He lifted his arm, ‘C’m’ere.’ I tucked into his side and Ren pulled up the sheet to cover us from the growing chill.
‘I’ll clean you up in a minute.’ He gave me a rough kiss to the temple.‘Just want to feel you first.’
So I let myself be held, let the warmth of him soak into my bones, and drifted to sleep to the hush of the room, and the rhythm of his heartbeat under my cheek.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Lydia’s Diary, 18 Years Old
Ren and I went to the gig yesterday.Lindsey Matthews was there.
Ren smiled at her.
I want to die.Actually, die.
I don’t know why I thought this could be something.It’s not.
Ren and I just aren’t meant to be.
Ren
I woke to the warmth of sunlight spilling across my face and Lydia wrapped around me like a vine, her legs tangled with mine, her greedy hands splayed across my chest.I smiled at the curtains we’d forgotten to close in our desperation to get naked as quickly as physically possible.I glanced down to see that we were still naked.Looking at Lydia’s peaceful face and eyelids fluttering, I knew she was still in deep sleep.She could always sleep like the dead.
When we’d have our sleepovers as kids, I’d always sneak out before she – or, more importantly, her parents – knew I was there.I’d slowly move her head from my shoulder, flinching if her breath hitched.Even on my heaviest days, when I’d been unreachable by Dad and Liam, I wanted Lydia to stay asleep, safe and warm.I did the same now, tucking from under her, and heard that familiar breath hitch, but she didn’t wake, just tucked her hands under her head, a perfect picture of peace.God, she was beautiful.Her messy blonde hair spilt over the pillow, her lips puffy from kissing.
I wouldn’t wake her again, even if I wanted to roll her over and kiss down her back, and bite into that gorgeous arse.I’d woken her up once already.In the middle of the night, I had been half-awake and needy for her, rubbing my hands up and down her curves until she turned to me, giving me open-mouthed kisses.I’d pushed inside her from behind, her breathy moans becoming the noise I always wanted to wake me up.She came first, with my hands at her clit, and I followed after.
Jesus.I was so gone for her.
Last night had altered me, just like it had done two years ago, but I wasn’t a coward now.I was ready to be everything I could be for her – anything she’d want from me.I checked the clock.Five-thirty and the sun was only just coming up.We’d be setting off on our penultimate hike – the toughest ascent we’d tackled yet.
Ben Nevis.
At just under 1,400 metres high, it was the highest peak in the United Kingdom.And I’d seriously depleted my girl’s energy last night.So there was only one thing for it – coffee and croissants.That would keep her happy until she inevitably got hangry on the way up the mountain.Even though they were disgusting, I made a mental note to stop at the shops and get some of those high-protein energy bars she liked.I dressed, trying to be as quiet as possible, my hand hitting the door handle, when I realised she might wake up and I wouldn’t be there.
I was not in the market to repeat my dumb mistakes.
‘Hey.’ I pushed back some of her hair, kissing her forehead.She moaned and I tried not to react.It wasn’t a sexual moan, idiot.‘I’m going to get some coffee, okay?I’ll be back in half an hour.’
We’d passed a bakery around the corner called Stiff Peaks that looked incredible.Lydia shifted, one eye cracking open like the little dragon she was in the morning.God, she was adorable.
‘I’ll come with,’ she whispered, but closed her eyes again.
I kissed her forehead.‘No, you stay here.I’ll bring you pastries, okay?’
‘Mhm.’
When I returned to the hotel carpark, the scent of coffee filled the car, and I practically bounced up the stairs.I pushed open the door to find Lydia sitting up, sheets tangled around her waist, her hair a wild mess, eyes still heavy with sleep.
‘Morning, Sunshine,’ I teased, crossing the room with slow, deliberate steps, holding the coffee just out of reach.
She stretched her arms towards it, fingers flexing like a greedy child.
‘You are too chipper in the morning,’ she grumbled.
I finally handed her the cup, watching as she wrapped both hands around it, bringing it to her lips as if it was the only thing keeping her alive.
‘Oh, come on, you get up early for a living.’ I sat on the edge of the bed, flipping open the box of croissants.
