Rebecca grabbed my shoulders. “You’re okay. Deep breaths. Nobody saw anything, okay?”

I met her gaze, watching the hazel flecks swirl and dance. I found myself lost in the shades of her eyes, how they changed in different light and held so much emotion. Then I caught my own reflection in them, bringing me back to the present.

“Just a second!” I called back.

“Bring some sparkling water in for Harriet, too, will you?”

“Be right there!”

Rebecca rubbed my arms, and I breathed deeply, trying to get rid of the adrenaline.

“It’ll be fine. And we can talk all about it later, okay?”

I nodded, then said, “Wait. Later?”

A slow grin spread across her face, the naughty twinkle back in her eyes. “Well…” Her attention drifted over me suggestively, undressing me with her stare. “How did you think we were going to celebrate my new job?” Her tongue flicked over her lips, and she lowered her voice. “I’ve got a couple things I wanna…talk…to you about…and I think you’re gonna like ’em.”

Seventeen

My evenings used to be spent reading or unwinding in front of the TV, watching celebrity gameshows, and snuggling up with Sausage. Lily would tease me about the way I chose to spend my downtime, joking that her grandma got out of the house more than me. Not much had changed in that respect—I still spent most of my time inside, but instead of throwing random answers at the TV or getting lost in the pages of a book, I was getting lost between Rebecca Lawson’s strong legs.

Evenings were the highlight of my day.

With the wedding dresses sorted and the venue booked, my job organising the chair covers and various wedding decorations was under control. As I awaited further instructions from Lily while she figured out her next steps, I’d taken on a small party-planning job for a sweet sixteenth. It was an easy job, fairly routine for me: venue, DJ, food, decorations. Something to keep me occupied while I wished away the daylight hours.

Except now my appointment had run late, and Rebecca was due at mine fifteen minutes ago.

When I finally turned up, Rebecca was resting against the stone wall of my apartment, a long black trench coat draped around herself.

“You’re late.” She tutted. “And with all the shit you give me about timekeeping, too. That’s shameful.”

“I’m so sorry. Traffic was appalling. Those roadworks on Tweedle Lane are a nightmare.”

She quirked a suggestive eyebrow. “And I’ve been waiting out here, all in the cold, dressed like this…” She pulled the top of the coat open, exposing her white skin underneath. “Anyone could have seen me.”

Panic shot up my spine. “Did they? Wait.” I whispered, “Are you naked?”

She grinned. “Nobody saw me. But I would suggest getting me inside sharpish, before my hands turn to ice.”

I touched her and recoiled. She really was cold. I huddled her inside and hung my coat on the hanger. Rebecca just stood there, her arms wrapped around herself.

“Oh god, you really are cold, aren’t you?”

“A little,” she added sheepishly. “I did want to surprise you, but if I take this off, I might poke your eyes out with one of my nipples.”

“That would be quite a way to go.” I laughed, pulling her close to me and rubbing my hands over her arms. “Do you want a hot drink?”

“I can’t believe it’s been thirty seconds before you asked. You’re seriously slipping on the rules here, Grant.”

The rules? I snorted. We’d never been very good at the rules, but she’d say anything just to wind me up. “I’m not your maid.”

“Not yet. In a couple of weeks’ time, maybe. Or a teacher. That’d be hot.”

My face reddened. She’d teased about this before, but I didn’t think I had the confidence to pull off something like that. I turned to go and boil the kettle, but Rebecca grabbed me by the arm, spinning me to face her.

“I can actually think of a better way to warm up,” she said, puckering her lips.

I couldn’t help but smile. “You are so cheesy. I can’t believe I used to think you had game.”