Since never.
‘I might need first aid,’ he said when they finally broke apart. ‘Or at least a blood pressure monitor.’
‘We do seem to have chemistry.’
‘They say opposites attract.’
She ran a finger over his lips. ‘Does that bother you?’
‘Right now, this minute? Not at all.’ To prove it, he moved in for another kiss, which was just as spectacular as the last.
‘Will it bother you in the future?’ Claudia asked when he’d taken what he wanted.
‘Hmm?’ With his senses flooded, Jason could barely get his brain to function.
‘About opposites attracting,’ Claudia supplied helpfully, then smiled. ‘Until you’ve thought about that, maybe we should leave things there. It’s late, and you have work tomorrow.’
Work was a distant concept, but Jason stood. ‘Okay. And sorry. You only invited me in for a drink. And I only meant to ask if you were okay.’
‘And you did. And I told you I wasn’t. And you comforted me, and then you distracted me – in a very nice way. It was exactly what I needed.’
‘Happy to serve.’
She kissed him lightly and then he was out the door and down the steps, but he didn’t go to his car straight away. He walked down to the water’s edge. Throwing caution to the wind, he took off his shoes and allowed the night-cold waves to run over his feet, his heels sinking into the sand so he had to concentrate on keeping his balance… which was better than concentrating on Claudia.
Jason’s system was swamped with sensations. Her scent; her soft lips moving on his, encouraging him to want more, to want her… Even in the early days with Gemma, he hadn’t experienced that kind of desire. That had been a youthful, earnest passion.
It felt different with Claudia. Wiser. Deeper. Special.
When Jason finally fell into bed, he gave up on analysing his thoughts and allowed himself to think only of how it had felt to be with Claudia.
That night, his dreams were filled with how it might feel to make love with her in that magical flat of hers with its fairy lights and crystals and goddesses and bead curtains and cushions the colour of the sea.
Chapter Nineteen
Claudia was so looking forward to her day off. What with the storm and Millie’s oracle cards and the dreadful Ollie Barton, it felt like she hadn’t had much of one in weeks.
But first… Millie was due home tomorrow. That meant that tonight was the last of Jason’s free evenings. Should she?
Her fingers tapped out the text as if of their own volition.
Do you fancy dinner at mine tonight?
While Claudia waited for his reply, she pulled on shorts and a T-shirt. She jumped when her phone pinged.
I do fancy it. And you. But you cooked last time. I should cook for you at mine.
That first part was a little racy. Claudia liked those little comments he made when she least expected them – he seemed so strait-laced the rest of the time. Not that his kisses had felt strait-laced last night…
No, that’s okay. You have work today and I don’t. Six thirty?
Six thirty is good. If you’re sure?
I am.
With shopping to do and dinner to prepare, Claudia decided against too ambitious a day. Half an hour’s drive later, she was setting herself up on Marazion beach with the spectacle of St Michael’s Mount in view. It was early June now, and it would be busy, but since she’d been over to the island before, she was content to admire it rather than join the visitors queuing for boats across to the island or waiting for the tide to go out so they could safely walk the causeway. The sight of the castle on the rock was, as ever, impressive, and it put things into perspective, making Claudia’s worries seem smaller.
This thing with Hester’s Cauldron would die down. Nobody would have time for it once the summer tourists started really flooding in, and by the end of the season, hopefully everyone would have forgotten the unpleasantness. Hester’s Cauldron would close for the winter, and Claudia would have her locals back.
As for Jason… Claudia didn’t know what to feel about him. In a natural reflex, she pulled out her phone, checked she had a signal, and dialled Tanya.
‘Hi. Can you take a quick break?’ she asked.
‘One of the benefits of being self-employed. Consider it done.’
‘Did you have a good weekend at your parents’?’
Tanya made a disgruntled noise. ‘Dad could only ask about my work, as usual – he can’t cope with anything he doesn’t approve of. Mum asked if I’d found a nice man yet, and when I said I didn’t need to be defined by a man, thank you, she pointed out that I might fare better if I stopped playing with all this silly witch stuff. Do you think I enjoyed it?’
