‘You didn’t,’ she assured him, stretching languidly. ‘I was awake, sort of.’
‘Have I ever mentioned how beautiful you are?’ he asked, his gaze sweeping her face.
‘Yes.’ She reached to trail her hand delicately across his unshaven chin. ‘But then, you’re an excellent bullshitter.’
Jason laughed. ‘It’s not bull,’ he assured her, wondering why she never seemed to realise how attractive she was. ‘You’re beautiful. I’m not interested in other women, Karla. I know you must have been upset, seeing that photo on my phone. I should have deleted it immediately. Please believe me.’
Karla studied him, giving him a long, searching look, and then reached to trace his lips with her fingers.
‘She couldn’t hold a candle to you anyway.’ Jason smiled and kissed each of her fingers in turn.
Karla rolled her eyes amusedly. ‘Now you’re definitely bullshitting.’
‘Never.’ Jason leaned to brush her lips with his. ‘Those sharp blue eyes of yours would see through me in an instant.’
‘You’d better believe it,’ Karla said. ‘And then I would be forced to do unspeakable things to you.’
‘Promise?’ Jason’s smile widened. He tasted her lips again and then, thinking he could possibly live up to expectations, closed his mouth over hers, kissing her softly, before working his way slowly down her slim neck.
‘Oh God.’ Karla arched her back as he moved to her breasts, and then, ‘Oh God!’ she cried, and almost shoved him off the bed.
Not quite the reaction he’d hoped for. Confused, Jason rolled over as she shot up.
‘It’s gone eight.’ Karla flew to the door to grab her dressing gown, stuffed her arms into it and yanked the door open. ‘Holly, Josh – up!’ she yelled, attempting to rouse the kids, who’d obviously also overslept. ‘Now, please. We’re late!’
Groaning, Jason threw the duvet back and blinked at the clock. They’d slept through the alarm? No, they hadn’t. They’d forgotten to set it.Crap!
Bathroom or kitchen, he debated, pulling himself off the bed. Karla would need some help downstairs. On the other hand, he was seeing her father later today, and he needed to be ready for whatever knots Robert Fenton would no doubt try to tie him in. He needed to go through the company accounts. Liaise with Mark as to where they were with the software glitch.
Heading for the landing to make sure Karla would be okay coping with the pandemonium that was bound to ensue downstairs, he met Holly coming out of her room. She’d obviously gone to bed in an experimental hairdo. ‘What time is it?’ she asked blearily.
‘Late,’ Jason supplied, straightening the lopsided bun thing on her head. ‘You have about fifteen minutes and counting.’
‘Fifteen minutes?’ Holly’s sleepy eyes shot wide. ‘God, I’m never going to get my make-up done in that time.’
Make-up?Jason squinted after her as she twirled around to hurry back to her bedroom. Since when did eleven-year-olds go to school wearing make-up? He sincerely hoped she didn’t emerge wearing the red lipstick she’d been playing with the other day. That would definitely ensure pandemonium before they left.
‘Josh?’ Deciding he might do well to leave the battle of the make-up to Karla, he knocked on his son’s door and then peered around it.
‘What? Iknow,’ Josh said, looking stressed as he stared at him from where he stood in the middle of his room, wearing not a lot. ‘I’m coming. I’ve got my underpants on back to front.’
‘Oh.’ Jason hid a smile in favour of a suitably serious look. ‘Might be a good idea to put them on the right way around then.’
‘Obviously,’ Josh retorted, pushing his glasses up his nose. ‘I’ll be struggling to pee otherwise, won’t I?’
‘No flies on you, are there, tiger?’ Jason replied smartly.
‘Funny. You should do stand-up. Not.’ Josh’s response was smarter still.
Jason couldn’t help but laugh at his son’s flat expression. ‘Thirteen minutes,’ he warned him.
‘And counting. I know.Go.’ Walking across to him, Josh shooed him out. At ten years old, and still to hit the growing phase, Josh didn’t have a lot to be shy about, but Jason got it, and dutifully closed his door to allow him some privacy.
‘All right if I go in the shower, Karla?’ he called downstairs. ‘I…’ He stopped as she appeared in the hall, cling film in one hand, presumably with which to wrap the children’s lunches, and a coffee in the other. ‘I have my meeting with your father to prepare for,’ he finished, trying not to look too depressed at the prospect.
‘I know. I’ve rung work, told them I have an urgent dental appointment, so you go ahead,’ Karla said, mounting the stairs to hand him the coffee and then dashing down again.
‘Cheers.’ Jason had no idea how she’d made it so quickly, but he grabbed it gratefully. He had a feeling he might need plenty of caffeine today, and possibly something a lot stronger later.
