***
Humming along to the tune someone was playing outside the pub, Faith flung open the front door. Jenna bustled in, her arms weighed down with piles of Christmas presents and huge bags. ‘Morning, Jenna. Don’t you just love that music?’
Her friend frowned and smiled at the same time, then gave her a full-on grimace. ‘Er, Faith, it’s a Christmas Carol.’
Was it? Faith rushed to help take some of the gift weight while straining to hear the music. ‘No. No way. I hate Christmas music.’
‘I know. And it’s a violin. You hate buskers with violins too.’
‘Do I?’ Did she? Yes, she did. So why did it seem so nice today?
Jenna peered closer at her face. ‘Man, sex has had one hell of an effect on you.’
Her cheeks burnt and she examined herself in the mirror over the bar. Dark purple rings under her eyes. Slight red tinge to her chin—kissing rash. But her eyes were bright and she felt fabulous despite three hours sleep. Fabulous physically, at least. Emotionally she was all over the place. ‘Who said I’d had sex?’
‘You don’t have to say a single word. I just know.’
‘You’re getting as bad as Mrs Singh with your weird mind-reading stuff.’
‘Honey, it’s written all over your face, I don’t need to be a mind reader. In fact, I really, really do not want to be in your head right now thinking about what you did all night long. Good times, though?’
‘The best.’ Twice. She’d woken up in his arms. Then they had a shared shower where she’d lathered him up and…now it was her nerves that were all in a lather. Because all she was doing was allowing herself to get more connected with him and she knew where that would get her: heartbroken. Right. Time to banish him from her thoughts while she focused on the party.
‘Let’s take these over to the grotto.’ She took a deep breath to prepare herself for the onslaught of emotions that assailed her whenever she looked at that end of her pub these last few days. Because still the panic was there. She doubted it’d ever truly go, despite Blake wanting to give her delicious new memories. The old ones still lingered at the edges.
Jenna followed her through the partition into the function room. ‘Oh, wow. That’s amazing. It’s beautiful. It’s magical, Faith. I can’t believe what you’ve done.’
Neither could she. Sex with the neighbour. Sex with her business rival, who wasn’t a rival after all and happened to be very, very good in bed. And at listening. And making her laugh. ‘Blake and his family did it. All I did was help him screw it together.’
‘And the sex. Obviously.’
Could they please stop talking about this? ‘I—’
‘Momma!’ She was saved by Jenna’s adorable just-turned four-year-old daughter, who came to a screeching halt at her mother’s knee. ‘Wow. Christmas presents.’
‘Yes, for all the children, Evie, if they’re good. Hello, gorgeous girl. Nick, you made it. I thought you might be held up at dance class, I know how they always run over time.’ Jenna’s face had lit up seeing her daughter, but also for the man who followed in the little girl’s wake. She gave them both a kiss and curled into Nick’s arm, so damned happy it made Faith’s heart contract. If Jenna could let go of her demons and allow herself to fall in love, then why couldn’t she? ‘Look at this, Evie. Faith said we can have a party here instead of at the nursery, and I think she might have a special friend coming.’
Faith’s back stiffened. ‘Oh, Jenna. No. Please.’
It really wasn’t appropriate to go public about last night. But her friend laughed. ‘I was talking about Father Christmas.’
Faith breathed out hard. ‘Oh, yes. Of course you were. He’ll be here a bit later.’ Actually, she had no idea who the poor sap in the hot suit was going to be. She whispered to Faith, ‘And it’ll be…who?’
‘One of the nursery teacher’s husbands. He does it every year apparently. Oh, look, everyone’s starting to arrive now.’ A little crowd of chattering mums and highly excited pre-schoolers pushed their way into the pub, all waving and smiling and laughing, then oohing and aaahing at the grotto and decorations. With the addition of the presents and some fake snow Faith had sprinkled over pretty much everything early this morning, she had to admit it did look pretty special. Even to her jaded eyes.
A sharp heat suffused her chest. Whatever the hell else she’d done, she’d made these kids happy. ‘I’ll go make sure the food is ready. Geri’s done a lot of it, but Vaughn’s popping down later with his own special recipe rum cake for the adults.’
