Heavy Hearts (6 page)

“I would certainly enjoy following you, especially in these shorts.” He answered, looking down at my choice of attire, and I was immediately horrified at the way I looked. “I was just at the pub, and I wanted to come up here to give you a call. I know… I’m a bit mad.” I realized that he was slightly drunk and suddenly I was overwhelmed with the scent of liquor. “But then on my way here I saw you looking out into the water, stunningly beautiful. So I couldn’t help myself.” He was insatiable.

“Wow, I wish I would’ve known I was going to see you, I would’ve put on something nicer.” I was so stunned I didn’t even know what to say to him.

“Why? I like the way you look right now, it’s real.” He kissed me again and I could taste Vodka, but I didn’t care. I welcomed his warm mouth onto mine and we kissed for too long; soon my friends were standing behind us gawking. Adam cleared his throat loudly to get our attention. I whimpered when Simon pulled away.

“Adam! Suzette! Wonderful to see the both of you again, had a fantastic time last night!” He spoke a little too loud as he gave them both big hugs. I was beginning to think he was even drunker than I had originally thought.

“Hey man, you alright?” Adam was a bit concerned with his current state.

“Of course mate! I was just
drinkin’ with the fellas and I wanted a bit of fresh air and to give this one over here a call,” he pointed to me, “so I walked over here, but here she is… waiting for me. Isn’t that sweet?” He smiled at me with a wink. I couldn’t help but feel like I was on cloud nine at that moment. I knew that he had a few too many drinks, but he was thinking about me when I was not around, he came to the bridge just to give me a phone call, and he had no qualms with my casual attire. Plus the way he kissed me, so demanding yet delicate. I couldn’t help but feel weak in the knees.

“Are you joining us on the
ferris wheel?” Suzette spoke up.

Simon’s eyes lit up and he looked back to Suzette, then back at me. “You’re taking a ride on the Eye?”

“Yep, Adam really wants to.” I said, unenthused.

“Well, count me in! Let’s get to it before it gets too late.” Simon was thrilled about our evening plans, and I was a little more eager to ride as well knowing he would be there to catch me if I fell.

Simon led the way in the direction of the wheel, but Adam grabbed my arm and pulled me back. Simon and Suzette didn’t notice and they kept walking ahead; chatting it up.

“What’s wrong?” I asked Adam.

“Listen, I booked this ride yesterday. They have this cupid’s capsule deal where you get a capsule for two and champagne, or whatever. So I booked two of them, I know I should’ve told you sooner that you were going to be riding in one by yourself, but it’s the one right after ours I made sure.” Adam explained.

“I’m confused…”

“I wanted this to be something romantic for Suzette, and I was going to buy three tickets, but this package is only good for two in one pod, otherwise we would be riding with a swarm of people. That’s why I bought two pods, so it works out great that Simon showed up because now you won’t be alone.” I was still confused why he spent the extra money so I could have my own capsule… I would’ve preferred to stay on the ground. But I guess none of that mattered since he handed me the two tickets, one for me and one for Simon.

“Okay
..” I shrugged it off like it was nothing; trying, but most likely failing, to hide my excitement. We caught up to the other two who were still talking about who knows what, I wasn’t even sure if they realized we were so far behind.

We arrived just as the sun was going down and the bright pink lights on the Ferris wheel lit up. Adam handed his two tickets to the man waiting by the entrance and I followed. He led us to the wheel which never stopped moving. It was going at such a slow pace that we had plenty of time to get in, but it still freaked me out that it never just halted. Simon had to practically carry me on, which I didn’t mind.

The capsules were a lot bigger than they looked from afar. Big enough to easily fit twenty people or more, but we had it all to ourselves. It was refreshing to see that it was completely enclosed in glass, not like a traditional Ferris wheel where the only thing keeping you from death was a lap bar.

The door closed behind us as we entered the sideways egg-shaped glass container. There was a low wooden table, or possibly a bench for sitting, a bottle of champagne and two glasses; also a box of truffles waiting for us. We were in this glass tube for thirty whole minutes, so I immediately went for the champagne to calm my nerves as we very slowly climbed to the top. 

