03 Eve
SIX MONTHS AGO
I was walking home from an event I had been so nicely invited too, me and about ten to fifteen guys at some guys flat for an all-night fuck fest. I don’t remember how many guys I had squirted in or on, but it was an enjoyable event. As I was making my way home, I was in my own little post fuck world and I was quite the bit tired, as I went all natural.
I made my way towards the crossing, the light changed, I stopped and waited for the next green man since I had no energy to run. I looked towards the road and I saw a boy in the road, he was trying to pick something up. The light had changed for the cars to drive, the lane the boy was on was empty. I saw a car turn the corner and was speeding up the lane where the boy was standing.
Not thinking about what I was doing, I ran into the road managing to dodge the traffic. I grabbed the boy and pulled him safely off the road just before the car came speeding towards us, with no hint of slowing down.
‘Are you okay?’ I asked, dropping down to one knee.
‘Yeah, but that was crazy,’ said the boy, ‘you came and save me like you’re a super hero.’
‘Where’s your mum?’
‘She’s over there,’ the boy pointed towards a woman, carrying two large bags and hadn’t even noticed that her kid was not even with her.
‘Come on,’ I said, taking the boy by the arm and walking quickly to catch the mother. ‘Excuse me!’ I shout when I’m close enough.
‘Hmm,’ said the woman, turning around. ‘WHY ARE YOU HOLDING MY SON?’
‘I saved him from getting run over,’ I said, letting go of the boys arm. ‘since you didn’t seem to notice he wasn’t with you.’
‘WHAT?’ she yelled, dropping the bags, and going to check out her son.
‘I’m okay,’ said the boy, ‘This man saved me.’
‘Thomas you need to be careful, and walk with me, not playing around.’ The woman stood up and looked at me, ‘Thank you. I’m that you had to… I just completely forgot to keep an eye on him. He usually knows how to cross a road, he is ten after all. If you weren’t there, I have no idea what would have happened.’
‘Its fine,’ I said, ‘we all just got lucky.’ I let the matter drop, as I could tell from her words she was frantic.
‘Well I can’t thank you enough,’ she said, ‘I’m Eve and thank you for saving Thomas.’
‘It’s no problem,’ I said, with a smile to both, ‘I best get going.’
‘I feel like I should offer you something for helping me, thank you doesn’t seem enough,’ said Eve.
As I look her, I realise what she was doing. The initial shock of me holding her son had passed, and the worry he might be hurt had also passed. Now she was taking me in, and realising what I looked like, and that maybe if she flirted she might be in for a chance of seeing me more. I however, just wanted to go home and sleep, knowing I’ve done my good deed for the day, as she seemed a little high strung for me.
‘Like I said we all got lucky,’ I said, ‘Nice to meet you Eve, and you too Thomas.’ I go to walk off, Thomas runs in front of me.
‘What’s your name?’ he asks.
‘Everyone calls me L,’ I tell him.
‘Why’s that?’
‘Because it’s what my name starts with, they always have.’
‘Come on Thomas we need to go home,’ calls Eve.
‘Bye,’ I said, walking off. I walked a few steps, and I turned to look at them. The picture looks so familiar. A mother struggling with the shopping, a kid who seems happy, even though he shouldn’t be. I turn, and walk back to them. ‘Do you live close to here?’
‘Just round the corner,’ said Eve.
‘Lead the way,’ I said, picking up the shopping bags, and waiting to be shown the way.
X X X
‘You haven’t used in how long?’ I ask, Lucas.
‘Two days now,’ says Lucas, sounding more upbeat, ‘and I feel fine. That’s why I wanted to see you.’
I look at him, and he looks the same, but when I look into his eyes he does look a lot less tired, and wired. He looks almost normal, but I know it won’t last.
‘Well good for you,’ I say, trying to sound as supportive as I can. ‘Do you have any lying around? Or did you just run out of cash?’
‘No, I decided I’m going to take a break, and aren’t you the one that said I should take a break.’
‘Yes I did, but I didn’t think you would, but I should be proud of you, but if in a week you’re still clean then I will bring out the poppers, no pun intended.’
‘Don’t you believe me?’ asks Lucas, sounding upset.
‘Well if you’re doing it for you it’s great, if you’re trying to impress me it’s going to take a serious commitment.’
‘Fine,’ said Lucas, now sounding angry.
