Page 27 of Check Me Out

“Too bloody right! I’ll be taking over for the rest of the week. Demonstration is not your speciality, apparently.” I nudged him so he knew I was joking. “And did you notice where they’d situated the demo table today?”

Marcus looked up and down the aisle. His lovely hands were covered with scratches from the foliage, and there were still a few leaves in his tousled hair. “Baby milk. Bath products.” Suddenly he stilled and went pale. “Intimate hygiene. Sexual health. Oh.Oh.”

“Condoms,” I said blithely. “Lube. I think you’ve been set up, sweetheart.” Or maybe it was meant for me. I could certainly take that kind of joke.

He turned to look right into my eyes, his gaze deep and devastatingly earnest. “Sweetheart. Did I tell you how much I like you calling me that?”

What a darling he was, even with twine still tangled around his tunic buttons. I realised I wasn’t afraid to show how I felt, not when I’d recently escaped losing my job—a job I’d suddenly decided was pretty good, and precious after all—and was facing a bright smile that could change the worst day to the best, baby-blues that could bring me to my grateful knees, and soft, kinky hair that was thevery besthandhold in bed.

I slid my hand behind his neck and kissed him thoroughly.

“Awww,” came from the bickering ladies.

“Where’s your unresolved sexual tension?” came from Mr G.

“Getting resolved,” I said firmly. “We’re going for an early lunch. Marcus, do you have your car? I only have my bus pass.”

We marched our way out past the tills, dodging an excited interrogation of our romance from Shanaz, and narrowly avoiding a harassed woman’s flailing hands, as she got her bananas tangled in with the strap of her handbag.

I didn’t even flinch.Huh. We hurried to Marcus’ car, laughing, touching, teasing, excited with anticipation, and not only for a saucy lunch hour. He paused at the driver’s door.

“What’s that you’ve got in your hand?”

“I paid for it!” I protested, and made sure he saw the large-size pack of condoms as I slid it into my pocket.

Marcus laughed, rather loudly and uninhibitedly for YBB’s very public car park. “I’ll try not to drive too fast. But I’m very keen to see your demonstration skills in that department, as soon as possible!”

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