Claudia chuckled. ‘There are advantages to my mother living across the Channel. I get away with just one winter visit a year.’
‘Lucky you. How’s Pudding?’
‘He looks almost normal again.’
‘Hester’s?’
‘Sick of the whole topic.’
‘I’ll ask no more. How about Jason?
‘Ah. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about…’
Looking across at the island, Claudia filled Tanya in. Her thank-you-for-helping-me-with-the-cat dinner on Saturday and their kiss. Their post-meditation drink on Tuesday and another kiss. Her invitation for tonight.
‘Good grief, Claudia! Can’t I leave you in charge of your own life for just one weekend? My head’s spinning!’
‘So was mine after the kissing.’
‘Oooh. That’s quite a statement coming from a woman who’s sworn off men for the past three years. I said you two had chemistry.’
‘You did. And, as always, you were right. But there’s still the rest, Tanya. He said something about opposites attracting, and I told him he ought to think about that. It’s all moving a bit too fast.’
‘You’re the one who invited him to dinner twice in one week.’
‘That’s because Millie’s away, so he’s more relaxed.’
‘And why exactly do you want him to be more relaxed?’
‘I…’
Tanya laughed, low and throaty. ‘I’ll leave you to ponder on that.’
‘I don’t want you to leave me to ponder. I want you to tell me what to do.’
‘You’re a thirty-four-year-old woman, Claudia. I can’t tell you what to do. But your intuition can. You’ve spent three years honing it. Try using it tonight. As for me, I’ve a website for a pop-up beach shack café to finish by tomorrow morning, so I’ll have to love you and leave you, otherwise I’ll be pulling an all-nighter.’ Tanya allowed for a dramatic pause. ‘As might you be. Good luck!’
Claudia glowered at her phone, then sat back and tried to enjoy the beach while thinking about what Tanya had said, calculating how much time to leave before starting back, and wondering which supermarket to call at. No way would she shop at Libby’s and risk advertising the fact that she had a guest for dinner.
Shopping went well. Cooking went well. This time, Claudia chose something she could prepare in advance – soup followed by a salad. That way, they would be more relaxed.
And there was that word again.
For a moment, she dithered over what to wear, then told herself not to be ridiculous. She never wore anything that didn’t make her feel good nowadays, so her turquoise midi-dress would do just as well as anything else.
When Jason first arrived, they exchanged a look that suggested they might be nervous but weren’t about to admit it, but they soon settled into each other’s company, drinking wine, eating, chatting. He told her about his parents who had moved to New Zealand a few years ago to join his brother there and Claudia explained her mother’s propensity for swapping husbands with alarming regularity. Claudia spoke about her plans to try making her own candles when she had time in the winter to experiment, and her inability to provide online shopping while she was still a one-woman show – unless she wanted to work herself
to death, which was hardly the point of her new start in Cornwall. Jason told her about his progress in his new job and how he hoped to set up his own practice one day.
And, inevitably, when they settled on the sofa after dinner, they kissed. Claudia allowed herself to enjoy his citrusy scent, the thrum of her escalating pulse… but finally broke off to ask him, ‘Did you think about it?’
‘Think about what? How the hell am I supposed to think about anything when you kiss me like that?’
Claudia couldn’t help but laugh. ‘About “opposites attracting”, Jason. It’s not necessarily a good thing, is it?’
‘Feels good to me right now.’ When he leaned in, she placed a hand firmly on his chest. He sighed. ‘Alright. Yes, I thought about it, but I decided there wasn’t an immediate or perfect answer and left it that. Can’t you leave it at that?’
Claudia wasn’t sure, but if Jason wanted to be carefree tonight – and he rarely got the chance – then maybe she should let him. When his lips met hers again and his hands began to roam across her back, down to her hips… well. It no longer seemed to matter.
