‘It’s a wildflower garden,’ she said with great dignity. ‘In summer, it’s a mass of colour and the bees love it. Being kind to the bees is very important … especially to people who, like me, don’t like gardening.’
He laughed, a rich sound. Then, gently, he turned to face her and dipped his head towards hers. And despite his joke ‘rule’ about earning a goodnight kiss, he waited.
Ezz liked men who didn’t pounce, assuming kisses and more would automatically be part of the date. She raised up on her toes and brushed her lips across his. Instantly, he closed the small space between them, and dotted kisses on the corners of her mouth and then down the side of her neck. A wave of desire made her grip his shoulders. His soft lips settled on hers, extra gentle, and though that felt like exactly what she needed, heat rushed through her,and her lips parted. In an instant he deepened the kiss, his tongue stroking hers, his arms encompassing her. Despite the thick coats between them, she felt aware of the shape of his body and heard the ‘Mm’ deep in his throat. It felt as if she didn’t hold his shoulders, she’d float up among the stars. Normally, she’d consider that a good place to be, but not while Mats was here on Earth kissing her.
When he drew back, his breathing was noticeably uneven. ‘Can we go out again? Maybe not to the village pub though.’ There was a laugh in his voice. ‘Maybe at the weekend?’
‘Valentina’s coming,’ she said regretfully. ‘Thea and Dev are going to Dumfries to spread the baby news and Valentina, Gary and Barnaby will borrow her cottage.’
He touched his lips to hers once more, as if he needed to check it had really felt so velvety and tingling between them. ‘Before the weekend, then. Come to Portree with us tomorrow. You can show us around. I’ve stayed too long in the Rothach environs and could do with getting out and about, entertaining the kids. And before you ask, it’s fine for it to be on work time, because Mum’s coming.’ He hesitated. ‘At least she was before Dad arrived.’
‘I’m off tomorrow anyway as your mum said to catch up what time I’m owed,’ she said.
And she melted against him for more kisses.
