Page 102 of Another Lucky Number

‘Oh, so I’myour woman, am I?’ I raise an appraising eyebrow.

‘Ah crap, sorry. I didn’t mean it like you’re my property.’

‘I’m kidding.I kind of liked seeing your jealous side. It made me feel like I was worth getting in a tussle over.’

‘You’re worth all of that and more,’ he says, and just as I think he’s about to lean in and kiss me, the waiter comes to take our order, massacring the moment.

Within minutes, we’re clutching two fizzing flutes and a chilled bottle of champagne is nestling in an ice bucket by our table.

‘To the start of something amazing?’ James holds up his glass.

‘I’ll drink to that.’ My eyes flicker to his lips as we clink, and we barely manage a mouthful each before we’re locked in a long sensual kiss across the table.

When we eventually pull apart, I look around self-consciously to see if any of our fellow holidaymakers are grossed out by our PDA. However, no one seems to have noticed us and there’s an obvious reason for that.All I’ve done is join the ranks of the many loved-up couples here that I was watching so enviously before. Why would anyone bat an eyelid?

‘Emma, look...’ James points across the water, where the sky now resembles an impressionist painting: streaks of red, pink and orange mimicking brushstrokes across the sky, framing the molten sun which is now skirting the horizon.

‘This just gets better and better,’ I give a contented sigh while gazing at the fiery seascape.

James shifts his seat round beside mine and cuddles into me while we enjoy the dramatic sunset together, sipping at our bubbles.

‘I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be,’ he murmurs, kissing the side of my head, and though I say nothing in response, I feel exactly the same.

Chapter Forty-One

Departure day

‘You got everything?’ James asks, when I’ve completed a final sweep of my suite.

‘Think so. But the good thing is… if I’ve forgotten anything, you can bring it home for me.’ I pull a cheeky face.

‘True. Provided it fits in my luggage.’

‘I still can’t believe I’m going home and you’re staying here. I know me and the girls have had our holiday, and I’m being totally unreasonable, but it doesn’t feel fair.’

‘Life isn’t fair, Emma.’ James offers me a wise (and highly unwelcome) smile.

‘That’s not what I want to hear right now. You should be agreeing and ruminating over what a tragedy it is that we can’t spend more time here together.’

‘I’d say your use of the word “tragedy” is a little overkill.’

‘Only a little?’ I chuckle, well aware that I’m being a drama queen.

James sits on the bed and pats the covers next to him, inviting me to join him briefly. I plonk myself down.

‘Would it make you feel better if I told you that, while you were snoring like a banshee last night, I was looking up how much it would cost to change your flights and have you stay on here with me?’

‘Really?’

‘Yes. So, there you go. I was in the same mindset as you.’

He ruffles my hair and I launch myself on him, covering his face with kisses. Laughing, he slips his arms around me and tosses me playfully across the bed, before straddling me and kissing me deeply and sensually. Had we had more time, this would no doubt have led somewhere hot and steamy, but as my airport transfer is arriving imminently, we have no choice but to exercise some self-control.

‘No luck with that search then?’ I say, once I’m back on my feet, readjusting my outfit.

‘Unfortunately, not. There was nothing available on my return flight, or any other flights around the same window of departure.’

‘Ah well, that wasreallysweet of you to check.’

---