Claudia responded with her own explorations, running her hands across his back, his chest. Needing to feel his skin, she moved her hands under his shirt to feel his muscles. With a sharp breath, Jason slid his hands up to brush the sides of her breasts then cup them through the summer-thin fabric of her dress.
Her breathing ragged, Claudia drew back from the longest kiss she had ever shared with anyone. ‘We need a breather.’
‘Yes.’ Jason’s breathing was as erratic as hers.
Claudia studied his face. They both knew where this was leading, surely? It couldn’t follow any other course. They wanted each other. He wasn’t often free to be alone with her.
Was he thinking along the same lines?
‘Claudia, you’re staring at me.’ Jason placed his hand on her cheek. ‘What is it?’
‘I’m trying to work out what you’re thinking.’
‘All you have to do is ask. You’re not psychic… Are you?’
Claudia smiled. ‘No. Don’t worry. So, what are you thinking?’
He kissed her lightly on the lips, then sat back, giving her a smouldering look. ‘I wasn’t thinking at all a moment ago. But if I had to say…? It’s a mess in here.’ He tapped his head. ‘I’m thinking how good it is that we’re friends now. How grateful I am for what you’re doing for Millie. How much I hate that mermaid fantasy figure in your shop – which hasn’t sold in the eight weeks I’ve known you, by the way, proving my point that it’s hideous.’
Claudia let out a startled laugh… and registered the fact that he knew exactly how many weeks they’d known each other. That was significant, wasn’t it?
‘But mainly,’ he went on, ‘I’m thinking about how much I want to lead you through those irritating bead curtains of yours and make love to you.’
‘Well, that was honest!’ Watching his expression, Claudia said, ‘I sense a “but”.’
‘Claudia, you know I haven’t slept with anyone since Gemma.’ He shook his head. ‘I didn’t want to bring my dead wife into this. What I’m trying to say… The truth is, I’m a little nervous. And I can’t believe I admitted that. Now tell me what you’re thinking.’
Oh dear. But it was only fair that he should be allowed to ask in return. And she should be honest. There was every chance she was about to sleep with him, after all.
‘I want you, Jason. It feels right – you know me and my gut instinct. But I’m a little nervous, too. I haven’t slept with anyone since Lee.’ She smiled. ‘Seems we’re in the same boat.’
Piercing, pale blue eyes caught her up and refused to let her go. ‘Maybe we should just throw ourselves in at the deep end.’
Claudia recognised his honesty and care for her… and desire, mirroring her own. ‘Maybe we should.’
She brought her lips back to his. Perhaps it might have been better to skip the honesty, she thought, as their kiss only simmered. Perhaps it had taken some of the magic away. But honesty was right for the two of them.
With that thought, something in her shifted and settled. Her lips relaxed under his, and she moved closer until her breasts were pressed against his chest. When Jason deepened the kiss, rational thought left her altogether. The magic was still there, alright.
‘Come with me.’ Taking her hand, Jason pulled her off the sofa, batting the bead curtains aside with impatience. When he spotted the large pink crystal on her bedside cabinet, glistening under the fairy lights strung above her bed, he said, ‘Even in here? Dare I ask what it is?’
‘Rose quartz. It reduces stress and promotes healing. It’s also associated with romance, although in my case, that isn’t why it’s here.’
Jason smiled. ‘It suits tonight’s purposes, at least.’
All talking stopped as he kissed her again, until every sense in her body was heightened, from her lips to her toes and all points in between.
‘Too many clothes,’ he grumbled as he tugged at her dress. When she was down to her underwear, Claudia started on his shirt, his jeans. Impatient, he helped her, then dragged her onto the bed.
For a brief moment, despite the soft glow from the fairy lights and a salt lamp on the shelf, Claudia felt too exposed, too vulnerable. And then his hands were on her body, exploring the curve of her breasts above her bra, her hips, her stomach, and she no longer felt vulnerable but wanted.
‘You’re so beautiful,’ he murmured against her skin as his lips followed where his hands led. ‘Like a wild-haired goddess.’
