Page 35

Jake hung his head, burning with embarrassment. A moment later, Evelyn’s cool fingers cupped his face.

‘It’s just us now.’ She studied him with such openness that he hesitated, nearly changing his mind. Until she pressed her lips against his, and his mind went blank to everything except for the feel of her body against his and the heat of her lips.

She eventually pulled away, leaving him gasping and craving more. She held his keys out to him, and though he’d no idea where she’d got them from, he seized them gladly.

The drive back to Badger’s Hospital, and his flat above, seemed the longest it had ever been. Though the clock appeared to be counting the minutes as usual, each one stretched into agonisingly long, awkward moments. All the fumbling, bumbling nerves – that he never usually felt around Evelyn – reappeared, and he found his knuckles clenching tightly on the steering wheel as he wracked his mind for something – anything – intelligent to say.

And what was he supposed to do when they got to his flat? She’d already made it clear what she was expecting, what she wanted, but was he supposed to just pounce on her the second he unlocked the door? Or would they sit and make awkward small talk until she thought he was the biggest clot on the planet and wouldn’t want to ever see him again, let alone sleep with him.

He bit back a groan as the gravel of his surgery crunched under his tyres, and he pulled into his usual parking spot. Now he couldn’t even decide whether to go through the surgery, or walk up the outside stairs to the private entrance. His fingers white-knuckled on the steering wheel, and he jumped as Evelyn placed her hand over his, and gave him a warm smile.

‘Shall we go up?’

Oh hell. He was crazy about this woman and needed to not screw this up. ‘Sure.’

She stepped out of the car, lifted her bag onto her shoulder, and headed up the outside stairs, making the decision for him. She leaned casually on the railing at the top, waiting for him to unlock the door and let them both in.

Evelyn had to force her fingers to let go of the railing and walk casually into the flat. She’d been there before, but tonight the cosy bachelor pad felt different. Everything did a bit. She shook her head at her silliness.

‘OK if I use the bathroom?’

‘You know where it is. Make yourself at home.’

Evelyn let herself into the small room and rested her hands on the cool, solid ceramic of the sink. She looked up, and smiled at herself in the mirror as she let her hair down and fluffed it around her shoulders. It was a bit strange, having to make a plan to have “adult time” with the person you were dating – but everything had to be planned when you were a parent.

She looked down at herself, wishing she’d planned her outfit a little better. The stretch jeans that had been perfect for a Disney cinema date now seemed like an awkward barrier she could do without, but the idea of going out in just her underwear, or the silk and lace cami tucked into her overnight bag just felt wrong as well.

The butterflies in her stomach were turning aeronautic stunts worthy of the Red Arrows, and she struggled to catch her breath. It had been years – over a decade – since she’d been intimate with anyone other than her ex, and she was a mother for goodness’ sake. The stretch marks had long ago faded to silvery lines that would forever tell the story of how she’d carried her daughter, but they were still there, and though she was slim, bearing children changed women’s bodies. And she really, really hoped Jake wouldn’t be disappointed.

Because as nervous as she was, she really did want to do this. She glanced around the room, hands on hips, while wondering what to do. She smiled when she spotted Jake’s dark blue dressing gown hanging from the back of the door. Perfect.

It was the work of a few moments to remove her boots, peel off the jeans and the rest of her clothes, and snuggle into the fleecy fabric. Unsurprisingly, it smelled of Jake and the familiar fragrance both comforted and excited her, sending frissons of desire through her body. Jake was an amazing kind and generous man who made her toes curl when he kissed her, and tonight she was finally going to get to do a hell of a lot more than kiss him. And that thrilled her.

Buoyed by her newly found confidence, she tied the dressing gown loosely around her waist and sauntered back into the living room.

The look in his eyes told her she’d got it right.

‘My dressing gown has never looked better.’ His appreciative grin filled her with warmth and blasted away any last doubts she might have had.

‘I find boobs help make most things look good.’

Jake burst out laughing. ‘Come here and let me kiss you, you beautiful woman.’

She stepped into his arms and let her hands slide up his back, feeling his muscles flex and contract beneath her fingers as he tilted her head towards him. The heat from his lips was scorching as he kissed her deeply and pulled her more tightly against him, crushing her against his chest. She melted into him, turning liquid at the fire that raced through her veins, filling her with excitement and hunger.

When she pulled away to reach for his shirt and pull it out of his belt, needing to feel his bare skin, he actually growled. She laughed, burying her face in his chest.

‘You think I’m funny, huh?’ He looked at her, his eyes dangerous.

She tried to smother the giggle, but couldn’t stop the happiness that bubbled from her lips.

Jake bent down and scooped her up, easily tossing her over his shoulder the way he had threatened, laughing along with her as he finally carried her to his bed.

Jake held her tightly against his chest, stroking her hair and back while he waited for his heart rate to return to something resembling normal. She shivered against him, and he dragged the covers from where they’d been kicked to the floor to wrap around them both.

Evelyn sighed and snuggled closer against him, resting her head on his shoulder as she threaded her leg back through his. She tilted her face towards him and landed a kiss on his neck that sent all his blood rushing south again, making him feel like a teenager.

‘Well that was worth the wait,’ she virtually purred against his skin, and the vibrations gave him shivers of delight as she nuzzled against him, placing soft kisses down his neck which sent his pulse – and other things – rocketing.