A Jersey Affair

by Georgina Troy

  ‘You are incredible,’ he whispered.

  She could feel his heart hammering against his chest as she lay enveloped in his arms. Lost in their own thoughts, their breathing slowly returning to normal. Paige shivered.

  ‘You’re cold,’ he frowned. ‘Come with me.’ He stood up and helping her to her feet, picked up his jacket and wrapped it over her naked shoulders, smiling as it swamped her much smaller frame.

  ‘Thank you,’ Paige said. She bent to grab her clothes.

  ‘Here, let me,’ he said, scooping them up.

  She let him take her by the hand and lead her up the stairs to his vast blue bedroom. Throwing back the downy duvet covering his bed, Sebastian lifted her into the middle of it, climbing in behind her and immediately covering them both.

  ‘Better?’ he asked, holding her against him, his warm breath causing her to shiver once more although this time with pleasure.

  ‘Yes,’ she murmured, snuggling closer into him, feeling certain that she would never be this happy, or content, ever again. Paige knew without doubt this was where she wanted to be, always.

  He wrapped himself around her. Paige slowly pushed her hand between her bottom and him, giggling when she discovered he was hard already.

  ‘I know. What can I say?’ he said. She could hear the amusement in his voice. ‘I’ve missed you,’ he said, his voice serious. ‘We have a lot of making up to do.’

  She missed him too, but wasn’t ready to think about anything further than tonight. She took hold of his erection in her hand.

  Sebastian nuzzled her neck. ‘If you’re going to keep doing what you’re doing, then I’m not going to be able to just lie here.’

  ‘Good,’ she teased, squealing as he flipped her on her back and was on top of her in no time at all.

  ‘I love you, you gorgeous, sexy woman,’ he laughed.

  Paige’s heart contracted as he voiced her own feelings. She dared not believe he might love her, but couldn’t imagine hearing anything more perfect. ‘I love you too,’ she whispered. ‘I think I always have.’

  Sebastian stilled. Resting his weight on his elbows, he stared down at her for a few moments, adoration in his dark blue eyes. ‘We’ve wasted so much time.’

  ‘I know,’ she agreed, pushing her fingers into his hair and pulling his head down until their lips met.

  ‘Again?’ he asked, bending down to kiss her stomach.

  ‘Yes please,’ she said, wriggling underneath him in anticipation.

  They made love again, each unable to get enough of the other. Finally Paige drifted off into a deep, contented sleep, waking slowly the following morning feeling bruised and sore from their lovemaking. She sighed, gazing around the room through half-opened eyes, relishing her memories of their night together.

  Seb’s leg lay heavily across her own, with an arm draped protectively over her waist. She moved to get more comfortable, instantly feeling him become aroused. Paige stifled a gasp. He couldn’t possibly want her again, she thought, certain he was still asleep.

  ‘I’m not,’ he whispered, his voice gruff in her ear.

  Paige giggled. ‘Did I say that out loud?’ she asked, confused, but delighted at his response.

  ‘I read your mind,’ he kissed the back of her neck, turning her gently over on her back. ‘Yes?’ he asked.

  ‘Definitely,’ she nodded. Lying back, she slid her hands down over his firm buttocks, pulling him into her as hard as she could. Seb thrust into her slowly at first, then when Paige wrapped her long legs around his waist, wanting more, he moved faster and faster until groaning with pleasure he climaxed, moving until she came too.

  ‘You’re exquisite,’ he breathed, his heart pounding against her breasts.

  Paige held him tightly, as they laid back against the warm, creased sheets in sated silence. She couldn’t help smiling. Gradually she dragged her mind back into the present. ‘It’s Saturday,’ she said, panicking that she had forgotten to open the shop.

  ‘No work today. It’s Sunday,’ he said, nuzzling her neck.

  Paige sighed. ‘Unfortunately, I still have to leave you,’ she said miserably, wishing she hadn’t promised to cook the meal for Clem and Olly.

  ‘Why? Where do you have go?’

  She looked at her wrist, annoyed that she had forgotten to put on a watch the night before. ‘What’s the time?’

  ‘Don’t panic, it’s still early.’ He leaned over her to peer at his bedside clock. ‘Just after ten.’

