He lets out a low growl now that reverberates through me.I fist my hands in the front of his shirt at the same moment he tightens his grip on my ass to haul me closer.I resist the urge to grind against him, despite the deepening ache inside me that’s begging for relief.I know Graeme would happily ease the ache, but I’m not quite ready for that.Instead, I release his shirt and let my hands wander over his broad chest and up his neck.His hands leave my ass to trail up my back and into my hair.
Time seems to stretch and slow.It could be minutes or hours before the buzzing of Graeme’s phone on the arm of the couch draws us back to reality.We part in increments, pressing slow, soft kisses to each other’s lips before Graeme nuzzles his face into the crook of my neck.He releases a long, contented sigh that tickles my skin, and I shiver against him, smiling when the puff of air that follows tells me he’s laughing.
His cell buzzes again.I love how he stays in this moment with me rather than reaching immediately for his phone.I glance at the screen when it lights up again, recognizing the icon that Graeme has assigned to his friend Cam.
“I’m excited and nervous to meet your friends tomorrow,” I say.
Cam and his girlfriend Isobel are friends Graeme grew up with on the Isle of Skye.He’s only seen them once in the last few years, but they’re in Edinburgh for the week, and Graeme invited them over for dinner tomorrow night.I offered to make myself scarce, but he assured me he’d love to introduce me to them if I was comfortable with it.
He lifts his head from my neck to meet my eyes.The sight of his kiss-swollen lips, paired with his mussed hair from my eager hands, makes lust pool in my centre.
“After the way you just kissed me, I thought you were going to say you were excited and nervous about something else,” he says.
Heat floods my cheeks.I force myself to maintain eye contact, despite wanting to shy away from his knowing eyes.“Well, that too.”
His eyebrows inch up, even as his face softens into a smile that’s so tender and full of affection, it makes my heart pang.“They’re going to love you.”
My eyes slip closed as he kisses one of my cheeks, then the other.I smile as his lips meet mine once more, but only for a second.My eyes flutter open, soaking in the sight of Graeme’s soft smile as he leans in to kiss the tip of my nose.
“I’m so glad you stayed, love,” he whispers, trailing the backs of his fingers lightly along the curve of my jaw.“Having you here with me is a dream come true.”
Itfeelslike a dream.We’re in our own beautiful little bubble, completely separate from reality.I try with all my might to stay in the moment and not allow myself to think about what will happen when the bubble bursts.
* * *
“But he didn’t tellyou about cooncil juice?”
“Or coo juice?”
I laugh around a mouthful of shortbread, sending sandy crumbs flying from my mouth.The others laugh too, and Graeme gently wipes my mouth with a paper napkin since my hands are full.
It’s Saturday morning, and we’re at the Edinburgh Farmers Market on Castle Terrace.Graeme and I had just stopped for coffee when Cam and Isobel appeared from around the corner.It warmed my heart to see the way Graeme enthusiastically greeted his old friends—a back-pounding hug for Cam, followed by an embrace that lifted Isobel right off her feet.They greeted me with eager smiles and hugs when Graeme introduced us, and the four of us have been exploring the market together for the last twenty minutes.
“I can see you’re doing some mental gymnastics there,” Isobel says now, drawing another laugh from the rest of us.
“Cooncil juice and coo juice,” I say slowly.Cam and Isobel’s accents are thicker than Graeme’s, so I’ve been proud of myself for only having to ask them to repeat a couple of things.I suppose after nearly three weeks in Scotland, I’m growing accustomed to the array of Scottish burrs.It’s a strange point of pride.
“Okay, well, coos are cows, so...milk?”I wrinkle my nose, and Cam nearly spits out his coffee.“And I’m guessing cooncil is council, so water?”
“Give the lass a prize!”Graeme says.After just a few weeks back home, his accent is changing slightly too, especially around other Scots.There’s a deeper roll to his Rs, and hearing it tugs at something inside me every time.When he murmurs quietly in my ear, especially during intimate moments, I nearly melt into a puddle of lust.
“What better prize than some of the best shortbread in the city?”Isobel says, offering me the box of cookies she bought from a local bakery that has a stall here.
I wave her off.“I couldn’t, there are only three left.”
She gives me a wry smile.“You’d be doing me a favour.I can never resist shortbread, even though it goes straight to my arse.”
“I happen to love your arse,” Cam chimes in, winking at his girlfriend as his hand lands on the aforementioned body part.
She smacks his arm, but doesn’t attempt to remove his hand or move away.“I know you do, you cheeky wee bugger.”With another smile in my direction, she offers me the box once more.“Go on, then.We’ll each have one more, and then these two can fight over the last one.”
Cam plucks a cookie from the box and takes a large bite before shoving the rest in Graeme’s mouth.“Problem solved.”
Graeme sputters and laughs.Isobel slaps Cam’s arm again and shoves him to start walking.“What am I going to do with you?”
Amusement dances in Graeme’s eyes as he loops his arm around my waist and we follow his friends.“At this rate, you’ll be feigning sickness or injury before dinner tonight.”
“Never,” I assure him.“They’re great.”
