“And don’t you give me that look lady.”
“You know you want to, and Holly would love to have you I’m sure.” She squeezed his bicep affectionately and he grinned, tousling her hair. “And Charlie won’t mind.”
“Charlie won’t mind what?” Shit, I jumped for the second time. What was it with these people creeping up on me? I’d never heard the front door open, but I guess Charlie must have just arrived back from his night on the tiles. I swiveled round on my stool and he was there, all dirty blond locks, slightly crumpled T-shirt and raised eyebrows.
“Charlie.” Dane nodded and dropped the frying pan he was holding into the sink.
“Dane.” Charlie nodded back. I know strong, silent types are supposed to be popular but this was a bit minimalist even for me. “Looks like I missed the party.” A twinge of guilt unexpectedly shot through me, it was Charlie’s house and here we were having a cosy breakfast-a-trois, with number three just dressed in an apron. I suspected it was pushing even good natured Charlie close to the edge.
“Not a party, just a…” Ever start a sentence and wish you hadn’t?
Luckily Charlie ignored me. “What won’t I mind?”
Sophie was completely unfazed, one day I’d find something to rattle her. But not today. “I was asking Dane if he wanted to stay over for Christmas lunch, I know Holly won’t mind and—” she switched her bear hug effortlessly to Charlie “—I didn’t think you would.”
“Sophie, you’re the only person I know who could invite someone to a dinner they aren’t even attending.”
She laughed. “Oh yeah, forgot that bit.”
“Whatever, don’t mind me. The more the merrier.” His gaze never left Dane, even with Sophie attached to him and for a moment I wanted to hug him. Tell him to stop the conflicting thoughts whizzing round his brain. We were just friends, nothing had happened and…. But something just felt a bit wrong.
“You’re not here, Sophie?” It was Dane’s turn to look bemused.
“At my sister’s for dinner, but I’ll be around tomorrow night, and probably straight after Christmas pudding.” She rolled her eyes. “If we end up having the usual post-dinner squabbles. You will come?” She’d managed to wrap her other arm round him without letting go of Charlie and I suddenly wanted to laugh. Only Sophie could do that. And only Charlie could forgive her and carry on smiling.
“I’ll text you.” He disentangled himself and gave her a quick swat on the bum as he headed to the bathroom, grabbing his clothes off the sofa on the way. Seconds later he was out, the unshaven, rugged-as-hell farrier I loved to ogle so much, complete with unlaced work boots, jeans, T-shirt and rough work shirt. Sophie had opened her mouth to say something, mine was just open even though I had no intention to say a word, and he waggled a finger at her. “Later.”
“I think I might need to buy a horse.” Her wistful words echoed in the room as he slammed the front door.
Charlie gave a bit of a hurumph. “You could try leaving the poor guy in peace.”
“He doesn’t want peace.” She got a raised eyebrow in response.
“I’m off for a shower and I’m hoping you’ll be gone by the time I come out.” He kissed her on the cheek to soften the words.
Sophie sat down on the stool Dane had vacated. “He doesn’t mind, honest.”
“So how come you’ve invited Dane?” Part of me wanted to object to the fact that she’d just thrown a kibosh on my peaceful Christmas, the part that liked to make a plan and stick to it, but the other part of me wanted to see him again. And that was the newly awoken randy part. But I still didn’t quite understand how this was going to work, or what Sophie had simmering around in her head, or why Dane didn’t have something better to do.
“I didn’t think you’d mind.” She plucked at the crumbs he’d left on his plate. “His uncle died a few years back which is how he got the forge, it’s been in the family for years. And—” she got up abruptly and went over to pour herself a coffee, “—he fell out with his brother and folks after the Sally thing. He won’t tell me exactly why.” She shrugged but I could tell from the look in her eye that it bothered her. “But he avoids going over there now and he used to be so good with Dave’s kids.”
“Dave’s?”
“His nephews.”
“Do you know everything about everyone in this town?”
“Not everything.” She grinned. “But I’m working on it.”
