Page 35 of Christmas, Actually

‘Oh,’ she gasped as his mouth slid over her torso until it reached the top of the red tights. Then he slowly pulled them down over her hips, taking her pants with them before sliding the lot over her thighs, knees and calves. He kissed his way as they went, leaving shimmering skin, heat and a want so fierce Clara had to grip her fingernails into her palms.

‘You’re beautiful,’ he whispered as he pushed his jeans over his hips and dropped them, along with his boxers, to the floor before pulling off his socks and tossing them over his shoulder. She wanted to tell him he was wrong, but just stopped the words from forming. It was moments like this that made her realise how often she put herself down, how negative her view of herself was.

So, instead, she watched him, content to lay back and admire – to study the way the muscles and sharp edges of his chest were mimicked by the rest of his frame. His legs were muscular and strong, his calves the same and in the centre, Oh Merry Christmas to me, she thought. Clara’s stomach roiled and her centre began to pulse with anticipation.

‘You’re the one who’s beautiful,’ she murmured, holding out a hand. He stared at it before taking it and smiling down at her.

‘Here?’ he checked and she nodded. She wasn’t interested in going to Liam’s bedroom. She liked his sofa, the smell of pine needles coming from the tree and the way the Christmas lights threw vibrant colours over the carpet – how the glitter from Doris’s card littered the floor. She’d probably be washing pieces of it from her body for the rest of the week, but the idea that she was layered in sparkles just added to the magic of the moment. Made her think about the older woman and her advice to get out from behind the curtain, to get on with her life. She was certainly doing that now.

Liam stared at her looking thoughtful, then he nodded and moved down the sofa, making himself comfortable before pressing his palms firmly to the inside of her knees. He studied her for a long moment making her flush, smiling slightly, before he began to press gentle kisses to the insides of her legs.

Clara whimpered and shut her eyes, letting the incredible waves of pleasure roll through her. She was all about enjoying the moment, taking what was offered – she wasn’t going to overthink this, or question whether her cries were too loud, or if it should be her making Liam moan. Then his mouth met her centre and she stopped thinking at all. Instead, she squirmed and groaned, then almost catapulted off the cushions as he continued his good work. He was amazing at this – that was all her mind could muster – and she never wanted him to stop.

After a few short minutes, Clara realised she wasn’t going to be able to hold on. No matter how much she wanted the pleasure to last. Something was throbbing at her core, a need so strong she couldn’t contain it and she exploded suddenly in one swift scream of pleasure, levitating off the sofa, trying to catch her continuing cries by biting her lip. Her whole body was trembling as Liam made his way up the sofa and kissed her again, his mouth soft. She felt dizzy and hot and filled with a need so deep she couldn’t explain it. She tugged his shoulders, wanting the heavy weight of his naked body on hers. He complied but pressed one elbow into the cushions so she didn’t bear all of his bulk. He was warm and hard, and she wriggled under him and smiled when he groaned.

‘Are you sure?’ he asked as she wriggled again.

‘Oh yes,’ she said. She’d never been so sure of anything. And this was her decision, she wasn’t being persuaded into it or made to feel like it was the only way. She stared into his eyes, trying to signal everything she was feeling and he stared back, before nodding.

‘Okay.’ He glanced over his shoulder. ‘I’ve got⁠—’

‘It’s taken care of,’ she whispered, flushing a little. ‘I’m protected and I haven’t slept with anyone for a while.’ Not Hudson – he hadn’t wanted her for months. She didn’t want to explain that, but Liam jerked his chin.

‘I haven’t either,’ he said softly, kissing her again. ‘Not since Mia.’

The kiss was soft, slow and devastating. Clara immediately lost herself in it, although she squirmed again and felt Liam smile against her mouth. She wanted to kiss him all day, but she wanted him inside her more. Wanted to feel that connection, for them to be part of each other. She already felt like he could see inside her head and she could see inside his. She’d hardly ever felt so close to a man. Now she wanted their bodies to mirror their minds.

