He came instantly awake. “What is it, mate?” He whispered softly.
“My blanket fell off.”
“Oh, you want me to take you back to bed and put it on?”
“No, it’s too late.”
“What do you mean?”
“My tummy’s already cold. It won’t get warm now.”
“Oh, that’s no good.” Juniper could hear the smile in his whispered words. “What should we do?”
“I think I should come in there with you.”
“I thought you might think that. Come on then.” The mattress shifted as he made room for Billy.
Then there was quiet for a little while before Billy whispered, “Your face is scratchy.” Juniper could just picture him, curled against William with his little hand lying across his cheek.
“Well, your butt’s scratchy.”
Billy giggled, desperately trying to keep quiet. “Tis not!”
“I’m sure it is.”
“Your ear feels funny.”
“That’s enough now. Stop being cute and go to sleep.”
A long silence, then Billy whispered, “I am cute, aren’t I?”
Juniper felt the mattress shake as William laughed soundlessly. “Yes, very, but not so much at four o’clock in the morning, you little brat.”
Billy giggled, then said “William?”
“Billy.” The note of warning was unmistakable, even at a whisper.
“I love you.”
William barely missed a beat before replying, “I love you too.”
“G’night.”
“Good night.”
Juniper lay there for a long time, staring into the darkness, her heart full almost to bursting.
Juniper drifted through the next day on a cloud. They’d all slept in a little, cozy and quiet in her bed. Breakfast had been vastlyentertaining, Billy sitting in William’s lap while he ate vegemite on toast and regaled William with a story of a frog family that went into battle against evil toads. She’d brought William a coffee, relishing the soft touch of his hand on hers as she moved away. Then she’d sat down across from him to enjoy watching her son with him. He’d looked over at her as she smiled at him and went completely still, just gazing at her. She had tilted her head and looked at him questioningly, but at that moment, Billy had put his hands on William’s face and brought his attention back to the story. William had left not long after that and she’d gone to open the shop. She found she couldn’t concentrate, however, just drifting from task to task without completing anything properly. She’d forgotten to eat lunch, only reminded by Billy coming in from the yard to say he was starving. Then she’d got a call from Nora, asking if they could have Billy for the night and it couldn’t be more perfect. So here she was, dropping him off, looking at Nora blankly when she asked if she was okay.
“Sure, of course.”
“Oh, right, because you seem in a daze.”
“I’m fine,” she replied with a smile, giving Billy a kiss and drifting out the door to go home for a shower and a change of clothes. She made her way up to the lighthouse, seeing William’s car parked out front but the whole place in total darkness. She let herself in the front door, going straight across the loungeroom to the sliding doors. She could see him silhouetted against the rising moon, his back to the house. The gentle light of the moon spilled over him, gilding him in soft, silvery light and her heart squeezed. He turned as she crossed to him, opening his arms. She stepped into them, pressing her lips against his. She sank into it, pressing herself against him, deepening the kiss, toying with his tongue. She sighed as his hands moved up to the zipper of her dress, sliding it down ever so slowly. Then the tips of his fingers were caressingher back, a featherlight touch. She moved her hands to the buttons of his shirt, undoing them slowly then pushing the shirt aside to run her hands over his chest. She kicked off her shoes and shrugged out of the dress, letting it fall to the ground, standing naked before him, feeling a rush of warmth course through her as he looked at her, his eyes shadowy in the light of the moon. She slid her hands down to the button of his pants, undoing it and pushing his pants down.
CHAPTER 20
William
