Picnics in Hyde Park
Page 26
‘Call me if you need anything,’ Rayne whispered in her ear as they hugged, breath sweet with alcohol, ‘and be careful.’
‘Huh?’ Zoe pulled back.
Rayne fluttered her eyelashes and patted Zoe’s cheek. ‘You know what I mean.’ Her eyes flickered to Matt, who was shaking Adam’s hand.
‘Whatever,’ Zoe tutted. ‘Night, Rayne. Adam,’ she wrapped her arms around him and squeezed, ‘it’s been lovely seeing you again.’
‘Not quite like the uni days,’ he grinned, ‘but pretty close, huh? I remember the night with the trolleys…’
Zoe chuckled, before yawning again. ‘Let’s have that conversation another night.’
‘Fair enough,’ he released her and stepped back. ‘Come on, you,’ he turned to Rayne, ‘let’s get some fresh air and walk down to Hyde Park Corner to get a cab.’
She grabbed his arm, snuggling into his side, ‘Good idea, lover.’
Their departure caused a flurry of activity and Zoe and Matt were soon waving everyone off, agreeing they’d do it again sometime.
Leo leaned back against the front door waiting while Georgiana and Matt said their goodbyes on the gravel driveway. He looked at Zoe, who was standing next to him on the top step. ‘Was I out of line earlier?’
‘Probably,’ she said in a light tone, studying his face, ‘but don’t worry about it. It’s done now and I bear no grudges.’
He smiled, ‘You’re cool. I like you, Zoe.’
‘Why thank you, kind sir,’ she did a mock curtsy but the effect was ruined when she tripped over her own feet and ended up clutching his arm for balance. ‘I did not mean to do that.’
Shaking his head, he laughed. ‘Not very elegant.’
‘Everything okay?’ Matt appeared next to them, a mild frown on his face as he took in Zoe’s hand on Leo’s arm.
‘Fine. I nearly fell over,’ she hiccupped, transferring her hand to Matt’s forearm, ‘I’m happy for you to prop me up instead.’
Matt’s expression eased, ‘No problem. Night, Leo.’
‘Night, Matt. See you soon. Zoe,’ he nodded, walking backwards down the stairs to join his girlfriend. Putting his arm around her waist, they wandered off, heads together as they talked, Georgiana limping slightly.
Matt escorted Zoe inside, locking the front door behind them. ‘Have fun?’
‘Yes,’ she nodded solemnly, ‘but I have a horrible feeling I’m going to pay for it in the morning.’
‘Well, at least the kids aren’t here first thing,’ he said, ‘we have the house to ourselves.’
‘Yes.’ Her mouth dried up as they stood in the shadows at the bottom of the stairs.
‘What did you think of Leo?’ Matt asked suddenly.
‘He’s a nice guy. A bit blunt, but nice.’
‘It looked like he was flirting with you.’ Shoving his hands in his pockets.
‘What? Don’t be silly!’ She let out a disbelieving laugh. ‘He absolutely adores your cousin. I can’t imagine him doing that to her. We were just being friendly, there’s nothing between us. If anything, he was encouraging me—’
‘What?’
‘Nothing,’ she licked her lips.
‘What was he encouraging, Zoe?’ His voice was low.
‘It doesn’t matter.’
Matt took a step forward, hands sliding from his pockets. ‘It does. Tell me.’
‘No, it doesn’t, because it’s something you’ve already decided can’t happen.’ The remark slipped out, the wine fogging her common sense.
‘Something—? Oh. Us?’ Stepping nearer, he caged her in against the wall with his arms, body aligned to hers, green eyes starting to simmer.
‘There is no us,’ she breathed, gulping as she felt the heat of his skin. He was so big and strong and gorgeous, it was torture being this close to him and knowing she shouldn’t get any closer.
‘Maybe I was wrong. Maybe there is.’ His eyes gleamed and he shifted nearer, dipping his head towards hers.
She groaned. ‘You’re drunk, Matt.’
‘So?’ Leaning in, he kissed her gently, sliding his tongue across her bottom lip and then nibbling it with his white, even teeth.
