‘Never mind,’ I add, knowing exactly why. ‘Thanks, Rashid.’ No need to get the shits with him.
Quelle surprise?Nope, not a bit of it as it begins to ring.
‘I’m amazed,’ I say, tone flat in the extreme as I answer it.
‘And that would be because...’ he asks, suspicious and amused.
‘Nice ringtone. I see you were going for a theme.’
‘A theme?’
‘Flowers like fanginas andTalk Dirty to Mefor the ringtone.’Jason DeruloandKai can both kiss my arse.
‘Did you say—fanginas?’ His words ripple with barely suppressed laughter.
‘Yes,’ I reply, the word all sharp edges. ‘D’you have a problem with that?’ Even as I speak, I feel my cheeks heat. Fanginas, for the love of God. Have a word with yourself, Kate!
‘I prefer the language you used last night, even if I thought its delivery a little harsh.’
‘Hmph.’ Harsh my arse. Try well deserved.
‘So you got my flowers?’
‘I bet you’ve got a book somewhere,Elizabethan Smut to Woo.’ Try saying that ten times fast; it sounds a bit like the noise an owl makes.
‘You didn’t like my note?’
‘Apart from the bit about dying in my lap.’ Anyone who studied Shakespeare at high school knows dying is code for the big ‘O’. ‘Anyway, I wouldn’t be surprised if you diddiein my lap when you finally get home.’ I’ll probably smother him in all the excitement.
‘Have I yet given cause for concern?’
‘Just last night,’ I answer wryly. ‘Concern for your sanity.’ He chuckles softly. I’ll credit him as trying to muffle it. ‘If you’ve plans for further, let’s say,spoilageon your return, you’d better be able to run fast, that’s all I can say.’
‘You’re still mad?’
‘Just a bit.’ Try foaming.
‘Good job I’m not there?’
‘Nope. Quite the opposite.’ I’m surprised as this comes out in a growl.
He laughs freely then. ‘It’ll be worth the wait.’
‘I’m not sure if that’s a promise or a threat.’
‘Perhaps a little of both.’ Excitement, like quicksilver, rolls down my spine. ‘I’m not a selfish lover.’
‘No, just one that doesn’t believe in suffering alone.’
He chuckles, a throaty hum, but this time he isn’t laughing alone.
‘There was a point to the experience. Delayed gratification can have the most amazing pay off in the end.’
‘Hmph,’ I answer, not for the first time.
‘No, really. The fault was mine. You were just so into it, and I was so caught up. I wasn’t paying attention to how close you were. I was so mesmerised. I just miss you so much. The taste and feel of you, the sounds you make when I slide in deep. I truly was going to—’
‘You were going to let me come? So why make me stop?’
