Page 36 of You Had Me At Pumpkin Patch

He blinked a few times before bringing his attention back to the chocolate moulds he was meant to be lining up. ‘No, of course not.’ He cleared his throat. ‘Is the first draft of your novel nearly finished?’

Rosie sensed that wasn’t the real topic that had been playing on his mind, but she continued anyway. If it was important, he’d come back to it when he was ready. ‘Actually, I think it might be. I’m just not sure of the ending yet.’

She’d been letting art imitate life, inspired by what was happening at the farm, with a fictional twist and a bit of artistic licence. Though it looked like she’d have to compose her own fictional ending, as there would be no romantic finale between her and Zain.

‘Am I in it yet?’

‘No!’ Rosie yelped, almost too quickly. He wasn’t, exactly.

Her main male character was called Cain, rather than Zain, although he did look suspiciously similar, and had treated her main female character Josie to exactly the same romantic dates.

She’d obviously have to change some of that but writing it had been like reliving it – and what she wouldn’t give to experience those moments again.

‘Good,’ he replied. ‘I would hate that. Anyway, I’m not sure anyone would get me.’

‘You’d probably stir up too much trouble,’ she teased.

‘Though maybe you could combine your passions and run writing retreats here? I bet they’d go down a storm.’

‘See what I mean about trouble?’ She laughed. ‘Maybe one day, in a dream life. But one thing at a time, hey?’

Rosie grabbed her wooden spoon and dolloped a splodge of chocolate onto his nose. Then she plonked his bandana back onto his head and ducked away quickly, before he could mount a revenge attack. ‘Now please keep your clothes on in my kitchen.’

He raised his eyebrows at her. ‘I’ll do my best.’

It was hard enough being in a confined space with him. There was no way she could cope if he started removing outer garments and swishing his hair like that guy from Poldark .

Ping, ping, ping. Ping, ping, ping.

Luckily, they were saved by the bell.

‘What on earth?’ Rosie rushed to her laptop and clicked the mousepad. ‘Oh... wow . I think there’s a bidding war.’

The Cotswolds was an affluent place. It seemed some people would remortgage their summer house to be seen at this sort of exclusive event. She tried to ignore the niggling worry that her mother and sister could be two of them. If they showed up, her cover might be seriously blown.

Zain’s arrival at her side swiftly distracted her. They leaned over the screen.

‘How much?’ Zain asked, blinking a few times and looking more closely. ‘People are bidding wild amounts for these tickets. Are you putting on a secret Take That concert? Or is the Duchess of Gloucester handing out canapés?’

‘Nope. Just you in your borrowed Queen of Cat Snacks apron. I guess you must be hot right now.’

‘You do know I’m not wearing this on the night?’ He gave her a nudge.

Their eyes stayed glued to the screen as the figures rose, the notifications chiming like an overenthusiastic fruit machine.

‘That must be all your extra promotional stuff this week. Well done,’ said Zain.

Since Agnes had agreed to get internet at the house, Rosie had been popping over to update social media and build excitement about the launch event and auction. Their following was rising, and local bloggers and media were taking an interest.

If it wasn’t for not wanting the Featherstones to track her down, Rosie would have considered contacting her sister, who with her huge Instagram tribe, could make anything go viral.

But Rosie’s nerves had enough to deal with.

And for once, she wanted to succeed at something her way, instead of feeling like the slightly rubbish relation.

‘Thank you,’ said Rosie. ‘Technology certainly has some uses. Although we’re definitely not getting Kimberkoo Chat to write our promo material.

That wouldn’t fit in with our ethic of bringing people back to nature.

And I’m sick of that thing nicking my job.

’ She giggled and nudged him back, feeling almost dizzy at watching the numbers take off. Could they actually do this?

‘Hmm, yes. No chatbots,’ Zain replied, absently.

Though she guessed he didn’t know much about those, being a self-confessed hermit.

‘I think our luck is finally changing,’ said Rosie, straightening herself and taking a moment to breathe it in.

Zain stood too, and as he turned to face her, she noticed that in the excitement, he’d forgotten about the blob of chocolate on the end of his nose. She reached up and wiped it with her finger, trying her best to keep a straight face.

‘I was saving that.’ His hand encircled itself gently around her wrist and he drew her finger towards him, his mouth slowly opening.

She could have pulled away and made light of it.

She could have smeared the chocolate onto his cheek or wiped it on his cat apron or even eaten it herself.

Though as he moved her finger towards his lips, it was as though time stood still.

Or perhaps that time couldn’t move quickly enough.

So when he made to put her finger into his mouth, she let him.

He didn’t break eye contact as his tongue teased the chocolate from her fingertip.

It shouldn’t have felt quite so sensual.

It was just Zain, licking a bit of stray chocolate from her skin, for goodness’ sake.

Yet the warmth and softness of his mouth mixed with that strange sense of longing deep in his eyes must have fired up a million nerve endings.

She was probably glowing so brightly that she could be seen from outer space.

When his lips finally released her, it took all her willpower not to leap into his arms and kiss him. There were so many reasons not to, but the more time they spent together, the more those details seemed to melt away, like the chocolate in her bain-marie.

‘We make a great team, don’t we?’ she heard herself breathe.

He was nodding slowly, almost as if his head was moving against his will.

And then his lips were travelling towards hers, and she was leaning into him, their mouths meeting in a way that caused fireworks.

Rosie’s whole body felt like a launch party celebration, filled with sparks and joy and the hope of all things magical.

She had no idea where this moment would lead to, whether her heart was about to be broken or fixed or taken on the ride of its life.

But right then, she just wanted to sink into him.

To be devoured by her own lust for him, and the emotions that were growing inside her.

From the way he was cupping her face in his hands and whispering sweet, sensual words between his kisses, she sensed he was feeling them too.