Page 58 of A Kiss under the Stars
‘Yup.’ Then he grins. ‘I fancy you more, though.’
‘Oh, do you, now? And I suppose you’re hoping the feeling’smutual?’ I tease him, feeling a blush of pure joy rising to my cheeks at thetouch of his hand around my waist.
‘I suppose I am.’ He smiles, then he looks away for amoment. ‘How long until the refurb is finished, do you think?’
I glance at him, puzzled. ‘A few weeks maybe?’
‘Then you’ll be going back to Bournemouth to start your newjob.’
I nod. ‘Yes. Yes, I will.’
‘So... we’d better make the most of thetime we have before you depart, don’t you think?’
‘I guess so.’ My heart sinks. What does he mean? Thatgetting to know each other better will come to an abrupt end once I leaveSunnybrook and go back to Bournemouth?
‘Let’s start with that lunch, then? And maybe a kiss?’
I hesitate, not wanting to go full-steam ahead with thisrelationship if it’s only going to last a few weeks. I smile a little stiffly.‘Lunch. Then we’ll see how it goes.’
‘Fine.’ He grins, taking my brush-off in his stride. ‘Comeon, then.’
We get in the car and he starts the engine. Then he looksacross at me and says, ‘How far is it to Bournemouth?’
I frown, thinking. ‘You need the exact mileage?’
He shrugs. ‘I was just thinking I might ask for a pay riseto pay for the extra petrol I’ll be using.’
‘Extra petrol?’
‘Yes. Long-distance relationships aren’t cheap, you know.Trips back and forth to the south coast will all add up.’ He grins. ‘Although Ithink you might be worth it.’
My heart, which was previously on the floor, is suddenlybobbing around in my chest like a balloon on a choppy sea.
‘So you’re inviting yourself down for weekends now? Bit of acheek, if you ask me.’ I eye him mischievously.
‘But you’re not going to say no, I hope?’ He smiles at me.That eye-crinkling, warm smile that does for me every single time.
I pretend to think about this. ‘You know you suggested lunchand a kiss?’
‘Yes?’
‘Do they have to be done in that order?’
‘Oh, no. Not at all. I’m an easy-going bloke.’ He shrugs.‘Feel free to mix it up.’
I chuckle. ‘Well, in that case...’ Leaningover, I place my hands on his shoulders and kiss him. It’s intended to be acomic peck, but somehow, the instant it happens, all sensible thought fliesfrom my mind. There’s just Liam and me. His warm lips against mine. And adesire for him that’s getting more urgent the longer the kiss goes on.
My hands are in his hair as he pulls me hard against him andkisses me deeply.
He pulls away slightly and gasps, ‘Be gentle with me, Lottie.I’m going to need hospital treatment myself if you carry on like that.’
‘This probably isn’t the best place to – um –talk,’I say breathlessly. ‘Outside the hospital.’
‘You’re right. We don’t want to get arrested. Lunch? Or...back to Sycamore House?’
We exchange a look that’s full of wicked intent.
‘Why pay for lunch when I’ve got food in the fridge?’ I pointout with a smile.
