Page 39 of Yule Party on Sunflower Street

Neither of them moved but it was incredibly sensual connecting in that way. She watched the pulse at his throat and the way his pupils dilated, darkening his grey eyes. He licked his lips and she found herself imagining kissing him again and⁠—

‘Here you go!’ The server placed a large platter on the table between them and Tara snatched her hand back, heart racing. She made a show of shaking out her napkin and placing it on her lap and when she raised her eyes, the server had gone and Seth was grinning at her.

‘Wow!’ he said.

Tara cleared her throat. ‘Yes. Uhm… This looks good.’

He grinned. ‘Let’s get stuck in.’

While they ate slices of halloumi, dipped chunks of herby bread into cheese fondue and harissa hummus, nibbled crispy falafel and Kalamata olives, they chatted about Seth’s meeting, Tara’s purchases and the Yule Party plans.

After the main course, they ordered orange and almond cake, and baklava with hot honey. Tara bit into a piece of baklava and moaned because it was so delicious. The pastry was sticky and gooey, and the honey coated her tongue.

Seth laughed as honey ran down his chin. He dabbed at it with a napkin but there was still a streak of honey there, so Tara said, ‘May I?’

He leant closer and she took the corner of her napkin and dipped it into her water glass then cleaned his chin. When she looked up, there was something in his eyes that made her feel wobbly, and it took every ounce of willpower not to clear the table and climb over it to get to him. She could not remember ever feeling this drawn to someone before and it was crazy yet exhilarating. The way Seth looked at her made her wonder if he was feeling the same.

After lunch, Seth tried to pay but she refused to let him, so while she paid, he went to the toilet to check his chin for stray honey.

Back outside the restaurant, they stood next to each other, still cocooned inside the bubble they’d created over lunch. When Seth held out his arm, Tara took it, grateful to hold on to him as they walked.

‘What shall we do now?’ he said. ‘I don’t want to go home yet, do you?’

‘No,’ she said, high on mimosa and honey. ‘Let’s make the most of being here, shall we?’

‘What about heading into town?’

‘I’d love to,’ she replied.

‘We can leave the van here and get the tube then come back for it later.’

‘Brilliant.’ She held on a bit tighter to him, enjoying the proximity as well as his gorgeous scent. And she couldn’t help noticing the firm bicep beneath her hand or the way he kept looking at her as if to check if she was still there.

They headed for Covent Garden and Tara took in the festive atmosphere with awe. The huge tree was lit with thousands of lights and the decorations were magnificent. Festive music played everywhere and she found herself completely caught up in the magic of it all.

‘Do you need to get anything?’ she asked.

‘I don’t think so.’ He gave a small shrug.

‘What about gifts for your family?’

‘Well…’ He frowned. ‘I could have a look while we’re here.’

‘I’ll help you,’ she said and he laughed.

‘I don’t have a choice, do I?’

‘Nope.’ She smiled at him.

‘Come on then.’ He slid her arm out from his then wrapped his arm around her shoulders and drew her closer to him. ‘Just so I don’t lose you in the crowds.’

They started walking but someone jostled past and she stumbled. Seth caught her and pulled her against him. He was holding her so tightly that her cheek was pressed against his chest and she could feel his heart beating furiously. She stayed there for a moment, not wanting to let go because it felt good.

When she eventually raised her head, there was something unreadable in his eyes.

‘Are you OK?’ he asked.

She blinked. ‘Thanks for catching me.’