Page 47 of Fundamentals in Flirting

Could I ignore the fact that it would just be meaningless sex? For him at any rate.

I sighed.

Probably not.

Stand firm, Hannah. You can do this.

“I want to apologise,” Teddy said.

Ah, right. This is the part where he tells me he didn’t mean it. He was just joking. Just practising his flirting technique. No big deal. No need to jump to conclusions.

Part of me was relieved but also more than a little disappointed. But then, what did I really expect? That someone who looked like Teddy, who could have anyone he wanted, would admit his undying love for a freckly-faced geek like me?

“Honestly, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it,” I said to the floor, not daring to look up at him.

“I’m sorry for upsetting you.” He paused, then carried on in a low tone. “But I’m not sorry for what I said. I meant it, whether you believe it or not.”

“Which bit of it?”

I finally allowed myself to peek at his face.

“Bloody hell, Hannah! All of it! I fancy the pants off you. I always have. You’re the most intriguing and infuriating person I’ve ever met.”

He ran his hands over his face, frustration tightening the angle of his shoulders.

“Right.”

Is this a compliment?

I couldn’t be sure.

“And, while I absolutely would love to whisk you up the stairs and into my bed so I can do unspeakable things to you, I think I can manage not to ravage you while we wait out the storm.”

Is he blushing?

It was hard to see in the dim light of the kitchen. He gave me a small, shy smile.

“Please stay a little longer. I’ll be a perfect gentleman. Scout’s honour.”

“I-I-I…” The stuttering had started again. Words weren’t really forming. My brain was functioning about as well as the number four reactor at Chernobyl.

“I had hoped that my wooing might have made you hate me a little less?” He raised an eyebrow enquiringly.

Taking a deep breath and giving myself a mental shake, I managed to say, my voice a quavering whisper, “I don’t hate you, Teddy.”

“So where are we then, on your sliding scale of liking me?”

“Well, I didn’t bring my emasculators tonight.” I said with a small smile.

He huffed out a laugh, when suddenly an almighty crash reverberated around us. Thunder boomed and a bright light flashed, the crack so loud and so close it felt as though it had hit the centre of the house. All the lights went out, and another fork of lightning painted jagged, watery shadows on the walls.

“I should check the fuses,” Teddy said, and I heard him stumbling around near me. Blinded and then plunged into darkness, my other senses kicked into overdrive and I could smell his citrus fresh scent as if it had been concentrated and bottled and sprayed straight up my nose. The warmth of his body prickled my skin as he passed by.

I was just bathing indulgently in these sensations when there was a fairly loud thump, followed by, “Oww. Shit.”

“Are you ok?”

“I just walked into a low door frame,” Teddy replied weakly.

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