“Are you alright?” Simon asked me.

“
Uhm… yeah,” I fiddled with the champagne bottle, “I just have a thing about heights. Ya know, falling from hundreds of feet in the air plummeting to my death. A little nerve racking but nothing a good glass of champagne won’t help.”

“Here,” he took the bottle from me and flawlessly popped it open without even spilling any. He poured the two glasses full and handed one to me. “Cheers,” he raised his glass to mine creating a small clinking noise. I took a sip and let the liquid courage flow through me. Settling my nerves and putting me in a calmer, warmer place. I walked close to the edge to look out at the beautiful London view. The sun was completely set by then and all the buildings were lit up. The pink glow from the outside of the pods really set the mood.

I felt Simon walk up behind me putting one hand around my waist and slightly turning me towards him. He was holding one of the pink truffles between his fingers and motioned for me to open wide.

He placed the truffle in between my lips and I took a bite. It was so delicious and smooth; it really complemented the champagne. I let a low ‘
mmmm’ escape from deep in my throat. I swallowed the decadent truffle and took another sip of the bubbly. Simon beckoned me to take the other half of the treat, but I shook my head and raised my hand to take the piece of truffle out of his hand. Now I was the one who wanted to do the feeding. I raised the sweet close to his mouth and he opened wide revealing his white teeth and his soft warm pink tongue. I placed the truffle into his mouth and let my index finger linger inside. He wrapped his lips around it and sucked rather hard. I could feel him swallow the small piece of candy whole and he was only focused on the taste of my finger.

I bit on my lower lip to keep myself from gawking, but I couldn’t help but feel extremely hot with this man right as his tongue slid against my digit. I slowly pulled it out and our eyes were locked. He took the glass of champagne out of my hand and set it down on the bench, never breaking eye contact. Then he leaned in close, tilted my chin upward toward his face, and kissed me like it might have been the last time he was ever going to kiss me again. It was long, deep, and lustful and I felt myself whimper as he pulled away.

“Lucy Whitten,” he whispered.

“Yeah…” I mewled.

“I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to get enough of you.” He let out a slow deep sigh as he kissed me again, this time even longer and more covetous as his tongue passed through my lips and slid over my tongue. He tasted sweet, and I felt myself getting swept away into him. I lost myself in that man, and soon nothing mattered but us.

He lowered himself down on to the bench, holding me against his chest. I felt safe hundreds of feet up in the air in between his arms as we cuddled. I easily let myself relax.

I could see Adam and Suzette’s pod above us. I surely couldn’t hear them, and I could just barely see them, but I was able to catch a glimpse while we were rounding the very top of the wheel. I saw Suzette sitting on the bench as Adam knelt down on one knee.

I sat up quickly and Simon reacted just as fast. “What? What is it?” He questioned.

“Adam,” I pointed upwards standing to get a better view. I had to move to the other side of the capsule to see anything at all, and even that was limited. But I could see Suzette smiling wide and Adam was definitely holding a small box of sorts. Suzette’s head began to nod wildly and he leapt up to take her into his arms.

“What? I can’t see anything,” Simon was still confused.

“He just proposed! I think… no he did! Oh my! How romantic, oh he just proposed and from the looks of it she said yes!” I was so giddy I jumped up and down until I quickly remembered that I was unbelievably high in the air inside of a glass egg. I threw my arms around Simon and jumped up to swing my legs around his waist so he was holding me.

“Oh this is so great! I wish I was up there with them right now. I so want to squeeze them both till they’re blue in the face.” I couldn’t contain my excitement and I happily kissed Simon, I had to let my emotions out somehow and he was the only one in the pod with me, but I doubt he had any complaints. Then I remembered my phone.

“OH! I have to call her… I mean right?” I looked to Simon for acceptance. He nodded in approval and, still in his arms, I pulled my phone out of my front pocket to dial her number.

