‘That so?’
‘Yup, if they hadn’t had five kids their company wouldn’t be the market leader it is. There’s nothing they don’t know about baby care.’
I frown. ‘Your parents are the Careys?’
‘You hadn’t worked that out already?’
‘I guess I never really thought about it.’
‘Yup, Carey’s Baby Care has a ring to it, doesn’t it?’ She laughs. ‘I’m still not convinced Mum didn’t load Dad up with whisky the night she got him to agree to the name—Gah.’
I wince as I look at her. ‘Whisky?’
She nods and presses the button to open the window a little, angling her face to the breeze and breathing in deep. ‘It’s the next one on the left.’
I almost don’t hear her. I’m too hooked on her hair blowing back off her glowing skin and it takes a sudden bump in the road to remind me I’m supposed to be driving.
She picks up her phone. ‘I’ll just open the gate.’
I slow the car and contemplate dropping her off here. I’m sure she can make the remaining distance in one piece. Instead I turn the car down the drive as the tall iron gates roll back.
Trees line the driveway, fairy lights already twinkling in their bare branches, and as we approach the circular courtyard in front of the double-fronted redbrick house I see icicle lights follow the roofline all the way along. The wraparound porch is littered with decorations too, from light-up reindeer to illuminated topiary bushes and even a swinging seat complete with an elf.
‘Take it your parents go all-out at Christmas?’
‘Oh, yeah. Proper Mr and Mrs Claus this time of year. Now you know where my elf costume idea came from.’
‘Somehow I don’t think your parents would approve of that particular get-up.’ I pull up in the courtyard but keep the engine running and turn to look at her. I’m still not ready to let her go. This fresh ease we’ve found is too appealing; she’s too appealing, even in her sparkly Christmas jumper, jeans and boots. Perfectly modest, super casual and festive. The last should be enough to put me off. Instead, I look at Rudolph’s sequinned nose on her chest and think of the colour that creeps into her face when she climaxes.
‘What are you thinking about?’
My eyes shoot to her face. ‘You don’t want to know.’
She leans into me, her fingers combing through my hair at my nape. ‘When it puts that fire in your eyes I do...’
She kisses me, her mouth teasing my lips apart and sending the heat rushing south. We had sex not that long ago, and the instant she touches me I’m ready again. She palms my thigh as she leans in further, deepening the kiss, and I release the steering wheel to fork my hand through her hair.
‘Why don’t I come by your place tonight?’ she murmurs against my lips.
‘Sounds good.’
‘What t—’
‘It’s about time!’
She freezes in my hold. Hell, I freeze. I don’t want to open my eyes and see who’s just spoken. Amidst our frantic breaths I can hear approaching footsteps on the gravel outside and risk a peek to see a beaming version of Caitlin many years from now.
‘I think it’s your mum,’ I whisper.
‘Oh, God.’ Her eyes widen. ‘Could be worse though. It could have been one of my brothers.’
I think I take her point. I can just imagine what four older brothers would do to a guy like me, pulling up in his blacked-out Range Rover and making out with their little sister in the front seat. Still, it’s better than being caught in the back...
‘Caitlin, love! Aren’t you going to get out and introduce us to your friend?’
‘Hey, Mum.’ She gives me an apologetic smile and leans back into her seat to look out of the gap in the window. ‘Sorry I’m late.’
‘Nonsense.’ Her mum pauses beside the car just as a Golden Labrador races up beside her, tail wagging, tongue lolling out. He plonks himself down beside her with a bark and she strokes his head and beams. ‘I know, Alfie; I was just think