Page 75 of The Retreat
‘I couldn’t wait to get up here with you,’ Talia said.
‘Me neither. Before Rhona collapsed.’
‘So, the moment’s ruined?’ Talia asked nervously.
‘Isn’t it?’ Imogen asked, surprised.
Talia shook her head. ‘I don’t think it is.’
Talia’s grey eyes didn’t move from hers. Her look asked something of Imogen. It didn’t demand—it invited. And Imogen, heart pounding, was ready to RSVPyeswith absolutely no regrets. Her whole body was trembling.
Talia reached out and touched Imogen’s face, fingertips gliding along her jaw. Her eyes didn’t waver. And then she leaned in.
The kiss landed soft, slow, like they had all the time in the world. But it intensified quickly. Imogen’s hand found the small of Talia’s back, pulling her in, needing her close.
Talia’s other hand tangled in Imogen’s hair, guiding the kiss with a gentle insistence. Imogen melted into it. She let herself be led, then pushed back with her own hunger.
Imogen’s fingers slid to Talia’s waist, finding the shape of her through her clothes. She traced the curve of her hip, felt Talia’s breath catch. That sound went straight through her.
The kiss broke briefly so Imogen could look at her. Talia’s eyes were full of want. Imogen’s pulse thrummed in her ears as her hands slipped beneath the hem of Talia’s sweater, fingertips brushing skin that was softer than the cashmere. She moved slowly. She wanted to savour this.
Talia mirrored her, her hands slipping under her top, brushing her skin, and Imogen sucked in a breath. She was burning under every touch. Her body already arched toward it, needing more.
Talia took her hands back for a moment to do away with her own sweater completely; the sight of her was achingly sexy. Narrow shoulders, the soft line of her stomach rising with each breath, pale skin stretched over fine collarbones. She looked fragile. But Imogen knew she was anything but.
She felt Talia’s hand at the zipper of her jeans, and Imogen was more than happy to lend a helping hand to rid of them quickly. And after that, their clothes came off in quick, breathless stages, until there was nothing left between them but heat.
There was no distance now. Just touch. Skin and warmth. They moved together, tangled in the sheets, in perfect rhythm with each other.
‘You have no idea how much I want this,’ Talia murmured into her neck.
Imogen’s heart felt like it might break. ‘Show me.’
Talia did.
***
The air in the room was thick with afterglow. Imogen lay on her side, watching Talia’s chest rise and fall in the softlamplight, sex exhausted and happy. The silence between them wasn’t awkward anymore. The thing that had been waiting in their silences had come at last. They could breathe.
Imogen wanted to say something clever. But Talia looked over, all sleepy eyes and sexy-mussed hair, and Imogen’s mouth went dry.
Talia beat her to it. ‘Well. That happened.’
Imogen laughed. ‘Yeah. Thatdefinitelyhappened.’
They fell quiet again. Imogen stretched out her hand, brushing a knuckle down Talia’s bare arm.
‘I wish things hadn’t gone wrong for you,’ she said. ‘I’m happy thatwe… But I just wish—’
‘I’ll say it again if you need me too. This was all on me.’ Talia paused and added philosophically, ‘But if I hadn’t told that lie, we wouldn’t be here. So I can’t even regret it that much.’
Imogen cocked her head and smiled a little cynically. ‘That’s a great line, Talia. But seriously...’
Talia turned fully onto her side, her knee brushing Imogen’s under the covers. ‘Imogen. I was halfway gone for you before you even touched me. I’m happy. Are you happy?’
Imogen exhaled slowly. ‘I think you know I am. But… it’s weird, though. Right? I mean, notweird, but…’
Talia gave her a slow smile, a little crooked. ‘I know. God, if Flora could see us now…’