Claudia’s lips curved. She was no goddess, but this man wanted her for her. With his touch driving her too far, too fast, she turned her attention on him, all nerves gone as her hands ran across his chest, down to his waist.
He pushed her hand away. ‘Still too many clothes.’ A logistical problem he solved for both of them in record time.
Skin to skin, they held each other for a moment as they absorbed the new sensations. And then the heat was back, her heart thudding against his, and they let it take them where it wanted.
Afterwards, they lay in the pink glow of the lamp, their hearts thumping, Jason’s arm falling possessively across her chest, his face turned towards her.
Claudia was not inclined to speak. She had no idea what she would say. Jason appeared to feel the same, but there was no awkwardness. Their lovemaking had felt right. Lying together like this felt right.
She felt his breathing slow, his arm growing heavy across her body. Before he fell asleep, he whispered ‘Claudia Rose’ against her shoulder.
The way he said her name, the only man who used that name, and only at important moments, told her he felt it was right, too.
Jason was woken early by Claudia’s living and breathing alarm clock – Pudding. The cat leaping onto the bed barely dented Jason’s deep sleep, but when he felt paws batting at his eyelids, that brought him round quickly enough.
‘Aargh!’ He swatted at the cat, then figured he ought to be less combative with an animal that had so many claws near his eyeballs.
He needn’t have worried. Now that Pudding had someone’s attention, he was content to curl into the crook of Jason’s arm, velvety soft fur against his bare chest, while Jason idly tickled between his ears and came round fully.
Claudia was still asleep, her hair spread across her pillow, golds and reds glinting in the early morning sun that sneaked through the slats of the wooden blinds. Her mouth was curved in a cat-like smile.
She was obviously used to her pet’s morning habits and could ignore them. Perhaps Pudding had decided that if Jason had the effrontery to share her bed, he should learn what morning meant around here.
As Jason lay there, Claudia’s shoulder against one arm, the purring cat under the other, the whoosh of the ocean a backdrop to his thoughts, the wind chimes jingling lightly in the breeze, he felt, for the first time in a long time, that life was looking up. Not because he’d broken a longer run than he would have liked of
a sexless existence… although that wasn’t negligible. Jason could have done that any time if he’d wanted to, but he wasn’t looking for mechanical, loveless sex. He’d had enough of that with his wife, longing for their earlier days when it had meant something to them both.
Sex with Claudia had been worth the wait.
Pudding, on the other hand, obviously believed that waiting for something worth having was basically overrated. His gentle nips at Jason’s hand hinted that breakfast was due. Not wanting to wake Claudia, Jason shifted Pudding, climbed carefully out of bed, pulled on his boxers, and cursed the rattle of the bead curtains as he padded barefoot into the kitchen.
‘I don’t know where she keeps your food,’ he told the cat. Pudding responded by stalking to the appropriate cabinet and sitting at its door.
Jason gave the cat half a sachet and put the kettle on. When he’d made tea – Claudia would have to settle for normal, since he had no idea which of her many leaf teas was correct for mornings – he went back into the bedroom to find her just waking.
‘Thanks.’ She struggled into a sitting position, demurely dragging the sheet up to cover her breasts, and took the mug he handed her. ‘I slept like the dead!’
Jason grinned. ‘That might have been down to the mind-blowing sex.’
She spluttered out a laugh. ‘You thought it was mind-blowing?’
‘Er – yeah.’ Doubt crossed his features. ‘You didn’t?’
‘I don’t think my mind had anything to do with it, frankly. My body, on the other hand…’
He groaned. ‘Please don’t mention your body. I’m having enough trouble controlling myself as it is.’
Glancing at her bedside clock, Claudia gave him a long look, her golden eyes teasing him from under long lashes. ‘It’s still early. Why worry about controlling yourself? I could miss my yoga. Do you have to be at work early?’
The Little Shop in Cornwall: A heartwarming and feel good beach read Page 25