Chapter 31
‘Something smells good,’ I noted when I walked through the cottage into the kitchen, which was warm, light and inviting. I felt a bit better already.
Dylan returned to where he’d been stirring something on the cooker. I put the laptop down on the kitchen table as he smiled over his shoulder at me.
‘It’s Birchbrook’s fault. Come and see,’ he said, beckoning me over with a nod.
He’d changed after the day and now had on jogging bottoms and a T-shirt, his feet bare, and his hair was damp, clearly from the shower.
He looked completely relaxed and at home in the cosy cottage; the log fire in the corner crackling merrily, allowing him to just be in a tee.
I waited a second to drink him in while he had his back to me.
He really was attractive. I’d initially thought he was too much of a city boy for me to crush on him, but the longer he spent on the farm, the more that side of him seemed to evaporate, making me feel like he had never been that type of man; I had just painted him as such when I saw him in his suit that first day.
‘So, what are you making?’ I asked, stepping over to stand beside him and peer over into the saucepan. I caught him glance at my black leggings, long, plaid shirt and trainers, and my loose, damp hair. I told myself I shouldn’t care, but I couldn’t help it. I wanted him to find me attractive too.
‘Ever since I had a hot chocolate in the café, I’ve fancied another one so I found a recipe online and thought I’d give it a go.
I was going to bring one over to you but now you’re here…
’ Dylan reached out and touched the small of my back with the hand that wasn’t stirring the hot chocolate, sending warmth through my body, although he quickly let go again, as if he hadn’t planned the contact and had surprised himself as well as me.
‘Want to stay and try it with me? It’s an autumnal hot chocolate, apparently. ’
‘I should go and check on the patch with all this wind… but how can I say no to an autumnal hot chocolate? Plus, I was hoping to get your advice.’
‘Oh, yeah?’ He smiled as if that pleased him. ‘I think we should use the pumpkin mugs that Sabrina bought.’
‘What’s got into you?’ I teased.
‘I told you – Birchbrook has changed me. I’m turning into an autumn lover.’ He pulled out the two orange, pumpkin mugs from the cupboard and set them down on the kitchen counter.
‘You’ll be carving pumpkins next,’ I joked as I watched him making our drinks.
‘If you wanted me to, I would,’ he replied quietly, not looking at me.
His words sank into my skin like moisturiser, softening me on the spot. I fought hard not to melt completely. ‘What else would you do if I wanted you to?’ I couldn’t resist asking him, arching an eyebrow, trying to keep my tone teasing and not let him see the effect he was having on me.
I realised then that this was the first night we’d been all alone since the inn. The spark between us that night seemed to bubble under the surface as we looked at one another even though I was trying not to feel it again. I just couldn’t seem to stop thinking about that hot night together.
Dylan let out a wistful sigh. But maddeningly, he didn’t answer.
Instead, he took the saucepan off the heat and poured the hot chocolate out, dividing it between our two mugs.
Then he picked up a bottle of whipped cream, shook it and squirted it on top, finishing the drinks off with a sprinkle of nutmeg and chocolate chips.
‘So, what did you want to ask me?’ Dylan asked, clearing his throat like he was trying to focus on anything other than how close we were to each other.
‘Um, well, I’m worried about ticket sales and…’ I tried to remember what I wanted to talk to him about but it was hard to think straight. I watched as a dollop of whipped cream slid off the side of my mug. I reached out and wiped it with my fingertip then sucked the whipped cream off it.
‘Jesus, Willow.’ Dylan groaned like he was in pain.
‘What?’ I met his gaze and saw how dark his eyes were.
My pulse started to speed up. I knew he was thinking about our night together at the inn then for sure.
‘You know I like whipped cream,’ I said with a smile.
I picked up the pumpkin mug and took a sip, enjoying the way he watched me do it, his breaths coming out loud and ragged in the silent kitchen.
‘Oh, wow,’ I said as the delicious drink hit me.
It was hot chocolate with pumpkin and spice: the perfect autumn drink.
‘This is better than anything at the Birchbrook Café; maybe one day, we could sell these at the patch,’ I said excitedly.
‘We could—’ I stopped suddenly because Dylan had moved forward to stand in front of me as I leaned against the counter.
‘Aren’t you going to try it?’ I whispered as his gaze bore into me.
My heart thumped at the hungry look on his face. It both thrilled and terrified me.
Dylan reached out and picked up his mug, keeping his eyes on me. He took a sip. ‘Actually, that it really good,’ he said, evidently surprised at having made something that tasted so yummy. He put the mug back down and I giggled. ‘What?’
‘You have cream…’ I reached out and wiped the corner of his mouth.
As my fingertips bushed his lips, he parted them and I slid my finger inside and he licked the cream off me. I couldn’t stop the hitch of my breath as I watched him do that. What was it with us and whipped cream?
‘Willow,’ he said, his voice low and desperate. ‘I have to kiss you. Please, God. Tell me you want me to kiss you,’ he said urgently, his eyes on my lips again.