by Karen King
‘Okay, Joel?’
It was Ryan. ‘We’re over in the far corner if you want to join us. Me and Jay are getting the drinks. What you having?’
He was tempted to say that he’d get his own, not really wanting to get into a round as he only wanted a couple of drinks, but it sounded churlish so he said, ‘I’ll have a shandy, thanks. Want me to help you both take the drinks over?’
‘We’re good. You carry on over to the table.’
There was such a crowd by the bar, it took him a while to inch through and spot the table where Lexi, Sonia and Nell were sitting. Lexi had her back to him and was wearing a peacock-blue backless top or dress that exposed an enticing amount of creamy skin. Nice. Then she stood up and turned around and he did a double take as he saw that it was a figure-hugging dress – the bodice plunged into a deep V that hinted at even more creamy skin, then the fabric nipped in at her slender waist, before flowing over her hips. As she stepped away from the table, he saw that the dress had a split on the left side that went almost up to her hips – and wow, she had long legs. He couldn’t take his eyes off her as she leant over to talk to Nell. Then Nell spotted him and waved, and Lexi turned, too. Their eyes met and their gaze held for a second, he tried to steady his heartbeat as Lexi’s bright-red lips formed a smile, and she waved cheerily at him, before walking away, over to the Ladies.
‘You all right, mate?’ Ryan and Jay were standing by him, each holding a tray of drinks.
Joel pulled himself together. ‘Bit crowded, isn’t it?’ He looked at the two trays. ‘Stocking up?’
‘Thought it best to get two rounds in. It’s manic at the bar,’ Jay told him.
They all walked over to the table, and both women greeted him with a smile and a ‘Hi, Joel!’ then Jay and Ryan sat opposite Sonia and Nell, leaving the empty seat next to Lexi for him. Feeling a little awkward, as if he was interrupting a family get-together, he sat down.
‘I hear you’re all off tomorrow,’ he said, then added, ‘Thanks,’ as Ryan placed his drinks in front of him.
‘Yeah, we’ve got work,’ Ryan said.
‘And we’re going travelling a bit. I want to show Sonia some more of England before we go back to Canada,’ Jay told him.
‘Lexi’s going home, too. Our folks won’t know what to do with themselves after having us all around for a couple of weeks,’ added Ryan.
‘I should think they have plenty to do with work – and your gran keeps them on their toes,’ Nell said.
As he chatted to them, Joel’s senses were on high alert, waiting for Lexi to come back. Then a wave of heady perfume wafted over, and he looked up, and she was there, looking absolutely stunning with those dark-lashed eyes and ruby-red lips – and that sensational dress . . .
‘Hi, Joel.’ She pulled out the chair next to him and sat down, her leg so close to his that it was all he could do not to reach out and stroke it.
Bloody hell, Joel, get a grip. Anyone would think you were a hormone-riddled teenager!
‘How’s Sweetie?’ Lexi asked, and Joel realised that he hadn’t returned her greeting.
‘She was fast asleep when I left her,’ he said.
Suddenly, the microphone crackled. ‘Testing. Testing. Can you all hear me?’ the man called.
‘Yes!’ a chorus of shouts told him.
‘Who are they?’ Joel asked, pointing at the musicians.
‘No idea. They must be local. Good to have a bit of entertainment, isn’t it?’ Lexi replied.
The man picked up his guitar and the woman stepped forward, holding a mike, and they broke into song.
Joel picked up his shandy and took a long sip. This was going to be an enjoyable evening.
Lexi glanced at her brothers and their partners sitting around the table, and at Joel sitting next to her, and thought how happy she was. And how glad she was that she hadn’t gone back home earlier. It was good to see New Year in with her family. And Joel.
She didn’t know whether it was because Joel looked so different in that opened-necked shirt and tight jeans, with his hair gelled up like that, or whether it was the party atmosphere, with everyone joining in with the singers, or the knowledge that she was going home tomorrow, that made her so acutely aware of him. She could smell the tang of his aftershave, feel his leg briefly touching hers whenever he moved, sending tingles up her spine. His hand had briefly brushed against hers when he’d reached for his glass, and a shiver had run through her. Maybe she’d better watch how much she had to drink tonight, she didn’t want to make a fool of herself.