I don’t think Sophie is actually nosy, in the normal sense. She just has this incredible fast mind that’s constantly searching out new things, and when there’s nothing else to occupy it I think she people watches, and she is genuinely interested. It’s not a kind of voyeuristic prying thing, more an observation, which is probably why people like her and she collects them the way she does. “I thought maybe it would be fun.” She had that look in her eye now that spelled mischief. “The three of you?”
Which stopped me in my tracks for a moment, what did she mean, by that? “Oh you did, did you? And do I get a say?”
“Of course you do, my prickly little Holly.” She jumped up, came round and squeezed my shoulders. “But you do fancy it, don’t you?” If she’d said ‘him’ not ‘it’ I wouldn’t have been able to answer anything but yes.
“But what about Charlie?”
She shrugged her shoulders. “Charlie doesn’t mind, he never minds.” I wasn’t so sure. “He’s happy to share with anyone.”
“Is he?” My voice went up to a squeak. I swallowed, tried again. “Is he?” After all we weren’t talking about sharing were we? Or were we?
“You want me to text Dane and say there’s a change of plan?” She met my gaze full on and those brown eyes were as clear and caring as ever. The problem was Sophie always wanted to please, and that meant please everyone if she could.
“No.” It came out quick, loud. “That wouldn’t be fair now you’ve asked him.” But we both knew that wasn’t exactly what I was thinking. It would be fun. I think. “But it just doesn’t seem fair on Charlie.”
“The more the merrier as far as Charlie’s concerned.” Which made me think of things I really shouldn’t.
“Anyway he might say no.”
“He might.” She winked, just as her mobile buzzed off, the vibration on the work surface echoing noisily. “Ah, or he might not. We need to go turkey shopping girl.” Then my phone buzzed, much more discreetly of course. “What did he say?”
“Sophie!” I hadn’t even read it and she was peering over my shoulder. ‘We’ll sort the skating x’
“What does that mean?” Her soft cheek was brushing against mine. “That’s not a horsey term is it?”
“Nope. It means we’re going to pin you down and interrogate you until we know what you’re up to.”
She giggled and the wisps of her hair trembled against my face. “Sounds like fun.”
Chapter Four
It wasn’t a tingle or a flutter or anything weak and more-ish like that. It was more of a thump, deep down in the pit of my stomach that left me gawping like a stranded fish and just about as useless.
I was at the stable yard for two reasons, one my horse had spent so long in the field she’s probably forgotten what a saddle is for –and I knew I’d suffer for that— and two, I wanted some thinking space before all the Christmas hoo-ha hit.
After weeks of lusting after Dane like some forlorn puppy I’d done something about it. Or rather he had, or more specifically Sophie had. And I couldn’t blame the wine, or the stupid Santa’s little helper indecent green costume, or even seductive Sophie. I’d wanted him and I had decided that however not in my new life plan it was, I was going to do something about it. And it had been good, good enough to want to do it again. But it had also been weird, having Sophie there and doing it at Charlie’s place and well, not actually doing it if you know what I mean. And I didn’t know whether a quick fondle of my pussy was all Dane wanted, or whether it had been because Sophie had been there that he was turned on and I
was a useful addition to the party, and whether him turning up at Christmas was good or bad. I mean, I wanted him; I wanted him so badly that my thighs turned wanton just at the thought of his name—all grasping and needy. But much as his gorgeous eyes went black in a way that I knew meant he wanted me, was me on my own enough, or not? Sharing was something I was used to but in a way I wanted to be good enough on my own. But seeing as I didn’t actually want a man, as in a permanent fixture kind of man, surely sharing was good enough. Better. Shared everything, including expectations.
Thing is, the first thing I spotted when I pulled up in the yard was his 4X4 which rather scuppered the alone and thinking bit. For a moment I just stared, one foot on terra firma, the other still in my car. My heart pounding louder than the sight a hunk of black metal should justify. But his car being there, meant he was here.
Doing a runner was an option I considered for just about a nanosecond. But I was just about done with being the one to back down. I’d decided what I wanted to do today so why the hell should I change my plans? I mean, I could ignore him, or just say hi, he wouldn’t exactly be expecting me to suck him off in a stable the moment he saw me.
