She giggled, wanting to know more. “First time for what then.”
“No condom.”
“Oh. If we’re comparing firsts, that’s the first time I’ve thought my body was going to disintegrate.”
“I can help put it back together. Then if you give me half an hour or so, I can make you come apart again.”
She saw him waggle his eyebrows in the half-light that shifted the shadows each time the curtains were wafted by the breeze.
“I think I might need more recovery time than you.” Tiredness seeped through her veins now, her body the most relaxed it had been in months, maybe longer.
The kiss he gave her wasn’t like before: this was soft, tender. The kiss of a lover who had more on his agenda than simply sex.
“Is there anything you need?”
She smiled. “A shower. I’m sweaty from you and the climb today.”
“How about a bath? I can run you one?” His hand held her bottom, keeping her close to him in the most intimate way. “Or I can let you be in the shower while I brew up.”
Abby nuzzled into him even more. “While I love the idea of a bath, I think I’d fall asleep in it. I’ll have a quick shower. Are you sure you want me to sleep here?”
“You’re really asking me that after what just happened? I’m not that much of a dick, Abby, that I need a pass to get out of it.” He spoke softly, his hands caressing.
“I’ve known some men who were dicks. And I don’t think you’re one of them, but I don’t want to take advantage.”
“Let’s stop there. There’s no advantage being taken by either of us. I was worried that you’re vulnerable after what happened and that I was taking advantage of you, but I know you better than that. I’ve known you for two years and you only do what you choose to.”
She found herself wrapped even closer around him; the rhythm of his heart almost palpable against her.
“Okay. I’ll stop second guessing.”
“Good. I’ll go and make some tea.” He kissed her, not tenderly this time. This time it had a promise.
Seven
Alex didn’t usually wake up to find a silkily naked woman in his bed. He usually woke up before an early shift and got straight out of bed to see to the dogs, grab a very quick breakfast and shower, before walking over to the station in Severton where he was based.
Today he did not want to get out of bed. Dawn had started an hour or so ago, the morning chorus of birds was ongoing and he could hear one of Jake’s cockerels yelling at the top of his voice from half a mile away.
The air was still. The breeze from the previous evening had died during the night, but it had left the ominous lurking of humidity behind. They needed rain to clear the air.
Abby was curled half around him, the sheets pushed away from their bodies, the heat of the night enough to keep them warm – and each other. There was no need for the expense of air conditioning, not here where the hot days of summer were rare. And last night, he wouldn’t have wanted it. Abby’s body next to his had kept him awake for a good hour after she’d fallen asleep, her gentle breathing stilling him.
He didn’t want to fall asleep. He’d wanted to keep the moment going for as long as he could, just in case she wasn’t there in the morning.
But she was. Her hair was mussed by sleep and her breasts were exposed; the sheet tangled around both of their ankles. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from her and the idea of leaving her to go to work was almost painful.
She stirred, as if sensing his gaze, her lips parting and then her eyes opened, just a tad. “You’re awake?”
“Just. I’d rather not leave you.”
Her smile was soft, sleepy. “What time does your shift finish?”
“Four. Not late.” He ran a hand from her hip to her collar bone, brushing a fingertip over her nipple which hardened immediately. “What do you want to do after?”
“Isn’t it Jake’s barbecue?”
He nodded, his finger now drawing circles around her nipple. “But not till seven.”