‘Hey, I’m not trying to be an asshole here, you’ve told me you’ve stopped before and it turned out to be nothing. I’ve grown to accept you as you are, a cokehead.’
‘That’s how you see me?’
‘Yes,’ I say, ‘we’re all are who we are.’
‘And I bet you’re perfect.’
‘Far from it,’ I say, ‘my life has never been and will never be perfect, but I just have good control on all my vices.’
‘You think you’re better than me?’ ask Lucas, sounding outraged.
‘No. I just know when to indulge in the forbidden fruits, and when I do not have them effect me.’
‘You talking about my boner.’
‘Nope, but is that back?’
‘Well I got a semi this morning, without porn’
‘Now that’s something am proud of, maybe I could get you fully erected.’
‘No,’ says Lucas firmly, ‘if you’re not proud of my change, you’re not getting my cock.’
‘Then why did you invite me here?’ I ask, wondering if his little sabbatical from coke was all he wanted from me.’
‘I wanted to share my news with my boyfriend, jeez.’
‘Okay we shared, can I go now?’
‘Why do you never wanted to spend time with me?’ Lucas asks, seriously.
‘Because I don’t enjoy our time together any more,’ I say honesty, ‘When we first started it was cool and everything was chill, we’d fuck, chill, fuck some more. But eventually that went away, and I only came here out of habit.’
‘Wow. Good to know how you really feel.’
‘I’m being honest here, and since your off the white stuff I feel like I can say these things to you, without you flipping out.’’
‘So do you want to break up with me?’
I look at him and consider him for a moment. Do I really want to end things with him? Truth is I stopped liking him months ago; I only use him as an easy fuck, or a contact when I need some substances. Do I want to end things, not really since I might like him again, and he’s got a nice mouth to fuck?
‘No I don’t,’ I tell him, ‘I just want to be honest with you.’
‘Well then,’ says Lucas, ‘I feel like you just use me as a human sex toy. “I’m horny I better go fuck Lucas he’ll be up for it.”’
I don’t say anything because he is right on the money, seems like he didn’t notice. Or maybe because he’s had a clear head for a couple days and has finalised pieced it to
‘Okay I’m sorry,’ I say, eventually, ‘It’s just what I have become used to, why don’t we both try to get back to what we used to be.’
‘How do we do that?’ he asks.
‘Let’s just watch a movie and chill like we used to.’
‘Okay I’ll find something on Netflix.’
‘Great,’ I say, hoping the time we spend together changes my opinion about him even just a little bit.
SIX MONTHS AGO
I don’t know why I did it, but I had. I accepted for Eve to take me out to dinner for saving Thomas. I should have gratefully declined and cut all ties with them, but once I got to their home I was I felt badly for saying no to all the requests.
I arrived at Eve’s at six, and I knocked on the door.
As Eve opens the doors, I can see there is some kind of problem, she isn’t dressed, and nor does she look happy.
‘Am I early;’ I asked, to break the ice.
‘No, I’ve just had a little problem,’ said Eve.
‘What happened?’
‘Thomas’ dad was meant to pick him up from school and decided work is more important than his son, so Thomas is here.’
‘Oh,’ I say, not sure what else to say.
‘I think we might have to do this another time.’
I could have said okay, and just walked away, but I didn’t. There was something in her face that made me not want to run away.
‘We could,’ I start, ‘But I’m here, I’m hungry I’m guessing you are too. Possibly Thomas could eat too, so why don’t the three of us go get something to eat.’
‘The three of us?’ asks Eve, surprised I would even think of the idea.
‘Yeah why not, I mean no harm in ruining our plans, just a little modification.’
‘I’m not sure,’ says Eve.
‘Well I past a tonne of family friendly places on my way here, so come on get dressed and we can go out and get something to eat.’
Eve stands there for a moment, I can see the contemplation on her face, till she finally said, ‘Okay I’ll be twenty minutes.’ Eve rushed from the door leaving me to stand outside of it with the door opened.
I decided I didn’t want to be left standing on the door step so I walked in. I stood in a long hallway, with the bathroom opposite the door. The hall was lined with shoes on a rack, and there were two hooks with coats piled on. I continued down the hall to find a door to my left, and two doors further down. I went into the room on the left, and found myself in the lounge. It was a small room with a joining kitchen. I walked around the room, and took a look at the pictures around. All the pictures were of Thomas, a couple of school pictures and him at various events. There were a few with Eve and Thomas, but the one that took my interest was a picture of Thomas and a man.
