Page 40 of Fairy Cakes in Winter

She chased after her dogs, leaving me to mull over her advice. I liked to think I was getting better at following my heart, but I was a people-pleaser by nature. I couldn’t help wondering if I’d unwittingly sacrificed vital pieces of myself to make others happy.

I was too careful.

Too cautious.

Too…safe.

I didn’t want to miss out on my own life, I mused with a sigh before checking my cell.

Fuck fairy cakes. Code.

Code.

And just like that, my heart slammed in my chest.

I bit the inside of my cheek, and typed,Tonight?

Scott sent a thumbs-up.Yes.

I glanced over at my mom wrestling a stick from one of the dogs to my phone and back again.

Oh, wow.I’d have to check the train schedule and have another uncomfortable “Don’t wait up for me” conversation with Mom and Alistair, but I didn’t think twice about my reply.

See you later.

* * *

Later that evening,Scott waited for me at the station in Bath wearing a dark beanie, a navy coat, and a fierce expression—sort of a scowl, but not quite. To be honest, he looked a little scary, but the spark in his eyes when he saw me moving toward him gave him away. He nodded in greeting, slipped my backpack from my shoulder, and hiked it over his, then led me to the street.

It was pouring.

He opened an enormous black umbrella and tucked me against him, covering my head and shielding me from the elements as we traversed empty streets. Torrential rain fell sideways, pounding the pavement and making conversation difficult. For once in my life, I didn’t bother trying.

Within minutes, we were soaked.

Scott unlocked the front door and pointed at the stairs with a grunt. I thought about making a caveman joke, but the silence felt necessary now. It protected us from the hum of electricity buzzing between us. He didn’t have to say a word. I knew he wanted me.

No, it was more than that. He needed me.

It was just sex, just release, but that didn’t matter. It was a heady feeling to have this big, powerful man’s complete focus.

I licked my lips as he fished the keys to his flat from his pocket.

He paused with his hand on the knob and stared at my mouth for a long moment. “Christ.”

“What’s wrong?”

Scott didn’t reply. He flung the door open and let it crash behind us with a bang, then flattened me against the nearest wall and fused his mouth over mine.

I wrapped myself around him like a koala and drove my tongue between his lips. He groaned his approval and took over, ravaging me while he unpeeled the first layers of clothing. He unzipped my jacket and unbuttoned my oxford shirt, pulling it from my jeans before unbuckling my belt. And his mouth never left mine.

I tried to help him undress too, but I probably wasn’t very effective. My fingers were clumsy and my balance was iffy. I swayed into Scott, clutching his belt loops to stay upright. I belatedly noticed his shirt was gone and of course, had to stop to splay my palms over his pecs and graze my nails over his nipples.

“Fuck,” he growled. “You have no fucking idea how much I want you.”

That was music to my ears. I stood on my toes and raked my teeth over his bottom lip as he ghosted his finger along my crack.

Scott was still mostly dressed, but I was in serious disarray—shirtless with my jeans around my knees and my rigid cock peeking out the top of the elastic of my boxer briefs, clinging to this muscular beast while trying not to writhe and wriggle. My resolve didn’t last. I arched into him, looking for friction any way I could get it.