Sighing, she tilted her head back and opened her mouth, inviting him in. With a sound at the back of his throat, his kiss deepened, their tongues tangling. Their hands grabbed at each other and her fingers dug into his bum to haul his hips in against hers.
He jerked away, panting. ‘Jesus, Zoe.’
‘You’ll regret it in the morning,’ she whispered, staring at his mouth, watching it getting ready to form more words that were totally irrelevant because all she was listening to was what her body was telling her, which was to rip his clothes off and sink into him. Let him fill her, hold her and take her. Now. Hotly and desperately. Nothing else mattered. Her reasons for being here, her dishonesty, her need to tell him who she was and what she’d come to do, all faded. She was sick and tired of fighting the sexual spark between them. Tired of fighting her feelings for him. Tired of fighting herself. It was exhausting.
‘I want you, Zoe. More than you can know,’ he said hoarsely. ‘And I’m pleasantly drunk, not hammered. So what if I regret it in the morning? All I care about is now.’
His comment was like a vat of iced water being tipped over her. If he’d have said he wouldn’t regret it, that they could find a way to make things work, then she’d have launched herself at him again, kissed him until he begged her to stop. But he was agreeing he would regret it, and things were bad enough without adding extra dollops of guilt and shame to the mix.
‘Then, goodnight.’ With curled fists she slid out sideways from beneath his arms, and sprinted up the stairs as if the Ripper was on her heels along a cobbled London street.
‘Zoe, wait,’ Matt called after her.
But she ignored his words and flew up the two spiral staircases, not stopping until she’d slammed into her bedroom and was resting up against the door. Don’t think about his kisses, don’t think about his kisses, she commanded herself tipsily. So of course she thought about his kisses. Her hands fisted again and her heart pounded in her chest, lust scorching her face as she recalled how devastating and sexy those stolen moments had been.
Kicking off her sandals she flung them into a corner and wrenched the green dress over her head. Maybe a cold shower would help. It was what guys did when they were frustrated. God, was she frustrated. They had been so close, so close to…Yes, a cold shower. It might be the only alternative to going downstairs, pinning her boss down on the floor, peeling his clothes off and riding him until—
‘Shit!’ She was losing her mind. The sooner she could get into the shower the better. The sooner she could get out of this house the better. Turning as a knock sounded on the door, her mouth opened, ‘Wai—’ but the handle turned and Matt strode in before she could finish. Her hands flew up to cover her cleavage and she took a step backwards, the back of her knees hitting the bed. ‘Matt, you’re supposed to wait after knocking before coming in.’
‘You’re in your underwear,’ he said stupidly, blinking as he took in her pale, creamy curves in the black strapless bra and shortie knickers.
‘That’s what happens when you take your clothes off,’ she said breathlessly, rational thought fleeing at the way he was gazing at her so blatantly, so appreciatively, so hungrily. It had made her feel amazing and indescribably sexy, as if she was the most beautiful woman in the world. It was a heady feeling, but it was less about her ego and more about it feeling like he wanted her as much as she wanted him. It also put a serious dent in her willpower, making it that much harder to resist the overpowering urge to give into the magnetizing chemistry between them. Their gazes clashed. Hot sexual awareness flashed between them, his eyes darkening, reading the message in hers. Her mouth went dry, her lips parted slightly and the oxygen in her lungs hitched.
He kicked the door shut deliberately, and with intent.
‘What are you doing?’ her voice shook.
‘Are you sure?’ she stared up at him.
‘Yes.’ He started running searching, open mouthed kisses down her throat, and she gasped.
She should be scared. Emotionally this was the last thing she needed, it would make things so much more complicated than they already were. But physically, she’d never wanted a guy more. She’d never experienced a sexual curiosity like it, a hunger so strong. It wasn’t fear that had made her voice shake. It was overwhelming excitement and the thought, oh thank God, finally.
His large hot hands swept down her back to her waist, his fingers settling and stroking the silken skin on her spine just above the line of her knickers. Her breath huffed out and her knees went to jelly, her heart pound, pound, pounding in her chest. ‘Oh, Matt,’ she moaned.