Liam stretched and shifted, pushing slowly until he was exactly where she wanted him. She hummed, the sound vibrating in her throat, mirroring the effervescent energy tingling through her. He began to move and she moved too, rocking until he broke off the kiss so he could stare down into her face. His eyes were dark and filled with pleasure, heat, and something else. She swallowed again as the first wave crashed through her. Then she shut her eyes and let him take her away as her mind rocketed out of itself…

17

LIAM

Liam paused just outside Sugarplum Cakes & Bakes, remembering the last time he’d been here with Clara. It wasn’t the first time she’d filled his thoughts, wasn’t the first time he’d felt that powerful buzz slide through his limbs. Since they’d slept together last night, he hadn’t been able to think of anything else.

After they’d finished eating, sitting naked and wrapped in blankets on his old sofa, she’d insisted on helping him write his Christmas cards. Then he’d dropped her back at Eleanor’s shop in the early hours and had watched her step into the entrance. He’d sat outside in his car for almost twenty minutes, recalling every moment of their night together. She’d made him feel things he hadn’t allowed himself to feel in a long time and he knew she already owned a slice of his heart – which was terrifying. He was on the cusp of something – they both were – he just wasn’t sure if he was ready to take the next step. He closed his eyes for a beat and then opened the door.

The café was busy today. It felt like it was always busy and he immediately drew in a breath of sweet fragranced air, recognising the scents of coffee, freshly baked gingerbread cookies, mince pies and Christmas cake. There seemed to be glitter everywhere – more than when he’d been here with Clara, and a couple of festive trees had somehow been squeezed into two of the corners of the room and layered in baubles shaped like cakes, biscuits and coffee cups.

He spotted Mia immediately. She was sitting at a small table staring into her mug and his whole body went cold. She hadn’t changed at all. She was just as beautiful, with the same red hair and slender body that accentuated and enhanced any clothes she wore. She glanced up at that moment and her face brightened, a warm smile spread across it and he felt a thump of unease as he realised he had no idea what she wanted from him.

He wasn’t ready to share Charlie with someone who might hurt him, but he wasn’t going to separate him from a mother who wanted to love him either. That wouldn’t be fair. It was possible she might have changed. It was only right he gave her a chance.

‘Liam!’ She stood as he approached and came to wrap her arms around him. The gesture was unexpected and his whole body tensed. ‘I ordered you a mince pie and a cappuccino. I remember they’re your favourite,’ she said, nodding at the counter, her tone chatty as if they were simply friends catching up. Hazel was making coffee at the machine, and she turned and dipped her chin when she spotted Liam, her expression troubled. Beside her Danny served a customer – he was laughing and joking and looked relaxed.

‘Thanks,’ he said, disentangling himself and pulling out a chair on the opposite side of the table. He didn’t add that he rarely drank coffee now and would have preferred a chocolate brownie. A smile flickered across his mouth as he was reminded of Clara and how they’d shared one before he’d dropped her home, how he’d licked hundreds and thousands from her lips – then he forced his attention back to his ex.

Mia was halfway through a hot chocolate and Liam remembered how she used to crave them when she was pregnant with Charlie. The memory wasn’t a welcome one.

‘Mr Christmas!’ A voice suddenly rang out and when he turned, he saw Nora from the pet shop making her way towards him. She was carrying one of her black cats under one arm. ‘How are you?’ She spotted Mia and frowned. ‘And what are you doing here?’

‘I’m good – we’re…’ Liam cleared his throat. ‘Just catching up,’ he added.

‘What?’ Nora yelled, frowning before she pulled her mobile from her pocket and pressed a couple of buttons. ‘Sorry it’s loud in here and I forgot I might need to actually talk to people.’ She pulled a face as her eyes swivelled back and forth between them. She didn’t repeat the question – Liam guessed she wasn’t really interested. ‘Well, I hope you know what you’re doing.’ Her mouth pinched. ‘Please give my best to Clara when you next see her. Tell her the cats would like her to visit soon. She’s a lovely girl. You’re very welcome to come too, Liam.’ She gave him a half smile, and her eyes flicked across the table to Mia again, signalling her disapproval. Then she pulled out her mobile and switched it off before swivelling around and heading for the counter.

‘Nothing changes here,’ Mia said, sounding annoyed. She’d never taken to village life and few of his friends had much time for her after what had happened. He couldn’t blame them, but knew she did. Mia expected adoration, and whether she deserved it or not was beside the point.

‘Nora’s been good to me and Charlie,’ Liam said, deciding not to elaborate. ‘So, you wanted to talk.’ He kept his voice unemotional; he didn’t want to give her any openings, any avenues to wound.