Page 93 of Unravelling: Aria & Crispin
He walked her back to the inn, and when they reached her door, he paused. Then he leaned down, brushing his lips against hers in a featherlight kiss.
She clutched his shirtsleeve, holding him there. The kiss deepened as his tongue tentatively slipped past her lips. His hand came up to cradle the nape of her neck, drawing her closer, until their tongues touched with aching tenderness.
Then he pulled back. He rested his forehead gently against hers.
Control. Not yet. Not until he had earned it.
"Sleep well," he whispered. "I'll see you for the ultrasound tomorrow."
She nodded, trying not to let her disappointment show. He turned and walked back down the hallway.
As soon as he rounded the corner, Crispin took out his phone.
His voice was low and deadly calm. "Hello. I need you to do something for me."
Chapter 49
Aria
Lule and Rahul had to leave in the morning.
Their bags were packed before breakfast, their car idling in the drive as they said their goodbyes outside the Lion's Mane Inn.
There wasn't much talking, just tight hugs and a silent conversation between sisters that didn't need words.
Lule, however, couldn't help herself in the end.
She wiped quickly at one eye, then turned to Crispin with narrowed eyes. "Honestly, why did your mum name you Crispin? Did she lose a bet? That's a full ten out of ten on the douche-o-meter."
Crispin, who'd been loitering near the porch like an obedient retriever, took the hit as he always did recently with an easy smile.
But this time, he stepped forward. "The day you become my sister-in-law," he said evenly to Lule, "I'll have immunity. And then it's game on."
Lule blinked and then snorted. "Game on, Crispy. But fair warning, I don't like to lose."
Rahul sagely agreed.
She turned to Aria and hugged her fiercely. "Give him hell," she whispered only for her ears. "But don't forget to give him a chance."
Then she was gone.
Surprisingly, Aria's eyes stayed dry as she watched the car disappear up the winding road.
Crispin came to stand beside her. Gently, his fingers brushed against the back of her hand. She didn't move away. He took a little more liberty and his hand closed around hers, light but certain.
"She'll be back," he said. "She's like black mould. Impossible to get rid of."
Aria gave a short, surprised snort of laughter and looked up at him. "Let's go," she said, softly. "We've got an appointment."
Outside, a sleek silver Jaguar sat gleaming in the car park.
She blinked at him. "This isn't yours."
He gave her a sheepish grin. "The magic of the internet...and money."
The drive to the district hospital was quiet. The Welsh countryside rolled past them, lush and green, speckled with sheep and white-washed cottages. He kept sneaking glances at her when he thought she wouldn't notice while Aria pretended like she didn't.
At the maternity unit, she was guided to a changing area. Crispin waited outside the scan room, hands in his pockets, trying to look calm and failing miserably.