‘Rum cake? Sounds perfect.’ Nick winked. ‘I think I’m going to need something strong to help me get through this.’
‘You and me both.’
Only a few months ago he’d been a single guy freshly out of the army, not looking for anything but a quiet life. And here he was, engaged to Jenna, with a little girl he was planning to adopt, and an extended family of lovely women who made a fuss of him.
Life could change in an instant.
Not always for the better, she reminded herself.
A tall man appeared at the doorway wearing a long black coat and carrying a large wooden box. ‘Is this the right place for Portobello Daycare party? I’m Mr Woo, the magician.’
For magicking all her thoughts and fears away? ‘Sure. Come on in. Seems everyone’s arriving at once.’
And for the next two hours she couldn’t think about anything else apart from balloon animals and glitter and ho ho ho. Father Christmas seemed entirely comfortable sitting in a large, high-backed, studded chair outside the grotto, sipping mulled wine, and the children were just about flagging after all the excitement of the magician, the presents and food.
By the time the party was almost over Faith was flagging a little too. Little sleep and lots of unusual physical activity had made her weary.
She was chatting to Chloe about Saskia’s new clients—some of the local rugby team, who had caused a bit of a stir with the other yoga regulars, making Saskia’s classes most definitely the hot yoga kind—when suddenly the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. Her skin goosebumped and her insides instinctively contracted. He was here. She didn’t even need to turn round to see him.
But she did. How would he react? How should she react? Gah, it was all so complicated.
But he smiled and her heart rate sped up and then slowed, which was weird. He, on the other hand, seemed entirely relaxed. ‘I hope you don’t mind, but I brought Daisy and Freddie over to see Father Christmas. They want a picture of him and the grotto.’
Chloe jumped up. ‘Of course, Faith said you might. Come over. Here, take my seat.’
Which was next to Faith. She jumped up too, because how to act? Should she do the friendly kiss on each cheek thing? Snog him senseless? In the end she just dodged out of his way. ‘I’ll grab you a drink. Beer? Wine?’
‘Beer. I’ll give you a hand.’
‘I can manage.’ She gestured to him to stay where he was. Space. Distance. That was what they needed after last night’s intensity. What she needed, anyway.
But he followed her over and it took all her strength not to press against him and kiss him. He nodded towards the party. ‘How are you holding up?’
‘I’m fine, thanks.’ She feigned normalcy. Not too formal, not too casual. ‘You?’
‘Me? I’m great, but then I don’t hate this time of year.’ He leaned on the bar and just one look into those eyes had all her resolve to finish things, before they got any deeper, melting away. ‘Faith, I was talking about the music and the glitter and the hype. You know…your Christmas allergy. How’re you coping?’
Oh, so he wasn’t asking about her confused state regarding sex with a gorgeous man. ‘Oh, yes. I’m okay, thanks. It still takes my breath away when I look over there, as if I’m going to see…’ No. She wasn’t going to talk about Gramps. ‘Hey, the grotto was a real hit.’
‘Good. And I see the magician is using our table.’ Blake’s mouth twitched and he looked over to the
table he’d laid her back on last night and kissed her into a stupor.
Didn’t matter how hard she tried to stop it, heat spread through her bones, her cells, and pooled deep.
‘Blake—’
‘You look too serious. Whatever it is, if it’s going to be bad, don’t say it, okay?’ He caught her gaze. The warmth was still there, and heat. Friendship and desire, a perfect combination. ‘I had a good time last night and…this morning. I want to do it again. What time is this party over?’
She walked to the far end of the bar so they could talk unheard by her friends. ‘I don’t know. Five? Six? Some may stay on a bit longer. I’m working all evening.’
He nodded. ‘So I’ll be over at our usual time, then? Closing time work?’
More? She tried to tell her hopeful heart to slow back down again as she summoned the courage to put a stop to this. Before she fell for him too hard. ‘Blake. Listen, I’m not expecting anything more, honestly. It was just a hook-up.’
