Page 48

‘You know, I was trying to be sweet. Maybe even a bit charming.’

‘Yeah, I got that.’ She caught his hand, twisting her fingers through his. ‘Come on. If we stand here much longer we’ll be in danger of turning into icicles.’

‘Your hands are cold.’ He fell into step beside her. ‘Will you at least take my gloves? I’m not even wearing them. Please?’

It was the “please” that did it, and the look he gave her as he handed over a ridiculously soft pair of gloves. ‘You know—’ Angela didn’t look at him as she tugged them on; too big really, but incredibly warm and sweet all the same ‘—I’m starting to think maybe the suggestion the kids made might have been good advice.’

‘What suggestion was that?’

‘The one about us “getting a room” of some sort.’

Rick froze to the spot, his feet seeming to forget what they were supposed to be doing.

‘For a second you actually had me there, but you’re just teasing.’

‘Am I?’ She bit her lips together, trying not to laugh.

His eyes were still locked on hers, the heat in them suggesting this wasn’t a laughing matter.

‘Why not? Last I checked we’re both free, single adults. I like you, and I’m pretty sure after that kiss that you like me too.’ She tried to play down her nerves. She didn’t put herself out there like this and — as casual as she forced herself to sound — it was scary. But she didn’t want to put pressure on what was becoming a good friendship. ‘But, hey, if you’re not interested, it’s not like it’s a big deal or anything.’

He was on her in a heartbeat, his bare hands cradling her face to plant another scorching kiss. ‘Angela, if I was any more interested I would throw you over my shoulder and carry you off, caveman style, to the nearest bush.’

‘Nah, too cold for that.’ She twined her fingers back through his. ‘And if Harry has to arrest either of us for indecent exposure it’d just make things really awkward. Besides, my bed is a lot comfier and warmer.’

The grin he gave her sent little zings of warmth through her again, and she could barely feel the cold.

* * *

Rick let his hands drop from Angela for long enough to let her slide his coat down his arms and fumble his scarf to the floor, and even that was longer than he wanted to let go of her for. He gathered her back against him the moment he could, sinking his fingers into those soft curls while he kissed her, still not quite believing that it was happening.

She was soft and warm, all sweet and tempting curves as she moulded herself against him easily, fitting perfectly, naturally. How anything — anyone — could feel so easily familiar, and at the same time so new and exciting was beyond him, but he certainly wasn’t going to complain as her hands drifted down his chest, and shoved him backwards onto her bed. He grinned as she wriggled out of her dress, pulling the soft grey and black fabric up over her hips until she could pull it over her head, leaving her in leggings and some sort of lacy vest.

His mouth went dry as he hooked his fingers into her waistband, drawing her back close, spreading his knees so she could stand between his legs and he could slide his hands around her back, pushing the lace out of his way to get his hands on her soft, bare skin. She leaned down to kiss him, gently moving her lips over his, tracing her fingers over the features of his face.

‘You are absolutely stunning,’ he told her reverently, meaning every single word. ‘Is it bad of me to tell you I can’t wait to get you totally naked?’

‘Very.’ She laughed and her breasts jiggled in a way that just demanded he give them attention. ‘And you’re pretty well positioned to help with that.’

‘Really?’ He forced himself to look away from those gorgeous, inviting curves.

‘Uh huh. Make yourself useful while you’re sat down there.’ The look she gave him was pure mischief, spurring him on. How had he forgotten how much fun it was to laugh with your partner?

He rucked the lace up and placed a kiss on the warm skin just below the hem of her bra, enjoying her shiver. He kissed lower, working his way down to her belly button, taking his time and enjoying making her squirm. He stroked along the top of her leggings, fully intending to peel them down, when her hands caught his wrists. ‘I didn’t mean that. I meant the brace.’

Right. His brain snapped back into focus as he moved his hand down to her thigh. ‘Should we be doing this?’ Damn, that hadn’t come out right. ‘I mean your leg. Is it all right, are you sure?’ He didn’t want to think about her injury in any more detail than that. So long as he didn’t think about it, it would be OK.

‘I only need to be careful when I’m bearing weight.’ She didn’t make any attempt to pull away, thank the lord. ‘Which means you’re going to have to do most of the work.’ There was that wicked look of mischief again that sent his blood pulsing south. ‘You can start with the Velcro.’

His hands shook slightly as he undid the straps one by one, working down to her ankle. She kept her hands on his shoulders as he worked, balancing against him as he slid the brace from her thigh and it dropped to the floor. He slid his fingers along the top of her leggings, chasing goosepimples across her skin. ‘These now?’

‘I think so.’ She grinned — he couldn’t tear his eyes from hers as he slid them down her legs, then held her firmly while she dragged them off her feet. She sat next to him on the bed, swinging around to drape her legs over his lap and wind her arms around his neck, pulling herself tightly against him for another deep, scorching kiss.

His hands wandered up and down her legs, before catching on roughened, raised skin that made her flinch in his arms. Reality slammed into him, cold and unwelcome, as he looked down at the shiny, reddened, raised scars.

‘Oh hell, Angela, this is what I did to you.’ It wasn’t really a question, but she nodded anyway. He leaned down to study the horrors he’d wreaked on her. His stomach rolled and twisted. He didn’t know how she could bare to have him touch her when he’d hurt her so badly. ‘I’m so, so sorry.’

‘It’s OK.’ She tucked her hand alongside his cheek, turning his head to look at her. ‘It’s fine. Well, it’s not fine, but it will be. I will be.’