St Piran's: The Fireman and Nurse Loveday (11 page)

Tom answered the door to her. ‘Hi. You look lovely.’

‘Thanks.’ She felt the betraying colour seep into her face and wished she’d worn make-up, except she was hopeless at anything other than lipstick; her parents had always told her she didn’t need to wear it, so she’d never joined the other girls at school in experimenting with eye-shadow and blusher. Ha. Blusher. She blushed way too much as it was.

He drew her into his arms and rested his cheek against her
hair. ‘I really am sorry, honey. And you’ve given me a lot to think about.’

‘I’m sorry, too. I was pushy.’

‘You,’ he said softly, ‘were absolutely right.’ He kissed her lightly. ‘Come in.’

She handed the wine over.

‘You really didn’t need to bring anything,’ he said, ‘but thank you. That’s really sweet of you.’

Joey rushed over to greet her and gave her a hug. ‘For me?’ he asked when she handed him the bag.

‘For you,’ she said with a smile.

He peeked inside. ‘Oh, wow! Will you play with me, Flora?’

‘If Uncle Tom says there’s time before tea, of course I will. Otherwise we’ll have a game afterwards,’ she promised.

‘Cool.’ He beamed at her.

‘Flora, these are my parents, Thomas and Lisa—Mum and Dad, this is Flora.’ Tom introduced them swiftly.

Tom looked very like his father, Flora thought, and Thomas Nicholson was just as tall as his son; though he had hazel eyes, like Joey’s. Tom had clearly inherited Lisa’s eyes. ‘I’m pleased to meet you both,’ Flora said shyly, shaking their hands.

‘I hope you like roast chicken,’ Lisa said. ‘It’s Joey’s favourite.’

‘I promised you a proper home-cooked dinner tonight, so you knew I wasn’t going to have anything to do with it,’ Tom said with a grin, resting his hand on Flora’s shoulder.

She smiled, and his parents laughed.

‘Can I do anything to help?’ Flora asked.

‘No, love, you’re fine,’ Lisa said. ‘Go and sit down. You’ve got time to play that game with Joey if you want to.’

Within five minutes, Flora had Tom and his father sitting on the floor with her and Joey, and Joey was clearly thrilled to have everyone playing with him. As well as pleasing the
little boy, the game broke the ice for her, so she found it easy to answer Tom’s parents’ questions about herself over dinner, about her job and where she lived.

‘Flora’s got a farm but she used to be scared of the chickens,’ Joey said. ‘And she’s got a way cool dog. He’s called Banjo and he’s a springer spaniel.’

Tom stared at his nephew, clearly dumbstruck by the fact that he was talking so much.

‘She’s got a picture of him on her phone,’ Joey added. ‘Can I show Nanna Lisa, Flora?’

‘Sure.’ Flora delved into her handbag, retrieved her phone and let Joey show the photo of the dog to his grandmother.

‘Very cute,’ Lisa said.

‘He’s an old softie,’ Flora said with a smile.

After she’d told Joey a bedtime story and promised him another game of fishing later in the week, Flora helped Lisa wash up.

‘You’ve been really good for Joey,’ Lisa said quietly. ‘And for Tom. I was so worried about the pair of them. Thomas and I were going to come back from France and help out, but Tom said it wouldn’t be fair to any of us. Thomas’s arthritis is bad and I’m not as young as I was; I just can’t do all the things that a young lad needs people to do with him.’ She sighed. ‘And Joey went so quiet after the accident. He’d hardly speak; and I can see you’ve made a huge difference to him. You’ve really helped bring him back out of his shell.’

‘He’s a lovely boy,’ Flora said, ‘a real pleasure to have around.’

‘And Tom—you’ve changed him, too,’ Lisa said thoughtfully. ‘He’s less guarded. He doesn’t use those awful jokes as a wall as much as he did.’

‘He told me about Ben,’ Flora said softly.

Lisa nodded. ‘It changed him, when Ben died. He’d never show any emotion after that; he turned everything into a big
joke and never let anyone talk to him about serious things.’ She bit her lip. ‘And he adored his big sister. Losing Susie hit him hard, but he just wouldn’t talk about it to anyone—he clammed up or changed the subject.’ She paused, looking hopeful. ‘Has he talked to you about her?’ Lisa looked worried sick about her son.

‘He has,’ Flora reassured her gently. ‘It was probably easier for him to talk to me because he knew I’d been there myself—I lost both my parents last year.’

‘Oh, my dear, I’m so sorry.’

‘I don’t have any regrets about the past,’ Flora said. ‘My parents knew I loved them and I knew they loved me. I would’ve liked a bit more time with them, but it just wasn’t to be.’ She shrugged. ‘I miss them but, the way I see it, I’m really lucky that I had them for twenty-three years.’

