CHAPTER 7
Quinn sat staring at the flames in the fireplace of his cottage. Everything around him was filled with joy and sparkle, the room eagerly awaiting its jolly red resident who would be arriving in a few days, but he felt anything but joy.
On the one hand he’d just had the best kiss of his entire life with the woman he loved. But on the other he knew he’d taken that kiss way too far and possibly ruined everything.
She’d wanted a kiss and he’d practically savaged her like some kind of wild animal. Although she had seemed to be enjoying it at the time, she was obviously regretting it now she’d had a chance to reflect on it. She hadn’t called or texted.
That kind of thing really should have happened after he’d started a conversation about their feelings, not just gone in all guns blazing.
He grabbed a crisp and practically butchered thething in his hands as he broke off tiny chunks before tipping the crumbs back into the bowl.
Did she have feelings for him? That kiss had escalated so quickly. Some of that had to have come from her or was it just that it had been so long since she’d been with a man?
What if this ruined their friendship? He couldn’t lose her.
He’d go and talk to her.
He grabbed his coat, shoved his feet into his boots and walked out the house. He got as far as the edge of the gardens before he stopped. What was he doing? If she wanted to talk to him she would have phoned or texted him. He would have to wait to talk to her tomorrow and hope it wasn’t too late.
Alex couldn’t settle.
Zara had eaten the pizza and taken herself off to bed, although what that really meant was that she would read for half an hour or so, before eventually falling asleep.
Immy was watching their favourite nature programme on the TV. The episode was about blue whales and though Alex loved whales she couldn’t concentrate on any of it.
What had happened tonight? She had never imagined that Quinn would offer to kiss her, but when he did she’d assumed it was an offer from a friend. She’d hadno idea he’d enjoy it so much he’d be turned on by it, or want to make love to her. Oh god, the thought of that made her stomach clench with desire. She wanted that so badly. But why had he reacted in that way? Did he have feelings for her too or was it just a heat-of-the-moment thing? She knew he hadn’t had a girlfriend for a while so maybe it was just a horny thing and nothing more.
Would it be weird between them now? It had been way more than just a friendly kiss. He’d had his hand between her legs, he’d made her come so hard she’d practically seen stars. Was there any coming back from this? Could they really be friends again after that? Or would that unfinished kiss always lie between them, like a firework waiting to explode?
What she wanted more than anything was to march round to his house and finish that kiss, properly. But was that a terrible idea? But if she wanted it and he wanted it, was there really any harm in it? They were both single and he’d promised her the kiss wouldn’t come between them, he’d said it wouldn’t affect their friendship or his relationship with Zara. So could she have one night with him to put all these feelings to bed once and for all?
‘What’s up with you tonight?’ Immy asked. ‘You’re so jittery. Did something happen on that date you haven’t told me about, other than the cockwomble shouting at you over your allergy?’
‘No, the date was over very quickly.’
‘Then what is it?’
‘Nothing, I…’ Alex sighed. ‘It was just something that Quinn said.’
‘What did he say?’
‘It doesn’t matter, well it does but… I need to talk to him.’
‘Now? It’s nearly ten o’clock.’
‘Do you mind looking after Zara for a bit? I mean, you don’t need to wait up for me, just be there if she needs anything.’
Which was very unlikely. Once Zara was asleep, she didn’t move until morning.
‘Of course. Are you OK?’
‘Yes… I will be.’
Alex got up and pulled on her shoes.
‘Are you going in your pyjamas?’ Immy asked, popping a honey roasted nut in her mouth.
Alex looked down at herself. Maybe she should put her pretty dress back on, Quinn had seemed to like that. But then Immy would know something was going on and right now Alex didn’t want anyone to know. This was something special, just between her and Quinn.
