Shiver Sweet

by H Elliston

  “W-what would Sarah think?” I mumbled.

  “She’d want her mum to be happy. Like I do.” He took my hand between his. “If you had been married to my brother, in biblical times, it would have been my duty to marry you, his widow, to keep his offspring in the family. The Kinsman redeemer.”

  I stifled a laugh. What on earth was he babbling on about? “We’re not in bible times and I wasn’t married to your brother. This is modern day and you’re Sarah’s uncle. She’d think it’s weird.” I frowned. “When did you start reading the bible?”

  His lips twitched in a brief smile. “I don’t. It’s just something someone told me. Look, I think Sarah would be pleased if we got together.”

  “I think she’d be shocked!” I threw back, then glanced away to form some thoughts. Should I let the past bleed into current life and risk puncturing our set up? My heart had ached for him for many years, but I’d had to get over it.

  But now... well... Brian deserved my full thought and attention. What courage it must have taken to reveal his feelings to me. I locked my eyes onto his. An intense connection flowed along an invisible line between us and heated my blood. Being this close to him felt so incredibly good. I realised it always had. There’d been so many times I’d lifted my arms to pull him into an embrace, but stopped myself. Perhaps Nicola had been right all along; put us in a room together, alone, and... bam!

  “I’ll make everything right,” he said soothingly. “We could be so good together. It’s never too late, is it?”

  My heart sped up. Chaotic emotions I’d stored in a vault all these years began seeping out, flattening some of my worries to the ground. “I don’t want anything to ruin what we have.”

  He winked. “Nothing could ruin that. We’re solid.”

  “But your family, they’re one reason that we...”

  “Let me handle them. It’ll be tricky. My loopy sister and... But we only get one life, right? We owe it to ourselves to give us a shot.”

  “Oh, Brian.” I glanced over my shoulder toward the hall. We had to put this conversation on ice. “Sarah might wake up and hear us talking.”

  He gave a light laugh. “That would be a first. As soon as her head hits the pillow she’s in zombie land.” He leaned in and kissed me on the lips. Just for a second. Sensual. No tongue. But as he pulled away he gave my lip a tantalising bite. “Oh, Christa,” he said. “The things I’d like to do with you.”

  All at once, a blissful rush crashed through my body.

  Heck! I stiffened, stunned.

  He swept my hair over my shoulder. “Christa? You okay?” Brian’s breath was a gentle tease across my skin, stirring up far more than old teenage desires.

  I was the mother of his brother’s child, going through one mess of a divorce, his family despised me and yet... he was still here. Lusting. Wanting to bite my lip and, according to Nicola, rope me up and... Oh, heck. I swallowed hard.

  If lust was a physical thing, it was sitting before me, hypnotizing me, and I’d be a fool to let it sail by. God knew what he saw in me, but there are some things worth taking a risk on. My body told me this had to be one of them. “One life,” I managed to whisper, letting my eyes travel up his body to his face, drinking in the sight of him with sweet anticipation.

  He nodded. “That’s all we get.”

  “And what if we did mess up, fall out and ruin our friendship?”

  His eyebrows hopped up. “And what if we don’t?”

  Trapped by his seductive gaze, I said, “Kiss me again.”

  A wide grin transformed his nervous face into an absolutely delighted one. His eyes danced with joy. He curled his hand around my neck, pulling us into a kiss. Before I know it, my body tingled with fierce attraction as he slammed against me, pressed me down horizontal and pinned my arms above my head. Our hearts pounded as one in my chest. His warm, supple lips crushed mine. His tongue ravaged and explored my mouth in a fast sensual dance.

  Holy shit! This was worlds apart from our fumblings fourteen years ago. Desire spiked, I sighed into his mouth. There was no way this could destroy us.

  He propped up on his elbows, put a little distance between our faces and engaged my eyes.

  That electric current shot sparks through me again. I parted my legs, locked them around his thighs and dragged my fingers up his back. He ground his hips against me in a dry hump and twisted his hands into my hair. I let out a soft moan before our mouths pressed together harder, deeper, kissing our way into a new, exciting future. His hand slid up the inside of my thigh. Heat shimmied between us. It was better than I remembered; raw, pent-up desire.