  Paige pushed herself up against the thick, downy pillows. ‘I have to go home,’ she said.

  ‘Right now?’

  Paige did not want this dream world where nothing else mattered to ever end, but she knew she could not escape reality for long. She held the sheet up over her, the daylight making the events of the night before and earlier that morning surreal, as if already belonging to another life.

  ‘I need to shower, and I really do have to get home to my sister.’ She chewed her lower lip thoughtfully and smiled at the big, tousle-haired man looking so sexy in his bed. ‘And if I don’t move now, I’m going to lose any resolve I have left.’

  He pulled her back down to him. ‘Then I’ll have to think of a way to keep you here. Can’t you give your sister a call? I’m sure she won’t mind if you explain that you’ll be a bit late?’ He kissed the side of her neck.

  Paige tried to concentrate on giving his suggestion some thought. ‘I could, but don’t you have things you need to do today?’

  ‘I’d like to spend some time with you.’ He pulled a mischievous face. ‘And there’s nothing on today I can’t postpone.’ He raised a finger in the air. ‘In fact, why don’t we start by me cooking you a leisurely breakfast. You can take that shower,’ he pointed to his en-suite bathroom. ‘Give your sister a call, then I can drop you home in a couple of hours?’

  Paige couldn’t help smiling at him. There was nothing she’d rather do.

  ‘Say yes.’ He pushed a strand of hair away from her face. ‘Let’s make the most of having this time alone together, while we still have the opportunity.’

  Not quite sure what Seb meant, Paige moved to sit at the edge of the bed and pondered for a moment.

  ‘Well? Shall I get my apron on, or not?’ he asked, his eyes twinkling.

  She knew that if she were truly honest, Clem would probably be only too happy to have the cottage to herself for once. ‘I’d love to,’ she admitted. ‘I’ve always thought there’s something sexy about a man who loves to cook.’

  ‘Then I’d better get into the kitchen.’ He winked at her as he stepped out of the warm bed.

  Paige noticed the scratches she’d inflicted on him during the heat of their passion. ‘Your back,’ she winced, grimacing.

  ‘It doesn’t hurt a bit.’ He bent down to kiss her naked shoulder. ‘Now don’t be long, your chef will be waiting to serve you downstairs.’

  Paige knew he must be lying about his back, but waved him away. ‘I’ll give you a head start, so you can impress me with your culinary skills.’ She watched him pull on a pair of boxers and leave the room, then dutifully picked up the phone.

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Sebastian hated to leave her. He paused at the door, watching her, wishing he could wake up to this exquisite woman every morning. Paige, oblivious to his presence, sat with the duvet held up against her. She held the receiver to her ear and waiting for someone to answer her call. She noticed him standing there and smiled. Seb had never before seen anyone as appealing as this woman, with her ruffled hair and the dimple in one of her cheeks, and wished more than anything that he could go straight back to join her in his bed.

  ‘Hello?’ she said, as he forced himself to turn and leave the room.

  Once showered and dressed, he crossed the courtyard to his office and telephoned his investment broker. ‘Sorry to change plans at the last minute,’ he said, ‘but I’m going to need to put off that game of golf until this afternoon.’ He knew the man was not going to argue, he�
��d waited too long to get Sebastian to agree to spend this time with him out of the office. ‘I’ll catch up with you at one o’clock.’

  Ordinarily he hated rearranging meetings at the last minute, but the opportunity of having a quiet morning with Paige wasn’t something he was willing to give up. Business was business, but Sebastian decided it was about time he took a morning for himself. Sebastian hummed to himself. The smells of the bacon, eggs, and mushrooms as they cooked made him realise how ravenous he actually was.

  ‘Sir,’ said Harwood from the doorway. ‘Are you sure you wouldn’t prefer me to cook breakfast?’

  ‘No thanks,’ Sebastian said, knowing that despite never allowing himself to ask, Harwood would be inquisitive about Paige. As with his uncle, Harwood had uncharacteristically voiced his dislike of Lucinda, and both men had been furious on Seb’s behalf when she’d so publicly jilted him. He smiled at the thought of the favour she’d done him by leaving.

  Seb heard Harwood close the door behind him and carried on preparing the food. Hearing footsteps, he said, ‘I won’t need you for anything today, so if you have somewhere else you’d rather be, please feel free to go.’

