Chapter 47
Chapter Forty-Seven
The first thing Fern became aware of was the warmth of Daniel’s body curved against hers, their legs tangled beneath the covers. His arm was draped across her waist, his hand resting just below the curve of her ribs.
She shifted slightly, and Daniel stirred behind her, his breath warm against her neck.
‘Morning,’ he murmured, still half-asleep.
Fern turned to face him. His hair was a mess, his eyes closed but smiling.
‘Hi,’ she whispered.
His fingers skimmed her cheek. ‘You okay?’
She nodded, her hand covering his. ‘More than okay.’
He leaned in and kissed her.
‘I’ll have more of that, thank you.’
He kissed her again as his hand slid through her hair then down her spine. She moved closer to him. ‘This isn’t a bad way to wake up in the morning.’
She was happy. This was worlds away from anything she’d ever had with Jax …
which had been all adrenalin and no connection, like riding a rollercoaster you couldn’t quite get off.
She thought of Ella, who still hadn’t called, hadn’t texted and hadn’t bothered to explain.
It was like their friendship, all the years of sleepovers and secrets and loyalty, had just evaporated.
If Fern was honest, she didn’t even want the explanation anymore, she had bigger issues to deal with and time was ticking.
Her leave was coming to an end and she was due back in the office – not a thought she was relishing.
‘Can we just stay here, like this, for ever?’ she murmured, snuggling into Daniel.
‘Sounds good to me, but why are you getting all maudlin on me?’
‘I don’t know … when things seem too good to be true, they usually are, but you seem to be the exception to the rule.’ She knew someone like Daniel was worth hanging on to, and her feelings were intensifying. Laying her head on his chest, she traced small circles with her fingertip across his skin.
Daniel spoke first, his voice quiet. ‘Last night being together was … different.’
She smiled, remembering. He’d barely got under the duvet before she pressed up against him, her hands winding around his waist, pulling him impossibly closer.
He groaned as he kissed her, his hands sliding down to her hips, fingers pressing into the fabric of her PJs, desperate to feel the warmth of her skin beneath.
Her legs wrapped around his waist, anchoring him to her as his lips left a scorching trail along her jaw and down her neck.
She had shivered, her pulse racing as his tongue began to explore every part of her body, whilst his fingers tangled in the hem of her top as he pushed it up.
A small moan had escaped her as she arched into him, letting herself melt into the intoxicating sensation of his touch.
Now she tilted her chin to look up at him. ‘Different how?’
He glanced down at her with a soft smile. ‘Like something we’re both going to remember for the rest of our lives.’
This connection was real; she felt it and so did he.
‘Just as I predicted, you’ve fallen for me,’ Daniel teased, grinning at her with that signature lopsided smile that made her heart flip in the most ridiculous way.
Fern rolled her eyes and gave his bare chest a playful swipe. ‘Maybe.’
He caught her hand before she could pull it away, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. ‘There’s no maybe about it. Good job the feeling’s mutual then.’
She smiled. ‘That’s good to know.’
They sank back into silence, wrapped in each other’s arms, legs tangled under the duvet, the rest of the world feeling miles away. The minutes passed and all they could hear was the sound of the gulls outside.
‘Do you know what day it is?’
‘Friday,’ he said, brushing her hair back from her face.
‘Yes, but it’s also the last day of the month. Time to do the accounts and see how many millions we’ve made…’
‘Don’t joke,’ he said, feigning seriousness. ‘This place is on the up.’
She smirked. ‘I know. And so we’re going to pay Edgar a visit and tell him that we will not be accepting any offers from any mysterious, anonymous buyers today, despite the deadline.’
Daniel grinned, pleased. ‘And?’
Fern’s smile faltered just slightly. She knew what he meant. And what about you, Fern?
Her annual leave was ending. Technically, she was supposed to be back in London next week.
Back behind her desk at Sound it was Dorothy.
Fern’s heart raced and her eyes widened as she looked at Daniel and brought a finger up to her lips.
‘I think they’re getting close now. This is going to end in a right scandal.’
‘What do we do?’ came Edgar’s voice, muffled but urgent.
Fern turned to Daniel, her voice a whisper when she spoke. ‘They’re in on it. Dorothy, Edgar, this whole time…’
‘We don’t know that for sure,’ he mouthed back.
‘I do. I can feel it.’
Before Daniel could stop her, Fern had pushed the door open and stormed into the room.
Startled, Dorothy turned in her chair and Edgar looked up sharply.
‘You?’ Fern said, voice shaking with fury. ‘You’re part of this? Trying to cover up the fact that Nathaniel somehow stole my great-aunt’s composition that gave him the most affluent life ever.’
Edgar stood up. ‘Fern—’
‘You’re working with Alistair and Nathaniel. You’re covering it all up. Even acting as his solicitor to try and buy the shop so they can find and destroy the evidence.’
‘Fern, that’s not—’
‘We heard you!’ Her voice cracked. ‘You said we’re getting close and it’s going to end in scandal. I think we should call the police,’ she said as she turned towards Daniel. ‘Let them investigate exactly what is going on here.’
Dorothy stood up, holding out her hands in a calming gesture. ‘It’s not what you think.’
‘You said we’d uncover the truth. That’s what this is about, isn’t it?
You’re all protecting Nathaniel Loring. Protecting the lie.
He stole great-aunt Matilda’s composition.
I thought you were her friend, but I suppose blood will always be thicker than water.
You’ll always have Alistair’s back, even though you know what he did was wrong. ’
Daniel placed a hand on her back, grounding her. ‘Do you want to hear them out, or do we go straight to the station?’
Edgar cut in before Fern could answer. ‘You’re wrong about us.’ His voice was quiet but firm. ‘We’re not the enemy, Fern. Far from it. We’ve been waiting for you.’