Page 21

The huge Angel of the North dominates the skyline.

Even from here, a couple of miles away, it’s so impressive.

I’ve seen it before driving past, but I’ve never stopped to really take it in.

When we were travelling between cities for filming, we’d have a mini competition to see who could be the first one to spot it when we were driving north.

If we were in the North Stars minibus, the first one to see it always did a shot.

But I’ve not seen it from this view before – Leo’s managed, as always, to show me a different side to things.

“Angelica, meet the Angel!” Leo says to me.

He stretches out his hand and sets off at a rapid pace towards the sculpture.

Immediately, I trip on a clump of grass and narrowly avoid faceplanting.

A high-pitched giggle escapes me, one that sounded nothing like my normal laugh.

I guess I should be thankful that a giggle is the only thing that escaped me, and not a fart.

“It’s strong, it’s iconic, it’s everything you are!” Leo declares.

“What, rusty and left by the side of the road?” I say in mock-outrage, but I can’t believe he’s actually planned this out.

“No, I mean it, Angelica,” Leo continues.

“Not everyone likes the Angel of the North – some folks called it an eyesore when it was built. It’s not for everyone – some people just don’t get it.

But those that do, well those people really, really like it.

And that’s what I wanted you to see. Something powerful.

Something everyone recognises. And something that means a lot to the people who love it. ”

I don’t know what to say to that. Normally I’d say something stupid, or take a selfie with it in the background while pulling a face.

But Leo looks like he really means what he said.

And he’s walking off in a determined way.

I’m wishing I’d not worn my old Converse for this.

I’m hardly dressed as a rugged explorer, but I set off after him all the same.

We walk in companionable silence for a while – I know I normally talk non-stop so it’s strange finding someone who I feel so comfortable with.

I manage to find my stride and stop tripping over, and best of all, I’m not itching to check my phone.

There’s not a soul about, we could be in another century out here.

Leo truly has gifted me an escape from everything.

He comes to a halt, and we sit down for a quick rest. He pulls out a water bottle from his backpack.

As usual, he’s come prepared and all I’ve got is some inappropriate shoes and half a pack of Fruit Pastilles.

I rest my head on his shoulder, soothed by birdsong and the calm of this place.

“I so needed this,” I tell him. “I know everyone else thinks it’s shallow to care so much about fame and how the house burning down is going to impact that,” I say.

“I do care about it, but not in the way everyone assumes. I want to be able to help out Mam and Dad, I promised them I would, and now I don’t know how I’ll manage! ”

“I know,” says Leo. “And I’ve got a promise for you. I promise that will all work out OK. And Angelica, when I make a promise, I really do keep it. I’ve got you. But, for now, let’s forget all about that world and enjoy this one.”

I flop back into the grass and he leans over me, eclipsing the sun, and suddenly he’s all I can see, all I can think about.

Is he going to kiss me? I can feel the heat rushing through me as he gets closer.

It feels like I’m falling into his intense gaze.

I blush like I’m sixteen again and instead I focus on his lips.

That’s no better. I can feel my pulse in my neck and I’m about to reach up and pull his mouth on to me when he moves closer and… flicks me on the forehead.

“Ow!” I yell, sitting up. “What was that for?”

“You had a grasshopper on you,” Leo laughs and stands up, setting off again along the path. I follow him, trying to fix my eyes on the statue in the distance, and stop staring at Leo’s firm arse as he walks ahead. Why had I never noticed it before now?

Finally we crest a hill then turn a corner and we’re in a small hollow tucked off the main path, with a breathtaking view of the Angel.

Literally breathtaking – I’m practically panting after the hike.

Leo stands behind me, his chest pressed against my back, and I let myself lean into him so I know he can feel me breathing hard against him.

Suddenly, the atmosphere flips from calm to sexy.

Very, very sexy. He runs his fingers slowly down my neck, pausing where my pulse is racing in the delicate nook of my neck.

Then, still with my eyes locked on the horizon, I feel his mouth on my neck.

Are we doing this? I don’t think I can keep up the ‘isn’t the view so lovely’ act anymore, especially not when I can feel him hard against me now, and so I turn round, lost for words and just bite my lip, looking Leo right in the eye.

Suddenly, he’s on me. Pulling me towards him hungrily, kissing me, and running his fingers through my hair.

His kisses manage to be both rough and gentle all at once, and I am pulling his t-shirt off, over his head, before I even have time to consider the fact that anyone could see us.

Then, at the sight and the feel of him pressed up against my body, my own top now ripped off and tossed on the ground, I couldn’t care less.

He lies back on the warm ground, his hands roaming my bare body, and I straddle him.

I’m just in my bra and old denim mini. I know exactly what I want.

I feel as strong as that statue, but come back to myself, my brain not my body, for a second when I feel him pull away, already missing the feel of his lips on mine.

“Is this what you really want, Angelica?” He’s asking me as his fingers skim my nipples, sending jolts of electricity through me. “I don’t want to be your revenge fuck.”

I adjust my position on top of him and pin his arms above his head, knowing this gives him a magnificent view of my boobs. “Does this feel like revenge? Does this feel like I’m thinking about anyone else?” I ask.

“It. Feels. Fucking. Amazing.” Leo groans. “It’s just us, Angelica, just us.”

It was exactly what I needed to hear. “Well, in that case,” I say, releasing his hands. I reach behind me and undo my black bra.

“God,” he growls. “You are so, so hot.” He begins running his hands over the curves of my body, clutching at the dip of my hip, grabbing at the flesh of my thighs.

His legs are wide open and I’m straddled across him, I can feel his dick, hard against my leg.

I feel so powerful, so sexy in my own skin, seeing the pure lust on Leo’s face as he drinks the sight of me in.

This is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before, it’s not a fumble under the cover, a hammering away at me, as if I’m a disposable doll, only good for one thing.

This is worship, I think, as Leo sits up and takes one nipple into his mouth, biting gently in a way that has me gasping.

His fingers are in my pants and they’re doing something unidentifiable but delicious, I find I’m panting once again, “please, please don’t stop, oh god, don’t stop,” and he flips me over and I feel his weight on top of me.

I want him inside of me now, but he begins to kiss each inch of my body.

“Not yet,” he says, firmly, taking control.

“I’m making this last, savouring every second of you.

” The ground below me must be rough and dusty but I don’t notice.

As, his tongue is now where his fingers were, and it’s lucky Leo knew this hidden spot as I’m moaning loudly now, as I enter into another orbit, another dimension, dripping with sweat and feeling like the goddamn sexiest woman alive.

* * *