With a groan and a compulsive movement, he finally reacted as she knew she could make him. ‘You gorgeous, sexy woman!’ His hard, scalding body weight pinned her, trapped her, felt delicious. ‘Christ, I want you!’
His head dropped to her breast and her heart hammered. His lips travelled the upward length of her throat, the ticklish crook of her neck, that place below her ear lobe. And she knew her hands were clasping his back frantically as her mouth awaited his soft and considerate lips, hips lifting in invitation. Never had she felt quite so heated, so sensitive, so ready for him.
‘Love me,’ she suggested, grinding her pelvis against him, abruptly aware of her own desperation to end the long months without his body, uncaring whether he thought her overwhelming or demanding or impatient. ‘Love me!’
He bit her neck, lifted himself above her. ‘Of course I love you!’
Epilogue
He parked the wrecker and strolled across his forecourt and into his garage, where Pete was busy at the back of yet another VW Beetle.
After the first flash of relief, Pete shook his head and complained, ‘You don’t know where I can get a good mechanic, do you? Short-handed today, I had to send Jos to pick up Graham’s Lotus.’ He selected one of the array of spanners arranged about his feet.
Ratty grinned. ‘I’ve been busy. Can you manage if I take a few days off?’
Pete raised his eyebrows as he worked. ‘Anyone I know?’
Ratty sank his chin on his fist and muttered, ‘Tess.’
Pete’s spanner clanged to the concrete floor. ‘Did you say Tess? How the hell did that happen?’
Ratty accepted a punch to his upper arm with a sheepish grin, wincing, and decided to pay Pete the compliment of the truth. ‘On my way back, yesterday, she was standing at the side of the road with the Freelander. She threw her keys into a ditch so I’d tow her home. I pretended I had a car to pick up from Brighton and that it was an overnighter, got rooms in a motel.
‘I gave her the cold shoulder. She came to my room in knickers and shirt and asked to sleep with me. I tried to beat her off, and we had a fight. She won me round.’
‘All right, all right!’ Pete pretended to be huffed. ‘You don’t have to make things up. I suppose some things are too private to be shared. So, now you’re going to spend the week in bed?’
‘That’s about it.’ Ratty laughed.
‘Angel will be tickled to death, anyway. Let us know when you’ve taken the Do not disturb sign off the door.’
‘I’ll be in touch. We will be, I mean.’
Back towards Pennybun in the last of the slanting sunshine, Ratty let his mind return to Tess and last night, as they’d rumbled back up the motorway, encased in the wrecker’s comfortable familiar road noise. ‘We won’t rush things this time,’ he’d suggested. ‘Maybe it’d be better if you stayed at Honeybun. I thought of it, after you’d gone. We can spend as much time together as we want, but keep separate bases, maybe you’d feel more secure.’ He’d felt for the warmth of her hand, as he drove. Wanting to reassure her. To be reasonable, adult, cautious. Sensible.
‘Oh, Rats!’ she’d complained. ‘I was going to ask you to marry me. Are you scared?’
He turned into the gate of Pennybun Cottage.
Tonight, they’d celebrate quietly. A restaurant, a bottle of bubbly, bed like a couple of rabbits.
He could show her again how much he loved her and tomorrow, he thought, they could fetch the rest of her boxes from Honeybun.
He could help her unpack.
**** Ends ****
About the Author
Sue Moorcroft is an accomplished writer of novels, serials, short stories and articles, as well as a creative writing tutor and a competition judge.
Her other novels include All That Mullarkey, Want to Know a Secret?, Love & Freedom and prior to Choc Lit - Uphill All the Way. Her novel Dream a Little Dream will be published by Choc Lit in November 2012.
She is also the commissioning editor and a contributor to Loves Me, Loves Me Not, an anthology of short stories celebrating the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s 50th anniversary and the author of Love Writing – How to Make Money Writing Romantic or Erotic Fiction.
www.suemoorcroft.com
www.suemoorcroft.wordpress.com
www.twitter.com/suemoorcroft
More Choc Lit from Sue
All That Mullarkey
Revenge and love: it’s a thin line …
The writing’s on the wall for Cleo and Gav. The bedroom wall, to be precise. And it says ‘This marriage is over.’
Wounded and furious, Cleo embarks on a night out with the girls, which turns into a glorious one night stand with …
Justin, centrefold material and irrepressibly irresponsible. He loves a little wildness in a woman – and he’s in the right place at the right time to enjoy Cleo’s.
But it’s Cleo who has to pick up the pieces – of a marriage based on a lie and the lasting repercussions of that night. Torn between laid-back Justin and control freak Gav, she’s a free spirit that life is trying to tie down. But the rewards are worth it!
Find out more and purchase in the kindle store: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Starting-Over-ebook/dp/B003Y8XQ74
Want to Know a Secret?
