Page 28 of Such a Sweet Girl

‘You can’t achieve that today. But you could achieve something toward it. Right now.’ Alexander popped a pink macaroon in his mouth, letting out a gentle groan of appreciation.

What could I do at that moment?Nothing.

‘Where does your inspiration come from? Where did you learn to make all these things?’

‘I watch a lot of videos online. There’s a channel called Baked with Betsy, and I love everything she does. She’s amazing. I watch her all the time.’

‘Then do what she does. Be the Betsy to others.’ Alex took the plate from my hand and twisted me to lay against his chest, his warmth surrounding me.

‘Do you think I could?’

‘I do.’ His fingers trailed my arm, following the path of goose pimples.

‘Will you help me? Film and set it up?’

‘You might be better with someone younger than me… but I’ll give it a go if you want me to. Be your filming wench for the summer.’

‘I can pay you in treats.’ I smiled over my shoulder.

‘I’m going to go back to England the size of a bloody house at this rate. We’ll have to find ways to burn it off.’

I clenched my thighs at the insinuation.

‘I’m sure we’ll think of a distraction or two. But for now, you’re getting cold, baby, we should head back.’

All the dreams of him spreading me out over the grass and making me see stars burst like sorry little bubbles around me.

‘But—’

‘Come on,’ he said, packing the basket back up after sliding out from behind me.

‘But—’

‘No buts.’

I fought a pout all the way to the rowboat.

FOURTEEN

ALEXANDER

Moonlight paved our way across the still water. In the near distance, lights from cabins reflected around the edge of the lake, glittering orange reflections surrounding us.

Francesca faced me, the moon highlighting the swell of her chest and the curve of her jaw. I’d intended to take her there on the island, to finally wrap myself up in her completely. But I’d underestimated the chill amongst the dampening grass. Already I regretted my decision to wait. Being near her was to be drowning in obsession. I craved her thoughts, her words, her attention, and her sweet, soft sighs.

‘Take off your panties,’ I demanded, curious to see whether she’d obey here in the middle of the lake.

Hesitating for only a moment, she shifted on the wooden bench seat, dragging them down over her hips. The colour was hard to make out in the moonlight, perhaps pink or a lavender?

I watched in greedy appreciation at the hiking of her dress, at the curve of her thighs and the arch of her calves. At the way she bit her lip as she balled the material up in one hand.

‘Give them to me.’ I fixed the oars, letting the boat float listlessly in the water, my own little cage for my pretty bird and I.

‘You want my panties?’ She asked, her face crinkling. She handed them over, still warm.

‘Need to see if that pussy of yours is aching for me yet. Mmm, just as I thought, the crotch is soaked already.’

She squirmed on the seat, her dress tucked underneath to protect her from the old wood.

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