Page 86 of The Christmas Catch
Morgan reached out and held onto the mantelpiece. If Ali kept saying things like that, she was going to need something to keep her upright.
“Why would you say that after you just told me you can’t keep your hands off me or stop thinking about me? Why did you kiss me and fuck me like you really meant it?” Morgan shook as she spoke. She was turned on and angry, not a combination she’d ever experienced before. Ali made her feel unique and original things. This one wasn’t so welcome. “And don’t tell me you didn’t mean it, either. I’ve had bad sex before. I’ve had disinterested sex. This was not that.”
Ali’s chest heaved, and she looked away.
At least she wasn’t denying that part.
Nobody could.
It was a rock-solid fact.
“I just came to make gingerbread and things got out of hand.”
Morgan spluttered, her thoughts flaring red. “That’s what you call out of hand?” She couldn’t quite believe what Ali was saying.
But then again, she could.
Ali was back in defence mode. Glass half empty. She stuck a hand in her pocket. The same one that had just fucked Morgan. Now it was out of bounds.
“I should go. My family will wonder where I am.”
“I wasn’t holding you hostage.” Morgan did everything she could not to shout, but it wasn’t easy. She didn’t need her parents getting up to witness this. It was hard enough for her.
Ali stared, then turned.
In the kitchen, there was an awkward pause as Ali eyed the cake box containing the gingerbread pub, along with the tin of home-made biscuits, and Tupperware of mince pies. Then she frowned.
“I just realised I didn’t drive here. Which means I don’t have my car.”
Fuck. The last thing Morgan wanted tonight was to drive Ali home. She needed her to disappear, then she could have a breakdown in peace.
“I’ll call you a cab, then get you a bag for your baked goods.”
Luckily, the taxi said it would arrive in two minutes. When Morgan told Ali, she looked just as relieved as Morgan felt. She went to the drawer where her mum kept her carrier bags, and slid the tin of gingerbread biscuits and the mince pies into a Sainsbury’s Bag For Life. Then she held up a finger. “Wait there.” She dashed up to her room, battling with herself and questioning her logic with every step, then came down with a wrapped present. She slid it on top of the baked goods.
When she glanced up, Ali shook her head. “Why are you giving me a gift?”
Morgan shrugged. “I told you, our family has a tradition of giving a present on Christmas Eve. I bought you one. It’s not exactly the best circumstance to give it to you, but I want you to have it. Take it.”
Ali took a deep breath, went to say something, then thought better of it. “Thank you.” Her deep brown gaze threatened to swallow Morgan whole.
Morgan ground her teeth together, but luckily, a car horn outside broke the silence. The cab was here.
Ali picked up the bag, then the pub box. “Can you open the front door?”
Morgan nodded, not quite believing this was where tonight ended. But it seemed like it was.
“Happy Christmas, Morgan.” Ali turned in the open doorway. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”
Then, in seconds, she was gone.
CHAPTER28
Ali unlocked the front door, then carefully manoeuvred all her gingerbread products inside. Once they were safely on the hallway table, she pulled the door closed, then unwound her mustard scarf. She buried her head in it, trying to conjure up her real life. Not this fake charade she’d been starring in for the past few days. She had no idea who this person inhabiting her body was. The one who made gingerbread and fucked women at will. Or rather, one specific woman.
She should talk to Tobias. She missed him. So much had happened since she’d left Glasgow. Perhaps she needed a voice of reason to tell her what to do. Her head was resolute and kept instructing her mouth what to say. However, her body was sluggish. It knew something was up. But Ali didn’t have the strength to unravel it just yet. Tobias was the king of shagging people and walking away. If anybody would know what to do, it was him.
She glanced at her watch. 11.50pm. Laughter sailed through from the bar, along with a cheer and a chorus of ‘Last Christmas’. Ali poked her head into the main space where her mum was cashing up.
