After-Hours Weekend

The annual team dinner was in full swing. They were in a busy Italian restaurant, surrounded by a mess of half-eaten food and bottles of bring-your-own wine. It was noisy with talk and laughter.

The group was made up of two swimming teams, the men's and the women's. They'd competed in the past, and that added to the tension.

Astrid was enjoying herself. Last year, she'd come and stayed aloof, batting away the flirting. They'd moved from the restaurant -- this same restaurant -- to a bar and then a club and she'd been one of the last to leave, but with just a small group of her girlfriends. She'd felt the buzz and then something hollow in the thud of her bedroom door as she looked down at her single bed. However expertly she used the showerhead, it just wasn't quite enough.

She'd held back that night, remembering a boy holding her head, thrusting into her mouth. But she wasn't a fresher anymore. Now she was team captain.

She was sitting beside the boys' team captain -- Josh. He was their fastest swimmer, broad-shouldered and had already made her laugh. Their shoulders brushed as they ate, their eyes met between mouthfuls and their private conversation threaded through the group's chatter. Without being prompted, he topped up her wine glass.

A game began -- people stood to make toasts. Who had fumbled a race, turned up to practice still drunk, lost a swimsuit diving in. The waiters moved between them, removing plates, taking more orders.

"Anyone who's had a one-night stand," someone said. Several people got up. Astrid felt Josh's eyes on her as he stood. She met his eye and stood up as well. Josh smiled.

It wasn't quite true. She'd only had sex with one man. Arranged in advance, but not a date and they hadn't seen each other since.

When she sat down she felt his lips near her ear. "I haven't been able to forget the swimsuit you wore at the race last week."

She smiled at him. "Better than dwelling on how hard we thrashed you."

"Another image I won't forget. We should race one-on-one some time."

"I like a challenge. And another opportunity to see you in your trunks." She lightly rested her hand on his knee and he slid his fingers between hers. "They didn't leave much to the imagination."

Elouise, the vice-captain, stood up. "Anyone who's ever given head with an audience."

The members of the girls' team were all looking at Vicky, an old well-worn story. They weren't expecting Astrid to stand up and drink too. She didn't break eye contact with Josh as he raised a hand in mock salute.

When she sat down, he took her hand again, pressing her palm onto his thigh.

"Just one drink at the pub, then do you want to make a break for it?" he said.

"Eager aren't you. Sure you don't want to see my moves on the dance floor?"

He just growled in her ear and his fingers tightened on hers.

*

They walked into the pub and Astrid reached the bar first, but Josh was close behind. She felt his hand on her lower back, on the bare skin where her dress didn't cover. Goosebumps rose under his fingers.

He ordered two gin and tonics without asking her what she wanted.

"Lucky guess," she said.

"Or good intuition."

It was noisy and getting busier, making it hard to talk. They were pressed closer together, almost face-to-face and she could feel him against her.

"Want to get out of here?" he asked.

"Sure you don't want to go to the club with the others?"

"I'd love to. But maybe another night."

Astrid was enjoying how much he wanted her. She wanted to dance but she wanted him too.

Her teammates were all busy with each other or with the other team. She said goodbye to Elouise and they left, hardly noticed.

As they walked through the quieter streets, he took her hand in his, interlacing their fingers.

"So you've got to tell me the story," he said. "Who watched you?"

She squeezed his fingers as she thought. It wasn't something she really wanted to share, but she was trying to open up. "I had a shy friend who wanted to learn." A simplification, but the real story would lead to more questions.

"So you went down on her boyfriend?"

"No. She watched me with...mine."

"Did she join in?"

She could feel his fingers slide up and down her index finger. "No. Nothing like that."

"Do you like driving men wild?"

"Am I driving you wild?"

"You know exactly what you're doing, you tease."

They walked past the porter and through the college, their footsteps loud in the quiet. She hesitated at the foot of the staircase.

"Going to invite me up?" he asked.

If she kissed him chastely and let him go, then she might as well have gone to the club.

"Of course," she said and led the way and let him into her small ensuite flat. A dim bulb lit the battered furniture with a warm orange glow.

"So, quiet now. Finally get to talk properly," Astrid said.

He took a step closer, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "Did you bring me up here to talk?"

She stood still as he kissed her. Their lips met softly, and her hands went to his face, feeling the faint stubble. His tongue slid between her lips as his fingers slid down her bare arms, down her sides, under the back of the dress.

She pulled away, however much he turned her on. "This is nice," she said. "But take your time."

He kissed her gently, hands still on her arms. He pulled back. "You've got me so worked up with that story. Teasing me all evening."

"Think of something else. A cold shower."

"I think I'm past that point. I really have thought a lot about that swimsuit." He kissed her harder, grabbing her bottom and pulling her tight to him, urgently grinding into her. She felt his bulge against her, remembered the outline in his trunks.

She pushed him back and sat back up. "Do you want a drink?" she asked.

He shook his head. "No, I'm good. Kiss me."

"Let me just grab a drink of water."

She walked over to the tap slowly, waiting for her pounding heart to slow.

"Sure you don't want one?"

She looked over her shoulder and he was right behind her. His arms enveloped her. She drank the water as he nuzzled into her neck, grinding gently.

His hands didn't stay still, wandering down her shoulder, along her bare side, and then up, outside the material to cup her breasts. Astrid tensed but didn't pull away.

Josh put his hand on her chin to tilt her head back. He kissed her and squeezed her breasts, rougher this time. She moaned into his mouth, nipples stiffening. He was gripping too hard. She broke the kiss. "This is nice, but I need you to slow down," she said.

He stepped back and let her go.

"Let's get comfortable on the sofa," she said. "Talk a little bit more. We've got all night." She led him over, feeling the weight of him behind her.

She sat down beside him. He shuffled up until she was squeezed between his hip and the arm of the sofa. She pushed against his thigh with her own and he returned the pressure. The sofa creaked under them.

"Is this where you helped your friend?"

Astrid didn't immediately understand. Then she did and laughed. "No, that was at her place."

"Do you bring many people back here?"

"Only the special ones. Do you?"

"No. I don't usually bring girls back to your room."

She laughed and kissed him again. His hands were in her hair, more gentle, slower now. "I like kissing you," she said when they broke apart.

He caught her hand in his and slowly lowered it to his crotch, guiding her hand up and down until she matched his pace. He was straining upwards, pressing himself into her hand.