Huge swirling eyes lock with mine with a smouldering intensity that makes my knees weak, and my knickers wet. ‘I love you. I’m a silly, scared, cynical fool, but I really do love you and I’m hoping you’re going to give me a chance to show you exactly how much.’
Passers-by stop to stare, watching our exchange like it’s a movie scene, which I suppose is exactly what it is.
My pulse pounds in my ears. I’m dizzy from looking down, and dizzy with love. I lean on the cold metallic railing, gripping it for support. ‘I don’t need a grand gesture. I just need you.’
‘Well, now you have both, if you still want me that is,’ he shouts, cupping his mouth.
‘Of course I want you, you mad fecker! I wanted you for an entire year before you even knew who I was. And if that scares you, you should sit down and drive away right now, because I’m about to get started on the really terrifying stuff, like telling you, and all the poor unfortunate people you’re holding up with your Richard Gere impersonation, that I want to spend the rest of my life proving to you that love can last.’
Several bystanders begin to clap, a few of them take out their phones. Oh God.
‘Also, just to clarify … I am not a prostitute!’ Cillian sniggers and Giles puts his fingers in his mouth and releases a toe-curling wolf whistle.
‘That’s good to know but can you carry on thisPretty Womanre-enactment indoors? Or at least tell Edward Lewis here to stop holding up the traffic!’ a woman shouts from the driver’s side of a Qashqai. ‘I’m trying to get to my kid’s nativity play.’
‘Speaking of which …’ Cillian beckons me down.
He’s ridiculously far away, yet he’s never felt more within reach.
‘On the way.’
I take the stairs two at a time, way too impatient to even contemplate waiting for the lift. My heels clack against the floor as I run across the lobby and straight into Cillian’s open arms. Sharp thorns of the roses graze my back as his mouth crashes over mine, capturing, commanding, and claiming. His tongue sweeps, probes, and delivers an unspoken promise that sets shivers stealing over my spine. Hungry hands trail over my torso as our bodies anchor to each other.
This is it. This is what I’ve been waiting for my entire life.
And now I have him, I’m going to hang on to him forever. He is my happy ever after. He’s my everything. And I’m going to spend the rest of my life loving him so hard he won’t ever doubt it’ll last.
‘Ahem.’ Giles clears his throat loudly from the revolving door and we jump apart guiltily. The white convertible, an Audi R8 no less, is double-parked on the street outside, surrounded by an increasing number of applauding onlookers.
‘Will you come to Phoebe’s nativity play with me?’ Cillian asks breathily.
‘I was going anyway, with or without you.’
‘You were?’ Surprise rings in his tone.
‘Of course. I promised Phoebe I’d be there. And I promised you whatever happened between us, I’ll always be there for her. And I intend to be. I’ll always show up for her. For both of you.’
‘Did I mention I love you?’ He plants a kiss on my cheek.
‘You might have, but I’m not averse to hearing it again.’ I grab his hand and tug him towards the exit for the underground parking. ‘Giles?’ I call over my shoulder. ‘Will you park that poor excuse for a limo in my space?’
‘Absolutely.’ He raises his hand in a salute. ‘I told you, this is how it starts … next he’ll be leaving his toothbrush here …’
‘Oh no.’ Cillian shakes his head vehemently. ‘Next you’ll be leaving one at mine.’ ‘Is that right?’
His hand falls to the base of my spine as he ushers me out the back door. ‘Nothing’s ever felt so right.’
‘But who will bring me chips after a night out?’ Giles calls, pretending to look horrified.
‘Where did you get the car?’ I ask Cillian as he hold an upturned palm out and signals for me to hand over my car keys.
‘I borrowed it from a brother I never knew I had.’ He opens the passenger door for me, and I slide in. ‘It’s a long story, but first, let’s talk about us.’
He hops into the driver’s side and adjusts the car seat.
‘I’m sorry, I didn't tell you I had the hots for you for a year before we met, Cillian. I didn't want to look creepy, but by not admitting it, things look way worse than they are. I’m not trying to trap you. I’d never do that to you.’ I rest a hand on his thigh, revelling in the feel of its thickness beneath my fingers. ‘The truth is, knowing how you felt about fairy tales and forevers, I didn’t want to scare you off. And in my romantic head, I thought it might have been fate that brought us together.’
‘I know, baby. I’m sorry I accused you of trying to trap me.’ He takes my hand across the centre console and raises it to his lips, kissing it repeatedly. The car jerks forward but I’m not worried about his ability to multitask – I already know he can control his mouth and fingers simultaneously.
