This Book Made Me Think of You(88)

“Oh.”

His chest constricts as her pale eyes remain fixed on his. A gust of wind blows across the balcony and she shivers. He reaches for the blanket that slipped off when they were dancing, wrapping it around her shoulders.

“Shall we go back inside? I don’t want you to get cold.”

As he goes to step away, she reaches a hand to his waist, pulling him gently toward her. “Wait. Stay here a second. Will you just…hold me for a moment?”

His body stiffens, his skin tingling. He considers for a moment and then wraps his arms around her, pulling her to his chest. She lets out a little sigh, and it takes all his strength not to groan into her hair, feeling the whole of her soft body pressed against him.

“Thank you,” she mumbles into his chest, and he tightens his grip, holding her steady. They stay like that for a while, just holding each other as the party continues inside, the lights of the city spread out around them. She pulls away just enough to tilt her face up to look at him.

“Alfie?”

“Mmm?”

He wonders if she can feel how hard his heart is beating beneath the suit he bought specially for today.

“I’d really like you to kiss me.”

He lifts an eyebrow questioningly, his eyes flashing.

“Are you sure?” he manages to choke out.

“Kiss me, Alfie.” Her voice is lower and raspier than he’s ever heard, and it does something to him, making him forget everything else but the feel of her soft hair between his fingers as he places a hand at the back of her neck and dips his mouth down to meet hers. She tastes like lipstick and pink cocktails. Inside, the wedding band sings a song about fireworks as Alfie feels them explode in his chest.



* * *



—

His lips are gentle at first. He kisses her like she’s something precious, lightly cradling the back of her head, stroking the nape of her neck with his thumb. With the other hand he brushes a strand of hair away from her cheek.

“Is this OK?” He pulls away just far enough to search her face for any sign to stop, his eyes liquid as they meet hers. But to her surprise, Tilly doesn’t feel like stopping.

“It’s good, really good,” she murmurs, then bridges the gap between them again, pressing her lips against his more firmly this time. He hesitates for the briefest of moments before responding with a renewed heat, gripping her more tightly, one hand sliding to the small of her back and pulling her close so their bodies lock together. His lips part, and she darts a tongue into his mouth, making him shiver.

“God, Tilly,” he groans into her, and the sound of it makes her lips spread into a grin, smiling as she continues to kiss him.

“You’re sure you’re OK?” he murmurs, pausing to catch his breath. His shirt is wrinkled from where she’s been gripping it beneath his jacket, and his hair sticks up from where she just ran a hand through it. “You’re sure you want this? Because we can stop…”

“I want this,” she says firmly, and his eyes flash, then he is lifting her by the hips and sitting her down gently on the wooden table behind them. Her dress hitches up as she opens her legs, and he stands between them, bringing his hands to her hair again and kissing her hard. It’s her turn to let out a noise now as he holds her tightly. She tugs at the back of his shirt, untucking it so she can slip her hands up, needing suddenly to feel his warm skin, drinking in the feel of him beneath her hands. He draws in a sharp breath as she drags her fingernails ever so lightly down his back.

“Tilly,” he says breathlessly, and then he is dipping his head to kiss the soft skin on her neck, and she mouths his name, too, holding him against her and feeling both safe and falling, aching and gloriously, miraculously alive.

The sound of music and laughter makes them both turn as the balcony door slides open and a group of Raj’s friends tumble outside, chatting and rifling through bags for cigarettes and lighters. They glance in the direction of Tilly and Alfie but then return to their conversation, heading to the far end of the balcony away from them.

Alfie’s arms are still wrapped around Tilly, her dress rumpled. And Tilly can’t help but laugh, tipping her head back. Alfie laughs, too, then kisses her on the forehead, stepping back and holding out his hand to help her down from the table.

“Well,” she says, smoothing down her dress. “I think I need a cold drink after that.”

“I think I need a cold shower,” Alfie says in a low voice, making Tilly’s stomach flip.

“Not sure I can manage that, but how about two mojitos?”

“I can go,” he says, moving as if to leave, but she lifts a hand to his chest.

“No, you stay here. Don’t go anywhere, OK?” She grins as she gives him a final kiss on the cheek. Alfie is grinning too.



* * *



—

Alfie watches Tilly leave, trying to catch his breath. He can still taste her and feel the imprint of her fingers on his skin. It was everything he promised himself couldn’t happen, but God, it felt so good. And she seemed to come alive in his arms, kissing him back harder than he’d expected, running her hands up his back and making his entire body melt…

As she kissed him, it felt for the first time in a long time as though maybe everything could work out. Maybe they could find a way to save the bookshop. Maybe he could be more to Tilly than her friend. Maybe he could believe in a happily ever after again, and slowly, gently, perhaps he could even make her believe too…