Page 14 of The Forever Match

The way even the corners of Ash’s eyes up-turned when she smiled? She was damn-near perfect.

“You know I like to pay my way,” Ash continued. “I don’t like turning up empty-handed when you’re cooking.”

Victoria shook her head. “How many times? You’re not a guest. This is your home. Our home.” She’d told her this until she was blue in the face, but Ash didn’t seem to fully get it. With only two days until their wedding, she really needed to do so quickly. “But anyway, come with me. I need to stir.”

Victoria pulled Ash into the kitchen: they’d talk about this being their home later. Right now, she had dinner to finish.

The counter held a chopping board laden with basil to go into the risotto at the final moment. The creamy rice dish bubbled gently in the pan, the rich aroma of cream, mushrooms, garlic and bacon rising up into the air. Victoria already had a Picpoul on the go. She grabbed a stemmed glass and gave it to Ash. She enjoyed the times when it was the off-season and Ash could share a wine with her.

“Did you drive through the centre of town and see the crowds?”

Ash had spent the afternoon volunteering at a youth football centre for girls. The Palace had wanted her to rearrange, but Ash had been insistent.

“We did.” Ash poured herself some Picpoul, then hopped onto a stool at the island. “They’re already two or three deep down The Mall, even with this rain. I want to hire a burger van or something, to show we appreciate their effort. The season the Royal Ravens recorded our best attendance ever, we gave away a thousand burgers to the crowd to say thank you.” She took a sip of her drink. “But I think the Palace would have other ideas.”

Victoria coughed a laugh. She could just imagine what the Palace press team would say. Something about food poisoning and a possible PR disaster. Victoria had been in the royal machine all her life, and knew exactly the way they’d see it. Sometimes, she wished she could have Ash’s more simplistic outlook on life. It would be a lovely gesture, but it’d never be approved.

Ash leaned over, grabbed a spoon and scooped a little risotto. She ate, then gave a thumbs-up.

“Even better than the first time you made it, when you were trying to seduce me.”

Victoria grinned, walked around the island and kissed Ash again. “It worked, didn’t it? The risotto must have had something.”

Ash pulled her close so their bodies were flush.

“It had so much going for it. A sexy chef, buckets of flavour, but it was the dessert that got me.” She raised a single eyebrow and her green eyes danced with possibility.

Heat surged through Victoria, sudden and salamander-hot.

Damn, she loved this woman.

“Play your cards right, Woods, and I might put out for you again later.”

“I’d be honoured, Ma’am,” Ash replied, then pinched Victoria’s arse as she walked away.

She shook her head in mock outrage. “Pinching a royal is a serious offence.”

“I’ll slap you on your naked bum cheek later if you like.”

Victoria held up her index finger. “Don’t tempt me. But we need to eat before that. I’m starving.” She dished up, and they settled onto their stools at the kitchen island.

“A toast.” Ash raised her wine. “To the rain hopefully stopping, and to me moving in.”

Victoria’s wine glass was half-raised when she realised what Ash had said. Her eyes widened as a grin took over her face.

“Are you serious? You’re finally moving all of your things in here? Not in a half-arsed way?”

Ash nodded. “I know it’s what you want. I also know it’s what I should do. I’ve just been having a hard time moving out of the place I’ve always lived in.” She shook her head. “But I work with women who’ve moved all over the world to follow their dream. I’m unusual because I never had to leave my home town to play football. In the grand scheme of things, it’s nothing. Perhaps it’s something I should have done a while ago.” She paused, and looked Victoria dead in the eye. “Even my mum says so, and she loves having me close by.”

Relief flowed through Victoria, cool and sharp. “I know this is a big decision, and I appreciate you finally making it. But you do know that St Albans is under an hour by car from central London?”

Ash raised her shoulders at that, a sheepish look crossing her face. “I’m a homebody, what can I say?”

“This is your home now, okay? Anyone would think I’m trying to ensnare you in a cult, rather than simply wanting my wife to live with me.” She raised a single eyebrow. “Even my mother asked why you hadn’t moved in now that Michael has moved out.”

“I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to truly commit. It’s nothing to do with how I feel about you.”

“I really hope not. Because there’s a massive great wedding taking place in two days, and a whole lot of people out there waiting for it getting very wet.” She slid off the stool and moved towards Ash, slow and deliberate. “Talking of getting wet…”