The two of them seem to be having a good time in the picture; they were both were smiling and seem to be at a park. I was very taken by the man, and he looked rather glamourous, looking at him next to his son, they really didn’t look alike. The man had short brown hair, and a couple days stubble, he had a perfectly square jaw and perfectly white teeth. He was a hot guy, in this picture, but I just wonder what happened to him.
‘That’s my dad,’ said Thomas, when I turned away from the picture.
‘Oh really?’ I said, having figured that out.
‘Yeah, but he don’t live here anymore. He lives with nanny now.’
‘I see,’ I say, surprised by this kids knowledge. ‘Do you see him much?’
‘Yeah, today I was meant too, but dad was busy. It’s okay I’ll see him next time.’
‘Well for me it’s good.’
‘Why?’
‘Because now I get to hang out with you,’ I say, giving him a smile.
‘Really?’ he asked, really excited. ‘You want to play some PlayStation?’
‘Maybe later.’
‘It’s okay, dad left it here for me, but mummy doesn’t like me playing it too much.’
‘My mum was the same,’ I tell him, ‘but I did it anyway.’ Thomas giggled, ‘so what do you have?’ I walked over to the TV, just then Eve came back into the room.
Eve looked different from the woman I first met, a few days ago; let alone the woman who answered the door. She was wearing a short sleeved, white checked dress. Her long brown hair was out and seemed to have a shine to it, and her face was properly made up, not too much just the right amount; she now looked like a young twenty something, not the old tired mum I had seen. It was such a shame I had now made our evening a family affair because I definitely would fuck this woman.
‘Well I’m ready,’ said Eve, eventually.
‘I can see that,’ I said, still a little stunned.
‘Thomas, go put on your shoes.’
‘You really look good,’ I said, once Thomas had exited the room. ‘I guess you don’t always dress up.’
‘No,’ said Eve in a laugh, ‘I mean how we met pretty much tells the story, busy mum, not much time for me to do the necessary preparations. Unless I have reason to, and these days that comes around once every… couple of months’
‘Well it’s a shame that, Thomas isn’t with his dad.’
‘This was you’re idea remember.’
‘I think I made a mistake,’ I said, really meaning it. ‘How old do you have to be leave your kids at home?’
‘Yeah right?’ laughs Eve. ‘I like having a home.’
‘Just put him in front of the PlayStation and we’re all good.’
‘I really do hope you’re not being serious.’
‘I’m kidding,’ I said, only half kidding, ‘Well he’s got to go bed some time.’
‘I’m ready,’ said Thomas coming back into the room.
‘Well let’s get going,’ I said, as I ushered them both out of the flat.
We ended up walking to one of the chain restaurants just off the high street; it wasn’t busy, which was nice. While we were there I was only able to really talk to Thomas, and he had so much he either wanted to ask or tell me about. I heard about everything he was doing at school, what he was doing after school, and want to know what I wanted to be when I was his age, what I liked beside PlayStation. I found his conversation entertaining; since I hadn’t been around a child in some time, but it did make me feel like I was having a date with Thomas though. Eve only spoke every once in a while, which was also fine because I knew later on I would be able to have a conversation and more with her later.
‘Do you have young nieces and nephews?’ asked Eve, when Thomas had gone to the toilet.
‘No, why do you ask?’ I asked
‘Because most people, mostly men would be annoyed by the sure volume that Thomas has been chatting.’
‘I guess I kind of remember what it was like. You know meeting someone at that age either you’re excited or not. Giving that I saved him from getting run over, I guess to him I am very exciting.’
‘Don’t you think you’re exciting?’
‘I can be, but not usually by talking.’
‘Are you implying…’ but Eve never got to finish as Thomas came back that moment.
After we had some dessert it was time to walk Thomas and Eve back home. As we did Thomas chose to hold my hand and his mother’s while we walked down the street, and he was surprisingly quite.
‘Oh no,’ said Eve, when we reached the flat. ‘What’s he doing here?’
‘Something wrong?’ I asked, as Eve’s demeanour had suddenly changed.
‘It’s nothing, it’s just umm, Thomas’ dad is here.’
