Love Comes Knocking - Kathy Cakebread (best novels to read .txt) 📗

won’t tell.” He laughed.
“My lips are sealed.” She said quietly, a wink in her eyes.

Suddenly it felt like the atmosphere had changed, there was something crackling in the air; it felt to Ben like tension. Sweat dripped off his brow, as the temperature seemed to soar, leaving him hot and eager for something to happen. The girl sat there provocatively, her leg splayed out in front of her. Ben’s eyes followed the path of her leg, absorbing every mesmerizing detail, imagining her pleasure as his lips kissed her calf. Suddenly she stood up, the quick movement shattering Ben’s daydream and bringing him back to reality.
“Is something wrong?” he asked, his face concerned.
Had she noticed him staring at her?
“No I’m just going to get something, I won’t be long.”
She smiled and then walked towards the door, her body sashaying naturally like the trees.

Ben watched her go his heart hammering in anticipation. Not long ago he had wondered if there was really any point coming back to the gym, not when he had to see Lola every time he stepped foot in there. But there was something pushing him, some invisible force that was the reason for his return. Was fate finally pushing his buttons? Or maybe cupid had woken up from the 20-year coma that he’d fallen into the moment Ben hit puberty. Whatever it was it certainly made him feel better; fancy that a beautiful auburn beauty talking to him, making him feel like one of the most handsome men on the planet.

His mind raced forward ten years, spilling out images of a couple at the altar, a beautiful white sandy beach and turquoise sea, two small children running in the surf closely followed by their happy mum and dad. Basking in the glorious images he slipped his towel loose letting it fall onto the floor. He had felt that tension earlier; it was so intense it sent shivers down his spine. If he felt it surely she had too. He knew where the heights of passion could take you and an empty sauna was as adventurous as they came. Writhing in pleasure, their backs arched against the hard, clammy marble wall, the heat soaring from more then just the coals.

Waiting anxiously Ben threw the bucket of water on the coals, wanting the thick steam to hide him like a gift-wrapped present. When the steam cleared she would have the surprise of a lifetime. As soon as he put the bucket on the floor the door opened, a figure moving through the white cloud towards where he was sitting. Ben held his breath, his body shaking in excitement as she clambered up beside him.

The air was still so misty he couldn’t make her out, but a snatch of red confirmed it was the auburn beauty. Sucking in his stomach as much as he could master he shifted his weight towards her, sliding his body easily across the bench. She looked at him but didn’t move away or even utter a word. Slipping his hand into hers he quickly placed it in his lap.
“Ohh you are keen!” a woman with a German accent said.

Startled Ben shot back his face aghast. As the room eventually became clear he could make out a figure of a tall, dumpy woman. She was about fifty years old with a brown greying bob. With tight skin and few wrinkles she looked a lot younger then she actually was, clearly she looked after herself. She smiled leeringly at Ben; her jowls making her look creepy and unfriendly.
“Did you want a favour my lovely? I’m very good at them you know and well you did give yourself to me so quickly.” She smiled.
“No…n…o. I’m done now thanks, it was a mistaken identity. Sorry if I offended you. I’ve got to go!” he stuttered, grabbing his towel.
His face burning in humiliation Ben staggered to the door his head held low.
“Ohh darling, come back! We’d have such fun together!”
“No chance.” Ben whispered under his breath.
Yanking open the door Ben took the long walk of shame towards the changing rooms.


16. Sorry

Her heart racing in anticipation Lola ran through her words in her head. What on earth could she possibly say to make him forgive her? She knew now she felt something for him and she couldn’t hide it anymore… but what if it was too late. But if she didn’t find out she’d live forever not knowing and that wasn’t worth thinking about. The steam emerged like a shroud camouflaging Lola as she stepped into the sauna. She blinked quickly, her face now moist with sweat. Wiping her brow and her eyes she glanced around her, quickly scanning the room for Ben hiding in a corner. Apart from a frumpy German lady sprawled on the bench the room was empty, had Jose lied about Ben being in here? She wouldn’t put it past him.
“Wha’ you looking for lady?” the German woman piped up.
“Oh… just a guy. I was told he’d be in here… But don’t worry it’s not important.” Lola sighed.
She started to walk away when the women coughed loudly.
“Big boy was he?!”
“Quite big… why’s that? Was he in here after all?”
The woman’s bushy eyebrow rose, her forehead wrinkling. She laughed a hearty, deep cackle.
“Well he was here.. He was keen for me to feel his crown jewels. Very keen indeed.”
Confusion etched across Lola’s face.
“What are you talking about?” she muttered.
“Well he waited till I came in shuffled over and plunged my hand in his crotch! My he was a big boy in more ways then one!” she giggled.
Lola’s face flooded with disbelief, her large blue eyes wide with doubt. If what the woman was saying was true then she had a duty to report it. But Ben was no pervert; she couldn’t do it, even if it meant losing her job.
“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that…” Lola whispered, slowly backing away.
The German lady giggled suddenly twisting her torso on the bench. She turned to face Lola, her head resting on her hand. As the woman stared Lola felt mesmerised by the eerie expression imprinted on the woman’s face. It seemed so alluring, like a look she had practised for many, many years. She couldn’t put her finger on it but the expression reminded her of looks from films, candid films… porn films. Jesus, she was a porn star!
“Did you like the look darling? I practise it on everyone, works like a dream. It’s done me good in this business, started out as a streetwalker, and worked my way up to porn star. Not classy I know but well one has to earn ones richness somehow!” the lady laughed.

