Page 45 of All We Want for Christmas
‘I don’t want to think about tomorrow. This is now and I want to do something before I can change my mind.’
It was Lara who closed the space between them and knelt astride him. It was her choice to kiss him and push him back against the sofa. If his lingering doubts were gone, she’dthrown hers to the winds. His mouth was like warm velvet and he tasted of wine. Sparks exploded inside her, and she gripped his shoulders, pushing against his mouth greedily.
She found herself lifted off the sofa, and wrapped her legs around his waist so he could carry her into the bedroom. Reckless joy filled her as Flynn lowered her onto the bed, kissing her again, over and over.
There was a moment when he stopped kissing her to strip off his shirt, but then he was next to her again, taking off her jumper and dropping soft kisses on her collarbone and chest.
Any thought of anything beyond giving herself up to Flynn and his body had vanished.
What a night; the best night. Lara thanked the Lakes’ long winter and the need to spend the dark hours huddled up together under his duvet, keeping each other warm. And the warm glow that suffused her body when she woke to find he was beside her, his dark lashes against his cheek, one arm flung over the pillow, still fast asleep.
It hadn’t been a disaster. It had been a night of joyful, hot sex and, now, even the gloomy Lakeland morning seemed like a bright new dawn. She was so glad she’d set her fears aside and taken that leap, but now she had to face reality. She certainly wasn’t ready for her colleagues to know she was – what? – seeing Flynn? Sleeping with him? Dating him?
Telling herself to live in the moment, she lifted the duvet off her, swung her legs out of bed, and fumbled for the clothes that were still scattered on the rug next to the bed.The room was pitch black and she’d no idea how she was going to get dressed.
‘Morning.’
The gravelly voice from behind her was accompanied by a warm hand trailing down her back. Lara turned to find Flynn sitting up, his hair rumpled, and blinking in the lamp he’d just switched on. Lara was dazzled too, and not only by the light. Her desire kindled again at the sight of that honed torso with the sun tat on his right pec. She’d kissed it last night and asked him where he got it.
She knew almost every inch of him now and she was way past blushing.
‘Do you have to go?’ he asked.
‘It’s half-six already. I ought to go back to mine before every man and his dog are up.’
‘Pity,’ he said, smiling up at her. ‘But I understand.’ Flynn lay back on the bed with a sigh, hands behind his head. ‘I’ll see you later?’
‘Bit difficult not to.’ She zipped up her jeans.
He watched as she found her bra and fastened it with his hot gaze raking over her. ‘How will I cope, knowing what I do now?’
OK. Maybe shecouldstill blush, she thought, feeling her cheeks warm. ‘You’ll have to pretend nothing happened. We still have to work together.’ She felt that she’d be wandering around Ravendale with a big sign on her back:Yes, I slept with Flynn and I can’t wait to do it again.The thought made her want to laugh but was closely followed by a flutter of unease.
‘You won’t tell anyone?’ she asked, sitting down on the bed, holding her top.
Flynn pushed himself up. ‘Of course not. I’m not that guy, Lara. I’d happily shout about us from the rooftops if you want to, but we’re going at your pace.’ He took her hand and she kissed him, a heartbeat away from getting back into bed.
However, he ended the kiss and said, ‘I’ll get dressed and act as lookout for you.’
He threw off the covers and got out of bed completely naked. Lara reluctantly tore her eyes from his body and put her top on while he dressed.
She nodded. ‘I left the light on all night in my hallway. That’s unusual.’
He turned to her. ‘It’s hardly suspicious.’
‘No, but this is such a tiny community. The gossip is terrible.’ She now felt guilty at taking Jazz’s rumour even slightly seriously.
‘I can imagine. It was the same wherever I’ve worked.’
‘Has that been your fault?’ she asked jokingly.
‘Sometimes, maybe. Not as often as I’d have liked … I’m joking, by the way.’
Even the sneaking around – checking that no one was watching – had held a sexy frisson. She’d behaved like a nun for so long, obsessed with being the perfect employee. Rob had made her into a romantic recluse even after she’d begun to get over the broken heart. It was time she took a risk.
From his sitting room, Flynn peered round his curtains. ‘Coast is clear, though it’s so dark out there I’m halfguessing. It’s icy too, so be careful or there really will be a drama to explain.’
‘I’ll be careful.’ She joined him by the front door for one final lingering kiss before he opened the door just enough for her slip out, hiding behind it himself.
