Gangsters Wives by Lee Martin Page A

beautiful. Now come to bed.’
    Shyly, Poppy stripped off her outer clothes, then her bra. ‘Your breasts are beautiful,’ said Niki. ‘I’ve never known a black woman before.’
    â€˜Half-black,’ Poppy corrected her. ‘By my dad.’
    â€˜He must’ve been a handsome man, and your mother as gorgeous as you.’
    â€˜Once,’ said Poppy, thinking of the shrunken woman in her tiny flat, which could also probably be seen from the eyrie where they now were. ‘Once.’
    They both got into bed and toasted each other with their champagne flutes. ‘Are you happy?’ asked Niki.
    â€˜For the first time in ages,’ said Poppy.
    They laid their glasses on the matching bedside cabinets and they hugged. Niki took the initiative and kissed Poppy’s mouth again, a long, lingering kiss that seemed to last forever. When they parted Poppy said, ‘That was wonderful.’
    Niki slid her hands to her breasts and gently stroked them before taking one nipple in her mouth, her dark hair covering Poppy’s tummy. ‘That’s even better,’ breathed Poppy, taking one of Niki’s tits in her hand too. ‘Don’t stop.’
    Barely a moment later Poppy lay back on the white sheets, trembling. ‘I’ve never come that fast,’ she whispered.
    â€˜Let’s have another drink,’ said Niki. ‘Then you can do me. Let’s see how fast I can come too.’

27

    Niki looked down at Poppy as she lay recovering from the strongest orgasm she’d ever known. Poppy couldn’t believe how the young Russian girl had made her feel, and couldn’t wait to reciprocate, but she was exhausted. ‘I need a drink first,’ she said. ‘And a cigarette.’
    â€˜Are you being cruel to me?’ asked Niki. ‘Making me wait?’
    â€˜No love,’ said Poppy, reaching for her hand and giving it a squeeze. ‘I’m just… God, I don’t know what I am. Give me a minute will you.’
    â€˜Take as long as you want,’ said Niki. ‘There’s no rush is there?’
    â€˜No. Joseph’s out with the bitch and the brat as usual. What about you?’
    â€˜As long as Connie’s tea, as he calls it, is ready for six o’clock, then he doesn’t care. He thinks I’m safe with you.’
    â€˜And you are darling,’ said Poppy, sipping at her champagne, and sitting up in bed to light a cigarette. ‘And we’ve got hours.’
    Hours that they spent exploring each other.
    When they were lying close together under a sheet, when Niki had tumbled off her, Poppy asked, ‘What did you say?’
    â€˜When?’
    â€˜When you were all excited. Russian wasn’t it?’
    â€˜Yes. I just said that I loved you and wanted you forever.’
    â€˜Forever is a long time.’
    â€˜I know. And I know things can’t go on like this, now we’re…’
    â€˜What?’
    â€˜Lovers. Together. That’s what you want isn’t it?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜Be sure. We’re playing a dangerous game.’
    â€˜I am sure. And I know we’re playing with fire, but I don’t care,’ Poppy said tenderly, looking into Niki’s eyes.
    â€˜We must be careful. You know what Connie’s like.’
    â€˜We will be.’
    â€˜I know we will. Do you want to come again my sweet?’ asked Niki.
    â€˜Again and again, and again.’
    â€˜Then you shall. Do you ever use things?’
    â€˜What things?’
    â€˜Sex toys. Dildos, vibrators?’
    â€˜I used to. My mates bought me one of those Rampant Rabbits from Ann Summers for my birthday,’ said Poppy, blushing. ‘How about you?’
    â€˜What is a rampant rabbit?’ Niki looked quizzical, and Poppy thought she would burst out laughing as she explained. ‘I don’t have anything like that. Connie would go crazy. But I do use this.’ She hopped