  His lips swept along my jaw, down my throat and back to my mouth.

  I felt refreshingly stripped of my usual badges; strung-out mother, stressed business owner, guarded woman and... I felt naughty, kissing and sighing beneath him.

  He raised his hips off me and grappled to undo my belt. For a second, I thought I heard something click. But then my zipper rasped as Brian pulled it down, distracting me.

  Brian smiled, kissed the tip of my nose and fumbled with my jeans. “I’ve wanted this... you... for so, so long.”

  My long-since explored lower body clenched deliciously.

  He pushed his hand deep into the front of my pants and slipped a confident finger inside me.

  Untamed warmth flooded my delicate parts. I threw my head back and squeezed his hips, wanting more, my whole body melting beneath him. Oh, so much more...

  He kissed the skin below my earlobe. “I love you so much, Christa.” His voice thrummed with passion. “I always ha–”

  “Good heavens!” a female’s voice bounced around us. “What the hell...?”

  I jerked beneath Brian and my gaze flew to the front door. Oh, shit.

  His sister, Steph, five years my senior and four years older than Brian, stood in the doorway, mouth gaping, thunder-faced.

  Pure disgust swirled in her eyes as her gaze collided with mine. Keys fell out of her hand and clattered on the floor, splitting the deathly silence. We hadn’t seen each other in years. She obviously still hated me.

  I froze, pinned by her stare.

  Brian untangled his limbs from mine and leapt to his feet. “Steph.” He outstretched his hand. “Please, just let me explain.”

  “Explain? I think I’ve seen all I need to know. It’s scandalous!” she said in an abrasive voice, staring down her nose at us. “I drove here to keep an eye on Sarah. To do you a favour. And this is what I walk into? How long has your sordid little affair been going on?”

  “It’s not sordid!” Brian snapped. “Keep your voice down. You’ll wake Sarah.”

  Her gaze shot to the bedrooms. “Not sordid, huh?”

  “You’re blowing this way out of proportion,” he whispered.

  She bent to grab her keys, then spun to leave, her movements jerky. “I always knew you had a dark streak. I can’t bear to look at you.”

  “Wait!” Brian said. “I’ve been denying my feelings for Christa for years.”

  “Years?” she replied. “Jeez, it gets worse.”

  Brian hotfooted after her and placed his hand on the front door. “What are you going to do?”

  She ran skewering eyes up and down him. “It’s just... wrong. Mum and dad will never accept this. You’re screwing the mother of our dead brother’s child, the person who told you to up and leave. She is the reason Michael is dead.”

  “Steph!” he shouted. “That’s a terrible thing to say.”

  “Claire’s my best friend, and... and...” Her sharp gaze swung to mine. “She’s married!”

  Oh, crap. I ran a hand down my face. What the hell was I thinking? The situation whizzed and flipped in my mind. Now viewing it through Steph’s eyes, I wished I could dissolve. Besides blaming me for her brother’s death, I realised now, that my being the only person who told Brian it was okay if he needed to up and leave in order to heal, was also the foundation of her profound hatred for me. “Look, Steph, it was just a kis
s. Nothing actually happened.” My voice cracked into tiny splinters. “Please don’t take this out on Brian. Besides, we’re adults and–”

  “Just a kiss!” She eyed my open jeans before I realised to cover them, then shot me down with a scathing glare, looked ready to stone me. “I guess this is typical of you. One man’s never been enough.” Huffing, she turned her attention to Brian again. “Claire’s under the stupid illusion that you might finally ask her to move in with you, not cheat on her.”

  Brian cupped his chin. “W-what? Why on earth does she think that?” He exhaled noisily and shook his finger at her. “Now I wonder who gave her that impression? Huh? What the hell did you tell her that for?”

  “Tsk! Shame on you.” Steph’s hate-filled eyes raked over us. “It’s like you’re shagging on our brother’s grave.” She wrenched around and left, slamming the door in Brian’s face.

  “Jesus! You’re crazy,” Brian shouted.

  I wished the ground would open up and swallow me. Regret cramped my stomach. “Fuck me.”

