Page 90 of If We Were Young

Delicious.

God, I could eat him.

“You’ve got a dirty look on your face.” He turned at the door, catching me drooling.

I clamped my mouth closed and shook my head, my eyes scrunching at the corners with a contained smile.

“Bad liar, Ronnie. Just like always.” He chuckled as he shut the bathroom door behind him, and I breathed out a massive gust of air.

How was this happening?

How had I gone from the office yesterday and the disappointment of the failed kiss, to being wrapped up in his arms all night?

And hello… that was some serious tentage right there.

Sweet Jesus.

Oooh. I fanned my hot face.

Clambering out of the bunk, I smartened up the sheets. Thank you, overnight sleeper train for having the smallest beds in the world. Then I searched my bag for my phone.

I jotted out a quick text.

Han, you okay? Sorry for being snappy last night. I’m so stressed. Let me know if you need money today. NO piercings.

She didn’t respond, but what was I expecting? The time on the screen said five thirty. She wouldn’t see daylight for hours yet.

“Welcome to Edinburgh.” Matthew’s grin widened, the cold air stinging his cheeks pink. The way he looked almost set me on fire. “Coldest city in the world.”

“Well, I’m sure there’s somewhere colder. Maybe, somewhere in Greenland… Lapland.”

“Oh, if you’re not cold.” His arm pressed round my back and pushed me tight into his side but with his comment he dropped his hold.

“No, no, no. I didn’t say that. I said there could be places colder, not that I’m not freezing my tits off.”

His gaze dropped to my chest and I coughed to clear my throat.

I wished I knew what was happening. I wish I wasn’t such a chicken shit that I could ask. His arm felt lush around me though and I didn’t want to say or do anything that might make it move away.

My phone rang, vibrating in my bag wedged between us, but I refused to move to get it.

“Phone?”

“They will call back.” I melted myself into his ribs. It would have to be a surgical procedure to separate us now.

“Perfect.” His grin flashed wide. I’d missed that smile so much. “Let's drop the stuff off at mine and then we can go to the shops. I’ll need to check in with my mother and the boys. I’m sure she’s got a list of things she wants me to do.”

Again that flicker of hesitation pulsed through me. How was he going to introduce me? Hey everyone, this is Ronnie. We used to be friends who didn’t fuck. Last night I kissed her to within an inch of her life and left her wondering just what ‘perfect’ is going to involve.

I couldn’t stop thinking about perfect and what it would involve.

What was perfect?

I also couldn’t stop thinking about that tent in his pants and how that might feel—inside me.

“Ronnie, seriously, what are you thinking about? You look like you’re about to puke.” He smirked a little. He knew.

“Your mother.” I challenged. “I was wondering how you will introduce me.”