"OK. I like that idea. And it gives us a chance to get to know each other better. I know I liked being cuddled by you."
Her honesty and straightforward talk was disconcerting, but you certainly knew where you stood. He tried to match it.
"You have no idea what a privilege it was to cuddle you last night. And to wake up next to you this morning was unbelievable. I don't want that to end."
The significance of his statement was not lost on Angel, and it gave her both a warm feeling and a dread that she couldn't do it.
"Listen, you stay there. Relax and recover a bit, because you've had a terrible shock. I'll make us some tea."
He got up and went out to find the tea things in the kitchen. Angel lay there. She felt relaxed and dopey in the warm bed, thoughts drifting slowly through her mind in random order. Slightly bereft that he had left, much to her surprise. Glad of the warm indent next to her where he had been. Jumpy about the unknown midnight move. Confused about her feelings. Glad he couldn't do maths. Aware that she was still fully dressed and in her fat suit. Loved. Hey that was surprising, loved.
Suddenly he was back with steaming mugs of tea and bacon rolls. The delightful smell of the bacon roused her and made her mouth water. It was deliciously well cooked. She sat up and plumped the pillows behind her, feeling the mattress tilt slightly as he came to sit beside her. Their legs touched, and she realised she liked the feeling. He handed her a roll, and she picked up her mug of tea which he had put down on the table beside her. A gulp of tea cleaned, and her mouth watered as she bit into the luscious bacon in the soft roll.
"Mmmm. Thanks. This is wonderful. How did you know?"
"I saw the bacon in the fridge when I was finding the milk, and couldn't resist. How are you feeling?"
She looked up at him and grinned. "Pampered. It's lovely."
He whispered, "It's you that is lovely. Inside and out."
A tear tracked its way down her cheek, and he reached over to wipe it away, kissing the top of her head. "I'm sorry. Too far too fast."
"I'm just not used to it. It's the fact that you care."
"Well, you have to be open to it, or you wouldn't have an emotional reaction. Thank you." He said gently.
They finished their bacon rolls and tea in companionable silence, then she rested her head against him. He dropped a kiss on top of her hair and settled back against the pillows.
After a few minutes in which they both visibly relaxed, Angel roused herself and looked up. "I'm going for a shower, but don't get any ideas."
"My brain's not getting any ideas, but other bits of me are." He laughed.
Angel blushed slightly and scooted out of the room. Jock absentmindedly took the mugs and plates to the kitchen and cleared up. Then he had a quick lick and a promise at the kitchen sink, straightened his clothes as best he could, and sat down to wait.
It wasn't long before he heard Angel coming into the room behind him. When he turned, he gasped. She wasn't wearing the fat suit and looked so stunning in jeans and a spaghetti top that he was breathless.
Angel was well aware of the impression she had made on him, and his awed "wow" made her smile. With some amazement, she realised she was happy being herself in front of this man. Again to her surprise she walked over and kissed him. His hands came up to cradle her face, and his kiss back was so reverent and gentle she felt goose bumps on her skin.
When they finally came up for air, they were both panting a little and slightly dazed. He looked up regretfully into her eyes.
"I'm really sorry, but I have to go. I need a shower, and I've got a practice I need to get to. Can I come back after the practice, or would you prefer that I came late evening?"
"Can I go with you to your practice?"
Jock's face lit up in obvious pleasure, and Angel was gratified to get that reaction. Then she panicked. She'd have to put her fat suit on, but she didn't want to. That was a first.
He saw the panic in her eyes. "It's OK. You don't have to come. It was lovely that you asked, though."
His reaction warmed her again. "I'll be OK. But I still need my protection from others."
His hands caressed her cheeks and his lips touched hers. Suddenly he was being pulled into a hard embrace -- touching from thigh to breast -- and her lips were urgent on him. The feel of her slim body crushed against his was electric. His hands moved to run through her glorious curls and down her back to rest gently on her other cheeks. Their lips separated, panting for breath again, and the pleasure of her kisses on his neck made him twitch.
She was giddy with his touch. Lost in his kisses. Revelling in the feel of his hands in her hair and on her ass. She could feel him hard against her and was elated as her kisses made him twitch. Reluctantly she broke her hold and stepped back. Giving him a quick kiss on the mouth, she whispered, "I need to get ready or I'll make you late."
And she was gone. Leaving him breathless and dazed. He sat down to recover, resting his head against the back of the chair.
Angel was back after what seemed like seconds. Her impish grin was a delight to see as she gave a twirl to show him the effect. She still had amazing dress sense, and looked good, even fat. Her hair shone in the light, and he grabbed a passing hand to pull her down into his lap and kiss her thoroughly.
