She pulled back slowly, enjoying the rough touch of his cheek against hers.
‘I have new sheets too.’ She brushed her lips against his. ‘You missed that as well.’
He kissed her till her toes curled, still moving her to the same beat.
Pulling away, just a little, dropping little kisses still as though his lips couldn’t bear the separation, he murmured something that made her heart melt.
‘Trust me, I have missed so much in my life already. I don’t intend to miss anything else. I don’t care if we’ve only known each other for three days. People spend years together, and it still doesn’t work out. I say we go with the flow for once. I think a full room inspection might even be required.’ He was smirking at her now, and it was her that couldn’t wait any longer. He was right! She’d not had sex in five years. What was the worst that could happen? He’d be rubbish? She’d be rubbish? He was leaving. It didn’t even matter. It was perfect, actually. She wouldn’t exactly bump into him, would she? Once the baby came, Hans would be busy, and Luke had whatever he had going on …
He was leaving though. The first man she’d liked in five years enough to break her sexual drought, and he was leaving. Soon probably.
‘Thinking too much is not part of the new plan, Rebecca.’ He smiled at her, giving her the sweetest little kiss. ‘I am a gentleman though, and I am sorry for being a bit forward.’ He grinned ruefully, looking out at their footprints in the snow. ‘Blame the French night air, eh? Or the wine.’ He started to pull away just a fraction, and she stopped him. He looked down at her, his hair still at odd angles from the cab ride. Utter sex hair. Wow.
‘We take this slow, okay?’ She tried to slow her words down. ‘I like you, but you’re—’
‘Leaving, I know.’ He dropped his head, and she brushed back his hair. He nuzzled into her hands. ‘I didn’t plan to do this, but—’
‘It’s okay. Let’s just leave that conversation for another time. The date’s not over yet.’
He kissed her again. ‘I like you too. When Robbie spoke to you like that, I just lost it. I’ve never been like this before.’ He covered his mouth with hers, teasing her with his tongue. ‘I think it’s something to do with you.’
She smiled at him, nodding her head in the direction of the display case.
‘There’s some wine in the bottom of my wardrobe.’ He raised a brow, and she kissed it. ‘Shut up, it’s my emergency stash. I stockpile for winter. It’s pretty boring around here when the season’s done.’ His smile dimmed a little, but she wanted it back. ‘You go up, I’ll get us some dessert.’
His eyes lit up. ‘God, woman, you know how to turn a man on.’ He grabbed her, making her laugh as he dipped her to the floor. ‘Sorry, the song was ending. Big finale.’ He ran his stubble along her neck, and she almost felt a bit Austen-like herself. She wasn’t as dignified though, and the feeling of his mouth on her collar bone made her want to dry hump his leg like a happy rescue hound. ‘Don’t be long, okay?’
He lifted her back up, taking the keys and unlocking the interior door with a spring in his step. Rebecca gathered her bag and shrugged her coat off. Dumping it on an upturned chair, she took out her phone, and with a shaky breath, she dialled Mina back.
‘Hi! It’s me, don’t worry.’ Mina’s voice sprang out of the phone, and Rebecca loosened her grip on the chair leg she had been gripping onto. ‘He grabbed my phone in the ruckus out back, the slimy little rat. Are you okay?’
Rebecca could hear Luke upstairs, the radio on as usual. She could hear glasses clinking together.
‘I’m fine, thanks. We got back home okay.’
‘Wow, the date did go well.’
‘Well, he lives with me. It’s complicated.’
Mina didn’t reply. Rebecca found herself filling the pause in conversation.
‘Not Robbie complicated. He’s from back home. I didn’t know him, but he’ll have to leave.’
‘Aww, you’re screwed then.’ Mina, as dry as ever. ‘If only the human race could invent something to transport people from country to country.’
‘Nice try. I can’t leave the café.’
‘Why not? Hans can get someone else in. Hell, once the baby comes, Holly will be glad of the break from him. He is going to be a gooey mess when that little one arrives.’
Rebecca laughed. ‘I know, but still.’
‘Still no excuse,’ Mina pressed. ‘Ignore Robbie, he’s a total mess. He thinks life is defined by sponsors and followers. Lester really went off on him after you left. He got my phone when he stomped off. What did he say?’
‘Not a lot,’ Rebecca headed over to the counter, picking out some nice treats from the display case. ‘Luke took over and went all Liam Neeson on him.’
‘Liam Neeson from Taken, full on?’
‘Yep.’ She filled two plates and grabbed two juice bottles too. She’d settle up later. ‘Nerd edition. He works in IT.’
‘Brains as well as brawn, eh? What the hell are you doing wasting time talking to me? I’m stocktaking, but if I had a hot alpha male brain box in my flat, I wouldn’t be calling you about it. I will, however, want a blow by blow tomorrow. And I want every detail. It’s been a while. Lester’s a bit of a dish, isn’t he?’ Mina was to the point, as ever.
‘Lester, eugh. He’s like my brother. And Luke is hardly alpha male. I don’t know what got into him tonight.’ She dropped her voice to a whisper.
‘Yeah, well, he isn’t my brother! Don’t put Luke down either, he didn’t like Robbie, and he stood up to him. That’s a good man. You need a good man. You deserve it, after everything you’ve been through. It was nice seeing you, I
