He nodded.
‘I think this could possibly change everything.’
ChapterForty-Seven
The first thing Fern became aware of was the warmth of Daniel’s body curved against hers, their legs tangled beneath the covers. His arm was draped across her waist, his hand resting just below the curve of her ribs.
She shifted slightly, and Daniel stirred behind her, his breath warm against her neck.
‘Morning,’ he murmured, still half-asleep.
Fern turned to face him. His hair was a mess, his eyes closed but smiling.
‘Hi,’ she whispered.
His fingers skimmed her cheek. ‘You okay?’
She nodded, her hand covering his. ‘More than okay.’
He leaned in and kissed her.
‘I’ll have more of that, thank you.’
He kissed her again as his hand slid through her hair then down her spine. She moved closer to him. ‘This isn’t a bad way to wake up in the morning.’
She was happy. This was worlds away from anything she’d ever had with Jax… which had been all adrenalin and no connection, like riding a rollercoaster you couldn’t quite get off. She thought of Ella, who still hadn’t called, hadn’t texted and hadn’t bothered to explain. It was like their friendship, all the years of sleepovers and secrets and loyalty, had just evaporated. If Fern was honest, she didn’t even want the explanation anymore, she had bigger issues to deal with and time was ticking. Her leave was coming to an end and she was due back in the office– not a thought she was relishing.
‘Can we just stay here, like this, for ever?’ she murmured, snuggling into Daniel.
‘Sounds good to me, but why are you getting all maudlin on me?’
‘I don’t know… when things seem too good to be true, they usually are, but you seem to be the exception to the rule.’ She knew someone like Daniel was worth hanging on to, and her feelings were intensifying. Laying her head on his chest, she traced small circles with her fingertip across his skin.
Daniel spoke first, his voice quiet. ‘Last night being together was… different.’
She smiled, remembering. He’d barely got under the duvet before she pressed up against him, her hands winding around his waist, pulling him impossibly closer. He groaned as he kissed her, his hands sliding down to her hips, fingers pressing into the fabric of her PJs, desperate to feel the warmth of her skin beneath. Her legs wrapped around his waist, anchoring him to her as his lips left a scorching trail along her jaw and down her neck. She had shivered, her pulse racing as his tongue began to explore every part of her body, whilst his fingers tangled in the hem of her top as he pushed it up. Asmall moan had escaped her as she arched into him, letting herself melt into the intoxicating sensation of his touch.
Now she tilted her chin to look up at him. ‘Different how?’
He glanced down at her with a soft smile. ‘Like something we’re both going to remember for the rest of our lives.’
This connection was real; she felt it and so did he.
‘Just as I predicted, you’ve fallen for me,’ Daniel teased, grinning at her with that signature lopsided smile that made her heart flip in the most ridiculous way.
Fern rolled her eyes and gave his bare chest a playful swipe. ‘Maybe.’
He caught her hand before she could pull it away, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. ‘There’s no maybe about it. Good job the feeling’s mutual then.’
She smiled. ‘That’s good to know.’
They sank back into silence, wrapped in each other’s arms, legs tangled under the duvet, the rest of the world feeling miles away. The minutes passed and all they could hear was the sound of the gulls outside.
‘Do you know what day it is?’
‘Friday,’ he said, brushing her hair back from her face.
‘Yes, but it’s also the last day of the month. Time to do the accounts and see how many millions we’ve made…’
