Say Hello, Kiss Goodbye - Jacquelyn Middleton Page 0,46

moan escaped Leia’s throat, the irresistible peak within reach. “I’m so close.” She gasped, chasing her orgasm. “Are you…?”

But Leia didn’t hear his answer.

Lost to a frenzy of pleasurable waves, she arched her back one last time and cried out, the delicious release trembling through her body.

“Oh!” Tarquin’s frenetic movements halted into one final shuddering thrust. Head thrown back, mouth gaping, his fingers dug into the couch, anchoring him until he was spent. “Oh, bloody hell.” A ghost of a smile bent his lips as he lowered himself on top of her.

I love this. Feeling his weight, his warm body, damp from exertion against mine. Pure bliss.

He pulled out and rolled onto his side. “Leia,” he murmured, cuddling into her. “Now…how’s that for just showing up?”

Sweeping her finger across his raised brow, she leaned in, her jagged breaths slowing against his flushed cheek. “I’ll give you this, Tarquin: it was a damn good start.” She giggled and kissed him again. “But this is a marathon, not a sprint…and I’m not done with you yet.”

Ten

“Once you choose hope, anything is possible.”

Christopher Reeve

TARQUIN

Howling wind and icy rain pelted the bedroom windows, wrenching tormented creaks and groans from the large panes overlooking the river, but Tarquin’s smile couldn’t be dampened, his king-size bed a hedonistic port in the storm. A sweeter sound held him captive—Leia’s gentle breaths mid-slumber. I don’t know what’s more beautiful, Leia asleep or awake. He lay with her in his arms, heady with the scent of her long blonde hair splayed across his pillows. How lucky am I? A week ago, we were strangers. I didn’t know she existed. Now, we’ve had sex twice, she’s in my bed hogging my duvet, and I can still taste her on my lips. He sighed, fighting back a yawn, afraid to give in and miss a single moment. I wasn’t sure coming back here was a good idea. Of course I wanted to sleep with her, but why start something when she’s leaving for New York? Why torture myself? But the way she looked at me… the way she kissed me—fuck the future. All I know is I’ve never wanted someone so badly and had them respond in kind. Hell, maybe she’ll change plans and stay? She loves London, loves sex with me—obviously. I’d gladly take that bet. Ah, it’s nice to feel hopeful for a change.

His gaze traveled over her slightly swollen pink lips and her long lashes, eyes closed tight, smudges of eyeshadow and mascara—souvenirs from her tears of laughter when they toppled from the bed during round two—and a purple mark in the dip above her collarbone. Sorry not sorry about that, love. He chuckled to himself. Maybe my New Year’s resolution is coming true. Maybe she’ll become—ah, quiet your mind, Balfour. You’ll jinx it.

A flash of lightning lit up the room. Leia stirred, a faint mumble escaping her lips.

“Shh, it’s all right,” said Tarquin, in an almost silent whisper. Is she dreaming about our brilliant, soul-rattling sex? He pressed a soft kiss in her hair as a crack of thunder drowned out the rain’s non-stop patter on the large windows. She murmured again. What was that? ‘Wedding’… something? He smiled. Steady on, girl, one step at a time—

Leia jolted awake. Mouth gasping, eyes wide, she lunged from his embrace and sat up, hauling the covers with her. “Noo!” She glared into the darkness, her fists full of duvet, her body stiff.

Blimey. Tarquin’s pulse tripped in his chest. Propping himself up on an elbow, he whispered, “Leia love, you okay?”

Her eyes darted across the bed. “Ohh!” A heavy breath left her lips, loosening the tension gripping her shoulders. “Right.” Looking down at her dress—still on—she unclenched the comforter and retreated into the nest of pillows.

A burst of lightning strobed the room again, and within its flicker, Tarquin swore Leia’s cheeks were burning pink. “Are you all right? Can I get you anything?” Is she comfortable in that dress?

She lay on her side and nuzzled into the duvet, her eyes softly closing. “No, it’s okay. It was just a crazy dream.”

“Must’ve been. You were chatting up a storm.”

Her eyes popped open. “I was?!”

Tarquin chuckled. “Don’t worry, your secret’s safe.”

Leia cringed. “What did I say?”

Oh, don’t embarrass her more. He lay down on his side and gently brushed a strand of hair from her face. “I have no clue. You were mumbling utter bollocks.”

“Oh!” A shaky laugh brought a soft smile to Leia’s lips as a boom of thunder rattled the