Festive Fling with the Single Dad

‘I feel it. But it’s too late...’ Flora made one last attempt to fight the growing warmth that wanted so much more than she was able to give.

‘Maybe I just ask you to my place for a glass of wine. We put our feet up in front of the fire...’

Frustration made her open her mouth before she’d put her brain in gear. ‘You don’t get it, Aksel. I want wild and wonderful sex with you, and frankly a glass of wine doesn’t even come close...’ Flora clapped her hand over her mouth before she blurted anything else out.

The trace of a smile hovered around his lips. ‘You’re killing me, Flora. You know that, don’t you?’

‘I know. I’m sorry.’

‘That’s okay. You’re worth every moment of it.’ Aksel leaned forward, murmuring in her ear, ‘Close your eyes. I won’t touch you, just imagine...’

Here, alone with him on a windy hilltop, warmed by the crackling flames of a fire, Flora could do that. She could leave her anger behind, along with everything that stood between them, and visualise his kiss and the feel of his fingers tracing her skin. She shivered with pleasure, opening her eyes again.

‘You’re smiling.’ He was smiling too. The knowledge that he’d been watching her face, knowing that she was thinking of him, sent tingles of sensuality down her spine.

‘That was a great kiss. One of the best.’

He raised his eyebrows. ‘So we kissed? I’m glad you liked it. Any chance I might get to participate in the next one?’

He was closer now, and Flora closed her eyes again. This time she didn’t have to imagine the feel of his lips on hers. They were tender at first, like the brush of a feather, and when she responded to him the kiss deepened. She grabbed the front of his jacket, pulling him close, and felt his arms wrap around her.

Arousal hit her hard. The kind of physical yearning that she’d searched for so many times and which had eluded her. It was impossible to be cold with Aksel.

‘That was much better. There are some things I can’t imagine all on my own.’

He grinned suddenly. ‘I liked it much better, too.’

‘Would you like...to continue this? Somewhere more comfortable?’

‘Will you promise me one thing?’ He hesitated.

‘What’s that?’

‘Don’t fake it with me, Flora. However this turns out is okay, but I need you to be honest with me.’

She stretched up, kissing his cheek. ‘No secrets, no lies. It’s what I want, too.’

* * *

The thought that Flora had trusted him enough to feel that this time might be different was both a pleasure and a challenge. Aksel kicked earth onto the smouldering remains of the fire and shouldered his backpack, holding her hand to guide her down the steepest part of the hill, which led most directly to her cottage.

Flora unlocked her front door, stepping inside and turning to meet his gaze when he didn’t follow her.

‘Have you changed your mind?’

‘No. But it’s okay for you to change yours. At any time.’

She replied by pulling him inside and kicking the door shut behind them, then stretching up to kiss him. It was impossible that she didn’t feel the electricity that buzzed between them and when she gave a little gasp of pleasure, unzipping his jacket so that they could nuzzle closer, it felt dizzyingly arousing. He wanted her so badly, and she seemed to want him. The thought that he might not be able to please her as he wanted to clawed suddenly at his heart.

Maybe he shouldn’t take that too personally. Flora had been quick enough to tell him that he wasn’t in charge of everything that happened around him. He would be a kind and considerate lover, and if things didn’t work out the way they wanted, he’d try not to be paralysed by guilt.

‘I’ll love you the best that I can...’ The urgent promise tore from his lips.

‘I know you will. That’s all I want.’ She took his hand and led him up the stairs.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

HE WAS LETTING her dictate the pace. Caught between urgent passion and nagging fear, Flora had no idea what she wanted that pace to be. Aksel