‘This reminds me of when we were younger and all used to gather here for New Year’s Eve,’ Ryan said. ‘Do you remember that time when the singer called you up to do a duet with him, Lexi?’
‘As if I’d ever forget!’ Lexi said.
‘Can you sing?’ Sonia asked.
‘Haven’t got a tune in my head,’ Lexi admitted, laughing. ‘I think he regretted it as soon as I opened my mouth!’
Old friends came over to reintroduce themselves, and everyone moved up to make room for them. Soon there were more and more people around the table, all joining in with the singers. It was a fun atmosphere.
The nearer to midnight it got, the more packed the pub became, with people piling in for the final hour. Finally, the landlord rang the bell. ‘Get ready for the countdown!’ he shouted.
‘Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one! Happy New Year!’
Everyone was standing up now, cheering, shaking hands, kissing each other.
Lexi was caught up in the elation of it all. ‘Happy New Year! Happy New Year!’
Then she felt an arm go around her and Joel was whispering, ‘Happy New Year!’ as he wrapped her in his arms. She snuggled into the warmth of his body, turning her face towards him, then his lips found hers and a tremble coursed through her as his kiss deepened, and she returned it, revelled in it, in the feel of his body close to hers.
‘Want to come back to mine?’ he asked.
She nodded, knowing that there was nothing she wanted more.
Chapter Thirty-seven
Sweetie was fast asleep in her basket when they walked in. She opened her eyes, wagged her tail at them both, then went straight back to sleep.
‘She looks like she’s happy to sleep down here,’ Lexi remarked.
‘Yep, I get the bed to myself at last.’ Joel turned to Lexi and wound his arms around her waist. ‘Except tonight, I would very much like you to share it with me.’
She wrapped her arms around his neck. ‘I would very much like that, too.’
Hand in hand they went upstairs. Joel opened the bedroom door, his hand still holding Lexi’s, and closed it behind them as soon as they were inside. He turned and pulled her gently into his arms, his lips seeking hers. Then he trailed butterfly kisses down her neck, and her shoulders, his fingers undoing the clasp at the back of her neck so that the top of her dress fell down, exposing her breasts. Joel groaned and cupped them in his hands. ‘You’re beautiful,’ he murmured, thickly.
Lexi’s breath quickened, her desire rising. She tugged his shirt out of his trousers and ran her hands up his back, pulling his body closer to her. She heard Joel draw in his breath, then he raised his head, his eyes seeking hers. ‘Are you sure about this?’
‘Absolutely sure,’ she said, unbuttoning his shirt.
They undressed each other wildly, leaving their clothes in a heap on the carpet, and still kissing, caressing, touching, they sank to the floor and then Joel was on top of her, and inside her, and it was just as wonderful as she had dreamt it would be.
They reached a crescendo together, then lay in each other’s arms for a while, before moving to the bed and doing it all over again. And again. Finally, exhausted, they fell into a deep sleep. Lexi woke at dawn, conscious of someone’s arm around her waist. It took her a couple of seconds to remember that she’d gone to bed with Joel, he was spooned against her, snoring very softly, and it felt so right. She lay there, revel
ling in the nearness of him.
This is exactly where I want to be.
She registered the truth in her thought, then fell back asleep and only woke up when Sweetie yapped outside the door, wanting to go outside for a wee. Light was streaming into the room. Lexi glanced at the clock. Almost ten.
‘Do you have time to stay for breakfast?’ Joel asked, noticing her glance at the clock and knowing that her brothers were both leaving today. And she was meant to be too.
‘I do. And thank you, that would be very nice.’
‘Coffee and croissants?’
‘Perfect.’
He leant over and kissed her tenderly. ‘You stay here and I’ll bring it up in just a few minutes.’
‘Thank you.’ She wound her arms around his neck and kissed him.
When he’d left the room, she lay there for a moment reliving the previous night’s events. She could hardly believe that she’d come back with Joel, but it was what they had both wanted. And now her body was tingling with the effects of their lovemaking. She felt her cheeks glow as she recalled just how adventurous they had been.
