Page 34 of Say Hello, Kiss Goodbye

Wait—what? She’s not annoyed? Tarquin’s heart pounded in his chest, the giddy ache for her conspiring into a single purpose. I’m dying to kiss you. He swallowed thickly, refusing to let the moment fizzle—unless Leia wasn’t keen—but her shallow breaths and her fixed stare, curious and wanting, hinted otherwise. “Leia…?” His raspy question hung between them as he tilted his head and dragged his eyes down to her pout…beckoning, waiting.

“CAREFUL!” A booming command cut through the air as someone rammed between them, a human bowling ball knocking Tarquin straight onto his ass.

“Oh, shi—” Leia held her balance and bent down. “Are you okay?”

Without a whine or tears, a spritely little girl dusted ice from her coat. “He’s rubbish!” Blonde braids swinging, she stuck out her tongue and sprung back onto her blades, rejoining her mother, who mouthed “Sorry” through her horrified wince.

Leia snorted, fighting back laughter.

Hit and run over by a six-year-old, for fuck’s sake! Can we talk emasculating? Tarquin groaned and sat up, holding his ribs. I surf huge waves, crawl through caves, and kite ski down mountains, all without a scratch—and here I get bowled over by a hostile Cindy Lou Who in front of the woman I’m trying to impress. Bloody figures. Waving off Leia’s help, he slowly returned to his feet, the blisters inside his socks searing and tingly. This is such a boner-killer—for her and me.

Leia raised her eyebrows. “You sure you’re okay?” She swept snow and ice from his sleeve.

She’s cringing. Great. Yeah, not the manliest of moments, was it? Kiss goodbye to a second date. He lifted his chin. “Never been better.” I can’t wait to tear these flippin’ skates off. My feet are gonna be a horror show. Reaching inside his coat, he pulled out his flask, offering it to her.

“Uh, no—thanks.” A passing frown dipped her lips as she cleared her throat. “I don’t drink, remember?”

He unscrewed the cap. “I know. It’s orange and lemonade. For you.” Not that it matters a jot. After this, I’ll probably never see her again.

Leia’s expression softened. “Oh”—she tucked her mittens under her arm—“that’s sweet, thanks.” She accepted the flask, taking a quick sip. She licked her lips and shivered. “Our session’s almost over…”

And so is our date. Tarquin nodded. It’s for the best. She lives in New York. This was never going to work. “Yeah. Just in time too.” He shrugged. “At least you’ve got the rest of your night—”

“What?” She glanced up, her brows furrowed as she handed back the flask. “No, it’s too early to go home.” Clutching her mittens in one hand, she released her ponytail with the other and fluffed her hair, letting it pool around her shoulders. “I was going to suggest heading somewhere together to warm up.”

She doesn’t want to cut and run? “Actually, it would be nice to feel my toes again.” He half-laughed, screwing on the flask’s cap. Okay, here’s my chance to say goodbye properly. “I know a place across the river with an amazing view. The OXO Tower on the South Bank?”

“It sounds wonderful and…classy.” Leia snapped her hair tie over her wrist and pointed at her skates. “Bet they’d love me showing up with these over my shoulder.” She tugged on her mitts.

Bugger. “Ah, right. You brought them with you.” So much for taking her somewhere special. He tucked the flask in his coat’s inside pocket. “Well, we could go for noodles or sushi? Head to a pub? What do you fancy?”

She stroked closer, curling her mitts around his coat’s lapels. “It’s not a question of what I fancy…but who,” she whispered, her breath sweet with orange. The unwavering stare of her blue eyes urged his surrender.

Fuck. Me. A rocket of heat pulsed through Tarquin’s body. He dipped his chin toward their skates. “How quick can we get out of these things?”

Nine

LEIA

Padding into Tarquin’s dark living room in her stocking feet, Leia glanced over her shoulder. Can he see me from his coat closet? No? Be quick! She stooped and tugged her hosiery taut while she kept an eye on the doorway. Stupid things, always falling down. Mid-pull, an image of Tarquin doing the opposite flashed through her mind, his strong hands peeling the tights down her thighs…past her knees, past her pedicured toes…

A feverish rush frolicked in her chest, tussling with nerves she fought to squash. Sleeping with someone new is always a bit… argh! Being naked for the first time… Will he still be attracted to me? Will he like what I like? God, I hope he’s not hairy in weird places! She chuckled to herself. I think I’ve chosen wisely. Tarquin’s not a dick. He’s friendly, respectful—we have amazing sexual chemistry. She smoothed her dress as the lights came on. And he’s fit! I can’t wait to explore his muscles, his happy trail…

She bit back her smile and stood up, a low-pitched mechanical hum rising behind her. I know that sound. Playfully, she rolled her eyes. Boys and their toys. She spun toward the whirr of the rising wall of electric blinds disappearing into the ceiling. I bet he—holy shit! Her eyes bulged. It’s… that old bridge! She gasped, marveling at the massive neo-Gothic towers dramatically lit against the cold, dark sky. There’s crazy rich—and then there’s THIS. A heavy swallow bobbed her throat. He said he lived near Tower Bridge—he didn’t say he lived on TOP of it!

All thoughts of happy trail joy flittered away, replaced by the spectacular picture-postcard view. The bridge’s famous Victorian towers crowded his penthouse’s floor-to-ceiling windows, giving the impression that they were just another enviable trophy Tarquin had acquired along with his framed marathon medals, neon-flashing Guardians of the Galaxy pinball machine, and…

No way! It’s not! Is it? Leia’s jaw dropped.

A large framed silkscreen print stole her breath. This one’s always been my favorite. It must’ve set him back… well, I don’t even know how much. She loosely crossed her arms and stared wide-eyed, her fingers clutching the sleeves of her dress.

The sound of Tarquin clearing his throat turned her head. She smiled, pushing aside the stunned shock threatening to render her speechless. “Hey! Your view…my god. You can almost reach out and touch that bridge!”

“Yeah, it’s quite something, especially at sunrise.” Grinning sheepishly, he pulled off his beanie. Tufts of his auburn hair sprang to attention. “Sorry I took so long. There was a text I had to…” He scratched his temple, his gaze hopping to the bridge and back again. “So, can I get you a drink? I’ve got sparkling water, orange and lemonade. I might have some cola around somewhere…” He smoothed down his hair and fumbled his hat, dropping it on the hardwood floor.

I thought he seemed nervous on the way here. He didn’t even try to kiss me. “Orange and lemonade would be great.” She admired the view again. “Thanks.”

Scooping up his beanie, Tarquin’s mouth curved into a smile. “Oranges and lemons, says the bells of St. Clement’s. Be right back!” He tossed the beanie onto his gray sofa, long and wide enough for two adults to lie down and cuddle in front of his massive 85” television, and slipped into the kitchen.