I like the idea of him in my clothes way too much.
Charlie: It’s a date
Charlie: Sorry. You know what I mean
The way my breath catches then deflates is a big red flag.
One I’m going to wilfully ignore.
I know this is going to end, I know it’s not going any further than friends, butfuck me, I haven’t felt this alive in ages. And I’m not giving it up, no matter how much that’s going to bite me in the arse later.
Pete: I know what you meant. See you tomorrow
I have to stop myself from adding anxat the end. I don’t know why I almost did.
The weather takesa turn for the worse the next day.
Typical.
I spend half the morning looking out the window, debating whether to call off our walk or not, but by some miracle, by lunchtime, the clouds shift and patches of blue sky appear. It’s still bloody freezing, though, and before I leave to meet Charlie, I nip back home to fetch the warmest coat I have that I think will fit him.
I text him to let him know I’m on my way, and when I pull up in front of the pub, he’s already waiting outside.
Shivering.
“Why are you outside?” I ask as soon as he gets in the car. Instead of turning the engine off, I let it idle to keep the inside warm.
He shivers again, putting his hands in front of the vents. “I knew you were almost here and I didn’t want to keep you waiting.”
“It’s cold out there.”
He laughs. “Yep. Didn’t really think it through.”
His cheeks and nose are bright pink, his hair windswept, and he smells of fresh country air. I want to lean in and kiss him so fucking badly.
“So,” he says, pulling on his seatbelt. “Where are we going?”
“Er...” I’m regretting the walk I’d picked for us to go on right about now. “Actually, there’s a lovely walk that starts from the back of the pub car park. I was gonna suggest we do that one, but?—”
“No, that’s fine.”
“You sure? I thought it’d be easier, that’s all, but if you want to drive elsewhere, we can.”
He puts his hand on my thigh. “No. Don’t change your plans. I just assumed we’d have to drive somewhere, that’s all.”
I can’t help but glance down. He hasn’t moved his hand, and it might still be cold to the touch, but it feels like fire in my veins where he’s touchingme. “If you’re sure,” I say softly, trying not to draw attention to the fact his hand is still there.
“Yeah.” He gives my thigh a squeeze, fingers stroking dangerously close to the outline of my cock. I suck in a breath, and he seems to realise what he’s doing and snatches his hand back. “Shit. Sorry.”
There’s a good chance of things getting awkward and I don’t want that. “Don’t worry about it.” I open my door and as I’m getting out add, “I love hiking with a hard-on.”
There’s a beat of stunned silence, then Charlie’s loud laughter fills the car.
Thank fuck.
I duck back in and grin at him. “What footwear have you got on?”
He lifts one foot, showing me a decent pair of walking boots. “I’m not totally useless.”
