Page 38 of An Ill Wind in Seabury
‘Making what easy?’ he said, running his fingers through his hair in confusion.
‘This.’
George went wide-eyed as Claudia wrapped her fingers in the front of his clean hoodie and gently tugged him towards her.
‘Mind if I kiss you?’ she breathed, staring up at him, her beautiful eyes wide, and a smile still playing around the corner of her mouth.
‘I reckon I can handle it,’ said George, cursing his stupid voice for going all croaky just when it mattered.
But… it didn’t matter. Because Claudia was wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her warm body against his.
George froze for the briefest moment, then he gathered her into his arms as the pair of them became eighteen again.
‘Hey! Hey, wake up!’
George opened his eyes blearily, only to find Claudia’s beautiful face mere inches away. Her eyes were full of laughter, and he could feel it rumbling through the length of her body as she tried to drag him from the most delicious nap of his life.
‘Wha—?’ he murmured groggily.
‘We’re going to be late for dinner if we don’t get a wiggle on!’ she chuckled. ‘We fell asleep… and… well, we kinda need to get dressed!’
George was suddenly wide awake. He stared around, trying to get his bearings.
They were still in the living room… on the sofa… tangled around each other. They were covered with the old blanket he kept folded for the nights it got chilly while he was reading in front of the fire. It had definitely never been used for this purpose before!
‘Oh no!’ he laughed, extricating one arm from around Claudia’s silky-smooth waist to glance at his watch. ‘We’re not going to have time for your apology tour.’
Claudia shrugged. Reaching up, she ran her fingers lazily through his hair. Hewishedshe wouldn’t. Not because it didn’t feel amazing… but because it was going to make getting off this sofa with his pride intact a whole lot harder if she kept at it.
‘I’m not worried,’ she said. ‘We found something…betterto do with our afternoon!’
‘Hey, you’ve got no arguments from me,’ chuckled George.
‘Good to hear.’ She leaned in and kissed him again.
Sod dinner with the Peppers… maybe they could get a takeaway delivered from the hotel... and ask them to leave it on the doorstep?
‘We’ll just have to do the tour tomorrow instead,’ said Claudia, beaming at him.
‘I’ve got work in the morning,’ he sighed, pulling a face.Urgh, stupid work! He didn’t want to miss a single second with Claudia while she was in town!‘I’m afraid I’ll have to head out early.’
‘That’s okay,’ said Claudia. ‘Maybe we can go when you’re finished? I’d like to meet Jess properly, and Idefinitelywant to say a proper sorry to Charlie.’
‘Sounds like a plan,’ said George, snuggling back into the cushions and wrapping his arm back around her as he went.
She was here… in Seabury… and it didn’t sound like she was in any hurry to leave!
‘Oi,’ chuckled Claudia, wiggling away from his grip. ‘We’ve got to get ready!’
‘Aw, five more minutes?!’ murmured George, pulling her back to him playfully.
‘Oh no you don’t George Slatter!’ she laughed, hopping off the sofa and neatly swiping the blanket while she was at it.
‘Hey!’ laughed George, scrambling to cover his modesty as Claudia wrapped the blanket around her like a toga. ‘Where are you going?’
‘To get dressed,’ she giggled, making a beeline for the door. ‘You’re welcome to come to dinner like that, though…Idefinitely wouldn’t mind… though I’m not so sure about our hosts!’
CHAPTER 15
