Together they walked up the stairs to his flat. As soon as they were inside, they kissed again – unable to resist – before Rory took her overnight bag from her.
‘So, this is where you live, then?’ said Cassie, her eyes scanned the room. It was nice enough, but lacked a woman’s touch, she thought. There didn’t seem to be any warmth or character to it, just clean and functional.
‘Yeah, but it’s not home,’ he replied, guessing what she was thinking. ‘The best thing’s the communal garden.’
Cassie moved to the large bay window facing the back, overlooking the small green space.
‘That is nice.’ She took in the neatly cut lawn lit by ornate lampposts, surrounded by benches and flower beds. ‘You wouldn’t expect to see such a pretty garden judging from the front of the house.’
‘No, it’s what made me buy this place.’ And now he was about to sell it. He had so much to tell her, but the twinkle in her eye told him they weren’t going to have that conversation too soon. She moved closer to him with a surreptitious smile. He raised an eyebrow. She softly placed her lips on his. ‘Are you leading me astray, Miss Wright?’ he asked hoarsely.
‘Hmm, yes I am,’ she giggled, enjoying the power she had over him. Unable to endure any more, he groaned and lifted her up into his arms, then carried her to his bedroom. Booting the door shut behind him, he laid her on his bed. God, she was beautiful. Nothing and nobody was going to interrupt him this time. The place could burn down for all he cared, he wasn’t moving from this room.
‘That was incredible,’ he whispered, kissing her gently on the forehead.
‘I know,’ she whispered back. A tear spilled from the corner of her eye.
‘Hey, don’t cry, Cass.’ He kissed it away.
‘I’m so happy,’ she gulped.
‘So am I,’ he choked, then eased himself to lay next to her. He pulled her onto his chest and held her. Was now the time to tell her everything? But the slow, rhythmic breathing escaping from her told him she would soon be asleep. Tomorrow they would talk.
*
A bright sunshine shimmered through the curtains, waking Cassie. For a second she wondered where she was before feeling the heavy, warm body beside her. Rory’s arm lay stretched across her chest, as if pinning her down as his possession. Cassie gently removed it, whilst managing not to stir him. She gazed at his contented face, slumbering peacefully. He was so handsome with his dark stubble and black locks falling over his forehead. As if sensing being watched, Rory slowly opened his eyes and smiled at her.
She leant over and kissed him. ‘Good morning.’
‘Hmm, it certainly is,’ he mumbled, stretching and yawning.
‘Shouldn’t you be at work?’ Cassie nodded towards the clock on the bedside cabinet telling them it was nine thirty.
‘Nope.’
‘Oh, why?’
‘Coffee first, then I’ll fill you in.’ He pulled the covers back and got out of bed. Cassie admired his pert, bare bottom and broad shoulders before he pulled on a T-shirt and jeans.
Whilst Rory made them breakfast, Cassie dressed and went to join him. He looked very domesticated in the kitchenette, stood over the hob.
‘I was going to bring you breakfast in bed,’ he told her.
‘No need. Let’s have it here, overlooking the garden.’
Cassie sat at the two-seater table by the bay window and Rory placed two plates of scrambled eggs on toast down, then went back for coffees and sat down opposite her.
‘This looks lovely, thanks.’ Cassie was ravenous, she hadn’t eaten since lunchtime yesterday. ‘So,’ she said between mouthfuls, ‘tell me what’s going on.’ Rory wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
‘I’ve quit my job,’ he explained without any fuss. Cassie dropped her folk.
‘You… what?’ she gaped at him in shock.
Rory shrugged. ‘I’ve left the chambers, told them where to go.’
‘But… but why?’ She was reeling at the news but Rory simply looked at her calmly.
‘Because I couldn’t stand it a moment longer. I’m sick of the workload and the time given to it. But most of all I’m sick of the idiots I have to work with. Well, one idiot really, the Head of Chambers. Do you know, he actually offered me more cases, no mention of any pay rise or assistance though.’
