Page 84 of Christmas in Mistletoe
Ruby silenced Fran by kissing her again. Ruby’s fingers clutched the star as her lips slid over Fran’s, and Ruby’s heart swelled in her chest. When she pulled back, she smiled at Fran. “I don’t think you’re being pushy. I get it. I know you want me to embrace whatever happens, and I’m going to try. To be brave. With you beside me, it’s going to be a whole lot easier.” She held up her present. “I love my star. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Fran blushed bright red.
She was adorable.
“Thanks for last night, too. It was fab having dinner with your parents. They’re so cute together.”
Fran smiled. “They are, aren’t they? I’ve neglected them over the past few years, but I’m not going to do that anymore. Especially now we’re together. I was thinking this week — before you threw a huff at me — that if you do have to go away for festivals or to tour, I could take some of my holiday and come with you. I never take time off, but that’s going to change.”
“You’re getting a bit ahead of yourself. My bookings at the moment are both in small pubs in London. No time off needed.”
“I’m thinking long term. Your song’s in the charts now, right?”
Ruby nodded. “Amazingly, it is. I’m being interviewed on national and international radio this week. My inbox is overloaded. All thanks to you and Delilah.”
Fran shook her head. “I think it’s down to you.” She kissed Ruby again. “But back to my point. You’re stuck with me now. We’ve sung ‘Last Christmas’ in the world’s smallest bar. Built a snowperson. Had sex in a barn. There’s simply no way you can escape now.”
Ruby laughed. “There’s no way I would want to, either. Not after the barn sex. Although having sex in a bed is way more comfortable.
“Where’s your sense of adventure? Honestly, pop stars these days…”
“I’m not a pop star yet!”
“You will be. If Taylor Swift can do a country-pop crossover, why can’t you do the same with folk-pop?”
“Because she’s Taylor Swift?”
“And you’re Ruby O’Connell.”
Ruby pulled up the charts on her phone. Her song, ‘Pieces Of You’, was at number 15. She still couldn’t quite believe her eyes. She scrolled down to the number one slot, occupied by the Skinny YouTube Boy. Fast Forward were at number two.
“Sorry you didn’t get your Christmas number one.” Ruby flashed her phone screen at Fran.
Fran shook her head. “Fast Forward have done amazingly well. We can build on it. Plus, I got the number 15 star naked in my bed. I’m pretty pleased with my work.”
She took Ruby’s phone from her hand and pushed her back on the bed, climbing on top of her.
Ruby groaned as their skin connected. She could happily stay like this all day, but her parents might not be so happy.
“By the way, did your dads make you a cool Christmas card like you told me all those months ago?”
“I climb on top of you and you start talking about my dads?” Fran gave her a crazed look, then a kiss. “The short answer is no. The broken leg derailed their plans. They just watched a lot of Christmas movies, baked, and had fun.” Fran grinned. “When we get back to London, I want to have fun and go on an official date with you. Take you out to a restaurant. Wine and dine you, instead of just falling into each other’s beds. What do you think?”
“I never realised you were so conventional. It’s not what pop stars do.” Fran’s lips were so close, Ruby could feel her breath.
“No? What do pop stars do?”
“This.” Ruby kissed Fran’s lips. She didn’t see a time she’d ever tire of it.
Fran slid down Ruby’s body, kissing a path from her neck to her belly button.
Anticipation danced on Ruby’s skin. “Can one of our dates be you cooking me dinner, too? Because I’ve wanted to taste your Malaysian curry ever since you told me about it when we broke down.”
Fran parted Ruby’s legs and slid her shoulders between them. “You’re thinking about eating right now?”
Ruby grinned down at her, licking her lips. “In a way.”
Fran licked her lips, too, her hot breath hitting Ruby’s centre. “Happy Christmas, my shining star.”