  ‘If you’re sure,’ Paige said, amusement in her voice.

  Sebastian swung round and dropped a fried egg onto the terracotta floor. ‘Shit.’ Grabbing a couple of pieces of kitchen roll he bent down to clear up his mess. Looking up at Paige and seeing her trying to stifle a giggle, he pulled a face. ‘I thought you were Harwood.’

  ‘I gathered that,’ she said. ‘Do you need any help over there?’

  ‘No, thanks.’ He motioned for her to sit down. ‘I’ll try again. As you can see I’m a typical man and can’t do two things at once.’

  ‘Oh, I don’t know about that,’ Paige giggled. ‘You seemed perfectly capable on concentrating on more than one thing at a time last night.’

  He looked over his shoulder at her and smiled. ‘Behave yourself, young lady,’ he said, cracking another egg against the rim of the pan before dropping it into the oil. ‘I’m finding it difficult enough concentrating on this without you reminding me about last night.’ He enjoyed the intimacy of her being in his kitchen with him.

  ‘Sorry, I’ll let you focus on my breakfast.’

  ‘I think that’s probably wise.’ He served her food, placing the plate carefully in front of her. ‘I didn’t know which toast you’d prefer, so I’ve done white and wholemeal.’

  ‘This looks delicious,’ she said. ‘I haven’t had a fry-up in months. You’re a good cook.’

  ‘You haven’t tasted anything yet,’ he teased. ‘Tell me that when you’ve eaten it, and I’ll be happy. Please start. You don’t want it to get cold after all the effort I’ve just put in to cooking it.’

  Paige took a forkful of egg and bacon and put it in her mouth.

  Sebastian finally joined her at the table. ‘So, did you manage to sort things out with your sister?’

  ‘Yes. I’m going to cook for her and Olly later this evening. They have issues that need to be sorted out, and I thought that the best way to make sure they both talk is to sit them down over a meal and see to it that they have no choice but to get everything out in to the open.’

  If only sitting down and discussing things over a meal had worked for them. He watched Paige, waiting for her to bring up their scenario, thankful when she didn’t. He didn’t want anything to mar this time with her. ‘What would you like to do this morning?’ Seb asked.

  Paige dabbed the corners of her mouth with the linen napkin. ‘Are you sure you’re not busy?’ she asked, as he poured her another cup of coffee.

  He wondered if she could be persuaded to do this again. She seemed to fit in to his home so naturally. Or maybe, he thought, it was simply that she fitted him so well.

  ‘I don’t know what you were thinking of doing.’ She placed her hands over her full stomach. ‘That was wonderful, thanks.’

  ‘Whatever you like,’ he said. ‘We could go for a walk through the woods.’

  ‘Where do they lead to?’

  He leant forward and pointing through the large kitchen window towards the towering pine trees said, ‘We have direct access to the beach through there. It’s only a five-minute walk, and very peaceful.’

  ‘I’d love that,’ she said. ‘I’m not sure I have the right clothes for walking down pathways though.

  Seb smiled. ‘Not a problem.’ He stood up and pulled her up to join him. Holding her slightly away from him he looked her up and down, enjoying being able to have an excuse to do so. ‘You’re very slim and probably the same size as Fiona. Sebastian took her by the hand. ‘Come with me, I’m sure we can set you up with a pair of her jeans and some boots.’ He led the way back up the stairs to his sister’s room.

  ‘Wow,’ she gasped. ‘This is so pretty.’

  ‘My uncle had it decorated especially for Fi about a year ago. He thought she’d love all the pink and frills, and was hoping to make it as feminine as possible.’

  ‘And did she?’ Paige asked, stroking the plush velvet curtains. ‘Love it, I mean?’

  Seb shook his head, remembering with amusement how his sister had reacted when arriving home from university to find that her bohemian bedroom she’d taken years to mess up had been transformed into something more suited to a pop princess. ‘She loathed it, and didn’t hold back when telling him.’

  ‘Poor man.’

  ‘He was tough in the boardroom, but a complete pushover where Fi was concerned.’ He squeezed her hand. ‘Now, of course, she refuses to have it redecorated because it’s the last big thing he did for her. She won’t even change that laced canopy over her four-poster bed because she feels that to do so would show some sort of disrespect to his memory.’

