He collects first editions of the James Bond books by IanFleming, and I happen to know he doesn’t have this one. Even better, it’sactually priced quite reasonably, I guess because it’s not in the best ofconditions. It’s still more than I usually spend, but it would be worth it justto see the look on Dad’s face when he opens his gift.
‘Deciding whether to treat yourself?’ asks Logan at myshoulder.
I smile up at him and a strange little spark explodes insideme as his chest makes contact with my shoulder. I know the lemony-musky manscent he’s wearing but it’s never had this effect on me before, and as Ibreathe it in, I’m having a hard job keeping my hormones in check.
He just asked you a question! Concentrate!
‘Um... it’s Dad’s birthday in March and Iknow he’d love that.’ I point at the book. ‘It’s very expensive and he’d probablytell me off for spending too much on him. But it is a big birthday, and he’sworth it.’
Logan leans over the glass case to study the cover and Istep aside, my eyes flicking over the fit of his jeans, snug over his rathergorgeous bum and close-fitting enough to hint at long muscled thighs beneaththe blue denim.
He turns, almost catching me in the act of ogling. ‘Aye,well, you only have one dad,’ he says, straightening up. ‘Why not have a thinkabout it over some cake? You can always come back for it later.’
‘Hm, I like your thinking. Especially the cake bit.’
‘Let’s go, then.’
It’s growing dark outside as we take our tray of coffee andcake and find a cosy sofa in the room next door. A woman is sitting at a tablewith a reading lamp, pouring over a book. But apart from her, we have the placeto ourselves, and with the fire crackling in the hearth and the glow from thetable lamps, it really feels like a home from home in here.
A burst of happiness ripples through me.
Logan sets the tray down on the coffee table and hands me mycake, and I tuck in, groaning unashamedly and pointing at the lemon drizzlecake with my fork.
He grins. ‘Good?’
‘There are no words,’ I say, through a mouthful. ‘Would youlike to try it?’ I hold out the plate.
‘Don’t mind if I do.’ He cuts off a large piece and wolfs itdown, nodding approvingly. ‘Strawberry cheesecake?’ He offers his own plate.
‘Please.’ I try to skewer a piece but weirdly, my hand isshaking a little and it keeps slipping off my fork. So eventually, he says,‘May I?’ and takes hold of my fork. He cuts off a piece that looks much toolarge and holds it in front of me.
‘That’s a bit big.’
He grins. ‘You wouldn’t be the first woman to say that.’
‘Oh, ha ha.’ I feel myself blushing at his quip. ‘Go on,then. I’m sure I’ll cope.’ I duck forward but he pulls the fork away. I startto laugh and protest, and when he offers it a second time, I make sure I grabit quickly before he can change his mind again.
‘Like it?’ he asks, and I smile and nod, closing my eyes,not wanting to interrupt the sensation of the deliciously silky strawberrycheesecake in my mouth by trying to talk.
‘You look like you’ve found paradise,’ he remarks softly.
‘Oh, I have. I really have.’ I run my tongue luxuriouslyover my lips to demonstrate. And when I open my eyes, I find Logan looking atmy mouth, unaware that I’m watching him. There’s an intensity in his expressionthat seems completely at odds with his cheeky chappie jokey manner, and myheart lurches in surprise.
But a second later, he looks up, catches my eye and welaugh. The heart-stopping moment is over – maybe I just imagined it – and we’reback to talking about the books we’re planning to buy.
I look at my watch for the first time since we got here andsuddenly realise how late it is. I should have known. Darkness fell a whileago. But I guess I was enjoying myself so much, the time just flew by.
‘Need to go?’ Logan asks.
‘I do. Dad will be back and wondering how my meeting withKaz went.’
‘Do you want to buy that book for him?’
I hesitate, thinking. ‘Perhaps I’ll think about it.’
On our way out, Logan indicates the sign that points to theclock tower. ‘We never did climb to the top.’
‘Oh, no. We didn’t. That’s a shame. I bet the views areamazing from up there.’
