After several blissful seconds, Fletcher coughed. ‘I’ll put the kettle on, should I?’ he called, before making himself scarce.
Jasper and Adira faced each other and laughed.
‘I hope you’re not thinking of returning to Sheila tonight,’ he said with a glint in his eye and a raised eyebrow.
Chapter 43
Fletcher, Jasper and Adira had enjoyed a lovely evening, catching up and exchanging stories, whilst the drinks were merrily slung back. Fletcher had been on top form, fully basking in the company, but by midnight he’d burnt himself out. His eyelids were practically closing as he bid them goodnight and made his way to bed.
Jasper turned to Adira. ‘Alone at last,’ he smiled and reached out to run his hand through her hair. Adira melted under his touch and her heart started to beat wildly. He pulled her closer to him on the settee and she lifted her mouth to meet his in a gentle kiss. His tongue glided over her lips and he cupped her face as the kiss became more urgent. Their hands stroked and explored each other’s bodies, until they were frantically undressing.
Afterwards, Adira hugged him tightly, sinking her face into his shoulders.
‘Jasper,’ she croaked, hardly believing what had just happened.
‘I know,’ he breathed heavily, gently rolling to her side. Propping up his head, he looked down at her. ‘That was amazing.’ He bent to kiss her. Then, a playful grin hovered over his mouth.
‘What is it?’ Adira asked.
‘Your body is as heavenly as I remember.’
Adira frowned, then the penny dropped, making him openly laugh. ‘You mean… youdidsee me bathing in the river then?’ she asked, trying to sound outraged, but spluttering with laughter too.
‘Yep. And what a memory that’s been. It’s kept me going for weeks,’ he teased, before kissing her protests away.
She pushed him light-heartedly, then ran her finger over the scar on his shoulder. ‘How did you get this?’ she asked. It had piqued her interest since massaging him.
‘Ah, now there lies a tale,’ he winked.
‘What?’ She sat up eager to hear, wrapping her arms round her legs.
‘A gang fight. I was nearly butchered.’
Her jaw dropped in shock, then seeing him burst into laughter, realised he was joking. ‘Very funny. Go on, how did you get it?’
‘I did it here, as a kid chopping wood. Fletcher nearly had a heart attack.’
‘I bet he did.’
He moved to sit next to her and put his arm across her shoulders. ‘Come on, let’s go to bed.’
‘Could be a tight squeeze,’ she smiled.
‘Good.’ He ran kisses across her collarbone.
‘Jasper?’
‘Hmm,’ he carried on, moving his lips up her neck.
‘What do you think Fletcher will think, you know, about me staying the night?’
A low snigger escaped him. ‘What took you so long, probably.’
Adira was right. It had been a tight squeeze in Jasper’s bed, but still one of the best nights she’d ever spent. Together they had whispered and giggled, hugged and made love until the early hours. In the morning, despite having had so little sleep, they both awoke with the joys of life.
Fletcher, too, it seemed was still very much on good form. As predicted, he hadn’t blinked an eye when seeing Adira at the breakfast table, almost as if he’d been expecting to see her. It was a comfortable, pleasant atmosphere as he made them all cereal and toast. Jasper was surprised not to see a full cooked English breakfast greeting them. When querying it with him, Fletcher gave a rueful look.
‘Aye, well, I’ve decided to watch me diet a bit.’