She jumped out of bed to go to the bathroom, and decided to have a quick shower while she was there. Afterwards, wrapped in a towel, she stepped back into the bedroom, just as Joel opened the door, carrying breakfast on a tray.
‘That looks delicious, thank you,’ she said, sitting down on the bed and looking hungrily at the two croissants and the milky coffee. A small pot of jam, butter, a spoon and a knife were on the tray, too.
‘I’ve warmed them up for you,’ he said, sitting down beside her.
‘Perfect.’ She spread the warm croissant with butter, then jam, and bit into it. It was delicious. Joel took the other croissant and tucked into that. They both ate in companionable silence for a while.
When breakfast was finally finished, Lexi suddenly felt awkward. She was going home in a few hours, and hadn’t planned for this new development with Joel. Not that she regretted sleeping with him, it had been fantastic, but where did that leave them now? Was it just a one-off as far as he was concerned, a sort of ‘Goodbye’, or did it mean something more? Because it certainly meant something more to her.
‘Any regrets?’ said Joel.
She raised her eyes to his.
‘None at all,’ she said truthfully. ‘What about you?’
‘Absolutely none.’ He reached out and took her hand. ‘What time are you planning on going home?’
‘About two,’ she said.
‘Then I’d better say goodbye properly,’ he said, leaning forward and kissing her on the nose. Then the lips. And somehow, her towel had slipped down, and he was kissing her breasts, then his mouth moved lower . . .
It was much later when she had another shower, then dressed and went home to say goodbye to her family.
Her brothers were all packed and ready to go.
‘We were just going to text you, we decided to leave earlier,’ Ryan said.
‘Sorry, I . . . err . . . overslept,’ she stammered.
‘Or maybe never slept,’ Nell said with a grin.
Lexi grinned back, glad her parents weren’t in the room to hear that remark, although, she was sure they had guessed where she was last night.
The door opened and her mum came out of the kitchen. ‘Oh, hello, Lexi. Did you have a good night last night?’
Nell sniggered and Lexi gave her a slight kick. ‘It was great, Mum. We all had a good time, didn’t we?’
They all chorused their agreement.
Craig came in then, and Granny Mabe. ‘It’s been so lovely to see you all,’ she said. ‘It’s really made my Christmas.’
‘It certainly has,’ Paula agreed. ‘There’s nothing like a Forde family Christmas.’ Her eyes went a bit teary. ‘And this is the bit I hate the most. Saying goodbye.’
She wiped away a tear as she hugged Jay, Sonia and Toby. ‘Don’t leave it too long before you come again,’ she said.
‘We won’t, we’ll be back over as soon as we can,’ Jay promised, giving his mum a big hug. ‘And remember that you can come and see us too.’ He turned to Lexi. ‘And you. Bring Joel, too.’
‘Are you two . . . ?’ Paula asked, turning to look at Lexi.
‘No, we’re just friends . . .’ Although, last night had changed that for her. Had it for Joel?
‘What about me and Lloyd? Can we come?’ Granny Mabe asked. ‘And before you ask, we’re just friends, too.’
‘You can all come. We’d love to see you and we have plenty of room,’ Sonia told them. ‘We could even put you all up at the same time if someone is happy to sleep on the sofa in the lounge.’
‘We don’t mind doing that, do we, Nell?’ asked Ryan.
‘No problem,’ Nell agreed. ‘Let’s all see if we can go over together.’
It would be lovely to go to Canada, thought Lexi, and doable now she had only herself to think about. She could save up and maybe visit Jay and Sonia later in the year. It would do her good to plan a life without Ben. Maybe she would even move from her flat, too. A new start was what she needed.
Everyone hugged and said goodbye again. Ryan and Nell were going, too.
‘We’ll be back down soon,’ they promised.
‘Make sure you are,’ Paula told them.
‘Look after yourself, sis.’ Ryan gave Lexi a hug. ‘Come and see us, you’re welcome any time.’
‘And don’t let Joel get away, you two are made for each other,’ Nell whispered as she hugged Lexi, too.
