jeans and then, still slowly, pulled my vest top over my head. Annoyingly, there was no sexy way of doing that. I joined him on the bed again in just my bra and pants, trying to remember what the app – which had its risqué moments – had said about what Gemini men liked in bed. Hopefully not twin sisters, because I wouldn’t be able to stretch to those.
Jude took me in his arms again, holding me the way he had before, like I was something precious and fragile. His touch was feather-light, almost ticklish on my skin. He reached for the clasp of my bra and fumbled with one hand, before undoing it with two. No biggie – one-handed bra removal was expert-level undressing, I thought. The awkwardness that had been there last time was almost gone – almost, if not completely – blotted from my mind by my happiness and relief at seeing him.
And what was going on inside his boxer shorts distracted me from that, anyway – because that was a biggie. I reached down and touched his cock, running my palm over the bulge then sliding my fingers inside his pants to hold his warm hardness, loving the way he felt in my hand.
He touched my breasts, his fingers finding my nipples and then his mouth following them to kiss and suck. I heard him groan with pleasure and an answering gasp from me as his lips and tongue teased my flesh. I felt myself getting swept into a whirlpool of pleasure – his hands on my body, the feel of his skin against my palms and fingers, the gorgeous man-smell of him. I was desperate for him to carry on, to give me more and more and more, but at the same time, I wanted this moment of pure perfection to last forever. His other hand was inside my knickers now, touching me, reaching for me, finding almost the right place. So close. Almost there.
And then I felt a flood of hot wetness on my hand.
‘Oh shit.’ Jude pulled a pillow up over his face, like he was blushing and trying to hide it. ‘Sorry about that.’
‘That’s okay.’ I mean, what the hell else are you supposed to say?
‘It’s just, you’re so sexy. Too sexy. And it’s been…’
‘Sshh. Don’t worry.’
I pulled him close and held him, trying to ignore the cooling wetness of his pants against my thigh and subdue my disappointment. He kissed me again.
‘You’re amazing. Next time, I promise…’
‘It’s okay. It really is.’
He turned away from me, and I spooned myself against his warm back, feeling his breathing slow until, within minutes, he started to snore softly. Then Frazzle jumped up and settled into the crook of my knees and I knew I’d spend the night that way, wet patch on my sheets and all, unable to move for fear of disturbing these two sleeping boys.
When I woke up the next morning, though, Jude wasn’t there. When I opened my eyes, expecting to see him sleeping there, there was only the empty pillow and the duvet scrunched up to one side. Frazzle was sitting next to the closed bathroom door, looking deeply pissed off.
I sat up. Oh God, he hasn’t upped and left again, has he?
The thought lasered through my sleep-fogged brain. But no. His bag was still there, next to the bed where he’d left it, and I could hear the shower running. I got up, pulled on yesterday’s vest and pants, gave Frazzle his breakfast and switched the kettle on. A few minutes later, Jude emerged from the bathroom wrapped in my towel. He’d shaved, he smelled of toothpaste and my lemon-and-poppy-seed soap and his smile was like the sun coming out.
He folded me in a hug, and I pressed myself against the warm hardness of his body. ‘Good morning, beautiful. I didn’t want to wake you.’
‘I wouldn’t have minded. I’m just pleased you’re here.’
‘Makes two of us.’ He kissed the tip of my nose.
‘Coffee? There’s only instant, I’m afraid. I usually use the proper machine downstairs in the bar.’
‘That would be amazing. And some toast?’
‘Help yourself. There’s bread in the cupboard, and some nut butter and stuff. I’d better get ready for work.’
Reluctantly, I loosened my arms and moved away from Jude’s bare chest, but he pulled me close again.
‘We’ll be able to see each other much more, now,’ he said.
I felt my lips curve into a smile against his skin. ‘Why’s that?’