Warhol's Prophecy

21

AT FIRST ROB Gibson thought he was dreaming.

That the ringing phone was the residue of some dream.

Its strident sound continued, piercing his sleepy haze.

He blinked hard, and realized that this wasn’t a figment of his imagination.

It was 2.18 a.m.

‘Jesus,’ he murmured, sitting up.

Beside him, the naked form of Sandy Bennett stirred slightly.

Rob had to lean across her to reach the phone and, as he did so, she tried to snake her arms around him. He pulled free from her and swung himself out of the bed, wandering around to the other side of it and slumping in a chair.

He took a couple of deep breaths before lifting the receiver.

Some fucking arsehole calling the wrong room?

‘Hello,’ he croaked, clearing his throat.

‘It’s me.’

He recognized Hailey’s voice immediately.

Lying on her side no more than two feet from him, Sandy looked sleepily at him, allowing the sheet to slip away and reveal her breasts.

Rob glared at her, convinced that he could see the beginnings of a smile creasing the corners of her mouth.

‘What’s wrong?’ Rob wanted to know, waving a hand to signal Sandy to keep quiet.

‘I couldn’t sleep,’ Hailey told him.

He exhaled deeply.

‘I was thinking about you,’ she continued. ‘Sorry I woke you.’

‘It’s OK, babe,’ he said, still glancing at Sandy, who had now eased the sheet even further down and rolled onto her back.

Rob shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

‘Becky’s missing you,’ Hailey said.

‘And what about you? Are you missing me, too?’

Sandy Bennett stretched, kicking the sheet right off, to reveal her body totally. She raised both knees and pressed them together, then allowed her legs to fall apart. Permitted one hand to glide between them.

Feeling a stirring in his groin, Rob looked away.

‘I just wanted to hear your voice,’ Hailey murmured.

‘Try to sleep, Hailey,’ he said softly.

There was a long silence.

He saw Sandy’s right hand moving gently between her legs, her breathing becoming a little harsher.

Again he tried to look away.

‘What time will you be home tomorrow?’ Hailey said at last. ‘So I can tell Becky.’

‘I don’t know. It depends what time this finishes. About tea-time I suppose. If I’m lucky with the traffic, too.’

‘What have you been doing tonight?’ she wanted to know.

Sandy had now slipped her other hand between her legs too. Her heels were digging into the mattress.

‘Did you have a meeting tonight?’ Hailey persisted.

I’ve been fucking my mistress. No big deal.

Rob stroked his chin and lowered his gaze.

‘Yes, I had a meeting,’ he said. ‘It went well.’

‘I’ll let you go back to sleep now.’

He swallowed hard.

‘I love you,’ Hailey said quietly.

Sandy turned onto her side so that she was looking directly at him, her hands still moving expertly between her legs.

‘I said I love you,’ Hailey repeated.

His eyes were fixed on Sandy.

‘I love you too,’ he said and hung up.

‘How touching,’ Sandy said, her voice wavering.

‘What is your fucking game, Sandy?’ Rob snapped. ‘Do you think you’re being funny?’

He stood watching her as she rolled onto her back once again.

‘Come back to bed,’ she said breathlessly.

He stood close to her and she could see his erection.

‘Come on,’ she gasped, fingers still moving frantically.

‘You’re a fucking bitch,’ he said angrily.

‘Maybe – but I’m not the one who just told my other half that I love them. What does that make you?’

Her breathing was ragged, her fingers moving more urgently.

‘Come on, Rob,’ she panted, reaching out one hand towards his stiffness.

He felt her moisture on his shaft as she enveloped it in her slender fingers.

He climbed onto the bed and she hooked her legs around the small of his back.

‘This is just for old time’s sake, isn’t it?’ she said, her voice dissolving into a loud moan as he penetrated her.

Rob grabbed both of her hands and squeezed hard, his own hands balled into fists as he thrust roughly into her.

Fucking bitch.

She arched her back.

‘What does that make you?’

His own breathing was now laboured.

He closed his eyes.