Page 54 of Kissing Games
She pulled a face but he wasn’t smiling.
‘I’m serious. You’re the centre of so many people’s worlds.’
He laid the fire, and when it caught, put the guard in front and passed her tablet to her. ‘I’ll be back as soon as I can.’ He kissed her lightly on the lips and left.
Valentina closed her eyes, feeling the sensations in her lips, yearning for more. She was so needy for him. She rang Isabella, the family member least likely to freak out at her current state.
‘Chica, that is not your best look. Is it that cold in Scotland?’
Valentina giggled, her teeth chattering. ‘We went skinny-dipping.’
‘¡Ay, caramba! How far did the dragon go?’
What little warmth there was in her body rushed to her cheeks. ‘I didn’t see.’
Isabella let out a huff and looked up. ‘Oh, for love of all that is holy, what is wrong with you?’
She smiled. ‘But…’
‘Yes?’ replied Isabella, eagerly.
‘We kissed, I accidentally bit his bottom, and I woke the Kinloch monster.’
Fifteen minutes later,Isabella was still laughing as Charlie returned, holding two mugs. He put them on the bedside table and picked up the thermometer.
‘Good evening, Charlie,’ Isabella called from the screen.
Charlie put the thermometer in Valentina’s ear and grinned at her sister. ‘Hello, Isabella, nice to meet you.’
Valentina’s heart beat faster as the threads of her life continued to weave together.
He looked at the thermometer as it beeped. ‘Thirty-four point nine. Heading up, but not good enough. Sit up, and let’s get some hot fluids in you.’
Valentina suppressed her smile as he fussed and Isabella smirked with unrepressed delight. Charlie held the tablet for her so she could see her sister and passed her a mug. She smelled it and sighed with delight.
‘What is it?’ Isabella asked.
‘Chocolate caliente.’
‘Marry him!’ Isabella cried in Spanish. ‘Marry him now!’
Her eyes flicked to Charlie. His face was blank. Did he understand?
‘I’m going now,’ she replied in English. ‘I’ll speak to you tomorrow.’
‘Okay. I love you. Goodbye, Charlie. Don’t forget, we all want to know where the dra—’
Valentina ended the call.
‘Ugh. My family is so embarrassing,’ she muttered, passing him the tablet. ‘Please turn that off and throw it out the window.’
He chuckled, put it on the desk, then sat on the edge of her bed and lifted his drink. ‘Cheers.’ They chinked their mugs together. ‘Here’s to crossing another item off your list.’
‘How areyoufeeling?’ she asked.
‘A bit cold, but I’ll be okay.’
‘Take this.’ She handed her mug to him and shuffled sideways on the bed, dividing the pillows. She pulled back the covers and looked at him.
