Tobias nodded. ‘Yes, but it all comes at a price, Megan. I’ve got to make sure we can afford to pay all the staff.’ He was responsible for so much, it overwhelmed him at times.
‘I know,’ she conceded, stretching her arms, enjoying the sun shining through the tree branches and glimmering in the stream, ‘but it’s just so different from the way I live.’
‘Don’t say that.’ He ran a finger down her back, making her shiver. ‘We’re not so different, you and I.’
She turned and smiled at him. She looked so young and happy. The sun had brought out the freckles sprinkling her nose; she was irresistible. Sensing now was the moment, Tobias took out the photograph from his jeans back pocket.
‘Megan, I found this in Ted’s bureau.’ He passed her the picture.
She stared at it and blinked. Frowning, she turned it round and read the back:To my darling Edward, forever yours, Grace. xHer eyes were wide with disbelief. ‘Ted… Ted’s “E” … he’s my grandfather?’ Tobias nodded. He put his arms around her and relayed everything: how Ted had told him about meeting Grace, their plans to marry, the letters exchanged during the war, Ted’s injury and finally him returning home too late, to a Grace who had had his baby and was married to his best friend. Megan sat in silence and a tear ran down her cheek. Tobias kissed it away.
‘Oh, Tobias, that’s so sad,’ she whispered.
‘I know. Ted doesn’t want you upset, though. He respects Michael’s memory.’
‘So nobody else knows apart from us?’ That confirmed the suspicions about her mum never knowing.
‘No. Only us.’
Megan nodded.
‘Here, let’s finish this off.’ Tobias poured the rest of the sparkling wine into the plastic wine cups. They sat in silence for a few minutes. Tobias respected the time Megan needed to digest everything. He watched her sipping on her wine, staring out at the glistening water. He felt a compulsion to protect her, wanting to wrap his arms around her and never let go. How would he have felt with such a sudden revelation? He knocked back his drink and examined her face, deep in contemplation.
Well, what a picnic, thought Megan. In the space of an hour she had encountered so many emotions it had left her feeling a little shaken up. She took a deep breath. Tobias touched the side of her face. She turned to him and saw the compassion in his eyes. He did care, she knew he did, and in that split second she knew she wanted him. He read it. Reaching out for her, he pulled her body hard against him. She felt his heart hammering in his chest and wrapped her arms round him, her hands ran inside his polo shirt to feel the soft, warm skin underneath. He groaned and kissed her neck, licking the dip above her collarbone. Then his lips caught hers and his tongue probed gently into her mouth making her breathless. Her hands dug under the waist of his jeans, making him thrust into her, his arousal evident. Slowly he unbuttoned her top. She was lying on the rug, eyes half closed, her skin stung pink with passion and the effect of his touch. He gave a sharp intake of breath at seeing the freckles dusted across the swell of her breasts. He lowered his head to lick and kiss them, as she writhed beneath the caress of his mouth. She pulled at his shirt and he urgently yanked it off. Her eyes took in his broad shoulders and muscular chest; his eyes were dark with desire as he unclasped her white, satin bra to expose two round, firm breasts. He moaned, yearning to suckle them, and as his tongue brushed over her nipples she arched her back, running her hands through his hair. ‘Tobias,’ she whimpered, grinding further into him. He undid her jeans, tugging them down her thighs, his hand cupped between them, making her gasp. His thumb circled her core, making her jolt in pleasure.
‘Megan,’ he whispered hoarsely in her ear. She opened her eyes. ‘Megan, I haven’t got… protection.’
Her heart started to steady, realising what he meant. ‘I… oh… right.’ She was still dazed.
Tobias leant over her, his eyes heavy with lust. ‘We’ll have to wait,’ he whispered, and kissed her. After a few moments he rolled over onto his side and propped up his head. He picked a frond of cow parsley and traced it over her face. She giggled at its touch.
‘I thought you said you always came prepared,’ she grinned up at him.
