Page 8 of Strawberry Moon

CHAPTER FOUR

I wake up in slow stages. I’m snuggled under the duvet and the sunlight is warm on my face.

Strong arms are wrapped around me, Harry’s body a hot, muscled length against me.

His chest hair tickles my back, and his long legs are entwined with mine.

You couldn’t get a piece of paper between us, and I love it.

I nestle back, pushing my arse into his lap. I resist the urge to rub on his hard cock, staying still to listen to his soft breaths.

Last night, his parents had still been with his grandad when we got back, and the house had been dark.

Harry had helped me up the stairs and had been a total gentleman, getting me into bed and making sure I was comfortable.

I’d probably have been more comfortable if he’d lain on top of me, but I’d let him fuss, because it always makes me feel happy and safe.

As the youngest child in a big family, I’ve had to develop the biggest mouth to get noticed.

By the time my mum and dad had me they’d obviously rubbed the shine off their parenting skills, and everything was rather absentminded.

That’s not to criticise them. I love them fiercely and know they love me, but I often had to make a fuss to get their attention.

This isn’t the case with Harry. He focuses on me freely and in a way that makes me feel treasured. Like I’m a flower blooming under his rays of light.

I wriggle my ankle experimentally. He’d insisted on putting a bandage on it despite my reassurances. His hands had been gentle and his face soft, and in the warm glow of the bedroom light, I’d never had such an intimate feeling.

My ankle seems much better this morning, which is more than can be said for my conscience. It seems my grandfather’s plan is not getting a lot of approval from the universe, and maybe I should stop behaving like Fiona and start acting like Clem.

The idea seems sound, and I continue to snuggle into Harry’s body.

He’s so warm and his scent surrounds me in the sheets.

One arm is lying over my waist his big hand resting on my stomach.

It’s only an inch away from my dick which has passed early morning hard-on to fully turned on and is straining as if attempting to get his hand on me.

His breathing changes and his arm tightens, and I wait with bated breath.

Is he going to jump away and pretend none of this is happening?

He’d seemed inclined that way last night, concerned as he was with age gaps and boss worries.

I prepare myself for his speedy exit from the bed, but instead, he gives a sleepy grumble, and I jump as he presses a kiss to my neck.

“Did you sleep well?”

His voice is hoarse with sleep, and I can’t help wriggling and pushing against that hard cock again.

He stays still for a long few seconds, and then he pulls me over so I’m lying flat on my back staring up at him.

His jaw is rough with morning beard and his eyes are very dark. We look at each other intently.

“I want you,” he finally says, and I can’t stop my arch towards him. He pulls back, his face full of concern. “I don’t want to rush you, though. This is very fast.”

That makes me smile despite myself. “Is it really ?”

He freezes. “What do you mean?”

I reach up and cup his strong jaw. “It means that I’ve wanted you since the first moment I saw you, Harry.” He gasps, and I pet his lips, sliding my finger over the lower one.

“You have?”

I nod, sighing as he licks my finger, before taking the tip into his mouth and biting gently. I gasp, and he releases it.

“It feels like I’ve always wanted you.” I wonder what Fiona would say in this situation, but she’s probably still knocking grown men over with the force of her sighs, so I’m on my own.

It’s time for me to be myself. “I know you worry over an age gap and being my boss, but let’s face it—I manage you in the shop.

” His mouth twitches and I rush on. “To me, you’re not my boss, and you’re not the handsome older man who’s sweeping me off my feet. ”

“I’m not? Your chat-up lines really need refining, Clem.”

I tap his nose reprovingly. “You’re none of those things, because what you are to me is Harry with the curls and the beautiful face. A man who is kind and a little bit lonely.”

“I’ve been told I’m too protective.”

“I think we all know you’ve been dating the wrong men since the dawn of time. You make me feel safe and happy.” I wrap my arms around his strong torso. “Do you have anything to say?”

He shakes his head. “All my words have gone.”

“And what’s left?” I whisper.

“The need to kiss you.” His voice is hoarse and so sexy.

My eyes slide shut as I pull him to me. We groan as our lips touch.

He licks at my bottom lip tugging at it until I open my mouth and his tongue slides in.

The kiss is deep and wet and my cock throbs demandingly.

I tug at him and he comes over me willingly, pushing his way between my spread thighs and I moan low in my throat as I feel the weight of his body and his hard cock against mine.

Then two things happen. There’s a loud knock at the door and I jerk away elbowing Harry hard in the throat as I go.

“ Fuck ,” he wheezes.