I turned the corner of the stable block and reached the square that the first lot of stables fronted on to and he was there. All cowboy. He was stood at the side of a horse, his broad strong forearms resting on its back, his dark hair slightly slicked back as though he had just run his fingers through it, but now he had them on his diary, sorting out a next appointment.
He had the perfect bum for jeans, neat and toned but with just enough shape to make you want to see more, and his muscled thighs were hugged by the worn denim so that you just knew when he stripped off he’d be a million miles from stringy wimp. He was laughing as he turned and his gaze met me full on. Stormy eyes that even at that distance seemed to reach that secret bit inside of me, quirky lips that I knew could be oh so clever when he wanted them to be.
Shit, why was it that just when you were sure of what you wanted your body played hooky from your brain? The thud in my stomach spread into a kind of hungry emptiness and I knew I was probably looking at him like he was prime steak.
I cleared my throat, but clearing my mind of its horniness was a more difficult task. “Hey.” He half nodded and watched silently as I walked up to them and I could swear there was a hint of a laugh in his features.
“No green goddess today?” Oh that voice was pure unadulterated sex.
“It was green elf.” I shot the girl, who was holding the horse, an apologetic look. No-one liked it when their private session with Dane was interrupted, their half hour of one to one, their chance to flirt and push for more.
“More goddess from where I was stood.” The lopsided grin spread further across his face, right to the twinkling eyes and the wink that was oh so dirty. He stepped back from the horse, straightening up and pocketing his diary. “Or should I say, sat?” Lay. The one thought that went through my mind was lay not sat.
He knew, and was almost laughing now and I didn’t know whether to thump him or succumb to embarrassment.
“So, six weeks then?” The girl hanging on to the horse was getting narked.
“Yeah, the twentieth, same time.” He flashed his best disarming smile and I watched her kind of melt. Then he glanced back my way and she solidified again and glared. “You okay?” Yes, apart from feeling hot and bothered.
“Sure.” I stubbed at the ice hardened ground with the toe of my boot.
“So we’re on for Christmas Day then?” He’d stepped nearer and I was torn between backing off or jumping him. Decisions, decisions.
“Sophie won’t be there.”
“I know. She said.” Well, I know she said, but without the catalyst I wasn’t sure where I stood. “Is that a problem for you, can’t you handle two men?” I made the mistake of glancing up and he had the dirtiest grin on his face imaginable, his thumbs were hooked into the belt loop of his jeans and every filthy cowboy dream I’d ever had vied for attention. “Think you can cope with us?”
“If you can cope with me and Soph, then I think I can cope with you two.” This conversation was going the wrong way, it was turning bits of me on it shouldn’t and leaving me with damp knickers. “Anyhow, what about this skating?” Attack being the best form of defense and all that.
“Come and share a bale of hay with me and I’ll tell you all about it.”
“Is that safe?”
“Do you want it to be?”
I sighed. “You are one bad farrier.”
“And you are the naughtiest little Santa’s helper I’ve ever got into the knickers of.”
“In the habit of it are you?”
“Oh, I love Christmas. Come on.” He nodded his head in the direction of the hay store. “Not sure whether you’re sexier in jodhpurs or elf costume, although—” he pressed one rough finger against my nose “—elf costumes have easier access, but those are more of a challenge and I do love a challenge.”
“I don’t have long.” I glanced at my watch as he settled himself down on a bale of hay, stretching those firm legs in front of him. I’d only meant to re-introduce myself to my mare then have a quick shower and change before meeting Sophie for a bit of a flat-hunting expedition.
“It won’t take long.” His intent gaze and soft tone took me by surprise a bit. He meant to talk, not molest. Which was good and it was bad. “There isn’t much to tell, you know.”
“It doesn’t really matter.” I stood in front of him and just wanted him to touch me. “If you don’t want —” He pulled me down on to his lap and the touch of his warm hand on my knee sent a wave of longing that scared me. He’d touched me, he’d made me come, but I wanted him. I wanted him to touch me again, to make love to me and it was scary. Lust was a powerful thing. I swallowed hard.
