Page 112 of The Unlikely Pair

Perhaps my ability to live in the moment more.

I have spent so much of my life plotting and planning for the future. Nearly everything I’ve done has been designed for one purpose, to become the prime minister of the United Kingdom. But I’ve definitely capitulated to Toby’s ‘Enjoy the moment’ philosophy.

Now, walking in the pristine wilderness in the autumn sunshine with Toby by my side, philosophizing and challenging me, I can’t deny the simple emotion flooding me.

Happiness.

The days are getting noticeably shorter, which translates to the evenings becoming longer.

This is what I have surprisingly relished the most about our time so far in this cabin. The long evenings Toby and I spend together in our cozy cabin in front of the warmth of the fire.

There is no technology to distract us. Instead, we only have each other. But Toby’s company is more than enough to keep me entertained. We trade stories, debate and discuss, whiling away the hours in a cocoon of warmth and companionship.

A week ago, we discovered a battered pack of cards stashed in the back of a cupboard, so now we play cards together every night. Some evenings, the sledging gets more intense than it used to when we faced each other in the Commons Chamber. But instead of trying for a newsworthy soundbite, the main objective of our battle of wits now is to make the other laugh.

I treasure these quiet moments when the world outside falls away and it’s just the two of us, lost in conversation and the crackle of the fire.

But tonight, as I lean forward to add another log to the fire, a sharp twinge in my neck shatters the spell.

I stretch my neck, putting my hand up to rub it.

“Are you all right?” Toby asks from his place on the old, battered sofa.

“I think I pulled a muscle chopping wood today,” I say as I sit back down next to him.

“You want me to give you a massage?” he offers.

I lift an eyebrow at him. “I didn’t know massages were within your repertoire.”

He quirks an eyebrow right back. “I don’t think you’ve fully explored my repertoire.”

I flush, as I nearly always do when he references our sex life. I’m fairly certain that’s why he does it, actually.

Toby moves over to me, nudging me down to the ground so he can sit above me. He gingerly puts a hand on my neck.

“Oh, how I’ve always wanted to have my hands around your neck,” Toby says, and I tilt my head back to laugh at him.

“Why am I not surprised you don’t have more refined fantasies?”

“Oh, I think you’ll find you’ll enjoy my fantasies.” He sends me a flirty wink.

His hands slide down my neck to my shoulder blades, and I give a small moan of appreciation.

His hands work their magic, the tension slowly releasing from my knotted muscles. I can’t stop groans of relief escaping my lips as he finds and eases each tight spot.

He leans down and kisses the back of my neck, just below my hairline, and my breath hitches.

Because this is what I struggle to cope with. These random moments of affection from this man. Moments that cause my heart to start beating a hopeful rhythm. I know I shouldn’t read too much into these gestures. Toby is an affectionate person by nature, and it’s only natural our physical intimacy bleeds into other aspects of our relationship.

But still, I can’t help how my heart leaps at his casual touch and my skin tingles under his lips. It’s a dangerous thing, this hope fluttering in my chest. I know better than to let it take root, but sometimes, in moments like these, I find myself wishing for unattainable things.

Toby drops his hands from my neck. “Right. Do you think that’s enough so you won’t use a stiff neck as an excuse when I give you an arse-whipping tonight?”

“Is that one of your fantasies?” I ask. “I don’t know where we’re finding the whip though.”

Toby splutters before he recovers. “I was referring to cards.”

I seldom get to discomfit this man, so I relish the moments when I do.