Page 121 of Paper Roses

I gasp as he jumps onto the bed, tumbles me onto my back, and drops kisses over my face.

“Stop,” I shout, trying not to giggle and failing.

He pulls back, looking suddenly serious. “I may have done a lot, but this between you and me is something completely new to me.”

“Not even with Mick?” I clap a hand over my mouth, horrified I’ve brought his name into this exchange.

But he only smiles at me and kisses my fingers. “I loved Mick, but what we had was different from you and me, and I’m so glad of that fact.” He hesitates. “I have things I want to tell you about him and me, but I don’t want to get into it at the moment.”

“Of course. Whenever you’re ready is fine,” I say steadily.

“It’s not because I can’t bear to talk about him. I don’t feel that now,” he says quickly. “It’s because I don’t want that discussion to intrude on the start of us.”

I smile at him, feeling tears in my eyes at his earnest confession. “Is this really the start?”

He brushes my hair back. “It’s the start of the best part.”

“I like that.” I squeak as he rolls me over and slaps my arse.

“Get this beautiful bum up and showered and dressed. I have something to show you.”

I sit up as he leaves the bed. “It’s probably better for the planet if we save water and shower together.”

He rolls his eyes but can’t conceal the way his cock is stiffening. “Have I ever told you that I find ecological concerns very sexy?”

“I’m a member of Friends of the Earth.”

“Oh my god, you are thesexiestman alive,” he says fervently.

I shout with laughter as I hurry into the bathroom with him hot on my heels.

It takes an hour before we manage to separate, and the sheets are damp when he pulls away. “Dress,” he says, pointing at me. “No more of your sexual wiles.” He pauses. “Do you have some paper and a marker pen?”

“Why?”

He flushes and scratches the back of his head awkwardly. He looks adorable, considering that he’s stark naked.

“No reason. Do you have some?”

“In the drawer in the kitchen.”

He hurries out of the room with a speed that rouses my curiosity. I put on some jeans and an old jumper of his that I pinched and that demands rolling up the sleeves.

In the lounge he’s waiting with my coat. He helps me on with it and bustles me out of the door. We walk for a few blocks, exchanging smiles often, and then he hails a cab. He gives the driver quiet instructions and then helps me into the back seat.

“Where are we going?” I ask as he immediately pulls me across the leather seat and wraps his arms around me. I nestle into him with a happy sigh as we watch the world go by. Christmas lights gleam red and gold, and people are heading to dinner, the bars and restaurants shining brightly in the twilight. The rain has stopped, and everywhere glistens in the streetlights. It’s cold, but here with him I’m warm and safe.

“You’ll see. You asked me what I was reading earlier.”

I blink at the change of subject. “Yes, what was it?”

“I was looking for something,” he says mysteriously.

I take a surreptitious glance at the rucksack by his leg. When he sees me looking, he nudges it out of sight. His fingers are tapping on his jean-clad thigh, and I realise with a start that he’s nervous.

“You alright?” I ask.

“Yes, fine,” he says quickly. He looks up as the cab slows, and the driver announces that we’re here.

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