Chapter 2
‘The washing up can wait …’
They’d reached the kitchen, after having closed the cottage door on their friends.
There was a look of longing in Will’s eyes that now appeared the shade of molten toffee.
‘I’ll do it in the morning, I promise.’ His smile was soft and sexy, as he moved to face her.
The house now still, just the two of them.
‘There’s something I’ve been wanting to do all night. ’
He reached out, and after pushing away a strand of her dark wavy hair that had fallen across her face, gently brushed his thumb over her lips, and then moved in for a deliciously slow kiss. Cath’s whole body went on tingly high alert. Oh yes, the washing up could absolutely wait.
A deeper more passionate kiss followed, as he pressed against her, the pair of them shifting back towards the kitchen unit for support. She could feel the heat of him, warm and firm against her. And ooh, that felt so good. A soft moan escaped her mouth, as they shifted their bodies even closer.
Cath had never imagined sex could be like this in your fifties.
She’d thought slow and sedate, if anything.
Her love life had dwindled and then died – a sorry, petered-out death – within her failing marriage.
She had learned how damned lonely and soul-destroying a double bed could get, even with your lifelong partner there next to you.
But of course, she later learned that he wasn’t there at all, not really; no doubt thinking of his new fling, impatient to go, to be with her.
Will’s kiss brought Cath back to the now.
His tongue teasing her lips, tasting of brownies and coffee and wine.
This was no place for bad-old-day thoughts, she told herself.
Live for now, Cath. Enjoy this gorgeous man, who’s right here, the one who wants you so – oh my, that’s so damn good – very much.
Every nerve end in her body was tuning in and tingling.
Might he take her right here? Lift her up onto the work surface?
Good heavens, would her middle-aged joints even manage that?
But hey, she was willing to find out. Beneath her red paisley dress and leather long boots, she had her best new maroon lacy knickers on.
Fully prepared; just last week she’d had that very satisfying trip to the lingerie department.
Had her bra size checked and everything; discovering that she’d gone up a size since the last (years ago) day of cup-size reckoning.
And, praise the Lord, her pilates classes were finally helping to tone her tummy area.
Yes, she was still a ‘comfy’ size fourteen, but she did have ins and outs in vaguely the right places.
Hourglass, at a push. And Will seemed, rather miraculously, to love her body just as it was.
She couldn’t wait for him to discover these new lacy undies and bra. No more shying away under the duvet.
She undid a couple of buttons on his shirt, and slid her hand in to touch his warm, lightly muscled chest. Will’s cycling hobby kept him trim and lean. She knew beneath those clothes there was an extremely fit body for a man in his middle age.
He gave a sensual sigh, as she brushed her fingertips over his skin.
‘Now then, Goddess of Comfort Food …’ A smile played on his lips, which had momentarily left hers. His tone was laced with love and humour, and want.
She braced herself against the kitchen surface – the bottles and glasses still there, a sign of their sociable night – and watched, holding her breath, as he lifted the skirt of her dress.
‘Now, what have we here …?’ She could hear the delight in his tone. Hah, he’d discovered the ruby-red panties. Ooh, he was touching the lace, gentle fingers gliding to trace sensual lines inside the fancy fabric. She felt the delicious tension ramp up.
Now, they were being slowly peeled down over her thighs.
And before she could dwell – okay, panic – on how her upper legs might look in the full beam of the kitchen spotlights, he had moved in once more to press against her.
In a whirl of excitement and tension, with a heap of insecurities still to batten down, her brain on high alert, her body was saying ‘Hell, yes’.
There was no way she was stopping him now.
Relax. Go with the flow, Cath. Her inner cheerleader had struck up. So, she did …
And wow, she really did feel like a kitchen goddess, in more ways than one.
*
Sunday morning, and Cath woke before Will.
She’d slept well, waking only once, when she’d heard Will get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom.
These past couple of years spent alone, she’d missed the warmth, the comfort of having someone beside her.
It had happened unexpectedly, finding a new partner, but being with Will had turned everything around.
Lying here in her cottage bedroom, a world away from the hurt and betrayal of the past few years, Will’s dark hair all mussed up on the pillow next to hers, she still had to pinch herself that this was really happening.