‘No it wasn’t. You know as well as I do it was more than that. But, for the sake of argument, if it was just a hook-up, where’s the harm in another one?’ He shook his head. Determined. Stubborn. And she could see why he’d become a successful businessman. He wouldn’t back down if he believed in something. He would have worked hard to try to save his marriage, because he wouldn’t have liked to have failed that. Failed Stacey. Failed his own values and commitment. Carefully, checking no one else could see, he put his hand over hers. ‘What did you think was going to happen between me leaving at nine o’clock and coming back at four? That I’d change my mind?’
‘People do. All the time.’ Inhaling deeply, she tried to say words she didn’t want to believe, but that had to be said. ‘Seriously, Blake, maybe we shouldn’t do this.’
He frowned. ‘Give me one good reason why not.’
‘Because I’m not—’
‘Good at relationships?’ he cut in. ‘You’re going to have to find another excuse. Because I’m tired of hearing that when it’s simply not true.’
‘Faith, can you come to our nativity play at school?’ Daisy was suddenly at his hip as relief flooded through Faith. Second time a child had saved her today. She wished she could relax into this thing with Blake, so much.
But at the mention of that school her stomach tightened. ‘Er, no, sweetheart, I can’t. I have to work all week. I’m so sorry, Daisy. I know you’ll both be brilliant.’
‘You’re going to miss ice cream.’ Daisy blinked those large Delacourte eyes and Faith could see why both father and uncle doted on her.
But even so, she wasn’t going to that school. ‘Oh? That’s a real shame.’
Blake patted the little girl’s head. ‘Maybe we can take Faith out for ice cream another night?’
Thank you. ‘Yes. And get Uncle Blake to video your starring role so I can watch it later.’
That seemed to satisfy his niece and next minute she was back with Freddie, who was all smiles despite his arm still being in a small bandage, at the Christmas tree discussing proper bauble placement.
Blake’s hand was still covertly over hers, warm and steady. And she wished the whole world would simply leave them alone so she could be honest with him. That she didn’t have this weight in her chest as he smiled again. ‘Hey, thanks for being so kind to Daze.’
‘I didn’t want her to think I didn’t want to see her.’
‘Too much festivity for one year?’
Memories of the playground, freezing wet feet, stinging cheeks, bombarded her. No, she was not going back there again. ‘Something like that.’
‘I thought so.’ He winked. ‘I’ll see you later. Our usual time.’
‘Do I get a say?’
‘That depends on your answer. But before you do, remember this—I know you’re scared. I know you tell yourself you’re not good at relationships, but look at her…she loves you. Look at them…they’re all exhausted and happy because of you. Stop telling yourself lies just to hide behind, Faith Langley. Now, I’ll see you later.’
What the heck to say to that? ‘I—er…okay.’
Chapter 10
It was just about closing time and she’d managed to get everyone out and the place cleaned up. Now Faith was standing at the bar pretending to work, waiting like a smitten teenager while her tummy jumped and her heart tripped.
He’d been right; she was scared. Scared as hell. She’d used excuses to put barriers between herself and him, but maybe she could try to relax them a little. Be the brave and bold woman Gramps thought she could be. She was a grown-up. Sex was fun. Hell, she’d had lots of sex before. She could do fun. Where was the problem?
Then the door opened and Blake was there. He was smiling. Wearing far too many clothes for what he’d come for. A coat, for one. Scarf. Still, it would make undressing him fun. He’d promised her slow. And fast. And, as he’d left this morning, he’d said she could choose which.
But there was the problem, right there; the soft ache under her ribcage that made her think what they had was more than just sex. And the scary feeling fluttered back to life in her gut.
He shook flakes of snow from his head as he walked to her. ‘Coast is clear?’
‘Yes.’ Bold and brave, she wrapped her arms round his neck and kissed him. As if this was the kind of thing she did every day. ‘You want to come up to the flat?’
He shook his head. ‘Later. Definitely later. We’re going out first. Get your coat. That one with the fur hood.’
He wasn’t making sense. ‘Coat? I thought you wanted to…you know.’
