Page 105 of Never Too Late
His arms slid around me. ‘Oh, yeah.’
‘So this plane you’re being commissioned to paint?’
‘Umhmm.’
‘You’re definitely sure it’s the inside? They’re not just going to hand you a massive spray can of white and tell you to get going?’
He appeared to consider this as he shrugged his coat back on then gave a tiny tilt of his head.
‘Well, that’d be fun too.’
The dull weather had encouraged me to light some candles I’d styled in the ornate period fireplace. Before Tomas had arrived, I’d been cocooned in a squishy armchair with a light blanket, and engrossed in a novel, the easy comfort keeping me both emotionally and physically warm. The room was cosy and snug and the soft light of the candles and reading lamp were successfully keeping away the gloom of the day. Tomas looked around.
‘I could stay here all day.’
‘I’d like that.’
We both appeared to be considering the idea until I placed my hands on Tomas’s arms and turned him bodily towards the door. ‘But unfortunately, it’s not an option.’
‘Well, it is,’ he replied, looking back over his shoulder as I pushed him towards the door like a small human bulldozer.
‘No,’ I said with a little puff, ‘it’s not. God, you’re heavy.’
‘Only when I need to be.’
I ignored the allusion in his tone and, as much as possible, the images it conjured in my mind.
‘Right,’ I said, now that we were at the door. ‘Got everything? Passport? Phone? Wallet?’
He nodded as he patted a couple of pockets. ‘And glasses.’ The smile was rueful but the fact he now had to wear glasses to read did nothing to affect the attraction for me. If anything, it only enhanced it.
‘Good.’
‘I’ll call you when I land.’
‘Thanks. Just so I know you’re safe.’
‘And so I can hear your voice.’
I made to give him a gentle bat away and he caught my hand.
‘I mean it.’
I met his eyes. ‘I know,’ I said softly. I still found it hard to believe that was the truth. I knew he meant it.
His phone pinged and he pulled it from his pocket to read the text.
‘This painting,’ I pondered as he read.
‘Yes?’
‘How long would it take?’
‘It depends on what he wants exactly and the size. I’ll know more after this meeting. It’ll be a little while yet anyway as there’s various tests that have to be done to ensure the paint I use passes a burn test, apparently.’
I pulled a face. ‘That sounds ominous.’
‘Hopefully, it’s never put to that particular test in the real world but rules are rules, I suppose.’