Simon held me the entire time the two of us were screaming back and forth on the phone until I jumped out of his embrace and ran to the window. She did the same and held her left hand up to the glass. I could slightly make out the ring, but I told her I’d look at it once we departed. We hung up and I leapt back into Simon’s arms and kissed him hard. I couldn’t contain my excitement. I wasn’t sure how much longer we had on this ride, but it couldn’t be too long. He held me as I nearly began to cry from joy.

“So,” Simon generated a sentence. “I really don’t want to sound too forward or anything…” he paused.

“Yeah?”
I urged him to continue.

“Would you…. want to join me back at my flat tonight?” I perked up, a little dazed at his question, but also thrilled. He looked at me worried, like he had just ruined something. “It’s just that I thought maybe the two love birds would like some time alone to properly celebrate and, well I…” he paused again.

I turned my face to his and I could feel what he was going to say next but I wasn’t sure I was ready to hear anymore, so instead I lunged my body onto his and kissed him again. Pushing him back down onto the wood I swung my leg over his lap so I straddled him. His soft hands found their place on my waist and he held me still as he sat up, keeping me tight in his lap. I wrapped my legs around his torso and plunged my fingers into his smooth hair. “Yes,” I whispered. “Yes, I want to come with you.” He grinned from ear to ear at my response and I couldn’t help but kiss both corners of his smiling mouth until he consumed me.

I knew I should’ve thought about it a little bit more than I did – that the intensity of that moment is what drove my answer to an immediate yes, but I couldn’t help myself at all. I knew the risk that this could cause, and I knew that I should wait a little longer to take this step, but right then and there I didn’t care. All I wanted was him, and I was going to have what I wanted.

We were completely forfeit to one another and we lost all sense of everything but each other; until the man that we handed our tickets to was standing next to us, pleading us to get off before we had to do a complete rotation again. I could feel my face turn red from embarrassment as we exited the pod hand in hand.

My best friends waited on the sidewalk for us, holding each other tight; I hadn’t seen them look that strikingly happy ever, it was a truly beautiful moment.

“You guys! Oh this is so exciting!” I gave them each the biggest hug I could muster, and gawked at the beautiful two carat princess-cut Leo Diamond that fit snuggly on Suzette’s left ring finger. “Oh! This is exquisite. Adam you have outdone yourself,” I marveled.

We stood in the middle of the sidewalk right outside the London Eye hugging and rejoicing. Even Adam and Simon exchanged a congratulatory hug. It was a truly important moment in their lives, and mine as well. It wasn’t every day your best high school friends decided to spend the absolute rest of their lives together. And just like that I felt that hint of jealousy and was a little sad, but I didn’t let anyone see it. I continued to smile and celebrate the joyous occasion.

After the fuss had subsided a bit I took Suzette aside and let Adam and Simon talk amongst themselves.

“Listen, I’m going home with Simon tonight.” I casually said to her, hoping she’d be okay with it and wouldn’t make a fuss.

“Well… are you sure?” She inquired letting her brow furrow.

“Yeah, I mean you guys probably want some quality alone time, and to be honest I want some with Simon.” Her eyes popped open wide before she gave me an approving wink.

“Uh-huh. I know what you wanna do. You dirty girl.” Now looking at me insidiously she bit her lower lip while her eyebrows danced up and down.

“SUZE!
I don’t know if that’s going to happen yet… I don’t know if we’re ready yet. But just cause I go back to his place for a sleepover doesn’t mean we
have
to have sex. Perv,” I quietly exclaimed to make sure the boys didn’t hear me.

“Fine, do as you please, but be careful! I really don’t want to wake up the morning after the best night of my life to find out that you’ve been chopped up into bits and left in the trash to rot.” She exaggerated.

“Please,” I said before we headed back to our men.

We each exchanged a hug once more and said our goodbyes. Adam looked perplexed as I began to walk away from them with Simon, but I knew his soon-to-be wife would explain everything; plus I didn’t need a lecture from him. So I pulled Simon away quickly to avoid Adam's inquisition.