Money, love and family. Which matters most?
When Diane Jenner’s husband is hurt in a helicopter crash, she discovers a secret that changes her life. And it’s all about money, the kind of money the Jenners have never had.
James North has money, and he knows it doesn’t buy happiness. He’s been a rock for his wayward wife and troubled daughter – but that doesn’t stop him wanting Diane.
James and Diane have something in common: they always put family first. Which means that what happens in the back of James’s Mercedes is a really, really bad idea.
Or is it?
Find out more and purchase in the kindle store: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Want-Know-Secret-ebook/dp/B004D5000S
Love & Freedom
Short-listed for the Festival of Romance Award for Best Romantic Read 2011.
New start, new love.
That’s what Honor Sontag needs after her life falls apart, leaving her reputation in tatters and her head all over the place. So she flees her native America and heads for Brighton, England.
Honor’s hoping for a much-deserved break and the chance to find the mother who abandoned her as a baby. What she gets is an entanglement with a mysterious male whose family seems to have a finger in every pot in town.
Martyn Mayfair has sworn off women with strings attached, but is irresistibly drawn to Honor, the American who keeps popping up in his life. All he wants is an uncomplicated relationship built on honesty, but Honor’s past threatens to undermine everything. When secrets about her mother start to spill out ...
Honor has to make an agonising choice. Will she live up to her dutiful name and please others? Or will she choose freedom?
Find out more and purchase in the kindle store: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-Freedom-ebook/dp/B00564A0RS
And to be released in November 2012
Dream a Little Dream
What would you give to make your dreams come true?
Liza Reece has a dream. Working as a reflexologist for a troubled holistic centre isn’t enough. When the opportunity arises to take over the Centre she jumps at it. Problem is, she needs funds, and fast, as she’s not the only one interested.
Dominic Christy has dreams of his own. Diagnosed as suffering from a rare sleep disorder, dumped by his live-in girlfriend and discharged from the job he adored as an Air Traffic Controller, he’s single-minded in his aims. He has money, and plans for the Centre that don’t include Liza and her team.
But dreams have a way of shifting and changing and Dominic’s growing fascination with Liza threatens to reshape his. And then it’s time to wake up to the truth ...
More from Choc Lit
If you’ve enjoyed Sue’s heroes, you’ll enjoy the rest of our sele
ction. Here’s a sample:
Turning the Tide
Christine Stovell
All’s fair in love and war?
Depends on who’s making the rules.
Harry Watling has spent the past five years keeping her father’s boat yard afloat, despite its dying clientele. Now all she wants to do is enjoy the peace and quiet of her sleepy backwater.
So when property developer Matthew Corrigan wants to turn the boat yard into an upmarket housing complex for his exotic new restaurant, it’s like declaring war.
And the odds seem to be stacked in Matthew’s favour. He’s got the colourful locals on board, his hard-to-please girlfriend is warming to the idea and he has the means to force Harry’s hand.
Meanwhile, Harry has to fight not just his plans but also her feelings for the man himself.
Then a family secret from the past creates heartbreak for Harry, and neither of them is prepared for what happens next …
Find out more and purchase in the kindle store: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Turning-The-Tide-ebook/dp/B003Y8XQOC
Highland Storms
Christina Courtenay
Winner of the 2012 RoNA Best Historical Romantic Novel Category Award
Who can you trust?
Betrayed by his brother and his childhood love, Brice Kinross needs a fresh start. So he welcomes the opportunity to leave Sweden for the Scottish Highlands to take over the family estate.
But there’s trouble afoot at Rosyth in 1754 and Brice finds himself unwelcome. The estate’s in ruin and money is disappearing. He discovers an ally in Marsaili Buchanan, the beautiful redheaded housekeeper, but can he trust her?
Marsaili is determined to build a good life. She works hard at being a housekeeper and harder still at avoiding men who want to take advantage of her. But she’s irresistibly drawn to the new clan chief, even though he’s made it plain he doesn’t want to be shackled to anyone.
And the young laird has more than romance on his mind. His investigations are stirring up an enemy. Someone who will stop at nothing to get what he wants – including Marsaili – even if that means destroying Brice’s life forever …
Sequel to Trade Winds
Find out more and purchase in the kindle store: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Highland-Storms-Choc-Lit-ebook/dp/B00629ZK0I
The Importance of being Emma
Juliet Archer
Darcy & Friends Series
Winner of The Big Red Reads Fiction Award 2011 and short listed for the 2009 Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance.
Mark Knightley – handsome, clever, rich – is used to women falling at his feet. Except Emma Woodhouse, who’s like part of the family – and the furniture. When their relationship changes dramatically, is it an ending or a new beginning?
Emma’s grown into a stunningly attractive young woman, full of ideas for modernising her family business.
Then Mark gets involved and the sparks begin to fly. It’s just like the old days, except that now he’s seeing her through totally new eyes.
