Chapter 11
Rocco sat on the sofa by the wood burner, feeling relaxed and happy after spending the day in the tearoom helping Iris. He missed her already, but had to speak to his brother about the news of their grandfather, and Rex was just as surprised.
‘Well, I’m not going to judge Gran.’
Rocco stared at the laptop, seeing his brother give a firm shake of the head.
The video chat froze for a moment, then went back to normal, and Rocco wasn’t sure if his laptop needed fixing.
‘I’m not judging her either, but you have to admit, it was a bit harsh not giving Reg the opportunity to get to know Mum. ’
‘We’re going to visit in the Easter holidays. Get to know him and Imogen. Gran probably wanted to start afresh and put the past to bed.’ Rex shrugged. ‘I don’t know. I’m just glad we do know about all of this.’
Rocco felt the same, and in some way thankful his gran had at least shared some stories about Butterbrook, otherwise he would never have met Iris. ‘I’ve met someone, Rex.’
‘Another family member?’
‘A woman.’
Rex leaned closer to the screen, a huge smile beaming. ‘And?’
‘I’m taking it slowly. The last man she was with was a loser, and now she’s wary.’
‘I guess I’ll get to meet her as well when I come down.’
Rocco bobbed his head, all hope filling him. ‘Yeah, look forward to it.’
They spoke for a little while longer before saying goodbye and signing off, and Rocco went back to staring at the small flickering flames in the burner, feeling quite blown away by how much his life had changed.
He knew it would, because he had made huge changes for himself, but he hadn’t seen Iris or Reg in his future.
He was simply looking for a quieter life in a small community.
A knock on the door brought him out of his trance with the fire.
‘Hi, I’m Imogen,’ said the tall, slim woman at the door.
‘I’ve just finished work, and Grandpops told me about you, so I just wanted to introduce myself and give you this.
’ She handed over an empty jar that held an old label with dark font: Butterbrook Honey.
‘We don’t have many of the original jars left, but seeing as your grandfather was the beekeeper, I thought you might like one. ’
He glanced at the gift, thinking her thoughtful. ‘Thank you. Would you like to come in?’
‘Can’t today, sorry. But we’ll have dinner soon, yes?’
‘Yes, definitely.’
Her light-brown eyes smiled his way once more before she walked away, her pale-green ponytail swishing from side to side.
Rocco went to the kitchen to place the jar on the side, wondering what life was like at Sweet Honey Cottage all those years ago.
Iris called out as she knocked, and Rocco told her to come inside. ‘Hey, how’s it going?’
‘I feel like I’ve come home, Iris.’ He had to stop staring at the jar. ‘Does that sound strange?’
‘I’ve always felt at home here, but I’ve heard people say it took them a while to find where they belonged or that they don’t feel they fit where they are.’
‘I always felt something was missing from my life, but I just put it down to not allowing much else in due to work.’ He met her eyes and smiled. ‘Everything feels different here, especially now I know about my grandfather.’ He reached for her hand. ‘And meeting you just makes everything perfect.’
Iris dipped her head. ‘That’s a lovely thing to say.’
‘I meant what I told you before, Iris. I’ll take things as slowly as you want, just know I want you.’ He tipped her chin up so he could lose himself in her grey-blue eyes once more. ‘I—’
Iris pressed her lips against his as she raked her fingers into his hair, a small murmur escaping her mouth, doing all sorts of things to Rocco’s heart.
He held her up against the door and lifted her legs around him as the kiss heated and groans rippled through him in waves.
‘Rocco,’ she whispered, and that one breathy word filled him with goosebumps.
Slender hands were stroking along his neck as he tightened their hold, walking her to the bed.
‘Tell me what you want, Iris.’
‘All of you touching all of me.’
He didn’t need to be told twice, stripping them both, desire guiding each and every movement, until their warm bodies were practically one.
Iris gazed up at him, a soft smile tugging as she trailed a fingertip along his jaw. ‘Take your time, Rocco. I want to remember this always.’
‘I’ll make sure you have lots of memories, as this won’t be our only time unless you say so.’
‘I don’t think I ever want to leave here.’
He kissed the tip of her nose and smiled as all things bright and beautiful filled his heart. ‘I already know I’ll never leave you.’
‘I still want you to take your time. I want our bodies to know each other as much as our souls.’
He’d never believed in soulmates before, but he had little choice since meeting Iris. Perhaps instant attraction was the soul’s way of communicating with the mind. He couldn’t be sure, and as she kissed him again, he no longer cared about dissecting the matter.
‘Everywhere,’ she said quietly. ‘Touch me everywhere.’
Rocco lowered his mouth to her neck, covering each inch to savour more of her sweetness, and Iris arched into him, clutching the bed cover. Peppering kisses along her shoulder, he smiled onto her skin, knowing he would enjoy every kiss.
‘I’ve changed my mind,’ she blurted, pulling him up. ‘I need you to speed things up.’
Teeth clashed as he met her mouth once more, and a groan rumbled as her hand slid between his legs to join their bodies, the feeling overwhelming him for a moment.
‘Iris,’ he managed, breath heavy, heart skipping beats.
Her embrace was firm on his back, whispered words soft and sweet, heat and emotion building, and Rocco knew he would spend the rest of his life loving her.
Iris woke the next morning in Rocco’s strong arms, and all she could think about was his mouth over her body all night and just how wonderful it felt.
After everything he’d said, and by the way he had touched her, she was pretty sure he wouldn’t laugh in her face while shoving her out the door. Out of his life.
Stupid memory. If only it would stop haunting her, messing with her mind, spoiling things. Were things spoiled? Rocco was still naked in bed with her. His bed. And had he wanted her to leave at any time, he would have said, she was sure.
Getting a grip, she decided her past wasn’t going to interfere with her future ever again. Things were different now she had met Rocco, and she couldn’t help but look at him snuggled around her, keeping her warm, making her feel safe.
A light kiss on her shoulder stirred her from all thoughts, mostly the negative ones that held more power.
‘Morning, beautiful,’ came his gravelly voice, swiftly followed by another kiss, then another. ‘How about a bed day? Just you, me, no clothes.’
Finding it hard not to smile from ear to ear, Iris shuffled in his arms to face him, and he stole a kiss on her lips straight away, then pulled her closer until there was nothing between them, not even air.
His teasing smile held her in place more than his arms, and she deepened the kiss while hooking one leg over his thigh, pleased it had caused another of those pleasure groans he made that were quickly becoming one of her favourite things.
‘There’s a meeting in the pub this morning.’
His groan changed. ‘Why?’
‘It’s our monthly one.’
He trailed kisses along her cheek. ‘How long we got?’
She glanced at the alarm clock the other side of the bed, the time squashing her happy mood. ‘Half hour to wash, dress, and have breakfast.’
That teasing smile was back, and now on her lips. ‘We can eat later at the tearoom while we’re working there. Josie’s opening up, right?’
‘Yep.’
‘That’s one thing out the way.’
‘We still need time to wash.’
With a flick of the covers and a scoop of his hands, Iris found herself being carried to the bathroom, and within moments, they were under the shower, her legs wrapped around him once more.
‘Two birds, one stone,’ he mumbled on her neck as he joined their bodies.
‘I like your style.’
‘Yeah? I like you. A lot.’
Iris giggled on his shoulder, then held on tighter as he pressed against her, bringing more heat than the spray of water soaking them.