Lisa hugged her. ‘Tom’s right, you’re special.’

Tom—who, on his own mother’s admission, wouldn’t talk about serious things—had told his parents that she was special… There was a lump in Flora’s throat as she hugged Lisa back.

She enjoyed the rest of the evening, chatting to Tom’s parents over coffee and chocolates, and then realised with a shock that it was almost ten o’clock. ‘I’d better get back,’ she said.

‘It was lovely to meet you,’ Lisa said. ‘And Thomas and I were thinking, you both deserve a night out, so we’ve booked a table for you both for tomorrow night at a little place down the road that’s meant to do excellent food. It’s our treat, and we’ve already paid the bill, so don’t argue.’ She smiled. ‘We’re going to take Joey to the pictures in St Piran’s in the afternoon and have something to eat out afterwards, so you don’t have to worry—we’ll have a wonderful time.’

‘Thank you,’ Tom said, looking stunned. ‘That’s really nice of you, Mum.’

‘I don’t know what to say,’ Flora said, ‘except thank you. That’s so kind.’

‘Just enjoy it,’ Lisa said, hugging them both.

T
HE
meal was perfect. Beautifully cooked, beautifully presented…and Flora, for once, found it hard to eat. Because this was the first time that she and Tom had been out on a proper date, on their own. It wasn’t like their fun impromptu lunches on the beach or playing in the park with Joey; this suddenly felt very serious and very grown-up. And her shyness was back to hobble her.

Then she caught Tom’s eye and realised that he was as nervous as she was.

‘You’ve gone shy on me again, and I don’t have a clue why I’m so nervous,’ Tom said. ‘This is crazy. We talk for hours over lunch and when we’re with Joey.’

‘But this is different.’ She swallowed hard. ‘It’s a proper date.’

‘Our other dates were proper dates,’ Tom said. ‘But I know what you mean. This feels…’ He paused. ‘Different.’

With each course, Flora felt more and more awkward.

And then a band started playing.

‘Dance with me?’ Tom asked.

This was where she really ought to tell him she wasn’t good at dancing. She’d never been one for the school discos, and her parents had never played the kind of music that her schoolfriends’ parents had played.

‘I have two left feet,’ she said quietly as he led her onto
the dance floor. ‘So I apologise in advance if I tread on your toes.’

‘You won’t,’ Tom said confidently. ‘My parents made Susie and I have lessons when we were teenagers. Follow my lead, and this is going to be just fine.’

To her surprise, he was right. Instead of feeling clumsy and gawky, she found herself actually dancing with him—it felt effortless, and as if she were floating. She’d never, ever experienced this before, and she loved it.

‘OK?’ he asked.

‘Much better than OK,’ she said. ‘I’ve never been able to do this sort of thing before.’

‘All you need is confidence,’ Tom said softly. ‘And I didn’t tell you, you look lovely tonight. Your hair looks amazing.’

Flora felt as if she was glowing.

And when the music slowed down, Tom kissed her.

In public.

And although her knees had gone weak, he was holding her, supporting her, and she didn’t fall flat on her face.

The evening went by way too quickly, and Flora wasn’t quite ready for it to end when Tom dropped her at home.

‘Would you like to come in for a coffee?’ she asked.

‘I’d like that. Very much.’ He smiled at her.

When she switched the kettle on, he stood behind her and wrapped his arms round her waist, drawing her back against him. His mouth traced a path down the sensitive cord at the side of her neck, and she sighed with pleasure.

‘Flora.’

She wriggled round in his arms and reached up to touch his cheek, rubbed her thumb along his lower lip.

Tom sighed and drew her thumb into his mouth, sucking hard; a wave of heat slid through her. When he released her thumb, he kept his hand curved round hers; he kissed the centre of her palm and folded her fingers over it, and
then traced a path down to where a pulse beat rapidly in her wrist. He touched the tip of his tongue to it, and she shivered. ‘Tom.’

Everything seemed to blur, and then she was in his arms, and he was kissing her properly, his mouth demanding and yet enticing at the same time, making her want more. Her arms were wrapped round his neck; his fingertips slipped under the hem of her top and he stroked her skin, the pads of his fingers moving in tiny circles.

His hands settled for a moment at the curve of her waist, then moved round to her midriff. Her heart began to beat faster as his hand moved upwards, so very slowly; she could feel her breasts tightening and her nipples hardening.

And then she panicked.

He sensed it and pulled back. ‘What’s wrong?’

‘I…’ She bit her lip, feeling a fool. How could she tell him? ‘I’m not good at—at
this,’
she whispered miserably.

