Page 55 of Highland Games
He straightened. ‘Only if you can put a duvet cover on within thirty seconds.’
‘You’re on.’ She took out the duvet, placing it the right way around on the bed, then unfolded the cover, laying it on top. She moved her head from side to side and jogged on the spot. ‘Right. Count me down.’ She flexed her knees, and spread her fingers, ready for action.
Rory looked at his watch. ‘Five, four, three, two, one, go!’
Zoe’s hands flew forward. She ran them into the duvet cover, finding the far corners and grabbing them. She then tugged them towards her down the bed and seized the corners of one end of the duvet, lifting it and flipping the cover inside out. She then bounded along the side of the bed, pulling the duvet cover down one long end, before throwing herself onto the bed and rolling over to the other side next to Rory to pull the other side of the cover down.
‘Done!’
‘Hang on, it was inside out to begin with. That’s cheating! And you haven’t done the buttons up.’
Zoe grabbed the end and fiddled with the buttons.
‘Five, four, three, two, one. And we’re done,’ finished Rory.
Zoe threw the duvet down. ‘Dammit! I would have done it in time if you hadn’t distracted me.’
Rory laughed. ‘I thought the roll across the bed was particularly good. It reminded me of basic training. And the forethought to already have the cover inside out was masterful.’
Zoe crawled back over the bed and threw three pillows at him followed by a pile of pillowcases. ‘No creases now. I’m a princess, remember.’
She did up the buttons of the duvet, her fingers trembling. Her internal wiring was shorting out, sending surges of power through her, exploding in a fire of burning sparks. When the bed was made this was it. They were going to have sex.Oh god. What if he doesn’t like what he sees? Should I try and keep my clothes on?
When the pillows were finished Rory smoothed out the duvet and she reached into the bottom of one of the boxes to pull out an enormous blanket. Working in the charity shop for so many years, her mother often came across cashmere jumpers that were donated but had too many holes or were too threadbare in the elbows to sell. She’d made a donation, then taken them home, cutting squares from what was still good quality, and stitching them together into a glorious soft patchwork. It had taken her years to finish and she had backed it with brushed cotton and given it to Zoe when she moved into her flat.
Zoe folded it in half and they placed it at the end of the bed.
Rory eyed it. ‘Did you make it?’
‘My mum did mainly and I helped. If you see some wonky blanket stitch then it’s definitely mine.’
As he touched it, a thrill ran across her skin. ‘It’s so soft. It’s beautiful.’
‘Cashmere. It’s the classiest thing about me.’
‘Oh, I don’t know about that,’ he replied softly.
They were standing opposite each other, the bed between them, their eyes locked. The heat from Rory’s gaze seared through her clothes, scorching her skin. The ache between her legs was now a throbbing pain. She wanted him so much it hurt.
He swallowed.
This was it.
19
Zoe pulled off her jumper and T-shirt in one swift movement, leaving her in a white bra, her nipples already hard and pushing through the lacy fabric.
A fire ran across Rory’s cheeks, his lips parted and his pupils flooded black. Before her nerve gave out, she scooted across the bed and kneeled in front of him, pressing her breasts into his chest. She scored her nails through his hair, running the tip of her tongue up the length of his neck to the soft skin where it met his ear. She tugged on the lobe with her teeth.
He closed his eyes and raised his head to the ceiling, his jaw tight. ‘Fuck!’ he hissed, as if trying to keep his inner animal on a tight leash.
‘Yes please,’ she whispered into his ear.
He dropped his face into her hair, and brought his hands up around her. His touch was light as he skimmed the soft skin of her back. She spread her knees, and circled her hips into the bulge where his cock was straining against his trousers. He pushed her away, breathing rapidly. ‘Zoe, you can’t do that.’
She kissed her way to his mouth, pushing into him. ‘Why not?’ she murmured against his lips.
He held her hips firm, his jaw clenched. ‘Because I want this to be good for you, and if you keep that up, you’re going to break me.’
