made it hard for her to breathe.
She fell back on teasing. Just to defuse the intensity before she said something really, really clueless. ‘I could point out that this is a bit of a pots and kettles conversation, given that you’re clearly a foodie and you’re about the same as I am in the kitchen.’
He laughed. ‘I admit my monkfish would’ve been just as terrible. But you’re right. This is sublime. Try it.’ He offered her a forkful of lamb.
‘Mmm. And try this.’ She offered him some crayfish.
‘So are you going to tell me that lunch in Paris was the best idea ever?’ he prompted.
‘That,’ she said, ‘depends on the dessert.’
They scanned the menu when they’d finished. ‘How can you not order madeleines in France?’ she asked with a smile.
‘When there’s chocolate soufflé on the menu,’ he retorted, and she laughed.
Again they shared tastes of each other’s pudding, and she enjoyed making him lean over to reach the spoon—especially when he retaliated and did likewise.
‘That was fantastic,’ she said when the meal was over. ‘A real treat. I admit, yes, it’s the best idea ever. Thank you so much.’
‘My pleasure. I enjoyed it, too.’
And his smile reached his eyes; he wasn’t just being polite.
They spent the rest of the afternoon browsing in little boutiques. Again, he held her hand; and again, neither of them commented on it.
Emmy bought a box of shiny macaroons for her mother. ‘And I think we should go to a toy shop, so we can bring something more than just a beret back for Ty.’
Dylan smiled. ‘He probably hasn’t even noticed we’re gone. Unless that’s just a flimsy excuse for toy shopping, Ms Jacobs.’
‘It’s a really flimsy excuse,’ she said with a grin. ‘I love toy shops.’
‘I’d already noticed that,’ he said, ‘given how much Tyler’s toy box seems to have grown recently.’ He checked on his phone to find the nearest toy shop, and when they looked along the shelves Emmy was thrilled to discover a soft plush teddy bear with a beret and stripy shirt. ‘This is perfect,’ she said, and gave Dylan an arch look. ‘Beret and stripy shirt. Hmm.’
He laughed. ‘Don’t you dare call it Dylan.’
‘Spoilsport,’ she teased.
‘You know, we’ll have to bring Ty to Paris when he’s a little older. He’ll love seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night,’ Dylan said.
Making plans for the future, she thought. Neither of them had said it. This was too new, too fragile. But she was beginning to think that there was a future...
* * *
When they’d finished shopping, Dylan allowed Emmy to buy him a coffee before they headed back to the Gare du Nord to catch the train to London.
Back in London, Emmy shivered when they came out of the Tube station and pulled her pashmina closer round her. ‘I wish I’d brought a proper coat with me, now. It’s colder than I expected.’
‘Have my jacket,’ he offered, starting to shrug it off.
‘No, because then you’ll be cold. And it’s only a few minutes until we get home.’
‘I’ll call a taxi.’
‘By the time it gets here, we could’ve walked home,’ she pointed out.
‘OK. Then let’s do it this way.’ He put his arm round her shoulders, drawing her close to him.
Oh, help. Her skin actually tingled where he touched her. And the whole thing sent her brain into such a flutter that she couldn’t utter a word until he opened the front door and ushered her inside.
Her mum greeted them warmly. ‘Did you have a good time?’
‘The best,’ Emmy said. ‘Oh, and these are for you.’ She handed her mother the bag from the patisserie. ‘How’s Tyler?’
‘Asleep, and he’s been absolutely fine all day.’ She hugged them both. ‘I’ll call you tomorrow.’
‘Thanks for babysitting for us.’ Dylan hugged her back. ‘I only had one glass of champagne at lunchtime, so I’m OK to drive. I’ll run you home.’
‘That’s sweet of you.’
Emmy checked on Tyler while Dylan drove her mother home.
Today had been magical. The way Dylan had fed her morsels from his plate at lunchtime, and walked through Paris hand in hand with her; the way he’d automatically offered her his jacket and then, when she’d refused, put his arm round her to keep her warm... Was she adding two and two and making five, or was it the same for him? Had they become something more than co-guardians? Was this a real relationship—one for keeps?
Dylan was back by the time she came downstairs.
‘Everything OK?’ he asked.
‘Tyler’s fine. Thank you for today. It really was special.’ She stood up, intending to kiss his cheek. But somehow she ended up brushing her mouth against his instead.
She pulled back and looked up at him.
His eyes were intense, darkened from their normal cornflower-blue to an almost stormy navy. She shivered, and couldn’t help looking at his mouth again.
He leaned forward and touched his mouth to hers in the lightest, sweetest kiss. Automatically, she parted her lips and tipped her head back in offering. He drew her closer and she could feel the lean, hard strength of his body. So much for Dylan being a geek; he felt more like the athlete she’d once dated, all muscular. And she couldn’t help remembering the way he’d looked in her bed, half-naked and asleep.
Her hands were tangled in his hair and his arms were wrapped tightly round her as he deepened the kiss. Her head was spinning, and it felt as if the room were lit by a hundred stars.
He shuddered as he broke the kiss. ‘Emmy.’
‘I know.’ She reached up to trace his lower lip with the tip of her forefinger.
‘Are we going to regret this in the morning?’ he asked, his voice huskier this time.
‘I don’t know. Maybe not.’ She shivered as he drew the tip of her forefinger into his mouth and sucked; she closed her eyes and tipped her head back, inviting another kiss.
He released her hand. ‘Emmy. My common sense is deserting me. If you don’t tell me to stop...’ he warned.
Then she knew what was going to happen.
And every nerve in her body longed for it.
She opened her eyes and looked at him. ‘Yes.’
