:Wendy Clarke [Clarke, Wendy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781800195523
Publisher: Bookouture
Published: 2021-10-29T04:00:00+00:00

Twenty-Six

I run my hand down Malik’s chest, feeling the soft hairs move under my touch. I think he’s asleep as his breathing is slow and even, but I can’t be sure. What I do know is my heart is bursting with the knowledge that he still wants me. Still needs me, despite everything.

His message had come just as I’d been resigning myself to a lazy Sunday afternoon in front of the TV.

Come over tonight.

I hadn’t questioned where he’d been the day before or even why he’d dismissed me the way he had when I’d seen him last. Instead, I’d sat in my room and counted down the hours until I’d be seeing him again, stubbornly ignoring Simon’s worries – the one’s he’d shared with Chris. I push down the insistent nag of his last words to me when I’d left him on the canal bank.

Don’t do anything stupid.

I feel Malik’s heart beating against my palm. How can this be stupid when it feels so right? My lips feel sore. Chapped. The insides of my thighs tender. I hadn’t been lying when I’d said it to Simon… No man has ever made me feel the way Malik does. Not used or embarrassed or guilty. No, the feeling is more powerful than that. I smile to myself, thinking that I sound like someone in a bad romantic movie. Except that in a film like that, they wouldn’t have done what we’ve just done.

‘Malik, are you awake?’

Lying in the darkened room with its furniture made from old packing cases, I have a sudden need to know more about him. Where he works. Who he sees when he’s not with me. I’ve told myself that I won’t ask, that he’ll tell me in his own good time, but surely knowing these things will make us closer.

I lean up on my elbow and brush his damp hair from his forehead. ‘Malik?’

He sits up, the duvet falling to his waist. He’s looking at me, but his eyes are blank and staring. It’s as if he can’t see me.

I lean away from him, my heart thudding inside my ribcage.

‘What’s wrong?’

He doesn’t speak but fights with the duvet to get it off him. He’s still asleep – I can see that now. Dreaming some terrible dream.

‘It’s me, Melanie,’ I say, trying to soothe him. ‘It’s just a dream.’

When I reach a hand to his face, he knocks it away, his fist clenched. He’s saying words I can’t understand. It’s a language I don’t know.

I move back, rubbing at my arm, scared at the force with which he struck it. ‘You’re safe, Malik. You’re okay.’

His eyes move rapidly from my face to the door then back again. He looks different, as though he’s someone else. Anxiety tightens my chest, making it hard to breathe.

‘You’re okay,’ I say again.

But he doesn’t look okay – he looks terrified. He’s shouting now, rapid words that I have no hope of understanding. I want to put my arms around him, but I’m scared to.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.