Secrets at the Loch (Loch Lannick #5) - Hannah Ellis Page 0,32

a cheeky grin. “I keep thinking I should check what the world record is for making a bed. I’m really fast. And oddly proud of it.”

“Why?” He stood back and looked on in amusement as she got to work.

“I spend a lot of time cleaning the cabins at the activity centre. Including making the beds. I like to make a game of it. So I’ve perfected the art of making up beds quickly.”

When she shook out the duvet and spread it over the bed with a flourish, she grinned at Nick. “It’s impressive, isn’t it?”

He fought to keep his lips in a straight line but his eyes sparkled in silent laughter. “I’m not sure it’s something I’d be bragging about.”

“Shut up!” She gave him a playful nudge, then laughed herself. “I don’t brag about it. I’m not sure it’s something I usually bring up in conversation. In fact, let’s keep this between us.” She frowned. “I might have to stop telling you my secrets.”

His eyes sparkled with amusement. “Maybe I’ll start blackmailing you soon. I don’t think you should charge me for drinks in the pub any more.”

“Hey! I already gave you a warm place to stay.”

“That’s true.” He shifted his weight, his eyes darting around the room.

“I bet you know everyone’s secrets,” Lexie said. “You’ve got a trustworthy face.”

His smile widened. “I do know a lot.”

“Like what?”

“I can’t tell you, can I? Then no one would confide in me any more.”

“I wouldn’t tell anyone. Promise!”

He shook his head. “You don’t have a very trustworthy face.”

Stifling a grin, she gave him a playful slap on the arm. His smile fell away and he looked at her intently.

“Do you need anything else?” she asked. Really she should be moving to the door and saying goodnight. But she didn’t want to say goodnight.

“I’m good,” he said.

“If it’s too cold, just turn the radiator up.”

“I’m all thawed out now.” He raised his hand, softly pressing the back of his fingers against her cheek.

“Nice and warm,” she whispered, tilting her head into his hand.

With her eyes locked with his, she challenged him not to pull away. She absolutely didn’t want him to pull away. Gently, he trailed his fingers over her cheek, then lightly drew a path down her neck to her collarbone. Lexie’s breath caught in her throat as she took a step closer to him.

His lips met hers with a lightness that made her head spin.

As she fought the urge to start pulling at clothes, she matched Nick’s rhythm of slow and sensual. After what felt like forever of the most intense kisses, Lexie gave in to the desire for skin contact and inched Nick’s hoodie up. His face moved away from hers, his eyes questioning, checking she really wanted to take things further. She nodded in reply to the unspoken question.

Taking a step back, he pulled his hoodie over his head, bringing his T-shirt with it. Lexie ran her hands over his chest as she kissed him again. With a surge of anticipation and desire, she tugged her own T-shirt off and pressed her body against his, kissing him frantically. Her hands were fumbling over his belt when he stopped her.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, breathing heavily.

“Nothing.” He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her palm. Slowly, he dotted kisses down her wrist and along her arm while her heart pounded against her ribs. “There’s no rush,” he murmured when he reached her neck. As his fingers brushed over her stomach and teased the skin of her hips, she felt as though all her nerve endings were on high alert. Her cheek rested against his as he walked her back to the bed.

“You really know what you’re doing, don’t you?” she whispered against his ear.

He arched an eyebrow and flashed a boyish smile as he eased her onto the bed. “Don’t tell anyone. That’s my secret.”

Chapter Fifteen

Lexie had the feeling her lips were fixed in a wide smile before she even woke up. Her stomach fluttered wildly when flashes of the previous night filled her head. Laughter bubbled inside her and she turned her face into the pillow to smother her giggles. Nick wasn’t beside her, but judging by the delicious aroma wafting into the room she assumed he was in the kitchen. She inhaled deeply as she sat up. “Pancakes,” she said on a sigh.

After a quick dash to her own room, she pulled on her cosy pyjama bottoms and a vest top, then hurried down the stairs to