Christmas at Lilac Cottage - Holly Martin Page 0,42
albeit in a far more gentlemanly fashion than any other woman he’d spent the night with. Things were not looking good for something casual.
He eyed the clock above the fire and knew he had to get up, even though he would have quite liked to have stayed there all day. He was supposed to go to work for a few hours today so they could show him a few things and he could get used to some of the tools and equipment, meet his line manager and some of the people on his team.
He shifted, trying to get up without waking her, but her eyes shot open.
‘Hi,’ he said, resisting the urge to smooth her hair from her face.
‘Hi.’
‘I need to go. I have to pop to work today and I don’t want Daisy to wake up and find I’m not there.’
‘Of course you don’t.’ She sat up and shifted off him and he stood up, leaving her sitting on the sofa, looking sleepy and adorable.
‘She’ll probably try to hang around with you, but just tell her to sod off if she gets on your nerves.’
‘I’m happy to have her around, she’s lovely.’
He nodded, not really sure how to say goodbye.
‘Thank you for being there last night and staying with me and for…’ she trailed off, touching her lips. She was remembering the kiss and wonderful memories slammed into his mind too.
He smiled and gave her a little wave before walking out. God, that kiss had been sublime, he wanted nothing more than to go back and do it again. He made it halfway across the kitchen before his control snapped. He turned and strode back towards her, immediately taking her face in his hands and kissing her hard.
She started a little before her hands slid round his neck, running her fingers over the fine hairs at the back of his head and kissing him back. She smiled against his lips before she pulled back slightly.
‘You need to go.’
He nodded, kissing her briefly. ‘I’ll see you tonight.’
He walked out, suddenly feeling a hell of a lot better about his day. He let himself through the connecting door and came face to face with Daisy as she came down the stairs. Guilt burned through his gut. Why had he not thought about Daisy when he had cuddled up on the sofa and decided to spend the night with his wonderful neighbour?
Her eyes widened as she took in the same clothes he was wearing the night before.
‘Did you spend the night with her?’
He closed the door behind him. ‘Yes but not like that, she was upset, I was just comforting her. I fell asleep on her sofa but I promise, no clothes were removed, I just stayed with her, that’s all.’
That and two incredible kisses but he didn’t want to tell Daisy about that yet. He had to figure out how he felt for Penny before he told his daughter. She wouldn’t be happy, he knew that.
‘I need a shower and then I’m going to work for a few hours. Will you be OK around here for a bit?’
Daisy nodded. ‘I’ll see if Penny will mind me watching her ice carving again. Or maybe I can walk Bernard with her.’
‘Well, don’t harass her, I’m sure she’s very busy with all the carving jobs she needs to do and I think she has a competition tonight.’
‘I won’t be in the way.’
He smiled. ‘I’m sure you won’t.’
He ran up the stairs. He never wanted her to feel in the way again.
* * *
Penny stared at the flowers. There were bouquets of every colour, flower, size and arrangement covering her table. She sipped her tea and wondered if it would be safe to go into town later or whether she would be lifted on people’s shoulders and paraded through the streets. Maybe it would be easier to stay up here out the way.
She heard the connecting door open and peered through the blooms to see a pair of pink-socked feet which she guessed belonged to Daisy.
‘Wow, did someone die?’ Daisy asked.
‘These are from Sam and Alex’s parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbours and anyone else in the town that heard about last night’s little adventure. It doesn’t help that Pippa, the boys’ mum, is the Mayor of White Cliff Bay. There’s a certain amount of glory that comes from saving the Mayor’s kids.’
‘In that case, surely you should get the Victoria Cross or some other kind of medal.’
Penny laughed. ‘I have better than that: there’s five