‘Usually, when a man says that to a woman, he’s the one at fault and he’s trying to boost his ego at her expense,’ Tom said drily. ‘Just so you know, I don’t think you’re bad at this at all.’ He stole a kiss. ‘You make me feel. I don’t know. I’m not good at the verbal stuff. Wonderful.’ He took her hand and placed it against his chest. ‘Feel that? ‘

His heart. Beating. Hard. Fast.

‘Yes,’ she whispered.

‘That’s what you do to me, my adorable Flora.’

She swallowed hard. He was under a real misapprehension here, and she was going to have to tell him the truth. ‘Nobody actually said I was bad at it.’

‘You just assumed it?’ he guessed.

She shook her head. ‘I…um…’ Oh, why was it so hard to say?

‘Tell me,’ he said softly.

She felt colour shoot into her face. ‘Did I just say that out loud?’

‘’Fraid so.’ He squeezed her hand. ‘What is it? Am I pushing you too fast?’

‘It’s not that,’ she said miserably. She wanted him, all right. He made her feel the way that nobody else had ever done. ‘I’ve always had a quiet life. I never did all the partying as a student. I was too busy studying.’ Unable to face the scorn she knew she’d see in his face when he learned the truth, she closed her eyes. ‘I’m still a virgin.’

Tom said nothing, and she knew she’d blown it.

‘I know. It’s pathetic. Twenty-four and never been touched.’

‘It’s not pathetic in the slightest.’ To her surprise, she found herself lifted off her feet and carried over to the sofa. Tom sat down and settled her on his lap. ‘You’re not pathetic at all,’ he said fiercely. ‘You’re a lot of things, but you’re definitely not pathetic.’ He traced her lower lip with the pad of his thumb. ‘You’re beautiful. You’re sweet. You make me feel as if I could conquer the world.’

‘But?’ She could see it in his eyes. A huge, enormous, horrible
but.

‘But,’ he said, ‘I want to behave honourably towards you.’ He grimaced. ‘Actually, no, I don’t. I want to carry you upstairs and kiss you and touch you until you feel as if you’re dissolving. I want to make you feel as amazing as you make me feel.’

She swallowed hard. ‘But my virginity’s in the way.’

‘It’s something precious,’ he said. ‘Not something you should throw away. You should hold out for the right person.’

‘So I’ll be a virgin on my wedding night? That’s…’ She shook her head. ‘That’s so old-fashioned, Tom. I’m twenty-four years old and this is the twenty-first century.’ She bit her lip.
‘When I was at school, all the cool girls used to laugh at me. Fat, frumpy Flora, they called me. They always said I was so old-fashioned. And I hated it, Tom. I wanted to be cool, just like them.’

‘No.’ He wrapped his arms round her, pulling her closer. ‘You’re better than cool. You’re real. Genuine. And, just for the record, you’re not fat. You’re deliciously curvy. And you’re not frumpy—you’re natural, rather than being caked in gunk.’

‘But you’re going to leave and go home now. And you’re not going to touch me again.’ And the knowledge made her feel as if her heart had cracked right down the middle.

‘Because I’m trying very hard to do the right thing,’ Tom said. ‘To be honourable.’

‘What if,’ she said slowly, ‘I don’t want you to be honourable?’

His eyes darkened. ‘What are you saying?’

‘What if…?’ she said. ‘What if I want to go to bed with you? It’s not as if I don’t know the theory—I’m a nurse. I just…haven’t done the practical side of things before, that’s all.’

Colour slashed along his cheekbones. ‘Are you sure about this, Flora?’

She was as nervous as hell, and her voice was shaking, but she said the words and meant them. ‘I’m sure.’

‘Absolutely sure?’ he checked.

In answer, she kissed him. Hard.

‘No pressure,’ he said softly, and kissed her again. ‘My beautiful, adorable Flora. Do you have any idea how precious the gift you’re giving me is?’

‘I want you, Tom,’ she whispered.

‘I’m with you all the way, honey,’ he said, his voice husky. He scooped her up in his arms again and carried her up the stairs.

‘What about your back? You were hurt on Friday.’

‘I’m fine. Nothing that a hot bath couldn’t sort out. And, right now, all I can think of is how much I want to make love with you.’ He kissed her, his mouth hot and arousing. ‘Which one’s your bedroom?’

‘On the left.’

He opened the door, then gradually let her down until her feet were touching the floor, keeping her body pressed close to his all the way so that she was left in no doubt of his arousal.

Doubts flickered through her again. A man as gorgeous as Tom had no doubt dated plenty of girls. Girls who knew what they were doing.

‘What’s the matter?’ he asked softly.

‘Just… I don’t want to disappoint you.’

He switched on the bedside light, then got her to sit down on the edge of the bed and knelt down in front of her. He took both her hands in his. ‘Look me in the eye, Flora Loveday.’

She did so.

