Lily was in a trance when Flynn appeared behind her and sneaked his arms around her waist. Sinking into his embrace, she savoured the feel of his solid chest against her back and the distinctive scent of him that surrounded her. When his lips landed on her neck, she tilted her head and exhaled a breathy sigh.
No doubt he’d go back to his place soon. For reasons she couldn’t fathom, he’d decided their relationship should go slow. Considering he was leaving in a fortnight, it seemed like a waste, but it also didn’t seem to be something she could argue with without looking desperate.
“Are you okay?” he asked in her ear. “You’ve been really quiet this evening.”
She hugged his arms against her, wishing she could pause time. “I’m okay. Thanks for the picnic.”
“You’re welcome.” His breath tickled her ear. “I don’t really want to go home.”
“Don’t then,” she said automatically, then cursed herself for inviting a conversation she’d rather not have – about why he wanted to take things slow.
“Okay,” he said instead.
She shifted, feeling the rough stubble on his chin graze against her forehead. “Okay, what?”
“I won’t go home,” he whispered. “If that’s okay?”
A smile teased her lips, and she felt her mood lighten in an instant. Slowly, she turned and looped her arms around his neck. “What happened to taking things slow?”
His brow wrinkled. “We did that, didn’t we? I’ve taken you on several dates where I was the epitome of a gentleman.”
“That’s true.” She ran her fingers through the hair at the back of his head. “Somehow I just thought that the ‘taking it slow’ thing was going to get dragged out longer.”
“I waited a week,” he said, eyes sparking as he pulled her flush against him. “That’s seven times longer than I’d usually go before sleeping with someone. And that week felt incredibly slow to me.”
Her stomach turned a somersault. “I commend your restraint.”
“You should.” He kissed her slowly. “It took an insane amount of willpower.”
Her smile only lasted a moment, wiped away by the intensity of their kiss.
With his willpower out of the way, months of pent-up frustration were let loose. Lily couldn’t get enough of him, and the feeling was clearly mutual as they tugged at clothes and explored each other in a tangle of hands and lips and limbs.
They’d shifted to the bedroom with only their underwear remaining when a sudden noise brought Lily back into the real world.
“Is that your phone?” she asked, breathing hard.
“Yeah.” He shifted slightly, his hand reaching for his discarded jeans.
“Why the heck is it so loud?”
“In case I get a call.”
She squinted. “Work?”
“Yeah. We’re kind of on-duty round the clock. If there are any issues during the night, we need to be available.” With noluck finding his phone, he shifted to sit up and sifted through his clothes.
“I think it’s in the kitchen,” Lily said, eyes following the sound. “How often do you get called out at night?”
“Never.” He stood and crossed the room. “But sometimes my mates call me when they’re on a session. I’ll shut it up.”
“Hurry,” Lily muttered as he left the room.
A moment later he was back and frowning at the phone, which continued to ring in his hand.
“What’s wrong?” Lily asked.
“Sorry. Just a sec.” He swiped his finger over the screen and moved the phone to his ear. “Sarge?”