He gathered her closer, the muscles in his upper arms flexing and she made a weird squeaking sound as she felt the hard insistent nudge of his erection against her bare stomach. The muscles and nerve endings between her thighs quivered, her knickers dampening with lust. Her mouth dropped open as she tried to inhale, but it didn’t work. She couldn’t breathe properly. She was lost and taking him with her. All the way.
Throwing her arms around his neck she lifted her face to his, seeking his mouth, stealing tiny biting kisses as she rubbed up against him, twisting her hips. The next thing she knew he’d grabbed her around the waist and was throwing her back onto the bed as if she weighed nothing, following her down to lie on top of her. That action was like a spark lighting a firework and suddenly it was fast and frantic, his long muscular legs tangling restlessly with hers, the material of his shorts rubbing deliciously against the bare skin of her legs and feeling deliciously naughty. His hands held her face steady so that he could kiss her hungrily, insistently, his fingers in her hair.
He was so gorgeous, this was so gorgeous and so unbelievably hot, she thought dizzyingly. Arching her back, she tried to get even closer to him. He let go of her jaw to run blistering hands down her waist and over her flat tummy, then grabbed both thighs and wrapped her legs up around his hips so their pelvises aligned.
She rubbed against him as she felt his pulsing erection pressing against the material of her damp knickers, rocking her hips in greedy rhythm so that her clit rubbed along the rigid length of him. Grabbing the hem of his top she pulled it over his head so fast she was surprised that it didn’t give him scorch marks. He drew back, panting slightly, his dark hair ruffled and sticking up in spikes. His dilated pupils were so large she could see only a rim of his green irises.
‘You are so unbelievably sexy. I can’t believe how hot it is between us,’ he said huskily, before wriggling down to peel her bra away and feast on a swollen, hard nipple.
‘Mmm,’ she moaned, squirming and clutching his head to her breasts, encouraging him to suck harder and keep going. It felt like she’d waited forever, a lifetime to get naked with him, be with him. It felt right. Dangerously so. He unhooked her bra and tossed it away, taking her knickers off easily as she wriggled her hips to help him. The sweltering warmth between her thighs grew, her pelvic muscles twitching in eager little jumps, her nipples rubbing deliciously against his hairy chest as he kissed her passionately.
He drew away for a moment to strip off the rest of his clothes and after a rustle of foil while he sorted out protection, his naked body met hers from top to toe. She moaned as his dark head dipped and licked around her nipple before sucking on it in a bold steady beat again, one that had her twisting back and forth and opening her thighs so he could settle between them.
‘Now, Matt. Please. Now.’
He let out a muffled groan but carried on sucking her nipple while he inched his hips away and dropped a hand down between them to press a long finger against her, rubbing back and forth in a steady, relentless rhythm. Staggering heat gathered tighter in her pelvis, tingles shooting through her as he quickened the pace and moved his head from her breasts to her mouth. They were half kissing as she moved her hips demandingly against his hand, erect sensitive nipples pushing against his chest as she urged him on, biting his shoulder and then biting his bottom lip. ‘Faster,’ she breathed, ‘yes, right there, oh God. Don’t stop, Matt.’
‘Like that?’ he asked, tilting his face to look down into hers before gazing down at her body. ‘You are so beautiful, Zoe.’
‘You are too. Kiss me,’ she ordered, tunnelling her hands into his hair and yanking his mouth to hers, ‘kiss me.’
He did as she asked, tongue flicking against hers, hand moving faster and building the heat inside her to fever pitch. Her fingers clenched on his broad shoulders and his thighs trembled against hers in response.
‘Tell me what you want,’ he whispered, nuzzling her ear lobe. ‘Tell me, Zoe. Harder? Faster?’
Nodding in agreement, she rolled her head on the pillow, skin going dewy. ‘Yes. Yes, I’m going to co…’ her voice got strangled in her throat as pulses starting racing outwards from her pelvis to the rest of her body. But it still wasn’t enough. ‘No. I want you inside me,’ she whimpered, ‘quickly, now.’
Pulling his hand away, she locked her legs around his back and jerked her hips up. She felt him prodding at her wet heat and then he was sliding all the way in and they were both groaning with pleasure.
‘Zoe,’ he groaned, sinking his face into her neck and pumping his hips.