‘Now listen to what I’m telling you. You’re not going to disappoint me.
Ever,
he emphasised. ‘And I’m going to do my best to make sure this is good for you. If I do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable, just tell me and I’ll stop.’ He drew her hands to his mouth. ‘You have no idea how much self-control I’m having to use, right now. But I’m going to take this slowly, because I want to enjoy every single second of this. And I want you to enjoy it even more.’

Excitement rippled through her.

‘Flora,’ he said, his voice low and sensual, ‘I’d like to see you.’

She felt incredibly self-conscious, but lifted her arms and let him peel her top up and over her head.

Then she remembered that she was wearing a very plain, functional bra. How she wished she’d bought something frivolous and lacy. She crossed her hands automatically
over her breasts, not wanting him to see the boring, frumpy garment.

‘You want me to stop?’ he asked.

She bit her lip and shook her head. ‘It’s not that.’

‘What, then?’ His voice was very, very gentle.

‘My bra’s horrible. It’s embarrassing.’

He smiled at her. ‘I have an idea. Let’s get it out of the way, so it doesn’t spoil this for you. How about I close my eyes and undo your bra without looking?’ His smile went all the way up into his eyes and she knew that he was laughing with her, not at her.

‘I’m being silly, aren’t I?’

‘No, you’re not—and I want the first time to be good for you,’ he said. ‘You’re beautiful.’ He kissed her lightly. ‘And now I’m closing my eyes.’ He deftly removed her bra and dropped it on the floor.

And then he opened his eyes and sucked in a breath. ‘Wow.
Flora.
I don’t know what I want to do first—touch you or taste you or just look at you. You’re
gorgeous.’

The expression on his face told her that he was completely sincere; Flora blushed again, but this time from pleasure rather than embarrassment.

He was still kneeling in front of her; he cupped her breasts in his hands, lifting them up and together and teasing her nipples with the pads of his thumbs. ‘Seriously, seriously gorgeous. And your skin’s so soft.’ He swallowed hard. ‘Flora, I really need to…’

‘Yes,’ she whispered, and he dipped his head, closing his mouth round one nipple.

She knew the theory.

But she hadn’t been prepared at all for the way Tom made her feel. The surge of desire that ran through her entire body; the hot, wet, tight feeling between her thighs; the need for
more.
More of what, exactly, she wasn’t sure, but she needed it. She slid her hands into his hair and drew him closer.

He paid attention to her other nipple, and she arched against him. ‘Tom,’ she whispered.

He stopped and looked up at her; and she noticed just how wide his pupils were. Huge with desire. ‘Yes, honey?’

‘I want to see you, too.’

He smiled. ‘OK.’ He removed his tie and dropped it on the floor, then undid the top button of his shirt and spread his arms. ‘I’m in your hands. Do what you want with me.’

All hers.

Wow.

She unbuttoned his shirt, revealing strong pectoral muscles and a sprinkling of hair on his chest. ‘You’re beautiful, Tom.’

She slid the soft cotton from his shoulders and enjoyed stroking his bare skin, feeling his musculature tightening under her touch.

‘My turn now?’ he asked. At her nod, he said, ‘Stand up.’ He unzipped her skirt and let it slide to the floor; her slip went the same way, and then he slowly peeled her tights down, stroking her skin as he moved lower. ‘Gorgeous. And all mine,’ he said, pressing a kiss against her navel.

Flora sucked in her stomach, feeling self-conscious, and he stood up, too.

‘We need to even this up a bit.’

She knew what he meant. Her hands were shaking as she undid the button of his trousers and then lowered his zip; she eased the material down over his hips and he stepped out of his trousers, heeling off his shoes and his socks as he did so. His underpants outlined his arousal, and he was bigger than she’d expected. Help. This was going to be the very first time; she wasn’t sure whether she felt more nervous or excited.

Maybe it showed in her face, she thought, when Tom said
softly, ‘Let me tell you how this is going to be. I’m going to touch you, and kiss you, all over. You can do whatever you like to me. And then…’ his breath hitched ‘…then I’m going to make you completely mine.’

Gently, he lifted her up and laid her against the pillows, then climbed onto the bed beside her. He kissed and stroked his way down her body, clearly taking notice of what made her react more strongly because he lingered in some places and skated over others. He took his time exploring her with his mouth and hands, from the hollows of her collarbones down to the soft undersides of her breasts, her navel, her hipbones.

And then, just when she thought he was going to cup her sex with his hand and deal with the ache inside her, he shifted and started from her feet, stroking her insteps and kissing the hollows of her ankles. She discovered that the backs of her knees was definitely an erogenous zone; her sex felt hot and wet and tight, and it was as if her body was slowly being wound up to a pitch.

Finally, he slid his fingertips under the waistband of her knickers and drew the material down.