‘Oh,’ I said, understanding the situation right away. ‘Well I guess he stopped by on his way home from work.’
‘Yeah I guess he has,’ said Eve.
‘Well then I’ll you both here,’ I said, sadly disappointed but not wanting to make a scene.
‘Yeah I guess that’s good night then,’ said Eve, sounding distracted.
‘Thomas it was nice to chat to you.’
‘I thought we were going to play some PlayStation,’ said Thomas.
‘Next time,’ I said, ‘I promise.’
‘Okay,’ said Thomas, giving me a hug.
‘I’ll see you around,’ I said, and I left leaving them to deal with their situation.
X X X
‘See there is no difference to having coffee here, compared to your local shop,’ I say, to Timothy.
‘No it’s so different,’ says Timothy, checking out his surroundings, ‘There are so many just so obvious gay guys here. Then there is so many guys just walking down the street. Soho is such an interesting place.’
‘Till your turn eighteen I can only show the wonders of the coffee shops.’
‘I bet when you’re in a bar you see two guys kiss in public and its nothing, right?’
‘Exactly,’ I say, ‘well I’ve brought you to Soho, now you’ve experiend some gay life, even though you live down the road from Vauxhall.’
‘That’s too close,’ said Tim, suddenly a lot more serious. ‘I could be seen by a family member who might be visiting and they…’
‘And they might grow five arms or battle superman. Believe me you never get spotted when you think you are going to.’
‘I know but I still don’t want the grief for my mum. I can take the shame I don’t want my mum to feel it. It might be legal over there but a lot of my family are still backwards.’
‘I get it Tim,’ I say, hoping to snap him out of this pride moment, ‘But just enjoy this moment.’
‘I am but I wanted to ask you something?’
‘Is it dirty?’
‘Maybe.’
‘Okay, I’m all ears.’
‘You know the weekend of my birthday I was wondering if I could spend the weekend with you.’
I was stunned, could this be his way of saying he’s ready? I don’t know, but I am still not one hundred percent sure if should have another weekend with someone, as my last one didn’t work out so well.
‘All I’m saying is I want to come over, but not to have sex, but err, we could maybe have a little bit and err I just want to be somewhere else on my birthday rather than the same place I always am.’
I consider him for a second, and it does sound ideal. As during the course of the weekend I can convince him to have sex or influence him, but I’m still very weary of having a weekend, but I need to let him know I’m not shooting down the idea just yet.
‘You know what, that does sound like a fun time, but I just need to make sure I’ve got nothing booked that weekend. Once I know I’ll you know?’
‘Okay,’ says Tim, sounding even, ‘I’m just glad you didn’t say no, but I really hope you can.’ I nod and take a sip from my cup. ‘Oh my gosh, is that a drag queen?’
SIX MONTHS AGO
I felt so weird, and it was because I spent money on dinner and didn’t get any. It was the way that Eve had changed so suddenly. If we actually got to go out with her one on one, maybe I would know what the deal with her and Thomas’ dad. Were there getting devoiced, devoiced or just long term partners. I didn’t know any of these things, but it did worry me though.
Instead of heading home and picking up a hook up I decided to head back to Eve’s to make sure things were okay. It was just something that was bothering me. It all seemed like something I had seen before, and I wasn’t sure why.
When I approached the door, there were no sounds of a struggle, or an argument, things seemed normal. I knocked on the door and I waited, and while I waited I really felt like I had made a mistake.
‘Liam,’ said Eve, when she opened the door. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘I dunno,’ I said, being honest. ‘I had a funny feeling about leaving you with your… that’s it I don’t know. Your ex-husband, boyfriend I don’t know. So I couldn’t just go home without being sure.’
‘Oh wow,’ said Eve, ‘You really are this nice guy aren’t you. Saving my kid, helping me home with the shopping, how come you’re not married, I don’t know. But Liam I am fine, honestly. He just wanted to see Thomas before bed time that’s all.’
‘Okay,’ I tell her, not really believing her, but she does feel more even that she did earlier. ‘Well I’m sorry to bother, but at least I know you’re okay.’
‘Who is it?’ I heard call from inside.
‘It’s noting,’ said Eve. ‘I’ll speak to you later.’
I didn’t move, as I was curious to know why Eve was lying about me.
‘I’m gonna ask you again are you okay?’ I asked, sounding more firm.
