Page 54 of Falling Fast
‘I mean …’ I gulp. ‘Can we play?’
‘I was hoping you’d say that.’ He gestures towards the two black gaming chairs set in front of three large screens. ‘Choose a station.’
I move like I’m in a dream. Sitting down is like sinking into a soft leather cloud.
‘Which game do you want?’ He turns the system on. ‘Pick anything you like.’
I suck in my cheeks, mentally reviewing my options, before wriggling my shoulders and getting my game face on. ‘Personally, I’m in the mood to race.’
I have a brilliant plan! Come to Canada with me this weekend! You said you weren’t working. All expenses paid for. What do you say?!
Maisie Evans to Ava Yearwood, 8 July
SEVENTEEN
I WAKE UP FIRST, though it takes me a few moments to process where I am, in a curtain-less room with a view of trees and Leif asleep beside me, one arm flung above his head as his chest rises and falls in a smooth, steady rhythm.
This wasn’t supposed to happen. I had zero intention of staying the night, but we got carried away playing video games. Then, once we realized it was past midnight, he offered me a sleeping bag and mat to place alongside his. He was a total gentleman, presenting me with a brand-new toothbrush, towel and oversized T-shirt to sleep in. He didn’t even try to kiss me goodnight, although he did offer me s’mores and a hot chocolate, both of which I declined because, as it turned out, once I put my controller down, I was really tired.
Now it’s daylight again, I prop myself up on one elbow to look at him. Ironically, this is the closest I’ve ever come to sleeping with a man, although there’s still a good metre of space between us. Leif’s features are completely relaxed in sleep and the lower half of his face is covered in a thick layer of stubble. He looks so rumpled and dishevelled. I feel a powerful urge to wriggle out of my sleeping bag and slide intohis. The morning air is cool and it would be so cosy to snuggle into the circle of his arms.
Instead, I get up and pad barefoot across the room, putting some distance between us before I can do anything stupid. We haven’t even been on an official date yet. There won’t be any snuggling for a while, not until I’m 100 per cent certain I can trust him, although incredibly I feel like I’m already almost there, like I’ve known him for longer than just over a month. It’s hard to believe how much has changed between us in that short time. Part of my brain is still yelling that this could be a huge mistake, but it doesn’t feel like one. It feels pretty great.
The morning is a bright electric blue, so I slide the balcony door open and slip outside. The view is just as impressive as it was yesterday evening, with the tops of the trees swaying gently in the breeze, while the rivers of the fens are like ribbons of silver in the distance. I feel like a bird, surveying the world around me, letting all my worries float away.
‘You’re up early.’
I look over my shoulder to find Leif standing in the doorway, dressed in a white T-shirt and boxers.
‘Am I?’ I realize I have absolutely no idea what time it is. ‘Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.’
‘It doesn’t matter.’ He comes to stand behind me, placing his hands on the railing on either side of my waist. ‘You look good first thing in the morning.’
‘So do you.’ I smile as he props his chin on my shoulder. His breath is warm and he smells musky in a good way. One that makes me want to sink back against him. Or turn around and carry on where we left off in the gym … My blood heats at the idea.
‘What are you thinking about?’ His voice vibrates against my skin.
I open my mouth and then close it again because I get the feeling he knows exactly what effect he’s having. ‘Only that this would be a great shot for your Instagram.’
‘It would.’ His lips skim the side of my neck, a feather-light touch that shoots lightning straight to my core. ‘But it’s not happening.’
‘Why not?’
‘Because some things are too personal to share. I want to keep this just for us.’
I can’t resist any more. I turn and slide my hands up and around his neck so that I’m pressed flush up against him. The communications officer in me wants to object to his answer. The rest of me thinks it’s the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard. Now that he’s said it, I want to keep this just for us too.
There’s a moment of stillness when our eyes meet. Then he lowers his head, tilting it slightly as I push myself up on my toes.
Part of me was afraid our second kiss couldn’t possibly live up to the first, and yet it’s even better. We go from zero to a hundred in under a second, our tongues tangling and clashing as we each try to get more of the other. A pulse thumps between my legs as my back meets the railing. I kiss him passionately, rifling my hands through his hair while his sweep upwards, gripping the sides of my ribcage and then curving around my breasts, bringing my nipples to points. It feels so good, I can’t resist pushing myself even closer against him …
‘Ava …’ He murmurs, and then pulls back abruptly, twisting his face to one side for a few seconds. ‘Are you hungry?’
‘What?’ My breath catches in my throat. I’m so disorientated, I can’t process the question.
‘Are you ready for breakfast?’
‘Breakfast?’ I stare at him blankly. ‘Leif, what just happened?’