While Mark struggles to keep his feelings in check, Emma remains immune to the Knightley charm. She’s never forgotten that embarrassing moment when he discovered her teenage crush on him. He’s still pouring scorn on all her projects, especially her beautifully orchestrated campaign to find Mr Right for her ditzy PA. And finally, when the mysterious Flynn Churchill – the man of her dreams – turns up, how could she have eyes for anyone else?
Find out more and purchase in the kindle store: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Importance-Being-Emma-ebook/dp/B003ZSHNWW
The Silver Locket
Margaret James
Winner of Catanetworks Reviewers’ Choice Award for Single Titles 2010
If life is cheap, how much is love worth?
It’s 1914 and young Rose Courtenay has a decision to make. Please her wealthy parents by marrying the man of their choice – or play her part in the war effort?
The chance to escape proves irresistible and Rose becomes a nurse. Working in France, she meets Lieutenant Alex Denham, a dark figure from her past. He’s the last man in the world she’d get involved with – especially now he’s married.
But in wartime nothing is as it seems. Alex’s marriage is a sham and Rose is the only woman he’s ever wanted. As he recovers from his wounds, he sets out to win her trust. His gift of a silver locket is a far cry from the luxuries she’s left behind.
What value will she put on his love?
First novel in the trilogy, followed by The Golden Chain (May 2011) and The Penny Bangle (May 2012)
Find out more and purchase in the kindle store: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Silver-Locket-ebook/dp/B004D4ZYTQ
Please Don’t Stop the Music
Jane Lovering
Winner of the RONA Best Novel of the Year 2012
Winner of the RONA Best Romantic Comedy of the Year 2012
How much can you hide?
Jemima Hutton is determined to build a successful new life and keep her past a dark secret. Trouble is, her jewellery business looks set to fail – until enigmatic Ben Davies offers to stock her handmade belt buckles in his guitar shop and things start looking up, on all fronts.
But Ben has secrets too. When Jemima finds out he used to be the front man of hugely successful Indie rock band Willow Down, she wants to know more. Why did he desert the band on their US tour? Why is he now a semi-recluse?
And the curiosity is mutual – which means that her own secret is no longer safe ...
Find out more and purchase in the kindle store: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Please-Dont-Stop-Music-ebook/dp/B004LROOFK
The UnTied Kingdom
Kate Johnson
Shortlisted for the RONA Best Contemporary Novel 2012
The portal to an alternate world was the start of all her troubles– or was it?
When Eve Carpenter lands with a splash in the Thames, it’s not the London or England she’s used to. No one has a telephone or knows what a computer is. England’s a third world country and Princess Di is still alive. But worst of all, everyone thinks Eve’s a spy.
Including Major Harker who has his own problems. His sworn enemy is looking for a promotion. The general wants him to undertake some ridiculous mission to capture a computer, which Harker vaguely envisions running wild somewhere in Yorkshire. Turns out the best person to help him is Eve.
She claims to be a popstar. Harker doesn’t know what a popstar is, although he suspects it’s a fancy foreign word for ‘spy’. Eve knows all about computers, and electricity. Eve is dangerous. There’s every possibility she’s mad.
And Harker is falling in love with her.
Find out more and purchase in the kindle store: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-UnTied-Kingdom-ebook/dp/B004URV5SA
Never Coming Home
Evonne Wareham
Winner of the 2012 Joan Hessayon New Writers Award
All she has left is hope
When Kaz Elmore is told her five-year-old daughter Jamie has died in a car crash, she struggles to accept that she’ll never see her little girl again. Then a stranger comes into her life offering the most dangerous substance in the world: hope.
Devlin, security consultant and witness to the terrible accident scene, inadvertently reveals that Kaz’s daughter might not have been the girl in the car after all.
What if Jamie is still alive? With no evidence, the police aren’t interested, so Devlin and Kaz have little choice but to investigate themselves.
Devlin never gets involved with a client. Never. But the more time he spends with Kaz, the more he desires her – and the more his carefully constructed ice-man persona starts to unravel .
The desperate search for Jamie leads down dangerous paths – to a murderous acquaintance from Devlin’s dark past, and all across Europe, to Italy, where deadly secrets await. But as long as Kaz has hope, she can’t stop looking…
Find out more and purchase in the kindle store: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Never-Coming-Home-Choc-ebook/dp/B007FU93TM
/> To Turn Full Circle
Linda Mitchelmore
Life in Devon in 1909 is hard and unforgiving, especially for young Emma Le Goff, whose mother and brother die in curious circumstances, leaving her totally alone in the world. While she grieves, her callous landlord Reuben Jago claims her home and belongings.
His son Seth is deeply attracted to Emma and sympathises with her desperate need to find out what really happened, but all his attempts to help only incur his father’s wrath.
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