‘I’m fine,’ said Eve, but this time I wasn’t convinced.
I walked into the flat, and ignored Eve’s cries of no. I found the man who I had seen in the pictures in the lounge drinking. I looked around to see if Thomas was anywhere around. He wasn’t which was good, because I didn’t like what I was seeing.
‘I’m here,’ I said, to him.
‘Who are you?’ he asked.
‘I’m the guy who saved your kid, and the guy who took your kid out for dinner since you couldn’t this evening.’
‘You’ve been taking out my wife?’
‘No,’ I said firmly, ‘I took out your wife and son. But the fact you’re more obsessed with the wife part tells me you haven’t really heard what I said.’
‘Well it makes sense why she looks like a slut tonight,’ he said. ‘Don’t worry mate after a while that all goes away.’
‘Thanks for the tip, but should you be getting back to your mothers now? As you know Thomas is in bed, and you’ve got work in the morning. So I’ll get you a cab and you can be on your way.’
‘What the fuck do you know about me?’ he asked, staggering toward me. ‘This is my house; I can do what I want.’
‘Not any more,’ I said, standing my ground. ‘So either you leave, or I call the police to remove you.’
‘What the hell are they going to do? This is my house; the only person they will take away is you.’
‘Look I don’t want to get into this right now, because Thomas should be asleep and I don’t want to wake him. Nor do I want him to see us fighting. So if you actually care about your son just leave, so Eve can go about her evening.’
‘Yeah I bet you want me to leave so you can fuck my Wife, fine I’ll go and you have her dried up pussy.’
I watched as he picked up his last can of beer, and staggered past me, and out of the lounge. I then followed him towards the front door, and made sure he was outside before I locked the door.
‘What the fuck was that?’ I asked Eve, the minute I closed and locked the door.
‘That was nothing,’ said Eve, ‘I could have handled it.’
‘Oh so you can handle it, how often does that happen?’
‘Not that often.’
‘No matter how many times that happens it’s still fucked up, you broke up why is he coming and drinking.’
‘You don’t know the full story, but it’s long.’
‘I’ve got time, but I just want to know, has he hit you before?’
When Eve doesn’t say anything, right away I already have my answer.
‘How many times,’ I ask her looking right into her eyes.
‘Three times,’ she said, quietly. ‘The first was accident, but the second wasn’t and neither was the third. I went to the police and then we got separated, but sometimes he takes it upon himself to come here on the days he’s meant to see Thomas.’
‘I see,’ I said, really thankful that I didn’t go home. ‘I hope you don’t mind, but I am spending the night.’
‘What?’
‘I don’t want him to come back, and given that he’s got a key I definitely don’t want him to come back.’ I look at her and she is shocked, and I think I know why. ‘I’ll sleep on the sofa or in front of the door. But tomorrow morning I definitely getting the locks changed because you should be able to come home and not worry about him being here.’
‘God I am so pathetic,’ blubbered Eve, who began to cry.
‘No you’re not, you need help and I’m her to help you.’
‘But why? You hardly know me.’
‘Because once, I couldn’t help my mum from getting hit,’ I explained, ‘Now I will help who I can.’
‘I’m sorry,’ said Eve, finally stop crying. ‘Are you going to spending the whole night?’
‘I’ll be here all night, tomorrow night if need be. I know it’s a little strange because you hardly know me, but trust me I will keep your safe.’
X X X
‘Where are they?’ asked Eve.
‘Just running late hopefully,’ I say, wondering the same as Eve. ‘We’ll give him a call.’
‘Yeah I’ll do that,’ but just as Eve finishes speaking the door goes. Eve gets up and goes to the door, and I follow behind her. Then there is Thomas with his dad Edward.
‘I know we’re late,’ said Edward, ‘My fault I should have called.’
‘Next time make sure you do,’ says Eve. ‘Did you have fun?’
‘Yeah,’ says Thomas, not all too convincing.
‘Well I’ll see you on Tuesday,’ says Edward.
‘Bye,’ says Thomas, walking into the other room.
‘Bye,’ says Edward, and leaves.
‘Well he’s home he’s safe, I better get going,’ I say, having to head home to get ready for a job.
‘Thanks for staying with me,’ said Eve, ‘I’ll make it up to you soon I promise.’
‘No rush,’ I say, ‘Later.’ I walk of the building and find Edward just looking up at the building. ‘What are you doing?’