“Sorry. I’m so sorry,” I whisper. “Have I hurt you?”

“I’m fine. I’ve just never been maimed in bed by my partner before.” He takes my hand that’s fluttering worriedly over his face and kisses it before taking it in his own. “Yes?” he calls.

“It’s me, darling,” his mum shouts. Her voice is merry and warm, but it hits me like a bucket of cold water.

I gasp and drag the covers up as if she’s going to force her way into the room. Harry smirks at me and rolls out of bed. He slides into his jeans, and I take the opportunity to ogle his body in the morning light.

He strides to the door, buttoning his jeans before throwing it open. “Morning.”

His mum grins up at him and then looks past him at me in the bed. “Good morning, darling,” she calls.

I pull the sheet a bit higher. “Morning,” I say in a squeaky voice.

She steps into the room. She’s wearing jeans and a light jumper, but my attention is on her long coat. I look out of the window at the brilliant sunshine and then raise my eyebrow at Harry.

He shrugs. “What’s up, Ma?”

“Oh, we’re going swimming, lovely. Are you two coming?”

“Swimming? Is there a pool near here?” I ask.

She blinks. “No, darling. In the sea.”

“The sea ?” I parrot.

Harry shakes his head. “And you were brought up in Cornwall?”

“Yes, I was, and I know enough to state that despite it being summer, the sea will still be bloody freezing.”

Holly laughs raucously. “That’s the charm of it.”

“Is it?”

She nods and settles cross-legged on the end of the bed. I grin at her. I like Harry’s mum. “Yes. It wakes you up.”

“So does coffee,” Harry points out. “I can’t believe that you and Dad do this every day of the year.”

“Harry, it helps your mind. It makes you feel alive, and it gives you feel-good endorphins. We all need that.”

I’m still stuck on his statement. “All year?”

“Oh yes. We even swim on Christmas Day. There’s usually a big group of us, but it’ll just be us four today.” She turns to her son, offering him an impish smile. “So, what do you say? You know you always whinge about it, darling, but you love it when you get there.”

I can see how this must be true. Harry’s very active for a bookseller.

Harry puts up his hand to stay her enthusiasm. “Maybe it’s not a good idea. Clem hurt his ankle last night.”

“Oh no.” She turns to me. “How?”

“An over-inquisitive cow. Let’s not talk about it.” She giggles, and I shrug. “My ankle is fine if you want to go,” I say to Harry. “But I haven’t brought my costume.”

“You sure you want to?” I nod, and his wide smile is my reward. “I think I’ve got some board shorts here,” he says. “And you can borrow my brother Jimmy’s. He’s about your size.”

Holly claps her hands together. “Wonderful. I’ll grab your dry robe, Harry, and Clem can have Jimmy’s. See you downstairs.”

She dashes out, and I grin at Harry. “Not quite my idea of a good start to the morning.”

He sits next to me on the bed, cupping my face in one hand and stroking my hair back with the other. His gaze is warm and intent. “I’m sure you’ll throw yourself into it as usual.”

“The sea?”

“No, the occasion. I’ve never seen you discomposed by anything. It’s one of the qualities I most admire about you.”

“It is?” I say, staring at him. “Are there more?” I add hopefully.

“Your cheerfulness in all social situations and the fact that you make me smile more than anyone I’ve ever met.” He drops a kiss on my nose that makes me feel warm all over. “Get dressed. I’ll go and grab the beach towels.”

I stare after him as he leaves the room.

Then I spare a glimpse at the camouflaged tale of Fiona and Jared.

I don’t remember her going swimming. It probably wouldn’t have been good for her, as she’s shown an alarming predilection for falling over at any opportunity.

She takes more tumbles than a drunken sailor.

Dismissing her, I leap out of bed to get dressed.

After using the bathroom and cleaning my teeth, I come back to find a pair of blue-and-white striped board shorts on the bed.

I wriggle into them and find they’re nearly a perfect fit.

I pull on a pair of blue sweatpants with a tight white t-shirt and add a green jumper because it might be summer, but it’s not tremendously warm this morning and also because it makes my blond hair look good.

Then I clatter down the stairs to find Harry and his parents talking in the hall. Harry must have finished getting dressed while I was in the bathroom, because he’s wearing jeans and a grey hoodie that makes his green eyes glow.

His dad has a cooler bag in one hand and when he sees me looking at it, he grins. “All the stuff to make bacon sandwiches.”

I perk up immediately. “Yummy,” I say, grinning at him.

Holly flings her arms around me. “How lovely. Swimming with my boys.”