  ‘Poor Fiona,’ Paige said.

  Seb shrugged. ‘Yes. Now, how about we find you some clothes?’ He walked over to a double door and opened one side.

  ‘My idea of heaven,’ she said when he moved back. ‘A walk-in wardrobe.’ She stepped inside. ‘It’s probably the size of the entire first floor of my cottage.’

  He laughed. ‘I’ll leave you to get kitted out and meet you downstairs.’

  He waited impatiently for her, not wishing to waste a moment of their morning together, his heart pounding as he watched her come down the curved staircase moments later. ‘Perfect.’

  ‘Not quite,’ Paige giggled. ‘I had to turn up the bottoms of the jeans a couple of times, and roll up the sleeves in this hoodie. How tall is your sister?’

  ‘Well, I’m 6’2, so let me see.’ He tried to picture how tall she was now. His sister never seemed to stop growing. ‘I suppose she must be about 5’10.’ Seb studied Paige once more. ‘I suppose she has a good five inches on you when it comes to height. You look gorgeous though.’

  ‘Thank you, but I feel like a kid playing dressing up in these clothes.’ Paige grimaced.

  Seb found an old pair of wellington boots for her to wear, and led her across the manicured lawn towards the woods. ‘I used to build camps all over this wood with my friends during the school holidays. We thought we were Robin Hood.’

  ‘What a perfect place for children to grow up,’ Paige said, stumbling over a camouflaged log.

  Seb grabbed hold of her and managed to save her from falling over. ‘It’s like a minefield in places,’ he said pulling her to him. He breathed in her fresh soapy scent and had to hold back from losing what little self-control he still possessed whenever he was around her. ‘I’m pleased you agreed to spend some time here this morning.’

  ‘Me, too, Thanks for the invitation.’

  ‘Any time,’ he said, glancing over his shoulder and catching the questioning look on her face. He waited for her to get level with him. ‘Come along, I have something to show you.’

  He held on tightly to her hand and led her through the woods trying not to dwell on her words about this being the perfect place for children to grow up. He glanced up at the powder blue sky over the wood in front of them
; it was like something out of a Victorian painting. He’d never considered this place as a family home before, especially not one where he was the father. Her throwaway remark sparked something inside him.

  ‘Why so serious?’ Paige asked, stepping carefully over a rotting log.

  Sebastian shook his head. ‘It’s nothing,’ he fibbed. ‘I’m concentrating on getting you down in one piece.’

  Paige laughed. ‘I’m not as clumsy as Olly likes to make out, you know.’

  ‘I’ll be the judge of that.’ He squeezed her hand and pulled her forward. ‘It’s this way.’ As they neared the clearing in the woodland, Sebastian heard Paige sigh.

  ‘It’s beautiful,’ she whispered.

  ‘You haven’t seen anything yet.’ He led her through to the edge of a small clump of mossy rocks, stepping over a narrow waterfall and stopped. ‘Down there,’ he pointed to their private beach, where he vaguely remembered his mother tanning herself when she was pregnant with Fi. How she ever got down here without hurting herself was a mystery, he wondered.

  ‘Is this your own beach?’ Paige asked.

  ‘It is. Wait there.’ He jumped down and put his arms up to take hold of her. ‘It’s OK, I won’t drop you.’

  Paige grimaced. ‘You’d better not,’ she said stepping forward and allowing him to catch her. He placed her down on the pale golden sand next to him. ‘Seb, it’s heavenly here.’

  He was glad he’d thought to share this special place with her. ‘I’m glad you like it.’

  ‘How could I not?’ They walked towards where the waves lapped gently against the shoreline, a couple of seagulls swooping around overhead.

  ‘Is that a cave over there?’

  Seb couldn’t help smiling at her childlike excitement. ‘It is. I thought you’d like to have a look inside.’

  ‘I’d love to. Come along.’ She kicked off the boots. ‘I’ll race you.’ She laughed and ran along the soft sand towards the opening of the small cave.

  ‘You cheat,’ Seb shouted, chasing after her but letting her stay a few steps ahead of him until they reached the ragged mouth of the rocks. He grabbed hold of her round her waist.