‘Oh,’ says Edwards, as I had caught him off guard. ‘I’ve really fucked it up.’
‘What?’
‘My life,’ he says, ‘you know my son will only talk about you. Me and L are doing this and doing that. L said he’s going to take me here; L took me to see that. My son likes a stranger more than his own dad.’
‘Look I don’t need you blaming me for your son not liking you,’ I say, not in the mood for his bullshit.
‘I’m not blaming you, I’m blaming myself.’
‘That’s who you should be blaming, but if you want a better life with your son I will give you a chance.’
‘You will?’ he asks, surprised, ‘why?’
‘Because I know I will not be around forever, and when I’m gone he will need another man in his life. That’s the nicest thing you can do for Thomas.’
I walk off before Edward can say anything; I don’t want his questions or his thanks.
FIVE MONTHS AGO
‘It’s small isn’t it?’ asked Eve, as we stood in her new flat.’
‘It’s smaller yes,’ I said, trying to be positive.
‘Well it’s all I can afford now I’ve cut myself off from his money.’
‘So long as it’s somewhere he doesn’t know, while he sorts himself out and it makes you feel safe that’s all that matter.’
‘Just wish it was a little bigger,’
‘Said every man ever.’
‘You’re right, once I have my stuff in here it will be a nice home for me and Thomas. Edward can have his flat back. So when are you going to get to moving my stuff in?’
‘Me?’ I asked, ‘I don’t provide logistics.’
‘So you’re so useless.’
‘Useless am I? I find you a flat, pick up and look after your son, while you get a job, why does a useful person do?’
‘I’m just teasing,’ said Eve, ‘I just can’t believe how wonderful you have been. You’ve just been there when I needed you, and even sometimes when I didn’t think I needed you. The thing that surprises me is you haven’t tried anything funny. Which is refreshing and made me think that not all guys are after sex?’
I didn’t say anything as most the time I’d been around Eve, we’d either been with Thomas, or I just having be sorting out something for her. Maybe I’m changing, or maybe I just didn’t see her that way. Who knows, but it’s weird I hadn’t thought of it.
‘Well if you want we can have a quickie on the floor,’ I joke.
‘I’m err good without thanks,’ said Eve, through a laugh. ‘To be honest it’s been a long time since I’ve actually wanted to, and that’s one the reason my marriage went the way it did. However there was something I did learn to do to kind of help things float a few more months.’
Before I knew it Eve was grabby my dick through my jogging bottoms.
‘What are you doing?’ I asked, completely shocked, and even more surprising not instantly got wood.
‘I’m thanking you, in the way you deserve, and something I should have done from the day we met.’ Without any further discussion, Eve pull down my bottoms, and left me bare arse and cock hanging out. ‘Fuck!’ she said looking at my manhood. I looked down and saw Eve took my flaccid penis in her hand then slowly put the head into her mouth, the slowly put the rest into her mouth.
I looked up and closed my eyes, as I felt the suction from Eve’s mouth start to wake up my cock, I could feel it getting harder as I felt her gently move up and down my shaft and slowly removing herself off my dick to see it at half-mast.
‘Fuck,’ she said again, and this time when she puts me into her mouth she is more aggressive. She’s going up and down on my cock giving me the perfect suction, and pleasure. I now know I am fully hard, and Eve knows it too as she is able to stick more into her mouth. Eve grabs my ass, and pulled my groin towards her, and I could feel myself going all the way down her throat. When she didn’t gag I was amazed.
I didn’t know how long I would last. Eve was really good at giving head, she was better than some guys I’ve had. I needed to cum, and I haven’t shot that quickly in years. Eve was on top form and I definitely wasn’t going to hold back.
‘Eve I’m gonna,’ I say, as she has gotten me there.
Eve takes me out of her mouth, then grabs my dick and gives it a hard squeeze before stroking it three times before I feel the orgasm in my balls, then my ejaculate hit the floor, I squirt a couple more times each time my load falling just short of the last.
I let out a deep breath, I take a look at my load and it’s turning into a massive wet patch on the floor. Eve is a pro if she can make me shoot like that.
‘Thank you,’ I said, trying to sound as thankful as I could, still rocked by the explosion
‘You’re welcome,’ said Eve, standing back up.
‘That was great, but let’s cleans that up, before you move in’
