Page 35 of A Sky Full of Stars
‘That was great,’ she said, leaning back in her chair. ‘Thank you for suggesting this.’
‘My pleasure,’ Tristan said as he whipped the plates away and put everything in the dishwasher. ‘How’s your dress?’
‘A bit tight after all that food,’ Charlotte giggled, and then blushed when she realised Tristan was asking whether or not it was still damp from the water spillage. She held out the hem of her skirt. ‘And very nearly dry, too.’
‘Glad to hear it.’ Tristan had come back to the table and was standing in front of Charlotte, his legs almost touching hers. She looked up at him, and his expression was a mixture of anticipation and a rather adorable uncertainty. ‘Do you, er, want to go into the living room and watch a film, or we could go for a walk?’
Charlotte, who knew a walk would be more sensible, but on a couple of glasses of Chablis was feeling rather too mellow to do more than mooch to the living-room sofa, smiled up at him. ‘A film sounds like a great idea for a Sunday afternoon. What would you suggest?’
Tristan took hold of her hands and pulled her gently into his arms. ‘Well, I’m usually a classic movies kind of guy, except when Cora and Dylan commandeer my Netflix, but I’m in your hands this afternoon. Whatever you’d like to watch, my account is all yours.’
‘Nowthat’schivalry for you!’ Charlotte quipped. ‘How are you with horror films?’
Tristan looked sheepish. ‘Not great with anything too gory,’ he admitted. ‘But I don’t mind them when it’s more cheese than torture.’
‘Noted,’ Charlotte replied. She wondered for a moment what might fit the bill. She felt the warmth of Tristan’s hand in hers, and for a few heartbeats all she wanted to do was wrap her arms around him and bugger the film idea, but she paced herself. She’d had some wine, and she didn’t want to rush things because of it. So, settling just for one long, lingering kiss, she allowed him to lead her to the living room, and got to searching through the Netflix catalogue for something they could both enjoy.
36
A little time later, having agreed on the first of theInsidiousfilms as a decent compromise for an afternoon’s entertainment, they were both ensconced on Tristan’s comfortable sofa, which, in keeping with other aspects of the décor, was a period piece, having reclinable arms that would turn it into a chaise lounge if the fancy arose.
‘Comet would love this sofa,’ she said as she tucked her feet up underneath herself and settled back into its comfy depths.
‘He wouldn’t be allowed on it,’ Tristan replied. ‘Even if he gave me thatbutter wouldn’t meltlook he’s so good at.’
‘Oh, I’m sure he’d win you around eventually,’ Charlotte said. ‘He has a habit of being able to get away with things.’
They watched the film in companionable silence for a while, and Charlotte found herself feeling drowsy in the comfort of a warm, cosy afternoon. Her eyelids grew heavy, and when she started to nod onto her hand, Tristan gave her a playful nudge. ‘Perhaps you’d better come over here and rest your head on my shoulder,’ he said. They’d been sitting a little way apart for the first part of the film – a slight awkwardness had set in, despite the kisses in the kitchen, and Charlotte was relieved when he suggested she cuddle up to him.
‘What’s the matter? Film too scary for you?’ she teased as she snuggled up next to him. ‘Need me to hold your hand?’
‘Let’s go with a yes for both, if it means you’ll stay down this end of the sofa,’ Tristan quipped. ‘But I have to admit, this definitely fits the “cheesy but not gory” brief. I’m actually quite enjoying it.’ Then, she felt him jump as the film took an unpredictable turn.
‘You sure you’re enjoying it?’ Charlotte asked.
‘Perhaps I’ll cover my eyes during thereallyscary bits.’ Tristan took one of her hands. ‘Or maybe you can cover them for me?’
Charlotte gave a hoot of laughter as Tristan pulled her towards him, until they were a slightly breathless tangle of sprawling limbs as the reclinable arm of the sofa collapsed beneath Tristan and he toppled down so that he was horizontal beneath her.
‘Is this one of your seduction techniques?’ Charlotte asked as she found herself lying on top of him.
‘I promise that’s never happened before,’ Tristan said, half in amusement, half in embarrassment. ‘But it is an antique, so the rope ties might be a bit dodgy after all these years!’
‘A likely story,’ Charlotte murmured as she leaned down to kiss him. ‘But I’ll accept it for the moment.’ Far from feeling tired, the jolt on the sofa had woken her up, and as she made a leisurely exploration of Tristan’s mouth with her own, she felt him shifting beneath her, so that she was more securely on top of him. She ran a gentle hand through his hair and he reacted to her touch like a cat, pushing back against her and sliding his arms more tightly around her. Patrick Wilson’s machinations against a malevolent spirit world faded into the background as they became more heated, bodies responded, and breaths shortened.
‘This is rather nice,’ Tristan murmured between kisses. ‘I was going to get the sofa tie fixed, but perhaps I won’t bother now!’
Charlotte smiled into their next kiss. ‘I agree,’ she said. ‘You should definitely leave it broken for a little while longer.’
Their gentle banter continued along with the kisses, and only paused when they realised that the film had ended. Charlotte was lying alongside Tristan on the sofa now, and although her drowsiness had dissipated, she felt warm, safe and very, very relaxed.
‘What a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon,’ she said softly. ‘Thank you for inviting me to lunch.’
‘You’re welcome,’ Tristan replied. ‘We must do it again.’
‘Yes, please.’ Charlotte smiled up at him. ‘Perhaps at my place next time?’
Tristan raised an eyebrow. ‘I’m not sure I’m up for doing this on the annexe sofa when my gran’s right next door!’