‘To see you. To spend time with you.’ His scent wrapped around her. ‘Not just in bed. Come on. It’s snowing, let’s go out.’
‘Where to? It’s the middle of the night.’
‘All the more reason to get going before it closes. Come on.’ He reached for her hand and tugged her closer. Pressed cool lips against her fevered cheek. ‘Let’s go out and play.’
‘Wait. Is this a date?’ Before what closes?
‘It’s whatever you want to call it. I know last night was intense and you were freaked by it. So we’ll take it at your pace. Come on. Are you up for an adventure?’
An adventure that didn’t involve the kind of intense intimacy that had her breathless but so confused? Laughter bubbled up in her throat. ‘Okay. Yes. Let’s go.’
He drove slowly through the snowy back streets and pulled up in Park Lane behind a very fancy hotel. Then he slipped out of the car and darted round to open her door. ‘Your chariot awaits, madame.’
All she could see were bicycles racked up along the pavement. ‘Cycle? In the snow? Wouldn’t a horse-drawn carriage be nicer? All rugged up under a blanket?’
‘Faith, it’s the twenty-first century. Cycling’s the way to go. No better way to see the sights. It’s safe and fun. I promise.’ After unlocking two bikes he handed her gloves. ‘Pop these on to keep you warm.’
Snow fell in little wisps over her hair and shoulders. He tugged her hood up and kissed her, those cool lips giving her a delicious thrill. ‘You okay with this?’
‘Absolutely.’ The cold would dampen her out-of-control raging hormones.
They biked side by side along quiet but bright city streets, then through iron gates into Hyde Park. Blake nodded towards a sign. ‘It closes soon so we need to get across the park to other gate.’
‘We’re cycling through the park in the dark? Are you mad?’
But if it was some kind of madness, she wanted more of it. Lit by a lustrous moon, the park was bright and ethereal, as if the whole place had been touched by silver glitter. Tree branches hung heavy with snow, the grass a carpet of white. The only sound was the crunch of tyres on snowy gravel and their chatter, laughter, then silence. The kind of easy silence two people who knew each other well fell into.
The park, usually teeming with people by day, was like a delicious secret, theirs alone. They could have been in Switzerland or Austria, not in the middle of one of the busiest cit
ies in the world. They could have been the only people on Earth.
For once, Faith didn’t need to jump in and fill the gap. She let the quiet fill her body and her head. She wanted to look at the beauty of it all, to breathe in the elemental scent of snow, to hear the silence and see the park clothed in winter.
As they reached the Serpentine lake he braked to a halt, dismounted and leaned his bike against a tree. The long stretch of water in front of them was alight with sparkles yet completely still. Nothing moved. Nothing at all. The exquisiteness of it all stalled the breath in her lungs.
‘Cold?’ He handed her a silver hip flask, his breath forming soft clouds as he spoke. ‘This will heat you up.’
She wasn’t cold but she took the flask. ‘What is it?’
‘Brandy.’
‘Are you allowed to be drunk in charge of a bike?’
He rolled his eyes. ‘It’s one mouthful.’
She took a sip, then another, and the heat of the liquid warmed her through. That and Blake’s arm around her shoulder. She hugged against him and looked across the park. Everything felt cleansed and new and fresh.
And so did she.
Her heart kicked. Cold air filled her lungs and she felt so alive. This was her city and she’d never seen it like this. Never opened her eyes to what was here.
Blake tipped his head towards hers. ‘Lost in thought?’
‘Just thinking about how we get so tied up in our lives we miss seeing what’s in front of our noses.’
‘I see you.’ He pressed her against the tree trunk, running cold fingers over her lips and looking at her with eyes that burnt with need. ‘You are so beautiful, you know that?’
‘I did not know,’ was all she managed to say before his mouth was on hers, slow and seductive. His tongue slipped into her mouth, sending shivers of desire coursing through her. She moved against him, feeling his hardness against her thigh. How much he wanted her.
Something Beginning With Mistletoe (Something Borrowed Book 3) Page 12