Second Chance with the Single Mom

There was no rush. Alistair trailed kisses across her cheek, whispering the things she wanted to hear. By the time they got to their feet, they were moulded together, like two halves of a whole. He broke their embrace for one moment to reach for the partly finished bottle of wine and two glasses from the dresser.

‘Come upstairs.’

‘Yes...’

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

ALISTAIR HAD HELD her hand tight, rushing her up the stairs, the bottle and glasses held precariously in his other hand. When he kicked the bedroom door closed behind them, Raina pushed him back against it.

‘Stay there.’ She took the bottle and put it beside the bed, loosening the stopper and pouring half a glass of wine. She could feel Alistair’s gaze on her. That was exactly what she wanted.

She walked back towards him, giving him the glass and kissing him lightly on the lips. Then she backed away. ‘Don’t move...’

He knew exactly what she was about to do. ‘That’s easier said than done, Raina.’

‘Do your best.’

His best was always breath-taking, even if it was just watching. Raina slowly took her clothes off, and his gaze followed every movement. When she ran her hands over her body, he caught his breath and suddenly it felt as if Alistair was touching her.

‘Raina...honey...’ He groaned as she approached him, pressing her body against his. She took the glass from his hand, taking a mouthful and then giving it back to him. Alistair drained it, and let it fall to the floor.

She pulled his shirt over his head, running her hands across his chest. Raina could feel his heart beating. His hands caressed her back, barely touching her. She wanted more but she knew he wouldn’t give it to her just yet. She popped open the button on the waistband of his jeans, feeling his body shiver against hers.

‘Raina...’ There was a note of desperation in his voice. ‘One more move...’

‘And what?’ She teased him.

‘You’ll find out.’

Slowly she slid the zipper of his jeans down, her fingers caressing him. One sharp intake of breath and she suddenly found herself lifted off her feet and into his arms. She wound her legs around his waist as he strode across the room, bending to lay her down on the bed.

‘You are in so much trouble...’ His smile, as he knelt over her, kicking his shoes off and tugging at his jeans, told her that it was exactly the kind of trouble she wanted. The kind she’d dreamed about.

* * *

He made her happy. Raina and Alistair had gone over every detail of the prosthetics project together, anticipating problems and making plans for the next group of parents and children. They’d spent time with Anya, taking her out to places that they both loved in London, as if they were a real family. And they’d spent time alone, nights of lovemaking that brought them closer than they’d ever been, and that overwrote the pain.

Two weeks had seemed like a lifetime. It had changed the present, and maybe it could change their future. But, still, Raina knew that she had to be cautious. It wouldn’t take much for it all to come crashing down.

Alistair was out of the office today, and he’d left her a package, wrapped in red tissue paper. When she opened it, it was a key ring, with a sparkly brick dangling from the chain. Even before she read the note, she knew what this was. She’d seen him put the first brick that Anya had picked up with her new hand into his pocket, and he’d made this so that she could carry it with her always.

She dialled his number, wondering if he’d answer, and the call went straight to voicemail. Some things didn’t change. When Alistair was working, he devoted all his energies to the task.

‘I love the key ring! Thank you. I’ll see you later.’ Raina left a message instead. However fragile this new relationship was, however fraught with danger, she couldn’t wait to see Alistair tonight...

* * *

Alistair had been looking forward to seeing Raina all day. But when she opened her front door to him, something about the embarrassed way that she put her finger over her lips told him that rushing her inside and leaving their clothes scattered in the hallway and up the stairs wasn’t going to be a good idea.

‘What’s up?’

Raina shut the door behind him and beckoned him into the kitchen.

‘Anya’s here.’

‘Your mother couldn’t take her tonight?’ Anya’s presence wasn’t the disappointment that it might have been. If Raina let him stay, then the idea that they might both put the little girl to bed, and then retire downstairs to the sofa for just one kiss was...not quite as exciting perhaps, but it triggered a warmth in a deeper level of his soul.

She pressed her lips together, and sudden panic flowed through his veins. ‘Is she all right?’