Page 49 of Take My Breath Away
“Nothing so daring. We went out for local walks. I don’t think Jasper likes the sea very much, but he certainly liked the little morsels of fish and chips I gave him.”
“And these working trips to the cottage, they’re the only breaks you’ve had in recent months?”
I nod. “Me and Grant, we were meant to be going away earlier in the year, but it never happened.” I shrug. James is looking at me and waiting for me to finish. “Out of nowhere, he decided he was going to go away with his footballing friends instead. He was away for two weeks, on a football tour. Or that’s what he told me. I didn’t believe a word of it but by that time it was easier than arguing.”
Since I’ve been living in James’ house I’ve barely thought of Grant. He seems like ancient history and I find I can talk about him and feel nothing. Not even humiliation for the way he treated me. I guess that’s some kind of progress.
“Well, you look like you could do with a few days away if you don’t mind me saying. You certainly look better now than when you first arrived here, but after everything you’ve been through recently some sort of break is in order I would have thought, even if you do like the sound of a clapped out English seaside town.”
“Then it’s clear you really haven’t been to Love’s Harbour. It’s beautiful, and if Elliot offers me the chance to go there again, I’ll grab it with both hands.”
“What, you’d rush down there and leave me to do what? Cook my own dinner?” He says, his lips twitching.
Or you can come with me. We could take walks along the beach and afterward sit in one of many cosy little pubs…But of course I don’t say that. It’s a stupid thought because I have no doubt at all that James is what he says he is, a five-star luxury man.
He’s right, though, about getting away, even if it’s only for a weekend… Maybe I could go and visit my parents and soak up some Spanish sun? Much as I love them, it’s not my idea of a quiet and relaxing getaway, and I put the idea aside.
We finish eating and James makes coffee and we take it through to the living room. Jasper’s snoring quietly on his cushion. The flame in the wood burner has grown smaller but the room is still deliciously warm and the air’s tinged with the slight tang of applewood. We both flop onto the sofa, full to the brim with Thai food.
“I could put the TV on, stream a film, or put some music —”
“Let’s see what’s on. If there’s nothing much —oh fuck.”
Jerking forward, I grab my leg. Out of nowhere, cramp tears down my calf and into my foot, clenching up my toes. The fiery pain’s excruciating and I hiss through my clenched teeth as I try to massage the rock hard muscles. This is a rare but bad attack and I can feel the tears prickling the back of my eyes.
I gasp as James manoeuvres me so my leg’s straight out. He shoves up the loose leg of my track suit bottoms, to my midthigh.
“Cramp, it’s bloody painful. One of the ways of keeping it at bay is to drink plenty of water.”
He digs his thumbs into my calf, and I scream. It’s a high pitched, undignified sound, but I don’t care. In some dim piece of my brain, I’m vaguely aware of Jasper jumping up and joining in with a howl.
“Arrrhhgg, oh fuck, no.” I screw my eyes closed as I try to pull my leg away, but James’ grip is like iron.
“Pain before pleasure. I’m going to massage out the knot. And stop howling. Between you and that bloody animal, it sounds like a badly made werewolf film in here.”
He runs his thumbs hard along the muscle. It’s agony and I can’t even begin to answer him back. I screw my eyes closed even tighter. The pain eases a touch, and my calf muscle begins to soften. I prise my eyes open.
James is on his knees in front of me. His salt and pepper hair, a little longer on the top, has flopped forward over his brow. His lips are set in a grim line as he pushes, squeezes, and kneads into my flesh. He’s resolute and determined, all his concentration on me. I swallow, and he looks up.
The dark green of his eyes is eaten up by the black, dilated pupils. They laser into mine. My breath jerks and I can’t look away. His hands, hot on my leg, have become a soft caress.
“Better?” His voice is rough and ragged.
“Getting there,” I rasp.
“The arch of your foot’s still hard. Needs some attention.” He drifts a finger across the knotted muscle.
I jump as pain flares through the arch.
James tilts his head to the side. “Give me a chance to make everything better for you, Perry.” His voice is deep and seductive, little more than a purr.
Make everything better… Oh, God, yes please…
James smiles and shifts up to the sofa, easing my leg across his lap. The cramp has drained from my calf, and settled into my foot.
“Pressure points,” he says, as he works his thumbs over the hard ridge of my arch.
I hiss, but almost immediately the burn begins to ease. James’ hands are skilled and talented, but I never ever thought it would be otherwise.
