Page 123 of Never Too Late to Date

Suzie was genuinely shocked at their words of encouragement.

‘I’m not planning to go for anything with Christian. Why are you saying that?’

Kostas laughed.

‘You keep telling yourself that, Mama. We know what we saw … and heard.’

The man in question came back into the bar, and both her boys nodded in his direction.

Kostas picked up a couple of empty glasses from the counter.

‘I can close up here, honest.’

They’d both melted away again by the time Christian had reached her side.

‘Fancy a nightcap in my hotel? It’s an easy walk from here.’

Suzie had drunk just enough to be curious.

‘Yeah, why not.’

Once in his room in one of the best hotels in town, all neutral linens and expensive toiletries, Suzie suddenly felt the need to rid herself of the grime of the day. She’d hate to think she stank of the bar in these luxurious surroundings.

‘Do you mind if I have a quick shower? Smelling spilt beer on oneself is quite off-putting.’

‘Sure. I’ll order us a couple of Limoncellos with ice.’

He’d remembered her favourite drink, a big tick.

The shower itself was big enough for four. She’d already stepped in and let the hot water cover her body when she heard the bathroom door opening.

Christian waited at the opening of the walk-in shower.

‘Want some company?’

The hesitation in his voice tipped her over the edge into nodding her agreement. His mouth was on hers within seconds, and she felt an urgent, all-consuming need to have him inside her.

She tried not to smile when he unclenched his fist to reveal a condom, and waited impatiently while he put it on.

He picked her up with ease, and she wrapped her legs tightly around his waist as he pushed her back against the tiled wall and thrust into her over and over again. It was all over in seconds, but that song had been more foreplay than either of them could handle, nearly forty years’ worth.

Still entwined, he carried her over to the bed and laid her down gently. They were both soaking wet from the shower, but she didn’t care. He pulled another condom from the drawer, and the second time round was slow and unhurried, teasing each other to the point of no return and pulling back at the last minute, until the fury overtook them and they collapsed in a heap, crying out in unison. It was so familiar, yet so new at the same time.

Lying back on the pillow, Suzie smiled into the eyes of the man who had always been her one and only. She could pretend she hadn’t known what she was doing when she agreed to a drink, but she’d only be fooling herself. Christian reached for her again.

‘That was way better than a nightcap.’

His mouth was already on her nipple.

‘Hang on, I’m not your sex toy. I actually want my Limoncello first.’

Christian swung his legs over the side of the bed.

‘I’ll see if they’ve left it outside the door. I did put up the Do Not Disturb sign.’

‘That was a bit presumptuous.’

His smiling eyes raked over her naked body.