perhaps not. But she didn’t want Scott to know that!
His reply was a truly filthy low chuckle and he took even tighter hold of her waist and pulled her closer to him.
‘That would spoil the surprise.’
He kissed her quickly on the top of the head, which made her giggle even louder. ‘Get ready,’ he whispered and their steps slowed. ‘We’ve arrived.’
She felt him stretch forward and suddenly a very cold breeze whirled around her legs. Even the warmth of Scott’s body pressed along her side couldn’t block out that icy blast.
Toni took a tight hold of her bag but gripped Scott’s hand tighter.
‘Is this going to be an igloo-style dining experience? Because I have to tell you that I left my thermals back at the house.’
‘Glad to hear it. Stay close. You’ll be fine, trust me.’
One final squeeze of her hand and she took a step forward and cuddled even closer to Scott. Trust him! If he was planning to make her get up close and personal he was certainly doing a good job. It was freezing!
‘Promise not to peek for ten more seconds,’ Scott murmured and she could feel the heat of his breath against her neck and then the gentle tug of the ribbon covering her eyes being untied at the back and lifted away.
She carefully half opened one eye and then instantly blinked and stared in amazement, her eyes scarcely able to take in what she was looking at.
They were standing on a rooftop terrace with panoramic views across the London skyline. All the lights of the tall buildings and the winding curve of the River Thames were laid out in front of her on this clear, cold frosty night.
Every light twinkled and gleamed as though it had been polished diamond-bright just for her. And above her every star in the heavens was clear and sharp against the dark night sky, with only a faint glow from the city below.
It was as though she had been transported to her own personal roof garden overlooking London.
Scott took a step closer to an elaborate wrought iron railing and they stood side by side for a second, their breaths hot and fast and making faint clouds of mist in the cold air.
‘Oh, Scott,’ was all she managed to say, one hand pressed against her throat and the other still clutching on to his arm.
‘Happy birthday, Antonia.’ He smiled and wrapped his arm around her shoulders and hugged her. ‘Happy birthday.’
* * *
Scott grinned down at Toni, who was standing next to him with a totally shocked look on her face, and was rewarded with a stunning smile that seemed to reach into his heart and unlock the heavy metal gates that he had constructed since Alexa.
There wasn’t a hint of artifice or pretence in this girl’s smile and everything he had been through to make this evening possible suddenly seemed a small price to pay.
‘Hey, birthday girl. Let’s get you out of the cold.’
Holding tightly on to Toni’s waist, he nudged her back towards the door and heard her gasp of delight.
‘What? I cannot believe it.’ She laughed up into his face and then looked back to the enclosed conservatory area of the roof garden, where he had set up his father’s simple bistro table for dinner for two.
Electric lamps flickered on each wall, there were candles on the table and a blast of warm air welcomed them the second they stepped inside.
‘My dad isn’t too keen on the cold so he built this extension from his third floor flat out on to our roof garden when we were kids. We can be out of the wind here but still get the view.’
‘Oh, wait until I tell Amy about this place.’ Toni chuckled as Scott guided her into the half glass conservatory. ‘It is actually warm and cosy. In fact I’m thinking of moving in. I love it. Want to make a trade?’
‘Not quite. I have two heaters on full power just for you. And. Hot. Food.’
Scott guided Toni to her chair and watched her eyes pop with delight at the hot tray he had plugged in before he’d set out.
It only took a moment to pour her a glass of red wine and then one for himself.
‘How about a toast? To lamb tagine and rice, made by the brilliant Moroccan restaurant down the street. A decent French red from the cellar. And good company. Cheers.’
‘Good company,’ Toni breathed as they touched wine glasses and then she took a sip and closed her eyes in pleasure as she savoured the wine. ‘That’s wonderful. In fact—’ she gazed around the conservatory, taking in the tiny sofa for one and the bookcases and plants ‘—this is all wonderful. When you do exclusive, you do it in style, Mr Elstrom. I approve.’
‘Then my work is done,’ he said, smiling. ‘I’m pleased you like it. The roof garden used to be one of my favourite places, even before this conservatory was built. There were fewer skyscraper buildings then and the stars seemed brighter somehow.’
He knew that his voice must have trailed away because Toni had stopped gazing out to the balcony and her entire focus was on his face. Her soft brown eyes flickered with amber and gold to match the colours in her hair and the connection between them pulled them tighter and tighter until her sweet gentle voice broke the silence.
‘I would rather look at you,’ Toni whispered as she got to her feet, slipped off her coat and crossed the few steps between them.
Her soft lips pressed against his and he tasted sweet red wine and all of the heat and warmth that he’d thought would never be offered to him again.
‘I’ve been thinking about your offer,’ she breathed, her gaze scanning his face as her fingertips traced gentle circles at the back of his head. ‘And do you know what? I’ve changed my mind. In fact, I like the idea of a fling. Very...’ she kissed his forehead ‘...very...’ then his temple ‘...much.’ And nipped the corner of his top lip with her teeth. Then her mouth lifted into the sweetest, cheekiest grin that he had ever seen. ‘If the offer is still open?’
Her fingers cupped the back of his head as she angled her face and stepped closer so that her kiss could deepen and deepen, overwhelming and passionate.
Clutching hold of her soft sweater, Scott rode the wave of sensation until the tip of her tongue found his. And the rules went out of the window.
In an instant her lush body was crushed against his and his hands were exploring every inch of that frame as his mouth took over, nibbling her upper lip, then moving down on to her throat and then lower until his cheek found a home next to her breast.
Breathing became a second priority for a few minutes but he didn’t mind in the slightest. He was perfectly content to hold Toni in his arms and use his mouth to give her pleasure, knowing that she wanted him as much as he wanted her.
It was time to find out just where this journey would take them.
* * *
‘Scott... The lights have gone out.’ Toni’s words were murmured
