He shakes his head at me, slowly, tenderly. ‘I could come with you back to Evesham if you want?’
My heart leaps. ‘You’d leave thewoods? Forme?’
My voice sounds so breathless and the questions come across as so silly that we both burst out laughing.
He’s still grinning when he places his hand over his heart. ‘Still gets to me.’My sniggle.
I slide out of my chair and go to him.
‘Hey,’ he says with a low laugh as I try to curl up on his lap. ‘I don’t think these chairs are built for two people.’
‘Then take me to bed,’ I demand softly, touching his cheek.
He hesitates. And then he stands up, with me still in his arms, and walks into his bedroom, laying me down. This time he doesn’t back up, doesn’t retreat, he stays with me.
It’s darker in here without the light of the fire, but the lantern behind us has been lit and the windows above our heads are navy blue, not midnight black. I reach up and trace his brows, his lips.
‘I love you.’ My voice is filled with emotion.
He smooths away my hair and lays his hand gently on my throat. ‘I love you too.’
As our lips meet, my blood comes alive. He may look and feel different, but the way he kisses is the same: all-consuming, sure and deep. I bring my legs around him to draw him closer in a move that is familiar to us both. When his body connects with mine, we let out hot moans into each other’s mouths, and then he breaks the kiss.
‘Do you have anything?’ he asks, breathing heavily.
‘No.’ Oh fuck. Not this again.
He returns his lips to mine.
‘Are you smiling?’ I ask, taken aback as our teeth knock together. ‘I take it this means you do?’
‘No.’
‘How is this a good thing?’ I ask with alarm, pulling back so I can see his happy face flickering in the lantern light.
‘I’m just glad you didn’t pack condoms to go on your seaside holiday.’
‘Oh.’ I laugh. ‘No. You’re the last person I slept with.’
‘Same,’ he replies with a grin, adding, ‘Look at that smile,’ when I can’t stop beaming.
I bury my face in his neck and he squeals.
‘Oh my God, you are still so ticklish!’ I exclaim, cracking up. ‘You sound like a little girl.’
He silences me by grinding his hips against mine.
‘Okay, yes, you’re very much a man,’ I concede breathlessly, reaching down to unbutton his jeans.
‘Are we doing this?’ he asks.
‘Please, I want you. It’s not the right time of the month for me to get pregnant.’
‘And if you do?’
‘I’d have to marry you. I can’t have an heir out of wedlock.’
He laughs against my mouth.
