Page 89 of If We Were Young

“It’s rude to watch people while they sleep.”

“I was short on other activities.”

I breathed out a ragged breath of relief, thankful to find him not moody. We were continuing on from where we’d left things last night as sleep stole us away. His arms still hugged me tight, his lips still held a softness and curved with an old and familiar smile.

“You aren’t scowling.”

“Not yet.” My heart stuttered as he smiled a wide, slow tilt of his lips that glowed brighter than the breaking dawn.

“Yet?”

“Well, today’s got a headache written all over it.”

I wiggled back a little bit so I could see him. “How do you mean?”

“Mum’s got the boys. She’ll be cooking a twelve-course dinner and my brothers have all come home too.”

“Oh.” I purse my lips. “Your brothers?”

“Yes.”

“What is this thing again? I should probably just stay out of the way. Why don’t you take me to the shop you want me to see and leave me there? It will give me a chance to work on the branding.” I swiped some hair off my face. It had woken its normal wonderful and static self. “I’m worried we are running out of time.” We really were. How many days were there left until this was over? Just six counting the weekend?

Six days of Matthew.

His big palm smoothed my hair. “We’ve got time.”

We don’t. “I’ll just stay out of the way anyway. Sorry, what’s this thing again?”

“It’s for my dad. You’ll understand later. Right, I think we must be getting close to the station.” I hadn’t noticed the slow of the wheels of the train, but right on cue a gentle rap landed against the cabin door.

“Edinburgh. Final destination,” was shouted through the door followed by some cheery whistling that I wasn’t sure the early hour necessitated.

Matthew shifted away and the space in the indent he left behind tingled against my skin. “Do you want the bathroom first?”

“It’s okay. You go.”

His lips curved deliciously, cheeky and youthful dimples dented his face. “Okay. So. I might have been staring at you for a while.”

“And?” Bit of a weird thing to say.

In answer he rolled back in and pushed against me. Ah. I see. Matthew’s erection was enough to make my stomach lick with warmth and the space between my legs slick with dampness.

“Oh.” I scrunched my face. I wondered if they’d leave us alone at the station if we kept the door shut and the blind pulled. “I thought I was snoring?”

“Turns out it’s sexy.”

I laughed and pulled him closer, my fingers tight in the soft material of his T-shirt. “I’m nervous about meeting your family.” I rushed the word against the skin of his throat. “They won’t know who I am, or why I’m there. I’ll lose my words and won’t have anything to say.”

The sincerity in his gaze made my heart stutter. “I won’t let you.”

“But…”

“No buts. Come on, it will be a long day.”

“Okay. You’d best get up then.”

He groaned, dropping his head into my neck. Then with a push he lifted up and I greedily absorbed the crumpled sweats, the giant tent in the middle of them and his messy bed hair.