Page 71 of Fundamentals in Flirting

Teddy coughed and stared at me.

“That was a ten-year-old single malt, Hannah.”

“I don’t like whisky,” I replied, my voice rough and not unlike a sixty-a-day smoker.

“Oh. Right.” Teddy quickly finished his whisky too. “How about champagne, or is that too excessive?”

“For the celebration of new life? Definitely not.” I had a mid-week day off scheduled for tomorrow, so I absolutely was in the mood for a bit of champers. “That would be lovely.”

Teddy grinned and found some rather expensive-looking flutes then popped the cork from the bottle with a flourish.

“To new life,” he said, clinking his glass against mine. “And to Hannah, the ravishing vet, who saved me from yet another caprine emergency.”

“To Ted, the most attentive goat-father I’ve ever met.”

“I’m the goat-father? Just call me Ted Corleone,” he said in a poor imitation of Marlon Brando that made me laugh and snort a bit of champagne out of my nose, the bubbles burning my nostrils so that my eyes watered.

Grabbing the bottle and still chuckling, he ushered me into the sitting room, which was in the process of being renovated. A few candles were flickering in the fireplace and one small sofa was pulled up near the hearth. A couple of books were open on the floor and a pair of reading glasses lay neatly on top.

“Romantic evening for one?” I quipped, tilting my head towards the flickering flames and low lamplight that made the large room feel cosy.

“Something like that.”

Teddy sat down next to me, his proximity inevitable in the small seat, his solid thigh brushing mine. Quickly, I gulped more champagne as tingly warmth spread over my skin, but luckily Teddy seemed oblivious as he stared into his glass. I wriggled uncomfortably, trying to get some space, but just ended up rubbing my leg even more obviously against his. I knew it was dangerous to be alone and close to Teddy – I’d already struggled to keep my head in similar predicaments, and here I was leg- humping him and getting myself all hot and bothered again.

“You drank that one quickly. Are you ok?” Teddy asked, hesitantly filling my glass again.

“It’s lovely!” Taking another large swig, I felt any resolve that I had garnered since the party fully scarper. I was alone. Alone with a raging libido and a walking, talking sex god sitting perilously close to me. My inhibitions giggled gleefully as they too made a hasty exit.

Shit.

Teddy smiled as he took a sip of champagne. “Seriously, are you all right? You’re looking at me a little strangely, Hannah.”

“Baby goats!” I practically shouted at him, making him jump and spill a bit of champagne on his jeans. “They’re cute, right?”

“Erm, yep,” he replied, dabbing at his wet crotch before giving up with a sigh and looking a little fearfully in my direction. “Very cute. Maybe even cuter when not covered in birth slime and blood. I’ll reserve my judgement until they’re all clean and fluffy tomorrow.”

“Ha ha ha!” That was a weird noise. My attempt at laughing sounded particularly grating and false.

Have another sip of champagne you weirdo.

But my glass was empty again, and Teddy looked a little alarmed when I shook my flute under his nose. Leaning forwards, over his legs, my torso pressed against his thighs, I reached for the champagne bottle and topped myself up. Swinging back past his shocked face as I sat upright again, and using my hand on his knee to push myself up, I accidentally gave it a little squeeze. Accidentally. Yes. Absolutely by accident.

I was staring at him. I knew I was, but I didn’t seem to be able to help it. He was delicious, wasn’t he? I mean, really almost edible. With a face like that and such a firmly muscled body, why had I resisted this long? I considered moving my hand higher up his thigh, the chance of further squeezing opportunities filling my brain. I attempted a seductive smile in his direction.

Teddy chuckled. “Are you drunk already?”

“Nope. High on life, my friend, high on life.”

“Who are you and what have you done with my prickly hedgehog of a friend?”

“Ah yes, friendssssssssssssss. We need to chat about that.” I took another gulp of champagne and leant forwards.

“We do?”

“We do.” I nodded firmly, gesturing with my glass and sloshing more champagne on him. “Ooh sorry.”

I went to dab at the liquid on his blue-checked shirt and my fingers ended up caressing the smattering of hairs that were peeking over the V-shape of his open collar, unintentionally flicking open another button, and resting on the warm skin underneath.

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