Lola smiled weakly, her mind racing. What was a porn star doing in a gym? It wasn’t exactly the right sort of venue for her type of business – unless – someone had poked his or her nose in along the way.
“What made you come to the gym today?” Lola asked.
“Oh some young boy phoned me up, he found my number in yellow pages. He said he knew I specialised in porn films but would I be willing to come and sit in the sauna for fifty quid. Well I only live down the road and it was easy money so why not!”
Lola nodded.
“Do you know who they are? Are they in the gym now?”
“Oh I think so, I met them out in the hall, got my money. There was about 6 of them, all students standing with this really pretty girl. Must have been one of their girlfriends. Any guy would fall in love with her.”
Lola felt the realisation shoot through her eyes, projecting intense feelings of pity and compassion for Ben. Even if he didn’t see it she could, yet again he was another pawn in someone’s game. How could anyone play a trick so cruel? She vowed he’d never find out.
“Thank you for letting me know.” Lola said quietly, her voice sober.
“Anytime, business’s business you know, can’t refuse it cos I don’t like the ethics of the job.”
“No, in your line of work ethics hardly comes into it!” Lola snapped, walking out.
“Oi there was no need for that!” the German shrill echoed as the door slammed shut.

The reception was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. Jose sighed, stretching his arms out in front of him, clicking each finger in turn. Loading up Msn Messenger he soon became engaged in banal chatter. The sound of high heels entered his subconscious, detracting his attention from the computer. He glanced up saw Lola heading toward the desk, her face flushed, her eyes narrowed.
“You alright Lola? Did you find Ben?”
“No not really. I found some German bint who claimed Ben shoved her hand in his crotch. I can believe it as well, some lads put her up to it.”
Jose couldn’t believe it. The hilarity of the situation hit him immediately, his lips twitching as the giggles threatened to strike.
“Seriously? That’s quite funny…”
Lola glared at him, her eyes full of contempt.
“But it’s not a very nice thing to do… do you know where he went?”
“No the lady said he just walked out of the sauna, she didn’t know where he went.”
“So she didn’t follow him then?”
“I’ll give you ten seconds to get out of my sight…” Lola started, a note of frustration in her voice.
Jose looked at the screen; five chat windows were flashing red, if he went he would miss all the juicy gossip his friends had to offer. Looking at Lola he pointed at the screen, his sweetest smile plastered on his lips. She looked at the screen, her patience wavering as soon as she saw the chat programme. Not only was he chatting on a banned programme but he’d closed several of her word documents!
“Five, four, three…”
“Okay, okay I’m going. That’s the last time I do you a favour hey.” Jose sighed.
Rolling his eyes he grabbed his coat and headed for the exit.
“By the way…”
“Just go…” Lola interrupted.
“Okay fine, just tell Ben where I am if you see him! Laters!” his voice trailed off as he left the building.

Sighing heavily Lola sank into her chair; it was still warm from Jose’s recent occupation. She stretched, pulling her long limbs high above her head, trying to get some energy back into her bones. Weary and irritable she just wanted to go home to her warm, comfortable bed. Her mind drifted off languishing in the memory of her pretty lilac bedroom with her king sized dream easy bed. It had a massive duvet with two pillows on each side and she didn’t have to share it with anyone. Result! Screwing her eyes shut she tried to wipe away the sleepiness, the palms of her hand drawing residues of her once fresh eye shadow. Blinking sleepily she glanced in front of her, saw the large shape sneaking towards the exit.
“Hey, hey Ben, were you just going to leave without saying goodbye?”
He turned round slowly, his face sheepish.
“Oh err.. Well hi Lola, you looked a bit zonked, I didn’t want to disturb you.”
“Aww how sweet, come on how was the sauna?”
His eyes sank to the floor; if he looked at her she might be able to detect his embarrassment.
“How did you know I was in there?”
“Oh… Erm José told me, I went looking for you but you’d gone so I came back here.”
His eyebrows rose in surprise, a brief