  Brian dragged both hands down his face. “Well, that’s what I was hoping to...”

  “Don’t finish that sentence!” I warned, glowering.

  A low growl escaped him and he rushed over. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to... I’m just stunned. How could I have forgotten that I’d asked her to come round?”

  I grabbed a cushion and hurled it across the room. It was nice while it lasted. All five minutes of skin-tingling passion, but fireworks would surely shoot up now. “Terrific. Make everything right, huh? Isn’t that what you said to me earlier? Damn.”

  “Steph will spread this through town faster than wildfire.”

  Oh, Jesus. Once again I’d be the centre of a scandal. “We’ll have to tell Sarah and your mum before your sister does. And you need to end your relationship with Claire properly before word gets out... unless.” I met his eyes. “Persuade your sister to keep it zipped. Buy us some time.”

  Steph’s car revved and roared into the distance.

  He nodded. “I’ll chase after her.”

  CHAPTER 15

  CHRISTA

  I stretched my arms overhead, threw the covers back off the bed in Brian’s spare room, and slipped into his bathroom to shower. Brian must have carried me to bed last night because beyond dozing on the couch, I could only vaguely remember being lifted, Brian stroking my hair and telling me everything was sorted. I’d have to quiz him about Steph in detail and speak to Sarah... but... hold on. The spare room? Oh, what a gentleman! He hadn’t even attempted to get me into his bed. I felt kind of disappointed.

  In yesterday’s crumpled clothes, I strolled down the hall while trying to phone Nicola – I didn’t want her to worry about me. Yet again, I sighed, unable to get through to her on either the landline or her mobile.

  I entered the kitchen to find Sarah sitting at the table - looking all innocent and ‘butter-wouldn’t-melt’ in her dressing gown decorated with cute little animals - while Brian attended to a sizzling pan at the stove. I kissed the top of her head and pulled a chair out. “Morning, sweetheart. Sleep well?” I’d be nice first, then have words.

  “Happy birthday, mum.” She sunk her spoon into a bowl of cereal and kept her gaze low.

  “Happy birthday, Christa. Coffee?” Brian asked, grinning. “Eggs?”

  “Both, thanks.” I took a seat next to Sarah at the kitchen table. "You should have woken me. What time is it?"

  “Half past nine,” Brian replied, fiddling with something on the worktop. “Oh, I explained to Sarah about last night.”

  I gulped. “Y-you did?”

  “Yes. How you helped me rescue Claire, and that’s why you stayed the night.”

  “In the spare room,” I added, keeping emotion out of my voice, relieved he hadn’t yet told her about our being together. Although I'd have rather waited a bit, I had to tell her before someone else got in there first.

  “I’ve had a word with Sarah about her sneaking out last night. She won’t do it again anytime soon.”

  I gave her the eye. “I’m not impressed. You’re grounded for a week and have to do twice the chores.”

  “Mum! What about my friends?”

  “Tough. You should have thought about that before sneaking out. Don’t you know that I worry about you?”

  She shovelled cereal into her mouth, her gaze on her breakfast bowl.

  “Just cereal?” I asked.

  “I’ve already had some bacon. I’m hungry.”

  “Oh, and I phoned the school,” Brian said. “Still closed. Snowed off again. Some of the teachers can’t make it in.”

  I faced Sarah. “Another day off. Lucky you.”

  She looked at me and beamed. “What shall we do? I mean, I know I’m grounded, but it’s your birthday so we should still do something special. Together.”

  “Hmmm...” I smoothed Sarah’s brown hair behind her ears, and smiled to hide my worry. I wanted to whisk her far beyond the reach of John and find some time to think through my options, but if I did take her out somewhere, her grounding would have turned into a treat. “How about we watch a movie at home? Get all cosy in the snug.”

  Excitement faded from her eyes. “Okay. Boring.”

  “Well, would you prefer to make a start on tidying your room?”

  She said nothing.

  “Didn’t think so. And I need to talk to you about something this afternoon.” About giving up our house. Oh, God. I dreaded it. The deadline was here and I had no choice but to sign on the painful dotted line. My mobile beeped several times - a welcome distraction. I scrolled through a succession of text messages wishing me a happy birthday. “Ahr. That’s a nice one from Brad.”

