Archie leaned down and whispered, ‘Wowsers, Cait, Grace is a star! And who’d have thought Evin could dance like that?’
‘I know! Brilliant, eh?’
Sophie stood between them waving her hands and trying to copy Grace. It was so blooming cute.
The whole audience clapped along as they watched the routine and at the end of the performance, Grace did the splits and Evin stood behind her in a hip-hop pose, arms folded across his chest. The applause was raucous, and everyone cheered and whistled. The smiles on Grace and Evin’s faces spoke volumes and the ones on Ruby, Mitch, Reid and Jules were just as wide.
When it came time for the announcements, it was evident there was a clear winner. And when Grace and Evin had collected their trophy, they joined their parents and were immediately engulfed in a group hug.
‘In your face, last-year me!’ Evin shouted with a fist bump to the air as the group of adults cheered and applauded once again. He had missed out on winning the previous year by a hair’s breadth when he performed tricks with Chewie, but he’d more than made up for it this time.
‘We’re so proud of you!’ Archie told Grace as he picked her up and spun her around. Caitlin loved the way he was with her daughter. It was a special relationship indeed and Grace seemed to revel in his presence. The way she looked at him with such adoration made Caitlin’s heart sing.
After the talent show came the ceilidh and by the end of the evening, Caitlin’s face hurt from laughing and her arms were aching from being swung around by Archie, Mitch, Reid and Dexter.
The slow dance at the end of the event was a welcome relief for Caitlin’s poor feet and as she slipped her arms around Archie’s neck and gazed up into those dark eyes of his, she couldn’t believe her luck. Not so long back, she was ready to give up on love, but not any more. Who’d have thought she’d end up falling for the boy next door but one?
‘We’ve had an offer we can’t refuse,’ Archie whispered in her ear, sending shivers down her spine.
‘Oh? What might that be?’
‘Jules has invited the girls and the dogs for a sleepover. Evin says they’re planning on making a den in the house, and they’re going to eat junk food and play games. If you’re okay with that.’ Archie smiled and rubbed his nose down the length of hers.
‘I’m definitely okay with that. What did Sophie say?’
‘Let’s see, how did it go? Oh yes, I was subjected to, “Please, Daddy, pleeeeeease can we? Pleeeease.” So, I don’t know, but I think she might want to go.’ He laughed.
‘That’s it then. We get some alone time.’ Her heart skipped with anticipation, and she suddenly became worried about being naked in front of him. She wasn’t twenty any more.
As if sensing her concern, he said, ‘Hey, we don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for. I’m just happy to spend time with you without either a dog or a child squeezing in between us.’
She felt warmth rising in her face. ‘I’m just… I haven’t… not for a very long time. So, I’m a wee bit out of practice.’
He pulled the side of his lip between his teeth and raised his eyebrows. ‘Well, if that’s your only fear, I say practice makes perfect.’
Her panties almost burst into flames at that sexy smile, and she replied, ‘Is it time to go yet?’
* * *
Back at Archie’s house, he pulled Caitlin inside the front door and slammed it behind him, leaving the last of the revellers behind and closing them into a world where only they existed. In a split second, she was in his arms, and he stole her breath with a kiss she was sure had propelled her into outer space. His hands were scrunched in her hair as he backed her against the wall, his desire evident as he pressed himself against her.
Suddenly he pulled away, his chest heaving. ‘Do you think Sophie will be okay?’ he breathed. ‘I mean, I know she’s safe with Reid and Jules but… Do you think I’m a bad parent for wanting to get you alone with no interruptions?’
She gazed up at him and smiled. ‘If you’re a bad parent, so am I, because all I’ve been able to think about today is when I can be alone with you. But she’ll be absolutely fine. Jules won’t let her out of her sight. And Grace is there too. They’ll have a whale of a time.’ She hoped she’d reassured him enough because she was about to spontaneously combust from need.
‘You’re right. You’re right.’ His mouth took hers again and he moaned as his hand slipped lower down her back. ‘I want to take you to bed. Is that okay?’ he whispered as he fixed his eyes on her.
‘More than okay,’ she replied breathlessly, and, needing no further encouragement, he picked her up and carried her up the stairs to his bedroom, managing to navigate their ascent while still kissing her.
Once inside his room, Caitlin’s feet touched the floor and she watched as he stepped back slowly and removed his clothes. She chewed on her lip as each part of his sculpted body was revealed to her: those biceps she had admired before, his toned stomach, narrow hips and a smattering of dark hair across his chest. He really was gorgeous. And what made things even better, he was all hers.
Why had she not seen his beauty before? Not just his physical beauty – which she now realised she must have been in a haze not to see – but his soul, his heart, his mind. Everything about him was perfect for her. If only she’d realised years ago.
Once his clothing was relinquished to the floor, she cast off her own. She’d expected to feel self-conscious, embarrassed, but with the way he was devouring her with his gaze, she felt like the most beautiful woman in the world.
He stepped closer again and tenderly reached out to stroke her cheek. ‘I love you, Caitlin Fraser.’
Her breath caught in her throat and her eyes welled with tears. He had been the first to utter the words she’d felt for a while now, so she had no qualms in saying it back. ‘I love you, too, Archie Sutherland.’
