Chapter 14
THE FOLLOWING MORNING, I’m awakened by faint sunbeams peeking in through the window.
Between all the passionate sex and entangled bodies, I forgot to close the curtains.
My red curls lie draped across Val’s stomach, contrasting against his smooth skin.
With each breath, his chest slowly rises and falls.
I look up. His eyes are still closed, his face relaxed.
I smile lazily, replaying the entire night in my head.
Val’s lips. Val’s warm body. Val’s strong hands. Is there a Nobel Prize for exceptional sex? It would absolutely go to the man who’s currently catching up on valuable sleep right beside me. But then reality hits me like a ton of bricks.
Sex.
I had sex with my boss last night. I roll onto my back and stare up at the ceiling.
Yep, there was definitely what you might call penile interaction.
Lots of it. And without a condom, which didn’t cross my mind for even a second.
I curse under my breath. How could I be so stupid?
! Sure, I’m on birth control, but a tiny human with the lung capacity of ten opera singers is far from the only thing you might end up with after a night of unprotected sex.
And if last night was any indication of Val’s level of caution in that area . . .
Oh my God, what are people at work going to think? What will Michael say? And Rosalie? And . . .
Hey you. I hear a sleepy voice coming from way up near the headboard.
I look up, straight into Val’s warm eyes, his fingers tracing slow circles on my shoulder. A furrow appears between his dark eyebrows. His other hand scratches his stubble as his eyes search my face.
What’s wrong? he asks. Suddenly wide awake, he sits up a little. He swallows and a rare insecure look appears in his eyes as he brushes a curl from my cheek. Are you . . . having regrets? he finally asks.
I swallow and stare at my hands.
Hannah. Look at me. He lays his palm against my cheek, turning me to face him. The look in his eyes is deeply serious. What’s wrong?
Um . . . So . . . Have you ever heard the PSA ‘Don’t be silly, wrap your willy’ before?
Val’s furrow deepens before he clues in. Oh shit! he yells in shock.
Yep.
Are you on . . .?
Thanks for asking. Yes, I am.
He exhales a sigh of relief and flops back onto his pillow. Jesus. I’ve never just forgotten to wear a condom before.
Never? I ask, sounding astonished as I take in his relaxed face.
There's a playful look in his eyes as he shakes his head. You of all people should know that I always take my responsibilities very seriously. It just never crossed my mind. A marching band could have waltzed through this hotel room last night and I wouldn’t have noticed a thing. He flips down the covers. Get in.
A warm glow spreads through my body as I crawl in next to him. He instantly wraps his arms around me, pulling me close.
Anything you’d like to do today? he asks.
I answer with a suggestive grin.
That night, we decide to dine out on a fancy boat cruise on the Thames. To say I’m feeling hungry would be the understatement of the year. For some reason or another, it never occurred to me to order room service this afternoon.
As he leads me inside, Val keeps a protective hand on the small of my back. The golden fabric of my pleated skirt swishes around my ankles and I’m wearing elegant stiletto heels. My fitted black top is tucked into the waistband of my skirt. Val nods at one of the servers like he knows him.
The place is filled with dark brown tables and wooden chairs.
Crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling and candles add an extra glow of light.
The interior reminds me a little of a miniature version of the inside of the Titanic—the area where Hockley was puffing Cuban cigars, of course, not the deck where Rose chugged beer like it was lemonade, then spun around in Jack’s arms so fast that she got dizzy.
Floor to ceiling windows offer a stunning view of all the buildings and bridges along the Thames. I stare out the window, mouth agape, and take in the impressive architecture of the Big Ben clock tower. It’s clearly visible from the water.
Isn't it beautiful? Val whispers in my ear. His warm breath brushes a few wisps of hair against my cheek. I try to do this whenever I’m in London. It’s definitely worth repeating with the right company.
I turn to face him, noticing the twinkle in his eyes as a wide smile appears on his face.
The dark circles under his eyes are gone and his skin is glowing.
He looks . . . different. He’s still the same gorgeous man he’s always been, but that perpetual tension in his expression is nowhere to be seen.
He seems cheerful and energized, like an eight-year-old who just spent an entire week at Disneyland.
We take a seat at our table and gaze at all the majestic buildings as we sail by.
We talk about London, work, and past loves as the boat glides through the water like it’s skating on ice.
A stark contrast to the North Sea ferry ride that brought us to London last time—I’m not sure I’ll ever forget the meal I had that day and how quickly it reversed course into the toilet bowl.
The look on Val’s face is deadly serious when he confesses he’s never been in a relationship before.
I startle, spraying my wine back into my glass.
I can’t fathom that no one has ever managed to un-sow his wild oats, forced him to rewatch Love, Actually with her for the fifth time, or got to the point of telling him to please-for-the-love-of-god start putting the toilet seat down.
Never? I ask, eyes wide as I wipe a few droplets of wine from my chin.
The corners of his mouth lift up in amusement while he hands me a napkin and shakes his head. Never, he confirms.
But . . . why? I mean, look at you. I gesture at the prime example of a man sitting in front of me.
That makes him laugh out loud before shrugging apologetically.
I don't know, he replies. I guess I never quite got there. I guess I just never met the woman who could make me think, ‘Yes, this . . . This is it. She’s it for me.’ His clear eyes linger on my face for just a moment too long and something stirs inside me.
Taking a sip of his beer, he gives his head a nearly imperceptible shake.
By the time our main course arrives, we’re on to a stunning view of St Paul’s Cathedral and its huge domed roof.
When we dig into our dessert—an enormous macaron served with artisanal vanilla ice cream—the Tower of London rises into view.
Its massive stone walls are illuminated by spotlights shining up from below.
Val follows my gaze, setting his spoon down after tucking the last spoonful of ice cream into his mouth. I feel flushed when I catch the look in his eyes.
Should we pop out to the deck? he wonders, nodding at the staircase.
Given how hot I feel all of a sudden, that sounds like a great idea.
We put on our coats and a few moments later, my heels are clicking up the wooden staircase.
There’s a strong breeze out here, but it can’t detract from the incredible view.
Fairy lights are strung up all along the deck.
Even so, it’s a lot darker out here than it was inside, making it even easier for us to see all these world-class monuments.
We’re getting closer to Tower Bridge now—its blue steel accents more clearly visible by the second.
The two bridge towers look like they were plucked from a castle, then dropped in the middle of the bridge.
Val slips his hand into mine and he’s leading me toward the bow of the ship when there’s a sudden jolt.
His strong hands instinctively wrap around my arms to hold me steady.
Startled, I look up to see my emotions mirrored in his beautiful eyes, but as soon as the boat steadies, a dorky expression appears on his face.
Don’t you worry, he chuckles. If it comes to it, I promise I’ll make room for you on the floating door. He wraps his arms around me. I can’t believe he’s referencing my Titanic rant from the New Year’s reception a few weeks ago.
How noble of you, I say, giving him a playful shove.
Once we reach the bow, the wind is blowing my hair back from my face and a shiver courses through me.
Val, standing behind me, unbuttons his coat and wraps it around me.
The heat of him radiates straight through my coat, warming my entire body.
He lays his cheek against the crown of my head and we watch the massive bridge lift to let our ship through.
The blue light below the bridge creates a magical glint on the water splashing all around us.
I turn my face toward him, and beneath the blue glow, he brushes the hair from my face, pressing his lips to mine in a sensational, tender kiss.