Angel grinned shyly up at him. "You like me fat as well as thin." It was a statement, not a question, and said in a wondering tone.
"It would be more accurate to say that I love you fat as well as thin." He laughed.
Angel's cheeks went pink. She ducked her head and whispered, "Thank you."
The practice was amazing. She just sat there in a corner, gobsmacked. It wasn't really her type of music, but boy was it good. His mates were lovely too. Their admiration of her was obvious , but there was no innuendo, just plain straightforward conversation. He was discussing a difficult part with two of them. From the look of them, they must be twins, she thought. The third, John, came over to her.
"I'm dying of curiosity! How ever did you get him to go out with you."
Angel laughed. "I didn't. I did everything I could to turn him off. We just grew on each other."
"So where did you meet him?"
"He's in my maths class."
"Maths! My God, he's always moaning about the maths. Makes him surly as a bear. He must have been as off putting to you as you were to him."
Angel grinned. "Something like that."
John started shifting and looking down. He was obviously unsure about something, embarrassed even.
"Umm. I don't quite know how to say this."
Angel looked at him in confusion.
"You see ... Umm ... What I mean is ... He ... well he had a bad experience ..."
Angel surprised herself by reaching out to touch John's arm. "He told me about it."
John's look of surprise was comic. "He what?" He almost shouted, and was immediately bright red to the roots of his hair. The others looked over. In a much quieter voice, he went on, "I'm sorry. That was an appalling reaction. It's just I don't think he's looked at a girl since, and telling anyone apart from his closest friends is about as likely as snow in the Sahara."
Angel was immeasurably cheered to know. She had guessed that to be the case, but it was a boost to her own sadly damaged morale to hear it confirmed.
"You could say we are two of a kind." Had she really even hinted at her experience? Wow, what an effect Jock had had on her already.
John was immediately sympathetic. "Please forgive me. I was going to warn you not to let him down. But you already understand. Did you enjoy the music?"
She was grateful for the change of subject. "It was amazing. I've never really appreciated that kind of music. You seemed to do two very different types?"
"Yes. The second set we practiced was much older music that the first. We like the more recent stuff, but the older music is stunning, both to play and to listen to." John grinned at her. "Do you play anything."
"The fool." She came back so fast that a crack of laughter escaped him.
"Hey, what's so funny?" Jock asked as he joined them.
"Your girlfriend is lightening quick."
"Bright as a button."
Angel was pleased with the compliments, and struck by the fact that Jock's friends treated her like a real person. She also liked it that they were protective of him, and wished she had friends like that. For a brief moment her spirits dropped like a stone, remembering the two real friends she had had to leave behind.
Jock squeezed her hand, ever sensitive to her mood. "Let's go get some food. We usually go to John's for grub after the practice. Will you come with us?"
Angel smiled her thanks and nodded. The five of them went off together, laughing and chatting.
Anthea giggled as Angel told her about the light in her bedroom. "I'm useless with practical things." She revealed. "I can't believe you were able to make it work." She poked Angel gently in the ribs. "I'm so glad it went wrong."
Angel coloured, but grinned back. "He's a real sweetie." She realised she'd found a friend in John's wife Anthea. They were also perfect foils for each other. Angel tall, normally slight, with chestnut hair. Anthea petite, curvy and blonde. She was such fun.
Anthea got up. "I need to go and dish up. Come through in a couple of minutes and help me carry."
Angel got up too, and spent a few moments roaming round the room looking at the incredible paintings, drawings, sculptures, and admiring the wonderful way the room was furnished. She suddenly realised how clever Anthea had been. The chair she had been sitting in was old, threadbare and comfortable, but a strategic splash of colour in a throw, and contrasting cushions, made it look like it was from an expensive interior design shop.
Angel felt a hand on her shoulder, and jumped, giving a squeak of alarm. The person stepped back to give her room, a courtesy she much appreciated. It was one of the twins.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. My name's Jo."
Her hand experienced a firm, dry handshake from a slim hand with long fingers, and she was aware of the long dark hair, elfin features, beautiful long neck and slim body.
"Angel." Now why on earth had she introduced herself as that? She supposed it must be because Jo was Jock's friend. She decided it was a rather nice feeling to be known by a different name. It somehow mattered that it distanced the connection to her other self and the whole experience.
"How did you get into playing like that?"
Jo laughed. "A long story, starting with being made to play the piano, but getting better!"
Angel grinned, then remembered that Anthea had asked her to help. "Sorry -- I need to go and help Anthea carry the food -- I promised a few minutes ago."
