Page 109 of The Day After Christmas
Felicity sighed. ‘Okay, fine. Yes, of course I fancied you straight away. I mean, have youseenyou? Even more so when you took the suit off and I saw your blond hair all messy and gorgeous. That did it.’
They were facing each other now. James reached over and slowly stroked a strand of Felicity’s red hair. ‘Ditto,’ he said. ‘In fact, I can still remember how you looked when you first opened that door. My little Christmas miracle. You looked so hot even in that ridiculous Animal Saviours T-shirt. But it was when youtook me out to rescue the cat in the ditch and put your shoe right into a huge muddy puddle that I properly lost my heart.’
‘I’m so smooth,’ said Felicity.
‘So… you liked the hair, did you? Wanted to climb me like a tree, did you?’ said James, one eyebrow quirked.
‘James Cowley. That is terrible.’
He moved closer. ‘You did, though, didn’t you? Admit it.’
Felicity’s face went hot like lava. ‘I may have. I mean, actually when you came down the corridor in that tight white T-shirt, I didn’t know what to do with myself.’
‘Tell me what you wanted to do to me.’ His voice was low, suggestive, and Felicity wriggled with anticipation as he moved so his lips were inches from hers.
‘You know I’m no good at all that.’
‘I’ll be the judge of that.’ His eyes were on her lips and it was all she could do to find any words at all.
‘I… wanted… to… sorry. I’m crap at this.’
James chuckled softly. ‘Just forget it, and kiss me instead,’ he said, then covered his mouth with hers in a deliciously deep kiss that sent delightful shivers down her spine. Before she gave herself to the moment completely, she paused and put her hand on his chest.
‘Climb you like a tree, eh? How would that go, exactly?’
‘Aren’t you getting bold?’
‘It is Christmas.’
‘Nearly.’
‘Well,’ he chuckled softly, ‘why don’t I show you?’ And with that he lifted her gently and pulled her on top of him and she kissed him again and wondered how she could keep living in this moment forever. Surely it couldn’t last. Could it?
CHAPTER 52
Christmas Day dawned bright and frosty. Felicity opened her eyes, stretched her arms above her head and stared at the ceiling, revelling in the fact she could even do that on this particular day without feeling completely depressed and miserable. There was only a slight pang this year, the best it had ever been really. She looked across at James, and ran one hand idly down his chest, face flushing as she remembered their antics of the previous night with pleasure and more than a little discomfiture in the cold light of day.
‘Morning,’ said James, with a lazy smile, blinking in the daylight.
‘Morning yourself,’ said Felicity.
‘Happy Christmas,’ he murmured, turning over onto his side so he could face her.
‘Happy Christmas yourself,’ whispered Felicity, taking in the nearness of him. He was so damn broad.
James reached across and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
‘I love you,’ he said.
‘I love you, yourself,’ said Felicity. ‘Wait, that one doesn’t work.’
‘Ha, got you,’ said James.
Later, James and Felicity ordered a room service breakfast and opened what presents they’d been able to bring in their suitcase on the enormous super-king bed. Felicity had new pyjamas with cats on, even though James knew full well she’d never give up the old tartan ones without a fight, and James had to settle for a Jason Bourne box set because she couldn’t find a decent enough Bourne costume.
Then they ate an extravagant and extremely expensive Christmas lunch in the restaurant with a few families and several dowagers and their entourages and retired to their room for a nap. At 4pm there was a knock on the door and a somewhat shy member of hotel staff delivered a tray heaving with festive cakes and cookies and although there was meant to be a late supper at 7pm in the restaurant they both had to admit defeat by then. They elected to stay in bed instead because, why not? It was Christmas after all.
‘I’ve never been so full in my whole life,’ said Felicity with a groan.