“Last night was fun, but I don’t want you to think I’m the type of guy that only gets off in that situation.”
Fine. His thumb was tracing a circle just above my knee and I was tingling, actually tingling.
“And Sophie and me did have a fling years ago, she had a fling with everyone.” The lack of censure in his voice was comforting. “And we’re mates, she’s a great girl, but I’ve not been with her for years.”
“Apart from last night.”
“Apart from last night.”
“It’s not that I—”
“Ssh.” He put a finger on my lips and I let the tip of my tongue, just the tip that is, taste him. He laughed. “It was just fun. I fancy you so bloody much Holly, but I’m not the type of guy –”
It was my turn to shush him. I didn’t want to hear what type of guy he was and wasn’t. I didn’t want to hear him say that he was out for having fun, because I somehow felt it would spoil it. Even though I felt the same. Fun, good time.
“It’s a date for tomorrow then?” He grinned and in one easy move had stood me on my feet and stood up beside me. So that he was towering next to me, all testosterone and yum.
“Is Charlie okay with it?” Sophie might have told him he was, but it still bothered me. Maybe I was being soft, but from my side of the fence a cosy Christmas with just me and Charlie, feet up, shared choccies and an old film was different when it had Dane thrown into the mix.
“I was over at Charlie’s last year, that’s why Soph mentioned it. He’s cool.” Ah, so that put me in my place. “Okay?”
“It’s a date.” I was being daft, Charlie would probably find it far more fun having a drinking buddy rather than just boring old me.
“Good.” He leaned down and kissed me on the lips. A firm, confident kiss that was a goodbye but left me wanting more. Oh, so much more. “One more horse to do and then that’s me until next year.” And the smart smack on my bum left me too surprised to say anything but watch as he marched off. It had been quite a hard smack, one that left a bit of a tingle. Shit, if I did any more tingling I’d be in serious trouble.
***
“What happened to you?” Sophie stare
d.
“Sorry, am I late?” I could have sworn that even with the mad dash I was more or less on time.
“No, you look like you’ve been up to no good.” Ah.
“I wish.”
“He does like you.” It was my turn to stare, and wonder if my internal thoughts were always stamped on my forehead for all to see. Okay I had been musing about Dane, and how after last night my dreams had been ramped up even further. And how he’d just more or less demanded an action replay, with or without Soph.
“Who?”
She harrumphed, knowing full well that I knew, that she knew, exactly what she was getting at. “He’s more interested in you than I’ve seen him for a long time, but he’s a deep one, our Dane.” She gave me a hug to show she didn’t mean anything by it and I hoped my face hadn’t dropped. “He was always the hottest guy in school and you can’t blame him for wanting a bit of fun.” She shrugged and I wondered just how much Sophie would have liked Dane to mean to her, and how much he actually had. “But—” another uncharacteristic Sophie pause “—he’s not one for making promises.”
“I know, and I don’t want any promises right now, so he’s ideal isn’t he? You said so yourself.”
“That was before you started mooning at each other.”
“I don’t moon!” Me, moon, never. Casual looks was as good as it got before I backed off and looked down.
“You were this morning.”
“Was not.”
“Was so.” She stuck her tongue out and we both felt better now that was off our chests and normal grown-up behavior could be restored. “So where is this flat?” I named a road and she squished up her face. “There are some right dives down there.”
“I know.” Dive being a relative term, everywhere in this particular leafy corner of Cheshire was okay, but as with every town some parts are better than others.
“There’s no rush you know, Charlie doesn’t mind having you at his place. I camped out with him for ages when I decided living a la parents was too much to stand for a second longer.”
I knew there wasn’t a rush. And I know it’s a bit of a strange thing to do on Christmas Eve but something was niggling at me. In a way, after my evening with Sophie and Dane I felt like maybe I should be moving on. I’d opened the local newspaper after Dane and Sophie had gone and this place just jumped out. Well, it jumped out because it was the only ad. No-one puts adverts for property lets on Christmas week now do they, who the hell would be looking?
Good Enough to Share (Good Enough, Book 1 - Christmas) Page 4