some time in the early hours of today. It would take only his touch to turn her languid muscles molten and rekindle the passion he’d ignited again and again.
‘What time is it?’ She stretched, and shivered as the cold morning air hit her arms, glared at him when he pulled the quilt off her. He sucked air between his teeth as she tried to drag them back.
‘Early. I’ve got snacks, drinks and directions to the best lookout.’ He was excited, eager like a puppy ready for his daily walk. ‘You’ve got five minutes.’
‘You asked for ten on Friday,’ she muttered, pretending to be annoyed. Secretly she was thrilled he wanted to share this outing with her. His laughter followed her to the shower.
He took her hand as they left, guiding her down the back steps and over the lawn, his torch lighting their way. They followed the path through the trees, accompanied by only the sound of the breeze rustling the vegetation, the scuffling of animals in the undergrowth, and dried leaves crunching under their sneakers.
Lauren relished the chill on her face, the night hiding the factual mundane world and the warmth of his fingers linked with hers. This was more than special, this was super memorable. A never-to-be-forgotten occasion to be taken out and savoured in the future whenever she felt sad.
Matt stopped suddenly in the centre of a small clearing, and bent to place his backpack on the ground. She heard a click and the beam disappeared, leaving them in complete darkness, surrounded by black velvet. Magical. Ethereal.
He drew her into his arms, and she wrapped hers around his neck. His lips were soft, his kiss firm yet holding a tenderness that touched her heart. No bells or fireworks. This was a moment of profound contentment. The moment she acknowledged the truth. She was in love with Matt Dalton.
With their lips a whisper apart Matt breathed out Lauren’s name, too stunned to form any other words. He’d switched off the torch for effect, to heighten the ambiance when he’d kissed her in the dark. Hadn’t expected to be so unsettled by his own emotions.
Only she could access his soul and revitalise the beliefs he’d long discarded, make him yearn for a better time when he’d had faith in for ever. She fitted him perfectly, her soft form to his hard muscle. He didn’t want to—couldn’t—let her leave until he...he wasn’t sure what.
Keeping one arm around her as much for his comfort as hers, he bent to retrieve the torch, waved it round and led her to the gap in the trees. In the light’s limited sphere there was a valley below and hills beyond, vague mysterious shapes. The wind was stronger here in the open, blowing up and over the edge, causing him to strengthen his stance.
His intention had been to give Lauren a weekend of pleasurable memories. Now he was storing them up for himself.
Taking the picnic rug from the rucksack, he laid it out between the trees near the edge of the cliff. Lying down on one elbow, he held out his hand. His already racing heartbeat hit rocket speed as, without hesitation, she joined him, eyes sparkling, lips parted. She stroked his cheek, and ran her fingers across his jaw, triggering reactions that blew his control.
Shy, exquisite Lauren was teasing him, playing havoc with his libido. She tempted him with her inviting smile, her tongue-tip tracing her lips, and her feather-light finger touch. He bent over her, lowered his head and clicked off the torch.
* * *
The first small pink and orange rays shimmered on the horizon. Matt leant against a tree trunk, nestled Lauren’s back onto his chest, and rested his chin on her shoulder as they stared across the valley. He breathed in her delicate scent, tinged with his cologne and their personal aromas.
This was an extraordinary moment, life changing. For those few incredible minutes, they’d been one entity, bound by a force he didn’t understand. Knew he wanted to relive it again and again.
For ever? She wriggled, reigniting the desire. His body would willingly comply for as long as he lived. His resolute mind clung to the hard lessons he’d learnt. He refused to make false declarations to gain any advantage or to give false hope of any kind.
No deception. No lies. What they had was good, much better than good. There was no reason they couldn’t continue to be together until she flew home. His arms tightened, reinforcing his hold, and she gave a cute gasp. He nuzzled her neck and she sighed. He nibbled her earlobe.
‘Oh-h-h...’ Her breath whooshed out as vibrant colours tinted the edges of emerging clouds and gradually spread across the sky. Dark shadowy shapes began to appear on the landscape, slowly taking recognisable form. Unforgettable. Unbelievably spectacular.
His own breath caught in his throat. His body stilled, his pulse raced. This was supposed to be a unique experience for Lauren to treasure, along with the other special occasions they’d shared. He hadn’t expected to feel anything more than he did at fireworks displays or the like.
Instead nature at her finest tugged at his heartstrings, and raised the hairs on the back of his neck. The adrenaline rush was greater than when he’d skied the Swiss Alps and white-water rafted in Wales, heightened by sharing it with Lauren.
The sun’s softer morning rays revealed the delicacy of her skin, rapture in her wide-open eyes, and ecstasy on her beautiful face. He burned it into his memory, to be recalled at will.
‘Matt.’ Husky with emotion. Crumbling what little composure he had left.
‘Darling Lauren.’ Rough, dragged over the constricting lump in his throat.
‘It’s wonderful. Unbelievable. Thank you.’
He cradled her cheek, leant forward and kissed her, wishing the earth would stop spinning and the magic would never end. He laid his head next to hers and pretended it hadn’t.
Lauren wished she could reverse time, have the sun set then rise again. In slow motion. With her senses already heightened by his gentle loving only minutes before, she’d been enthralled by the fluid change of colours. The panorama in front of her, the solid wall of his chest behind her, and his muscular arms enfolding her intensified the sensation of being snugly cosseted in a vast open universe.
She loved the mystical atmosphere of night becoming day, of small pockets of mist among the trees. Of feeling they were alone in the cosmos. Even the nocturnal creatures were silent in mutual reverence.
His kiss was magical, soft with an underlying hint of yearning. A longing echoed in her heart. A craving for this never to end.
Lights flickered in the distance, and the wind picked up, bringing with it faint sounds of traffic. They ate the chocolate bars and drank the hot coffee he’d brought. Cuddled close in their padded winter jackets, neither ready to leave and return to the real world.
Only when they heard the dogs barking did they stand and pack up.
* * *
‘I think I need a bigger car,’ Matt joked as he juggled the luggage into the boot for the late-afternoon return to the city.
‘Don’t whinge. I’m the one who’ll be paying for excess weight on the plane.’ Lauren’s light retort masked the pain of knowing every moment brought her departure closer.
They’d have a few evenings, maybe part of the weekends together, and distant phone calls while she was driving around being a tourist. All too soon she’d have used up
