‘Then I’d love to,’ said Gabi.
‘Great, I’ll make some cocoa.’ His mum stood, and he followed her out to help. As the milk heated and he stirred it with a wooden spoon like he had done for years, his mum came up behind him and whispered, ‘Gabi’s lovely,’ in his ear, then, ‘I’ll make up the spare room for you both. I take it you’re sharing?’ He nodded. She kissed his cheek and walked off without another word.
Later, in his parents’ spare bedroom, Walker climbed into bed and pulled Gabi to his chest. The duvet was heavy and warm over them. They listened to the sounds of the house as it settled for the night. He waited for the sound of the door closing across the hall and then heard the low rumble of his parents’ voices as they talked for a few minutes before getting into bed. The curtains were drawn. A floorboard creaked. And then there was silence.
‘Your family is amazing,’ Gabi said quietly. ‘I’ve had a great day.’
‘So have I,’ he said, and she nestled in more closely. He felt the curve of her breast against his chest. The length of her thigh against his own.
‘They’re so warm and welcoming,’ Gabi said. ‘But then I guess they must be used to meeting girls that you bring home for a visit. . .’ She was digging for information and he knew it. He chuckled. He could play along for the joke and tell her he’d introduced scores of women to his mum in the past. But he took a deep breath and decided to tell her the truth.
‘No, actually,’ he said quietly into her hair. ‘You’re the first.’
She glanced up at him from her position in his arms.
‘Really?’ she asked.
‘Really,’ he confirmed. ‘I’ve never had a serious relationship so have never brought anyone home.’ Her eyebrows shot up and he immediately reassured her. ‘Not saying that this is a serious relationship of course. . .’
She grinned. ‘I’ve never been in a serious relationship either. Never really seen the attraction,’ Gabi said. They fell silent, and he felt her fingers splay and begin to play on his chest.
‘Suppose sex is out of the question?’ she said, and he laughed softly before replying.
‘Not if we’re really, really quiet. . . My mum reads in bed until the early hours,’ he replied, his cock already lifting at the thought of all the things he’d like to do to Gabi. His hands moved over her, feeling her react just as quickly to him. The bud of her nipples. The heat between her legs. And then the only sound was their breathing, soft at first and building, growing heavier and slower, until they both came in a shuddering, gasping togetherness.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Gabi
Gabi felt like she’d not seen Isabella for ages as she opened the door to Tutto Mio. In fact, it was only a few days, but with everything that had happened in Scotland, it felt longer. Nonna greeted her with a hug, a pinch of the cheek and a plate of biscuits and pointed her in the direction of their usual corner table, where Isabella was already sat with a coffee pot.
‘Missed you!’ Isabella said as they hugged, and it suddenly hit her as Gabi said it back. In a few weeks, she’d be gone, and she’d have to get used to not seeing Isabella for months on end again. Well, she’d worry about it when she needed to. In the meantime, she was enjoying her holiday in Honeybridge, maybe even more so now than before.
‘So, Walker told the boys you worked out where he’d be and turned up on a white horse.’
‘Haha. Very funny. Black taxi actually.’
‘Truly, though, Gabi, that’s incredible,’ Isabella said, pouring coffee. ‘We were so worried about him.’
‘I know, me too.’ Gabi remembered the sick feeling she’d had on the way to Scotland. ‘But he’s so much happier now that he’s faced his past.’ Isabella raised her eyebrows.
‘It’s no secret, and he won’t mind me telling you,’ Gabi said. ‘But he’s blamed himself so long for a friend’s death that it was starting to affect the way he lived his life.’
She told her cousin about Murray’s tragic accident, knowing Isabella would understand.
‘How awful!’ Isabella gasped. ‘But hopefully facing his fears will have helped him to move on.’
‘He says he feels like a new man,’ Gabi said.
‘How come you stayed for a few extra days?’ Isabella asked.
‘What can I say? I had a good tour guide. . .’ Gabi grinned. Isabella studied her face and then realisation dawned. ‘He took me places I’ve never been before.’
‘You and Walker– again?’ she said excitedly. ‘And?’
‘Five-star review.’ Gabi laughed and bit into a biscuit, rolling her eyes in pleasure, but more at the memory than the taste in her mouth.
‘Are you a thing now then?’ Isabella’s eyes were literally shining, and she crossed her fingers.
