Page 46 of Christmas at the Scottish Lodge
‘Now you sound just like my old coach,’ he said easily.
Mairi’s stomach was bunching and her legs were trembling as she watched him ease himself down, closed her eyes as he touched her and her body began to shudder and squirm.
‘Oh!’ she gasped as he continued to work. ‘You’re so good at this. You should do it more, especially now.’ She felt her orgasm start to build. ‘Yes…’ she groaned, losing the power of speech. She was quivering and pulsing, her insides thrumming with demands that only he could meet as she began to climb. It had been too long and she wanted Jed so badly.
This wouldn’t fix what had gone wrong between them, but it was the first step to making things right. To showing Jed that he was good enough for her. That she wanted him regardless of his success on the slopes.
She moaned as she suddenly flew over the edge in a hot, fast ride that left her body quaking. Jed quickly found his way back to her mouth, kissed her again more gently this time. ‘I missed you, I’ve missed this,’ he said again, although he didn’t look happy about it.
‘I missed you too,’ she whispered. ‘But this isn’t over.’ If she had her way, this would never be over.
She tugged him down so he was laying on top of her and stared into his eyes. ‘Now it’s your turn,’ she said huskily, shifting them both around until she was straddling him again.
He was a big man, and she couldn’t have moved him if he hadn’t wanted her to. She gazed down at him, relishing the fiery heat in his heavy-lidded eyes. His forehead pinched and he opened his mouth, but she moved quickly, pressing her lips to his before he could say a word. When she drew back, she frowned at him.
‘If you’re going to tell me this is a mistake, don’t,’ she said quietly. ‘Because from where I’m sitting.’ She wriggled her hips making him moan. ‘It’s exactly where I want to be. You need to stop running, Jed, you need to stop telling me that you’re not good enough. Whatever you’re holding back, you can tell me. Maybe I can help?’
‘I—’ he started. Then she took him inside and began to move, saw the hot flutter of emotion cross his face as he shut his eyes, gritted his teeth, and began to slowly move with her. This position gave her an excellent view of every expression as it slid across his face. He couldn’t hide from her here, she could see everything he was feeling.
What started as regret quickly morphed into wonder. When he opened his eyes again, something was shining through them – if she were writing a book, she might have called it love. But she wasn’t ready to put a name to it in case she was wrong. She’d spent too many months building up her hopes only to have them dashed again and again. She had to protect herself, even as she went after what she wanted.
‘Damn,’ Jed groaned as she continued to rock and his hips jerked, merging their bodies with every move – as if he were trying to make them one. Then he was flying and she was joining him on the ride. She leaned down so she could kiss him and absorb all his loud curses, felt herself go as he stiffened and joined her.
When it was over, she lay on his chest, as they both floated back to earth and shut her eyes. Because this is exactly where shewanted to be – and whatever happened, however much Jed tried to pull away, she was going to do everything she could to keep him close.
21
JED
23 December
Jed. I hope you’re out on the slopes now. Remember, lad, we’re almost back. Don’t screw it up again, son. Boyd.
Jed woke to the sound of a mobile ringing and tried to shift his arm before he realised Mairi was curled into his chest, spreadeagled over his left side. She looked so perfect that he didn’t want to wake her, so he stayed frozen, staring into her face.
How had he managed to live without this woman for so many months – and how could he possibly let her back into his life now? She deserved so much better – and nothing had really changed. Everything he’d said in the dining room yesterday still applied. His life and career were a total mess.
But things could change. He squeezed his lips together thinking about the last time he’d been out on the slopes with Scott. Jed was skiing again and so much stronger than he’d been in months. His confidence had improved too. The Aberlinnie Winter Wonder Ski Championships could just be the start of hiscomeback. For the first time in a long time, he’d begun to have hope.
Being with Mairi again was just another link in the chain to reclaiming his old life. If he could just win or place well, he’d be in with a chance of getting his coach and agent back, maybe his sponsorship deals too? Then he could wipe out his da’s debt, and they’d tell Quinn and Aunt Effie everything. Then they could restart their marriage, properly this time.
Mairi sighed and shifted her body, releasing his arm, giving him a chance to grab the phone from the bedside table which had stopped buzzing and then restarted again.
‘Hi,’ he whispered, pulling a face as he heard Mairi sigh behind him. He pushed back the duvet and got up, stepping away so he didn’t wake her. Then he searched the floor for his clothes before glancing back to find a pair of heavy-lidded green eyes staring at him. Her hair was tussled and she looked so kissable that Jed had to stop himself from climbing back into bed and rolling her under him.
‘Who is it?’ she mouthed, yawning.
‘Quinn,’ he mimed and saw the flare of distress cross her face. ‘What’s up?’ he asked his friend, grabbing his jeans from the pile of clothes on the floor and wincing when he realised they were covered in black fur. Midnight had clearly slept on them, seemingly donating most of his body hair in the process. The puppy was now curled under the chair beside his bed, sleeping again – this time on one of his jumpers.
The dog had pawed at the door sometime in the early hours and Mairi had taken him out for a while before returning to bed and waking Jed.
Jed swallowed, remembering the feel of her mouth on his body – how much he’d missed having it there.
‘What are you up to?’ Quinn asked and Jed winced, feeling a ripple of remorse as he tugged on the trousers and Midnight woke and his tail began to thump.
‘I’m just getting ready for work. Might have to walk the dogs first,’ he said, trying not to look at Mairi.
‘You’re running late, aren’t you?’ his friend accused. Jed eyed his watch and grimaced. He had to get going. ‘Is something keeping you in bed – is it the chef, her name’s Bonnie, isn’t it?’ Quinn sounded pleased.
