Page 45 of Wedding Crasher

His hands moved straight down to massage her bottom as he sought out her lips with his own.

‘You can show me the full extent of your appreciation later.’ He waggled his eyebrows, whilst privately thinking that he looked forward to personally thanking Gabriel Ryan later, in private, for his thoughtful and well-received gift.

Marla kissed him and leaned back in the circle of his arms.

‘Oh, go on then. I’ll let you light the first rocket.’

Rupert laughed low and dirty.

‘You’ve just lit my rocket.’ He rocked against her and pinched her bum hard to prove his claim. Marla jumped away and slapped his hand.

‘Rupert, I’m at work. Come back later.’

He rolled his eyes.

‘You’re the boss. I’ll be back at eight. Be ready for action.’

Marla watched him leave, not entirely sure if he’d been talking about the fireworks or not. Probably not. She bit her lip, and tried to summon enthusiastic thoughts, not prepared to give headspace to the fact that the thought of sex with Rupert didn’t excite her as much as it really ought to.

She knelt down and scrubbed Bluey behind the ears.

‘Don’t worry darling, I’ve got some lovely furry earmuffs and a big bone to distract you from the fireworks.’

Bluey was impractically large for her office, but her neighbours complained if she left him at home because he wailed like a baby. As long as he was with Marla he was happy, a feeling that went both ways. Bluey’s constant presence at her side was something she’d come to love and rely on. On previous bonfire nights he’d proven himself to be mostly unfussed by fireworks, which was just as well if he was going to be here for their little display later.

Melanie took the Mars bar out of the fridge and sliced it into tiny slivers, before arranging it on the plate in a perfect spiral.

‘I’m going to my room.’

She wasn’t sure why she bothered to tell her father. It wasn’t like he could care less whether she was in her room, or in the house at all for that matter. As long as his dinner hit the table at six o’clock and she left betting money on the side each morning, he didn’t give a damn what happened in between. He must have been thrilled that her mother had given him a daughter rather than a son before she so thoughtlessly passed away, someone to take over the mantle of caring for his every need. She’d been the only kid at her primary school who understood the washing machine cycles better than her seven times table. Her senior school days had been governed by the need to get home to cook her father’s dinner, ruling out the after-school clubs and discos that the other kids took for granted. Her only solace came from her excellent grades and the fact that they allowed her to find a decent job. A place to escape to, somewhere where no one knew her drinking, gambling father or had been inside their dark, shabby home.

Up in her room, Melanie perched on the edge of her bed and slid open the bedside drawer. Gabe’s Post-it note from a few weeks back was the only thing in there, and she held it for a few seconds to help to calm down. Gabe. Just thinking of him warmed her cool skin. He was so lovely. No one had ever given her flowers before, or made her a cup of tea, or given her little notes. She placed it reverentially back in the drawer and reached out for a piece of chocolate, when the most terrible thought struck her.

Theothernote.

The note from the fireworks box was still on her desk.

Shit, shit, shit.

Cold panic iced her heart. There was no way she could leave it until the morning. Gabe might get there early and spot it; she couldn’t bear him to question her on what had happened.

She’d have to go back and get it right now. Thank God Gabe had trusted her enough to give her a set of keys. He’d never know that she’d been back there this evening.

She tipped the Mars bar into the dustbin in disgust and dashed outside, grabbing the keys to her Mini as she went.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

‘Happy Independence Day, gorgeous.’

Marla clinked her glass against Rupert’s outstretched one with a smile. She was all warm inside and out from two glasses of champagne and the last rays of the evening sunshine.

‘Thank you,’ she smiled and sipped her fizz. ‘Do you know what Independence Day actually celebrates?’

His eyes sparked with amusement. ‘I rather fear it’s when the Americans liberated themselves from the British.’

‘That’s right,’ Marla laughed and nodded. ‘Watch your step, mister. Your days are numbered.’

‘I don’t think so, lady,’ Rupert arched his eyebrows and topped up her glass. ‘Although I’m fired-up and ready if you’d like a skirmish.’ He ran an experimental hand down her backside and she admonished him with a playful frown.

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