Page 121 of Love ad Lib
‘Libby, I’ve been increasingly concerned as to your living situation. And I wanted to offer you the use of my flat for as long as you need it.’
What?
‘I don’t want you to take my offer the wrong way. You would have your own room and bathroom.’
Was he offering because he felt sorry for her?
She swallowed. ‘How much… What would you charge for rent and bills?’
His body tensed behind her. ‘Nothing. Jesus, Libby, I wouldn’t charge you a thing.’
So, shewasa charity case. She couldn’t take advantage of him like that. She’d been burned by Giles and had had enough of wanting Lucas without reciprocation. She didn’t want to move in with someone she had feelings for, especially if they were moving on with their own lives now their arrangement was over.
‘Thank you, Henry,’ she eventually replied. ‘But I’ll be fine at Claire’s.’
He was silent. Surely if he really wanted her there, he would ask if she was sure? Plead his case? Tell her he wanted their fledgling relationship to keep growing when they returned to London? But he didn’t say anything.
Eventually, he stirred. ‘I forgot the hot chocolate.’ He got to his feet. ‘I’ll just go and get it from the car.’
He jogged off before she could protest, and his shadowy form disappeared down the side of the hill.
24
‘Fuck!’ Libby muttered, throwing herself back onto the blankets and staring at the blackness of the tree canopy above her. Should she have said yes? No matter how much she loved Claire, the thought of returning to their sofa and zero privacy for god knows how long filled her with dread. If she couldn’t get her money back from Lucas, it would be months before she’d be able to afford a deposit on a new flatshare. Money didn’t buy you happiness, but it made life a hell of a lot more comfortable.
These past few days at Foxbrooke had been a dream. She’d stuffed herself with the most amazing food and never once had to make do with a jam sandwich or whatever she could afford from the bargain basement section of the supermarket. She was tired of walking for hours every day because she couldn’t afford the bus. Tired of always saying no to social occasions because she didn’t want to appear cheap. Tired of the constant fucking struggle.
Saying yes to Henry would be the easiest thing in the world. But he was asking out of the goodness of his heart. And if she took advantage of his good nature, she’d be no better than Lucas.
Conscious of time passing, she stood and stared down the slope. Where was he? How long did it take to look for a flask? Had he left her there? Just as she was about to go searching for him, he reappeared.
‘Sorry, I must be losing my mind. I couldn’t find it anywhere. It must be here after all.’ He rummaged in a bag. ‘Here we are. Fancy some?’
The evening was taking a weird turn. Rather than a wild night of passion, Henry was acting as if they were at Scout camp.
‘Yeah, sure.’
He poured her a mug, then one for himself, sitting next to her on the blanket. Gone was their intimacy, and she had no idea what to say or do to get it back. This was it. She should be grateful for a few days in the country and the two best orgasms of her life.
Suck it up, Fletcher. She sipped her hot chocolate and stifled a moan. Of course, it was the best in the world. It was made from biodynamic raw Jersey cow milk. She wouldn’t have been surprised if the beans had been hand roasted by Perry. Why did everything in Foxbrooke have to be so bloody delicious? She sneaked a glance at Henry.Especiallyhim.
He rolled his sleeves up.
‘Are you hot?’ she asked.
He didn’t look at her. ‘Yes. I should have lit the fire a little further away. Do you mind if I take my shirt off?’
Fuck no!‘Not at all, I don’t want you to be at the wrong temperature.’Seriously, Libby! ‘Wrong temperature’?
He slowly undid the buttons, then faced away from her and took it off. She drank him in. The firelight flickered across his broad shoulders and danced down his spine. She wanted to lick him like a lollipop.
When he turned back, she was staring at the fire again.
‘Any better?’ she asked.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him shrug. ‘Not much.’
He took off his shoes and socks and she gulped her hot chocolate.
