Page 48 of Take My Breath Away
He gives me a wink and a lopsided smile, and goes to find his phone, leaving me to collapse back down on the sofa.
When he comes back he sits next to me and opens up the menu. My face isn’t quite so hot and my dick’s calming down as James and I weigh up the choices, but I make sure my sweatshirt’s pulled down as far as I can. James places the orders and I have no idea what’s going to turn up.
Mumbling that I need to go to the loo, I rush off. Ramming the lock home I fall back against the door, breathing hard. I stare down at my crotch. My dick, at last, is behaving itself, so at least that’s one thing sorted as I don’t want to be handling a red curry or whatever it is we’ve ordered when I have something else that’s demanding a handling of its own.
I take a look at my reflection in the mirror over the sink, and groan. My cheeks would make a pickled beetroot look anaemic. Turning on the tap, I let the water run until it’s really cold before I scoop up handfuls and splash it over my face until some of the heat starts to fade.
The food arrives soon after, and we eat in the kitchen, the heart of the house. Piled up in front of us on the blond wood table, this isn’t just a takeaway, it’s a feast, and my stomach rumbles. I’m more hungry than I thought and James laughs.
We’re about to dig in when his phone pings with a text message.
“It’s Elliot, asking about Jasper. The man’s in Paris with his gorgeous fiancé for three days. You think he’d have more on his mind than his farty little dog.” His eyes snap up at me. “Do you think I should tell him I almost lost my life, scrabbling around in a filthy muddy pond because his daft dog decided to run off?” There’s a mischievous tilt to his smile and challenge in his eyes.
“Oh God, no, don’t do that. Just tell him that he’s been a good boy.”
James snorts. “He’d instantly be suspicious and will probably end up telephoning me even though he’s supposed to be getting down and dir— enjoying the cultural activities of one of the world’s great cities. No. I’ll tell him exactly what he expects to hear from me.”
“What have you told him?” I say as I dish the food up for both of us.
“Oh, that we locked Jasper in the cellar to tenderise for a couple of hours, before cooking him with fresh seasonal vegetables. And roast potatoes. And with a good rich gravy.” He says the words casually with a straight face.
“No, you can’t say — that’s—”
“Incredibly evil of me? Cruel and unfeeling? Especially as I know how fond both Elliot and Freddie are of that farting little bugger?”
“He’s notthatfarty.” But he is. James grins as his phone pings a reply.
“‘I would expect nothing less from you, James,”’ he reads out. “‘I hope you enjoy a good burgundy with him, and don’t forget to use toothpicks to remove the fur from between your teeth. It’s very wiry.”’ James barks out a laugh, shaking his head as he turns off his phone. “Lucky sod’s getting a few days away,” he says, as he digs into his food. “I can’t remember the last time I had a break from work. It feels like forever.”
“I know what you mean, I’d love to take a bit of time out.” I fork up some noodles and stare at them. “Have you been to the cottage in Love’s Harbour?” I ask, referring to Elliot and Freddie’s Devonshire hideaway. James is Elliot’s best friend, so of course he has, making my question redundant, I suppose — which is why it’s a shock when he shakes his head. “You really haven’t? It’s a lovely place, it feels like such a haven.”
“He says I can go down there whenever I want but I never seem to have the time, but to be honest a cramped cottage in a Devonshire seaside village isn’t really my idea of a good time. Although it’s very beautiful in that part of the world,” he concedes. “It’s where Jack comes from,” he adds.
Jack, James’ baking friend.
“Really? He doesn’t have a West Country accent.”
James huffs out a short laugh. “Of course he doesn’t. Expensive private schooling tends to see to that. His family’s been in a twee little village called Polton Lacy for centuries, but none of them have a hint of Devonian. I got to know his brother George, first, and then the rest of the family. You’ve been down to the cottage, haven’t you?”
I nod. “Yes, and it isn’t cramped. It’s actually bigger than it looks and also they’ve had the loft extended so there’s plenty of room. You should take up his offer and go down there, especially if you need a short break. All that sea air’s very rejuvenating.”
“Hmm. I get a rash if I move too far from London. Besides, it’d be like staying in self-catering accommodation when full on, five-star luxury is more my thing. And anyway I’d just be going on my own which wouldn’t be much fun.”
His last words surprise me, and I’m sure I see his shoulders sag a little. A man like James could easily find somebody to spend a weekend with him.
Me. I’d spend a weekend with you there…
Some hope of that happening. Whatever my relationship is with James, I’m pretty sure it doesn’t include weekend mini-breaks in cosy cottages.
Aiden, suddenly and vividly, fills my head. Tall, handsome Aiden, who knows way more about James than I ever will. I bite down hard on my noodles as I bite down on my jealousy, harder and way more indigestible.
“I’d jump at the chance to go down there again.” Which is unlikely to happen, as there’s no reason for it now the cottage is all set up.
“Why did you go down?”
“To take deliveries. For furniture, and things like that. I’ve been there three times, all in the first months after they bought the place. I was more than happy to go. I even had Jasper with me on one visit.” I grin at James across the table.
“No drama? No Brillo pad dog getting lost at sea or into fights with the gulls and other locals?” His smile’s broad and his eyes are glittering.
