As dinner winds down, I excuse myself under the pretext of going to the loo and quietly slip over to settle the bill. Not just because it feels like the polite thing to do, after everything they’ve given me, but because it genuinely brings me joy to offer something in return.
It’s a small gesture, nothing compared to the warmth, kindness, and acceptance I’ve received over the past few days, but it feels like a start. I hope, more than anything, that one day I’ll get the chance to welcome all of them to one of my concerts. Especially Maude. I have a feeling she’d appreciate the music more deeply than she’d ever admit.
When the Elliotts realize the bill’s already been taken care of, they protest in unison, loudly, firmly, but I stand my ground with a smile. Eventually, they give in, though not without a few theatrical sighs and grumbles. As a compromise, they insist on treating us to ice cream instead. Which gives us the perfect excuse for a slow, meandering walk through the village and along the seafront, bathed in moonlight.
Back at the house, Ben says his goodbyes and heads back to the farm. The Elliott women retreat to their rooms, though not before Emma gives both Remi and me a warm hug and a kiss goodnight, thanking us again for a lovely evening.
At last, we’re alone.
And despite the long, sun-drenched day, Remi and I are aching to be close again. We strip off our clothes in hushed laughter, trying to stay quiet, though neither of us is particularly good at it. Then we tumble into bed, limbs tangled, skin on skin, greedy for each other, lost in that familiar need to blur every last boundary between us.
It’s not just desire. It’s something deeper. Something that keeps pulling us back together, like gravity.
And yet, despite the urgency pulsing between us, we make love slowly. Tenderly. With a depth of emotion we’ve never quite touched before.
There’s no rush, just the quiet certainty that we belong to each other, here and now. We lose ourselves in it completely, exploring every kiss, every shiver, every sigh, until time no longer seems to matter.
In each other, we find a kind of wholeness neither of us knew we were missing. We move together in perfect rhythm, caught between soft laughter and breathless moans, until we’re spent, drenched in warmth and trembling pleasure.
By the time we finally collapse, tangled in sheets and each other, the sky outside is beginning to lighten. The first pale blush of dawn filters through the shutters, casting faint golden stripes across our skin.
REMI
“Remiiiii, Seeeb, boys!”
Someone, definitely my mother, knocks on the door in her unmistakable sing-song voice, jolting me out of averyintense dream.
And just in case there was any doubt about the subject matter, I woke up with a rock-hard erection pressed uncomfortably against the mattress. I glance over at Sebastian, and he’s in the exact same state. Panicking slightly, I yank the duvet up just in time.
Seconds later, the door flies open.
“Mum!” I groan, sitting up in bed. “We wereactuallystill asleep! Ever heard ofknockingand waiting?”
“Oh, darling, I did knock,” she says, completely unfazed, her tone far too cheerful for this hour. “And you two are just so adorable, I couldn’t resist.”
She beams at us like we’re puppies in a basket, clearly ignoring my scowl and Sebastian’s mortified little smile.
“I just wanted to say I’m heading to the clinic and to wish you both a lovely day! I’ve left some fresh eggs and milk in the kitchen. Ben dropped them off earlier. You could make pancakes later!”
And with that, she gives us a little wave heading for the door as if she hadn’t just barged into the most awkward moment imaginable.
“Okay, okay, thanks Mum! But next time, please, knockandwait before coming in!”
“But Ididknock!” she insists, looking expectantly at Sebastian. “Didn’t I, Sebastian?”
He offers her an uncertain smile, clutching the duvet up to his chin like it's a shield.
“Uhm… yes, Emma. Thanks for breakfast. Have a good day.”
Ever the diplomat, he nails the tone perfectly. Just enough warmth, just enough deflection. Mum, clearly satisfied, beams at us, blows a kiss, and finally leaves the room.
The moment the door clicks shut, I let out a long, theatrical sigh of relief and flop back onto the mattress.
I wrap my arms around Sebastian and pull him close, my lips brushing the top of his head.
“Now, where were we…?” I murmur, already tempted to pick up exactly where we left off last night.
Mum’s interruption may have thrown us off for a moment, but I know exactly how to get us back on track. A few minutes of slow kisses and warm cuddles always do the trick. I kiss Sebastian deeply, tracing the length of his spine with my fingertips, and am instantly rewarded by a series of soft, helpless moans.