  “Your cousin?” Brian asked.

  “Yep. He’s been really lovely recently, over the divorce and then worrying about the break-in.” I scrolled through the messages to the last one from my parents. They wished me a happy day, and also asked what time I’d visit them today. I sent a quick reply telling them I’d let them know my plans later. Then I looked up. “Whoa!”

  Brian set my plate on the table. In the centre of scrambled eggs and bacon, was a sausage with a lit candle sticking out of it. “I’ll give you your gift later on.” He winked and returned to the worktop with his eyes still alight.

  A wicked thought?

  This proved he didn’t regret our kissing last night. Thank goodness. “Well,” I began, aware of heat flooding my cheeks. “This is a lovely breakfast.”

  “Make a wish, mum.” Sarah frowned. “You okay? Why is your face red?”

  I winced. “Is it?”

  Brian flashed me an ‘oops’ look and I swore his cheeks had also pinked-up a touch.

  Glad it isn’t just me.

  Deep, cooling breath. “So, anyway... a wish. Great idea.” I closed my eyes and wished that I could reach my rainbow; the nightmare of my divorce would end today, and I could keep my house so that Sarah and I could move on in life. Be happy. With Brian, and whatever wickedness was in that mind of his.

  I blew the candle out.

  Brian sat opposite me and dug into his fried breakfast. “I phoned the insurance people first thing. They’re giving me a courtesy car to use until mine’s repaired.”

  “That’s quick.”

  He winked. “It pays to have a friend on the inside. I did some work for them last year.”

  “This is nice,” Sarah said, smiling and glancing between us.

  I covered my mouth with my hand and spoke around a mouthful of eggs. “Yes. Delicious.”

  “No,” Sarah said. “I meant us, here. The three of us around the table.”

  “Yes. Very nice.” I swallowed and kissed her cheek. “Actually... I’m glad you said that.” I looked across to Brian and mouthed, ‘should we tell her now?’ I wasn’t sure what was happening with Steph, but I couldn’t let Sarah hear the news second hand.

  Chewing on his food, he nodded.

  “The thing is Sarah... You know what great friends Brian a
nd I are..." I paused. "You know that John and I are not getting back together, right?”

  She nodded while wiping a dribble of milk off her chin. “I know it’s over, and I knew you would split up.”

  I frowned. “What do you mean? How did you know?”

  She shrugged. “Dunno. I just did.”

  “And Claire and I are no longer together,” Brian slipped in.

  “Since when?” Sarah asked.

  “Things haven’t been good between us for quite some time.”

  “Well,” I continued. “I’m ready to start dating again, and... how would you feel if Brian and I were to...” I paused to gulp. Christ, how will she react? Brian is her uncle.

  Brian set his folk down on his plate. “What your mum is trying to say is that... we...” He reached across the table for my hand and kissed my fingertips.

  Sarah stared at our clasped hands, and then at our faces.

  “We’re together,” he finished.

  “Well, seeing each other... dating,” I clarified. I chewed my lip and brushed her glossy curtain of hair behind her shoulder. “How do you feel about that, sweetheart?”

  Sarah set her spoon down. Her lips twitched on the crossroad between a smile and a frown. We waited through her silence until she said, “Cool.”

  “Really?” I asked, taken aback. I didn’t need her permission, I just wanted her to be okay with it.

  She glanced at both of us again. “It’s a bit weird but... Will Brian still be my uncle or my–“

  “Yes. Uncle.”

  “Can I still come here on weekends to see my friends?”

  I gave a little laugh. “Of course. Brian will still live here. We’re only dating, not moving in together.”

  "Well... if you two want to go out on dates,” Sarah said, scooping the last of her cereal onto a spoon, acting more animated. “Then it's fine. Don't worry about me. I can stay in on my own."

  I laughed. "Yeah, bet you would. Nice try though." I spread my arms and pulled her into a hug. “You’re the most important person in the world to me, to both of us, okay? That will never change, no matter who we date.”