There was more hugging and waving and then they were gone.
The house suddenly seemed quiet and empty. Lexi looked at her parents, feeling sorry for them. The house had been so full of life. They must miss everyone already.
‘I could go back tomorrow,’ she told them.
Her mum shook her head. ‘It’s very kind of you, love, but I know you’ve got lessons to prepare for Tuesday. And we’re at work tomorrow. It would be lovely if you could stay another hour or so though.’
‘Of course I will,’ she agreed.
It was two hours later when she packed her things and loaded them in the car, then went to say goodbye to Lloyd, promising to come and say hello when she was next down. He looked so much happier. Rocco had been with his daughter and wife; Lloyd showed her a photo of them all, his face brimming with happiness. ‘Oh gosh, I’m sorry, I said I’d come to meet them,’ she said, clapping her hand to her mouth. ‘Did Joel pop around?’
‘No he didn’t but it doesn’t matter. They didn’t stay long and it was probably best for us to chat together and clear the air. Rocco’s going to pick me up next Sunday and take me over to his for lunch,’ he said. ‘And it’s all thanks to you and Joel. You’ve both given me my family back.’
‘I’m glad.’ She gave him a big hug and promised to drop in and see him when she came down to visit her parents again.
Now it was time to say goodbye to Joel.
She took a deep breath, walked up his path and pressed the bell. Sweetie immediately started barking. As soon as Joel opened the door, the white fur ball ducked around his legs, ran out and jumped up at Lexi.
‘Hello, girl.’ Lexi bent down to stroke her, appreciating the chance to compose herself.
‘Are you leaving now?’ Joel asked.
She took a deep breath, stood up and forced a smile onto her face. ‘Yes. I don’t want to be back too late.’ She stepped forward and kissed him on the cheek. ‘Thank you. For everything. Saving the tree and . . .’ Damn, she was going to cry any minute.
‘So, it’s goodbye, then?’ he said, his eyes still holding hers.
She nodded. ‘I’m heading off now.’ She felt like her heart was aching, she was going to miss him so much.
‘I’ll miss you.’
Her eyes went to his face at his words. Miss her how? As a friend?
‘I’ll miss you, too,’ she admitted.
‘Will it take you long to get home?’ he asked.
‘A couple of hours.’
‘I’m not sure, but I’ll definitely come down for Granny Mabe’s birthday at the end of May.’
‘That’s five whole months away.’
‘I know.’ She swallowed, waiting to see if he would ask her to come and see him, say he didn’t want her to go. That he couldn’t bear to not see her again, that his heart was breaking as hers was. He was staring at her intently, but was silent. Okay, time to go before you make a fool of yourself. It’s clear it was just a one-night stand. ‘Goodbye, Joel.’
She turned and walked quickly down the path.
‘Lexi, come back!’
She wanted to turn around but she didn’t dare. She knew that if she did, she would confess her feelings for him and make a fool of herself. What she felt for Joel was because she was on the rebound. And she was sure it was the same for him. He was recently divorced, and Christmas was such a special time, it was no wonder they’d both drifted towards each other, sought solace in each other’s friendship. It had been a good Christmas. The best Christmas ever. But it was over. Time to go home.
Chapter Thirty-eight
‘Lexi! Please come back!’
She could hear Joel’s footsteps racing after her. She turned to him, blinking back the tears from her eyes.
He moved a little closer. ‘How do you feel about me coming to visit?’
Her heart grew wings. ‘That would be nice.’ Did he mean as a friend? ‘You can bring Sweetie too.’
‘How about next weekend?’
She paused. That soon? Did that mean he was going to miss her as much as she would miss him? ‘Sure.’
Suddenly Sweetie jumped up at her and she fell forward. Joel caught her in his arms, steadied her, and wrapped his arms around her. His face was so close she could feel his breath on her cheek, smell the male scent of him, feel the warmth of his body. She saw the question in his eyes as he held her against him and slowly nodded her head. Then his lips were on hers and they were both lost in a passionate embrace, the kissing getting deeper and deeper, their bodies pressing closer and closer.