“Well you certainly have one of those.” He looked back to the building. “Although considering how long it’s been stood empty it’s in surprisingly good nick.”
“The neighbours aren’t bad either.”
Despite them being under moonlight, Nate still saw her blushes. He liked that. Looking down at his feet, he also liked the fact that he was blushing too.
“I thought you might be avoiding me,” she carried on. “After the other day.”
She was right, of course, that’s exactly what he’d been doing. He’d wanted to call round, but every time he considered it embarrassment took over. He’d picture himself, head tilted and lips poised in anticipation, only for the moment to be ruined by a sudden squeal of pain instead of a pleasurable moan. He might be out of practice, but when it came to such advances that wasn’t the kind of response he was used to. Then again, Flick wasn’t the kind of woman he was used to either.
“Obviously you wouldn’t be able to avoid me altogether,” Flick carried on. “We’re neighbours, so we’re bound to come across each other once in a while…”
As he listened to Flick’s ramblings, Nate once again felt a desire to kiss her. Indeed, if he was honest, the desire had never left him.
“I just thought you might be avoiding this.” She turned to face him, indicating to the small gap between them. “You know, just you and me.”
“How is the whiplash, by the way?”
His interruption finally silenced her. She put a hand up to her neck. “It wasn’t whiplash,” she said, caressing her skin. “I’d just pulled a muscle.”
Nate felt his pulse quicken. She really did have the most beautiful neck.
“The pain only lasted a couple of days…”
She also had the most mesmerising eyes.
“And it was gone.”
As she looked back at him, Nate held her gaze as he gently lowered her hand. “I’m glad to hear it,” he said. Stepping forward slightly, he shut down what space there had been between them. “Shall we try again?”
Suddenly silent, Flick nodded, appearing as nervous about this as he felt. His hands shook as he raised them to cup her face, before slowly bringing their now-parted lips together.
What began as tentative, soon became passionate, before their tongues settled into a perfect rhythm. He wrapped his arms around her. Her lips were as soft and luscious as he’d imagined. It was a kiss that Nate and his body never wanted to end.
32
Flick had spent the last few days walking on air. The video shoot was a success and the feedback from the wrap party had been excellent; everyone present exclaimed how much they loved the chateau. They’d all gone back to the UK ready to tell anyone who’d listen about the wonderful venue they’d found, and Claire, the shoot director, had certainly been true to her word. Much to Flick’s surprise, the agency Claire had mentioned had already been in touch and seemed very keen to move things forward.
Then there was Nate.
Flick could still see the intensity in his eyes as he gazed into her own. No one had ever looked at her like that before, not even Matthew. She could still feel Nate’s hands as they touched her face, then his muscular arms as he wrapped them around her. And that kiss. She so hadn’t wanted it to end. Little wings flapped around in her tummy. She couldn’t wait to see him again…
“Earth to Flick,” Brenda said.
Flick snapped out of reverie, in time to see her mum, notepad at the ready, put down her pen. “Sorry?”
“I can probably guess what’s on your mind. Or more to the point,who.”
“That obvious, eh?” Flick smiled, letting out a long dreamy sigh. “He’s asked me on a date, you know.”
Brenda jolted, suddenly extra attentive. “And I’m only just hearing about this?”
Flick laughed. “When have I had the chance to tell you anything? We’ve been so busy with this place, cleaning up after the party, answering emails… Plus trying to come up with a schedule of works for all the jobs that need doing around here.” She indicated to her mum’s notepad. “The money from the video shoot might be good but we still have to prioritise.” She could see that her mother knew she was lying, that she’d actually chosen to keep this snippet of information to herself. But she didn’t care. She felt like a teenager who’d gotten her first boyfriend. Every time she thought about Nate she came over all warm and tingly. It was a feeling she’d wanted to keep to herself for a while, as if she needed to protect it.
“And do you plan on going on this date?”
“Of course, why wouldn’t I?”
Brenda frowned. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
