Beautiful dimples.
And that smile.
All for me.
His mouth is on mine, and I press myself against him as hard as I can. Soft, soft lips, and the slightest graze of stubble. The wet heat of his tongue: finding mine, teasing it, dancing around it. He sighs into my mouth as he fists at my hair as if he can’t get me close enough to him. And his arm, for good measure, is the best kind of vice around my back.
I scoot my bum towards him. I can’t get close enough to this man. I can’t kiss him for long enough. Can’t equal the feeling I get from being in the cradle of his body, breathing each other’s breath.
He pulls away first, tugging at his scarf, at the buttons of his coat. ‘Whew. We’re working up a heat here. This dress isn’t helping.’ He slides an appreciative hand down my side, grazing my boob and pinching the curve of my waist. ‘You really know how to work a red dress, don’t you? I have to hand it to you.’
‘I’d rather not be wearing it right now,’ I whisper, and he groan-laughs.
‘Which brings me to my next goal. Come home with us?Please? Bea and I have discussed it. It won’t be Christmas without you.’
A riotous jumble of emotions expand in my heart at his invitation and threaten to overwhelm me.
Pure, crystalline happiness at the Christmas that lies ahead for me.
Wonder that this is what life has had up its sleeve today when I’ve been feeling like a puddle of sadness.
Profound gratitude for these two people who are welcoming me into their lives and their Christmas.
And a childlike excitement at the magic that lies ahead.
I remember how it felt as a child to lie in bed on Christmas Eve, the magic that would occur later, in the depth of night, almost palpable in the air. That feeling has nothing on knowing I get to spend Christmas with these two.
I kiss him. ‘I’d love nothing more. Seriously. Get me out of here.’
CHAPTER 34
Saoirse: Friday 24 December
When Miles lets us into the penthouse, Bea streaks across to the door of his room.
‘Come here, Saoirse! We have a surprise for you!’ She’s jumping up and down like a ping-pong ball. Keeley definitely fed her too much chocolate while Miles and I were upstairs.
‘Another surprise?’ I raise my eyebrows at Miles, who grins at me.
‘The surprises will keep on coming, baby. Ho ho ho.’
‘You’re so creepy.’ I kiss him lightly on the cheek and bounce over to Bea. ‘Show me my surprise!’
Bea opens the door with a flourish. Inside, Miles’ bed is neatly made and turned back on both sides. And on both sets of pillows lies a pair of red tartan pyjamas. At the end of the bed are two red felt stockings.
I put my hand on my heart. This little tableau says as much about the seriousness of Miles’ intentions as his words did.
‘Are those for me?’
‘Yep.’ Bea jumps over and grabs a set of pyjamas. ‘Webuyed these for you. Cos Daddy said if you let him be your boyfriend, you can have a sleepover with him tonight.’
Miles comes up behind me, slides his arms around my waist, and rests his chin on my shoulder. Kisses my neck.
‘I’m counting on it,’ he whispers.
That melting, warming feeling in my chest is back. I look down at beautiful Bea, her little face earnest, and take the pyjamas.
‘Well, I would love to have a sleepover with your daddy.’
