Back at Ed’s Clapham apartment, Gracie noticed the photos above the fireplace. ‘So, you’re a skier?’
‘More a snowboarder. How about you?’
‘Never been, actually.’
‘Oh, you should, it’s such a fun holiday.’
‘Is that your brother?’ She pointed to a photo of another handsome smiley man with a girl on his arm.
‘No, that’s my flatmate, Greg. He’s gone to Paris with his girlfriend this weekend. Rumour has it he’s going to propose.’
‘That’s so sweet.’
‘Another one bites the dust, I say.’ Ed laughed.
Gracie smiled. ‘You’re so wrong.’
‘But oh so lovable.’ Ed took her by the hands. ‘Anyway, sexy lady, I’ve been waiting to do this all night.’
He gently tilted Gracie’s head and kissed her lightly. When she pushed into him he gave her a full-on passionate toe-curler of a snog.
They came up for air.
‘I feel dizzy,’ Gracie giggled.
‘So, do you want a coffee, tea, me…’ Ed grazed her lips again.
‘Just you.’ Gracie leant up to kiss him again. She put her hand to his crotch and the slight bulge that greeted her made her feel horny.
‘Let’s have a coffee first, hey, Gracie?’
For a moment Gracie felt a little rejected. ‘Hello, is this really the hot-blooded landscaper who was going to have his wicked way with me?’
‘I just want you to be comfortable with this, that’s all. You’ve had a lot going on.’
He sat on the sofa and patted the seat next to him. ‘Come here.’
She leant in to kiss him again. ‘I am comfortable.’ She looked right into his almond-shaped brown eyes. ‘Really, I am.’
‘So, if I wanted to make love to you, you would say yes?’
‘Ed, you’re being weird. Just kiss me.’
Gracie moved herself to lie along the sofa and pulled Ed towards her. She spoke very slowly and deliberately. ‘Ed Duke, I want… to do… despicable… things to your body…’
He grinned. ‘As long as you are sure, who am I to argue?’
The foreplay was tender and oh so good. Ed’s body was taut and strong and Gracie could almost have cried at how complimentary he was about her.
‘Have you got condoms?’ Gracie said breathlessly.
Ed rifled on the floor for his wallet. ‘Here. You do it.’
As she was hurriedly ripping off the wrapper, Ed suddenly got up.
‘Shit, I’m so sorry, Gracie, must be the drink.’ He ran to the bathroom.
Gracie sat up. What was going on? He was gone for what seemed like ages, then he appeared in his boxers and came to join her at the sofa. He hugged her tightly.
