Page 36 of A Festive Surprise

Chapter Eleven

Farid

Farid held his hand on Holly’s, drowning in her twinkling eyes. All night he’d held her, restraining every urge in his body. His insides ached to kiss her and pour everything into that moment. He surfaced with a ragged gasp. How to classify or make sense of the raw emotion burning like acid in his gut? Should he just act… now?

‘Will you walk with me?’ he said. ‘To the beach.’

Holly raised her hand to her mouth, flapped away a yawn and nodded. ‘I might need a nap.’

‘Sure. Let’s clear up and chill first.’

‘I guess a walk later will blow away the cobwebs.’

‘Is that a Christmas spider story?’

Her lips curled into an irresistible smile. ‘No, just a silly phrase.’

They tidied and washed up together, then flopped onto the sofa. Farid leaned back his head and closed his eyes. Three seconds hadn’t passed when Holly rested on his shoulder. He leaned the side of his face flat against her soft hair. His pulse drummed an even beat in his eardrum, a little faster than usual, but steady enough to make him drowsy. He’d learned to sleep anywhere and anytime. Months in less comfortable places than this had taught him. This was a heavenly gift; the joy of sleeping beside a beautiful woman.

∞∞∞

A fluttering movement close to his cheek stirred him. Farid opened his eyes, twitching his eyelids to adjust to the light.

‘Ow. I’ve cricked my neck.’ Holly straightened up, rolling her shoulder. ‘What time is it?’

Farid checked his phone. ‘Half ten.’

‘Well, we’ve caught up a bit.’ She clapped his knee. ‘Shall we go for that walk?’

‘Ay, na’am. Let’s do it,’ he said, though part of him would like to stay right here. He pulled on his coat and wrapped his scarf tight around his neck, up to his chin. ‘The beach is always so windy.’ Chill air nipped his cheeks. Holly closed the door and he clapped and stamped. His circulation had ground to a halt. Holly slipped her gloved hand into his. He glanced at it then at her face.

‘We’re dating, remember? Holding hands is acceptable.’

‘It is for you anyway. Not so much where I come from. I’m sorry if I am slow. I don’t know the rules and I don’t want to be too strong or too… ya’ni… pushy.’

She squeezed his fingers. ‘Rules are made to be broken, Farid. We don’t have to play by anyone’s rules. We can make up our own, ones that are right for us.’

‘Ok, let’s do that. You make the rules, I’ll play the game.’

‘Sounds good to me.’ She waggled her eyebrows. ‘Remember what happened the last time we played a game?’

‘How could I forget?’ A thrill of nervous excitement coursed through his veins, slapping him with adrenaline. He opened the gate with his free hand and stumbled through it. What game did she have in mind this time?

‘Hang on, let me close it. In case some alien invaders decide to nuke the garden while we’re out,’ she said.

‘And you think they’ll use the gate?’

‘If they have any manners.’

Farid chuckled. ‘You make me laugh, jamilati.’

Hand in hand, they descended the steep slope towards the shore. Twenty-four hours ago, Farid had seen Archie and Georgia doing this. His wish had come true. He’d found someone to hold. His future was uncertain. If he could steal some joy from these moments, he was ready to assume the role of world-class thief.

They slid down the icy embankment at the bottom of the path and onto the sand. Holly ran into Farid and threw her arms around him. His chest swelled with warmth and contentment. He held her, swaying her from side to side. I’m so glad I found you. His hands clamped to her back but he wanted to let them roam and make discoveries. She was new and shiny, and right now, all his.

‘Thank you,’ she said.

‘For what?’

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