Wrapping her arms around his shoulders, she hung on tight as he surged in and out, hard and fast, pounding into her almost roughly. She rocked with him, matching his movements, pleasure making her skin prickle and waves of shimmering warmth shooting through her and she was urging him on, moaning in his ear, telling him how unbelievably good it felt to have him inside her, racing to the finish line with him. Then he was kissing her desperately and the feeling was escalating and she was gasping, shaking and melting with an almost unbearable orgasm, calling his name over and over. Her inner muscles were pulsating and holding him tight and he said her name through gritted teeth and then fell over the edge into hot oblivion with her.
As they lay tangled together afterwards panting, Zoe took a deep, slow breath, waiting for Matt to do a runner. She was sure it was going to happen when he gently disengaged and shuffled to the end of the bed. But after disappearing into the bathroom for a moment, he slid back under the covers and gathered her close, tucking her into his manly, slightly sweaty body. With a satisfied murmur, he kissed her forehead and mumbled goodnight in a low, deep alcohol addled voice.
Her damp face creased in confusion. She wasn’t sure how she felt about what’d happened. It had been mind-blowing and spine-tingling and that was based only on a quick, frantic tumble so who knew what would happen if they did it again taking their time—an explosion probably—but what did it mean? Where did they go from here? Was it just amazing sex or something more? Could they get past her deceit, the unanswered questions about Melody, and his grief for his late wife? Did they even want to?
Screwing her face up, she struggled to think clearly but failed. A day of food, sunshine, endless glasses of wine and incredible, earth-shattering sex swept her towards sleep and even though she fought to stay awake to make sense of it all, with a murmur that echoed Matt’s she snuggled into him and drifted away.
When she woke up in the morning with a pounding head, he was gone. Sitting up and clutching the covers around her, she swept her eyes around the room. Not a trace of him. So he hadn’t done a runner last night, had probably been too drunk, but he had done one as the day had dawned.
‘Fuck.’ She dropped her face into her hands, shoulders slumping. He’d said he wouldn’t regret it in the morning, had promised he was sure. Now she was here alone in her room and wished she
could crawl back under the covers and never come out.
She’d had sex with him. It had been unbelievable, like nothing she’d ever experienced before, but with his absence a bolt of pain sliced through her. She felt tainted, uneasy. How was she going to face him after what had happened between them and he’d walked away without any explanation? She was living with him. Looking after his kids. Was he going to pretend it had never happened? She cringed. It would be excruciating.
Seeing her phone on the bedside cabinet, she scrambled towards it, forgetting about the hangover. As she saw a message icon on the screen hope soared in her chest, but when she opened the text it was from Frankie sent at half past midnight and thanking her for a nice night. We liked Matt, her friend had added on the end followed by two kisses.
Zoe winced, chucking her phone on the floor. Not a word from Matt. How could he? A note left on the bed saying ‘speak later’ or some other casual dismissal would have been better than him sneaking out of her bed without a word. Anything would have been better. She’d thought he respected her, that they’d built a friendship of sorts, even though they were supposed to be boss and employee. He’d told Aimee that they were friends. But this wasn’t how you treated a friend. With friendship there was warmth, trust, respect, loyalty. Running away after having sex was none of those things.
‘What the hell were you thinking?’ she muttered out loud, pushing her shaking hands through her long knotted hair. Knotted from when she’d rolled her head back and forth on the pillow when he’d been sucking her nipples and—
‘Stop it.’ Lurching from the bed, not sure how much of the shaking was down to the alcohol from last night and how much was from anger and disappointment at Matt, she traipsed into the bathroom. Stepping into the shower, she turned it to the highest setting to scald away her shame and disillusionment. She’d thought Matt was better than this. She really had. More fool her. Stupid, stupid girl. She berated herself while shampooing her hair and scrubbing his smell from her body. How did she always get it so wrong when it came to men? First Henry, making her fall for him and then casting her aside after deciding he wasn’t ready for a serious relationship. Then Greg cheating on her and sounding the death knell of their relationship, a cancelled wedding left in its wake. And now Matt, who she’d had no business getting involved with in the first place and had sorely misjudged.