Chapter 39
Euan sat back, his fingers loosely interlaced with Sage's. A rough finger traced the fine veins on the back of her hand.
"Blair finally came tae the table," he said at last. "She started therapy. She's finally admitted that maybe...just maybe"—he smiled ironically to himself—"her behaviour wisnae healthy."
His voice was steady, but there was a rawness underneath as he continued in an introspective tone, "For the longest time, I let her dae this.
Because I was her family, an' I guess I wanted tae make it up tae her for losin' everyone at such a young age.
But I'm no' goin' tae be able tae dae that, am I?
So, the therapist agrees the distance is goin' tae be good for her.
She's moved in wi' her boyfriend, and she knows I'm just a phone call away. "
Sage searched his face, unsure of what to say.
He gave a crooked smile. "I've rented ma place out to Fergus, though he might turn it into a personal harem.
He calls it his future playboy mansion, he does.
I'm shiftin' base tae Bristol 'cause I work from home—everyone in ma company does.
" His gaze held hers, unblinking. "An' more importantly, I've just found you.
I'm no' givin' you up. Not getting any younger. Don’t wanna be chasing you in my walker. "
Her chest squeezed, a dozen emotions colliding. All she could manage was a small, breathless, "Yeah." Then, quieter, almost shyly. "Where are you staying?"
"At a hotel for the moment," he said, getting up. "An' I'd better be goin' now."
She walked him to the door, unwilling to let him go.
She hesitated, then as he opened the door to leave, the words slipped out in a breathless rush before she could catch them. "Do you want to stay?"
Euan froze, then turned, his grin slow and blinding. "Whit kind o' question is that?" He stepped back inside and pushed the door shut behind him. "Nae take-backs, love."
Sage laughed softly, nerves bubbling in her stomach. "You need to sneak out before David wakes up, though."
He lifted his hand, pinkie extended. "Ya are not foolin' that lad, lass. But yeah, promise."
So...d'ye mean..." He shifted awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Am I meant tae take the guest room, then, or..."
"Euan."
Her voice stopped him mid-stumble. She leaned against the frame, meeting his eyes with steady calm.
"I'd like to sleep with you. And yes, I want you.
I think we're past the phase where we need to dance around these things.
I'm old enough to know exactly what I want.
" She paused, the faintest tremor of nerves under her conviction. "And what I want is you."
For a heartbeat, he only looked at her, breath caught, all his rough edges gone still. Then his smile curved slowly, reverently, as if she'd just given him something more precious than he'd ever expected.
"Is this the guest bedroom?" he asked.
She nodded, touching the frame. "I can't face the master bedroom...too many ghosts."
For a moment, the air was awkward. Then she noticed the overnight bag he set down and narrowed her eyes. "You came prepared?"
Euan shrugged, unrepentant. "A pair of shorts. But honestly, I prefer to sleep naked—a lad can only hope." He caught the quick flush on her cheeks and smirked. "Don't worry. For the sake of your modesty, I'll behave."
Sage giggled, covering her mouth, then they took turns in the bathroom. But it all felt strangely domestic, like they'd been doing it for years.
They stood shoulder to shoulder at the narrow sink, each with their own toothbrush, giving each other sidelong glances in the mirror, foam at the corners of their mouths making them grin and quickly look away.
Their elbows brushed as they rinsed, neither stepping aside, both pretending it wasn't deliberate.
At the doorway, they stumbled awkwardly into each other, laughing as she tried to squeeze past him and he moved the same way. Finally, with a playful grumble, he set a hand at her waist to guide her through, the touch lingering.
When she came back, brushing her hair with long, slow strokes, she felt his eyes trace her movements.
He watched as she sat on the edge of the mattress on the floor, squeezing lotion into her palm, rubbing it into her arms with methodical care.
The simple act seemed suddenly intimate, the faint scent of her moisturiser filling the room.
She pretended not to notice, but every inch of her skin burned under his gaze, as if the cream alone wasn't enough to soothe the heat.
She risked a glance and her breath caught. He sat cross-legged in just his shorts, muscles cut sharp in the dim light, thighs like tree trunks, a dusting of dark hair across his chest.
She slipped into bed wearing only a pale slip.
When they bedded down, they fit together as though the months had never stretched between them.
His arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her close until she could feel every hard line of him pressed against her softness.
His erection nudged insistently against the curve of her buttocks, and she was achingly aware of her body's response—her nipples tight, the throb low in her belly impossible to ignore.
He buried his face in her hair, his voice rough with restraint as his big hand smoothed over her soft belly. "I'm goin' tae postpone the ravishin', lass. Tonight...we're just goin' tae edge each other tae the brink o' sanity."
Her laugh caught somewhere between relief and desire, her pulse racing as she melted into his hold.
In the end, they did nothing but kiss—slow. drugged kisses which made her toes curl.
Sage drifted off, tangled in his arms. She woke to the steady thump of his heartbeat against her back, the rise and fall of his chest soothing, unfamiliar, yet achingly right.
For a moment, she simply lay there, eyes closed, pretending this was their typical every morning—no ghosts or complications, just them.
Then, the floorboard creaked in the hall, and reality hit like a cold splash of water.
She twisted towards him, whispering urgently, "Euan. David... He'll be up soon."
Euan cracked one eye open, grinning like the devil. "Relax. I promised, didn't I?" He held up his pinkie again, absurdly solemn.
She swatted his chest, unable to hide her smile. "This isn't funny."
"No, it is not," he murmured, pressing a kiss into her hair. Then he sat up, stretching in a way that made every muscle ripple, before standing and grabbing his bag. "Operation Sneak-Out is a go."
Sage bit her lip, watching as he pulled on his shirt. God help her, even fumbling with the buttons, he looked unfairly good.
He glanced back, catching her staring. "Stop lookin’ at me like that, or I’ll forget the plan entirely an’ test yer floorboards."
"Euan," she hissed, though her cheeks burned.
He chuckled under his breath, leaned down, and kissed her, quick but searing. "Later," he promised against her lips.
They padded down the stairs, careful as thieves. In the kitchen, the pale light of dawn cut through the blinds. Euan paused at the front door, turning to her.
"You sure you want me to go?" he asked softly, searching her face like he had the night before.
Sage swallowed, her throat tight. "Only because David deserves a gentle morning, not a heart attack. He is going through a lot."
"Fair enough." He brushed his thumb across her cheek, then slipped out into the cool air.
She closed the door behind him, leaning her forehead against the wood, her heart racing. Upstairs, she heard the faint sound of David stirring. She straightened, smoothed her hair, and forced her face into something resembling calm.
But inside, she was anything but calm. Euan had promised no take-backs, and Sage found herself daring to believe him.