When she’d moved up here, just a year ago, it hadn’t entered her mind that she’d be in another relationship so soon.
She’d pictured herself content but rather holed up, keeping herself safe and secure in her new single life.
It was admittedly scary putting herself back out there, emotionally and physically, again.
It felt unsettling. Yet with Will it had happened so naturally, the feelings coming with such force, that she couldn’t help but risk it all on the chance of happiness.
It seemed like the kind of relationship she might only have dreamed of, that she didn’t really believe might ever exist for her at this later stage in her life.
Whilst him being handsome meant little in the big scheme of things it was rather wonderful to fancy someone again, to take pleasure in each other’s bodies. Life was short, so why the hell not?
But the feelings of vulnerability still lurked.
After all, she’d broken her promise to herself, at the beginning of her fresh start, not to get involved romantically with anyone.
She’d been torn apart by love not so long ago, and those feelings of hurt remained, a stark warning.
By opening herself up to love, was she also opening herself up to pain?
Not wanting to disturb Will, she crept out of bed to nip to the bathroom across the landing, but by the time she’d slipped off her dressing gown and was ready to get back in under the covers, he was stretched out with his arms above his head, looking at her.
‘Morning.’ He gave a warm smile from his nest of pillows.
‘Hello.’ She snuggled in next to him.
‘Well, that was a very nice night, indeed.’ He looked happy, relaxed.
‘It was,’ she agreed, tracing a fingertip over his chest. Was she ready for a morning re-run?
She wasn’t quite sure; she was just relishing this closeness.
Despite her fears about embarking on this new relationship journey, she was determined to enjoy the now.
Not quite ready to leave the haven of their bed and start the day, Will gently kissed her forehead, as if acknowledging that, and nestled in close.
Not everything needed to be rushed in life. They had time. And a life of experiences behind them; some good, some bad. A cuddle and a kiss could mean so much, too. Togetherness. They held each other close, and dozed off for a few more mellow minutes.
*
Around forty-five minutes later, the bell jangled as Cath entered the village stores. She’d left Will making coffee, but after that busy night, and perhaps a touch too much alcohol, the yearning for something baked and sweet had drawn her to the shop.
There, behind the counter, was Andreas with a jolly smile but slightly weary-looking, giveaway eyes. He must be feeling the same way, too. ‘Good morning, petal. And how are you at this early hour?’
‘Mmn, good, I think. I need sugar.’
The aroma of warm, fresh-from-the-oven croissants filled the stores. There were definitely buttery baked goodies on the go, thank heavens. The lads must have been up early despite their night of entertainment.
‘Oh, don’t we all, lovey. That was such a wonderful evening, but we may have overindulged a tad. So, what are you craving?’
‘Croissants? What flavours have you got?’
‘Plain, almond or chocolate. All freshly baked.’
‘Fantastic. You’re a star.’
‘And will you be needing one, or perhaps two, for this morning?’ he said pointedly, as he cheekily quirked an eyebrow.
Cath blushed, knowing exactly what he meant by that.
Blimey, there were no secrets around here.
Honestly, she loved her new small village community, but crikey, everybody liked to know everyone else’s business.
She knew there was no point hiding the truth, they were grown adults, and she had a feeling Andreas had their best interests at heart.
‘Two,’ she answered with a smile. ‘Or perhaps make that four. I’ll take a selection. ’
‘Wonderful. And your secret’s safe with me, petal. Mum’s the word. Honestly, it’s just lovely to see the two of you so happy. Our matchmaking was meant to be.’
The supper club had been instrumental in getting the pair together, after a few false starts. Andreas took pride in his matchmaking achievements.
‘Thanks, Andreas.’
It was a good job Will hadn’t left his car outside last evening, she mused, or they really would be ‘the talk of the town’ otherwise.
They might well have ended up as part of the agenda for the next village hall meeting.
Point of interest 6(a): There has been news of a romantic dalliance between resident A, William Matthewson of 18 Main Street and resident B, Cath Taylor of Cheviot Cottage.
Evidence of Blue Audi hatchback spotted outside of Cath’s residence overnight.