Their foreheads rested against each other’s, and he could feel her breasts against his chest as her breathing refused to calm, and the shock of how good a kiss could be was Abe’s now.
‘I’ve been wanting to do that since last night,’ Abe said, their lips still almost touching, and she let out a small laugh.
‘I’ve been hoping you would,’ Naomi admitted, relieved that she hadn’t been imagining things after all. That this knowing, sensual man had been feeling the same way she had.
His arms held her steady and Naomi looked up at him and, quite simply, if he took her hand now, and if somehow there could be a magical bed, then he could lead her to it.
For Naomi, it was a revelation.
Till now she had never been kissed, never been close enough to another to touch them intimately, let alone consider sharing a man’s bed.
And when he released her, when the world rushed in, so too did doubt.
He could hurt her, her mind warned.
Hush, her heart said.
He pulled out his phone and read a text informing him the car was here. ‘We’ll speak tonight,’ Abe told her.
They sat apart in the car, and not just because of the giant teddy commanding its own seat, but because it was just all too new and too complicated to fathom, let alone share with the world.
But she was floating, and wondering how to deal with Merida and Ethan and, gosh, how to tell this suave man that she’d never slept with anyone before.
Yes, she was certain that this was where it was leading.
‘Thank you,’ Naomi said, as she got out of the car.
It felt a little paltry to offer such bland thanks for giving her the very best day but she kept things polite and smiled at Barb as she was let into the house.
‘How was your day, exploring?’ Barb asked.
‘Marvellous.’
‘Was that Abe’s driver that dropped you off?’
‘Yes,’ Naomi answered as casually as she could. ‘He said to let him know when I was finished sightseeing, and that he’d give me a ride back...’ Then she stopped having to think up excuses as she was suddenly blindsided by the tree. ‘Oh, my...’
It was pink.
Yet it was still elegant.
There were pale pink snowflakes that looked like blossoms dotted on the branches, and pale pink baubles that were so delicate that they looked like they might pop like bubbles if she so much as breathed.
‘It’s heavenly,’ Naomi said, but there really wasn’t time to dwell too long. ‘I really have to get changed and then head to the hospital. I’ll get a cab...’
‘No need, Bernard will take you.’
Before she changed, Naomi sat on the bed for a moment and tried to steady herself, because when she was away from him she felt fat and uncertain and it all felt impossible.
You’re here to work, she told herself.
But she had a life too.
One that had been devoid of men.
Devoid of passion.
Devoid of love.