Page 56 of Take My Breath Away
Except, perhaps, for when the renowned potato festival is in full swing.
James and the old man start chatting, leaving me to gaze out over the village below.
It looks tiny, scattered like pieces of Lego on a green baize cloth. The village is protected by the harbour walls, but out to sea, the wind’s whipping up the waves, and I lose myself in the view and my thoughts.
I imagine I can still feel the press of James’ lips on mine, and the hard steel of his erection. He wanted me as much as I wanted him, and if the old man hadn’t appeared, then maybe, probably… I bring my knees to my chest and bury my face in my arms.
Maybe, probably, and all the complications that would bring. Complications for me, that is, because James likes to lead a veryuncomplicated life.
I’m going to have to keep reminding myself that I’ve a new life to set up, down on the South coast. A new home, a new business, a new start. I can’t letcomplicationsget in the way. But with my face tucked into my arms, my eyes closed, and the heat of my breath a visceral reminder of the heat of James’ kiss and the lingering tingle dancing over my lips, that new life doesn’t seem quite so sharp and clear anymore.
“Perry? Ready to go?”
James’ voice drags my head up. He’s standing over me and looking down, a silhouette against the bright blue of the sky. The only sound is the wind, the gulls, and the beat of my heart. The man and his dog have gone.
He says nothing more, just holds out his hand for me to take. It’s warm and firm and he pulls me to my feet with ease. James doesn’t let go, and I make no attempt to slip free. Instead, I tighten my grip, holding fast as I let him lead me away, leaving the hilltop and all thoughts of complications behind.
Chapter Twenty-Four
PERRY
By the time we get back to the cottage the light’s beginning to fade, the blue of earlier giving way to pinks and purples.
We’ve not said much on the way back. On the hill we needed to concentrate on our footing, steering clear of rabbit holes, roots and lumps of hard granite pushing through the soil, yet even through Love’s Harbour’s quaint little streets, we’d still been silent. I’d glanced at James a few times, my gaze not settling, but nothing about him gave a clue as to his thoughts over what had happened.
We leave our jackets and boots in the tiny utility room and make our way to the kitchen. My first reaction is to put on the kettle, because maybe I need a cup of British rocket fuel, otherwise known as tea, to pluck up the nerve to say something, anything, to break the quiet.
“Come here.”
James leans against the counter running down one side of the kitchen, feet crossed at the ankles, arms crossed over his chest, head tilted to the side. He’s looking at me, smiling his invitation. Putting down the kettle, I go to him, obeying the quiet command, because I can’t not.
“I shouldn’t have kissed you,” he says, unwrapping his arms and trailing his finger over my cheek. I push into him, my response as instinctive as breathing.
“I’m glad you did.”
He doesn’t say anything as he gazes at me, his eyes unreadable. All I can hear is the steady tick of the wall clock and the unsteady beat of my heart.
“Are you? Honestly?”
His smile softens, becomes almost shy, another side to this man which he keeps hidden away. It gives me the courage to step forward, so close I can feel the heat of his body, breathe in his scent of citrus cologne, blended with the tang of clean sweat and the irresistible aroma of our combined arousal. I wrap my arms around his neck, easing his head down, pressing my body into his.
“Yes, and I want you to do it again.”
The kiss is long and deep, edged with a hungry desperation. Wet, hot, sloppy, noisy, our sighs and groans fill the space around us. James slips his hands beneath the waistband of the heavy tracksuit bottoms I’m wearing and I gasp as he clasps me tight, fingers clamped hard to my hips.
I thrust into him, both of us rubbing and rutting, our steel-hard cocks dragging against each other’s, all our sighs and groans turning to desperate moans. We’re racing towards an edge it’s impossible to veer away from, but I know with a clarity that’s blinding that I want to plunge in headfirst. All those complications, they’ve faded and disappeared because this, here and now, is what I crave more than anything in the world.
“Is this what you want? Truly and honestly, is it?”
He’s letting me decide what will happen next. He’s giving me the power to say yes or no when so many others have taken what they want from me without a second thought. If I step back, he’ll accept my decision.
I don’t want to step back.
“It is. It’s what I’ve always wanted. I think you’re who I’ve always wanted.”
“Even when I teased you?”
“Especiallywhen you teased me.”
