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“Hello?” Sarah called as she walked into Jamie’s house a few days later.
She had knocked on the front door but had been surprised when he hadn’t answered it. He’d invited her over for dinner at his house rather than being at hers for a change with the promise that he would cook for her for the first time. So when there was no answer at the door she had turned the handle and tried opening the door herself. Finding it unlocked she let herself in calling out as she did.
Jamie’s home was a simple two bedroom cottage. Like Sarah he had chosen to live outside the main Mount Kiernon township. She’d been surprised when he had admitted to her several months ago one evening when they were talking about the café before it had opened, that she’d seen his house. It all had made perfect sense when he’d explained that it was the day he’d taken her to see the polytunnels. The cottage she had spotted in the distance had belonged to Jamie. In her excitement in discovering that he was the grower of the produce and the stress of the phone call that she’d received while they were there she had completely forgotten that he’d told her at the time the cottage was owned by the grower: him.
Sarah and Jamie had being spending more and more time with one other over the past few weeks. During all that time Jamie had done nothing more than hold her. Sarah felt like he was treating her as if she was a china doll and she would break if he touched her. Once she had tried to initiate a kiss with him, but when he’d realised what she was about to do, he had instead scooped her up in his arms and held her as tightly to him as he possibly could.
The rejection had stung a bit at first, and made Sarah think that perhaps Jamie wasn’t as interested in her as he had first claimed. But just as quickly as the thought had come to her mind, she dismissed it. She knew she had an effect on him and that he wanted her. More than once when they had been cuddling on the couch Sarah had seen the evidence of his desire as his jeans had bulged noticeably.
Still he held back.
While they hadn’t purposely kept their attempt at a relationship secret from anyone, they also hadn’t announced it either. Sarah knew that Gloria suspected something was going on between them though. She’d been making several comments over the past week to Sarah after she had seen the two of them interact differently whenever Jamie had come in to the café. She’d even flat out asked Sarah one day if there was something going on between her and Jamie, but Sarah had been saved from answering the question by a timely customer who had needed to be served. That morning as Jamie had arrived at Dawning to drop off the fresh produce that Sarah had ordered from his JP’s Produce business, she’d heard Gloria relentlessly trying to grill him about whether they were a couple. But it had been to no avail as Jamie had just laughed at Gloria’s attempts as he left the produce behind and walked away from Dawning.
Hanging her bag on one of the hooks on the wall just inside the front door of his house she smiled as she spied Jamie’s work boots neatly sitting next to one another underneath the hooks. It seemed he had the same habit in his own home as he did at hers. Unlike her house which was mostly open plan his was mostly smaller rooms that led off from one central hallway. Jamie was the first to admit that he wasn’t overly fond of the house. That it was a place for him to put his head at night more than anything else. For him it was the land surrounding the cottage that he loved.
Finding her way to the kitchen she hoped to find him. He wasn’t there, but the smell that greeted her as she entered was intoxicating. It was of warmth and comfort and home cooking. Spying what looked to be roast beef cooking away merrily through the glass door of the oven her mouth started watering.
On the kitchen counter stood a bottle of red wine and a half filled glass. It seemed like he had poured himself a glass before abandoning it. Inspecting the bottle Sarah smiled to see it was the same shiraz that they’d had tried together the previous week which she had mentioned particularly enjoying. Opening a few cupboard doors she found where he kept his wine glasses. In any one else’s home she would never had gone through the cupboards without their permission, but she knew Jamie would have no problem with it. Selecting a glass for herself she poured some wine into it and continued walking through the house, glass in hand.
“Jamie?” Sarah called as she sipped the wine and walked through to the living room. A fire crackled in the open fire place throwing off a welcoming heat in the room. A door off of the living room stood closed. Behind it Sarah could hear music playing. Suddenly she understood why Jamie hadn’t heard the door or her calling him. He was in his bedroom, door closed, with the stereo on. Loud enough to be heard when you stood outside the door in the living room, but not loud enough to be heard when first entering the home. Figuring he’d be out when he was ready Sarah chose to get comfortable. Settling herself onto the couch she kicked her shoes off and tucked her feet up beneath her. Picking up the remote control to the television she turned the set on and flicked through the channels before settling on the evening news.
As the song that was playing on the sound system faded out at the end of the song Sarah could hear clunking coming from the vicinity of Jamie’s bedroom. When she heard his voice a moment later utter an expletive she giggled softly.
Without warning the bedroom door flew open and Jamie rushed out and turned to head towards the kitchen. Dressed only in a pair of jeans Jamie was barefoot and in the midst of threading an arm through a sleeve of a t-shirt. Taking in a sharp breath Sarah marvelled at Jamie’s naked torso. His shoulders were well defined and his chest shapely. She knew it was from a combination of the work he did at the garage and the time he spent outdoors in the vegetable plots.
“Hey,” she greeted him from the couch.
“Jesus!” he swore, spinning to face her, the t-shirt he had been beginning to put on slipping off his arm and falling to the floor. Spotting Sarah sitting on the couch his face split into a grin. “When did you get here?”
“About ten minutes ago.” Leaving her glass of wine on a side table that sat next to the couch she stood up and walked over to him. He opened his arms as she neared and gave her his customary kiss on the forehead as he held her. As a flush of pleasure washed over her at the feel of his bare skin so exposed against her she pressed her body against his as close as she possibly could. Savouring the contact she felt Jamie’s arms tighten even more tightly around her as he held her even closer to his chest. The newsreader droned on as they stood silently for a moment enjoying the feel of one another. Finally, Jamie stepped back releasing her. As he did so Sarah felt a prick of irritation. She hadn’t been prepared to lose his touch yet and found herself wanting more.
“I like the fact you came in and made yourself at home instead of waiting outside,” Jamie commented as he leant over and picked up his abandoned t-shirt.
“The door was open. I didn’t think you’d mind.” She was transfixed by his torso. Taking a step closer to him she lifted her hand to his chest. Feeling the curves of his flesh she ran her fingers lightly over his chest, arms and shoulders. Arriving at a tattoo that was etched into his skin, she traced the lettering that sat above his heart.
Jamie groaned. “Sarah,” he hissed through his teeth.
“Hmm?” Her fingers continued to trace the lettering.
Seizing her hand from his chest he lifted it to his mouth. Sarah looked up at him with shock and want at the loss of his skin under her fingers. As he bit down gently on the pad of one of her fingers a jolt buzzed through her body. Blazing green eyes seared into her own pale blue ones. She knew he would see reflected in her eyes what she could see in his.
Desire.
“Potatoes,” he muttered the warmth of his breath tickling the tips of her fingers.
“Potatoes?” she murmured. She was mesmerised by the feel of his rough lips against her fingers.
“Potatoes.” He dropped her hand and took a step away from her. “You stay there,” he warned. Stretching the t-shirt over his arms he pulled it over his head. He looked at her once more before shaking his head. Swearing softly Jamie ran his hands through his hair while breathing in deeply through his nose before exhaling loudly through his mouth.
“Okay. Potatoes,” he announced firmly.
“What about potatoes?” Sarah asked, the spell broken now that Jamie had taken his skin and lips away from her reach.
“I need to put them in the oven. I was going to put them on after my shower but I forgot, then I got distracted by a rather gorgeous woman sitting in my living room.”
“Gorgeous was she?” Sarah flashed him a grin.
“Definitely, sweetheart.” She tingled with pleasure as the affectation slipped from his lips. “Come in the kitchen and keep me company while I deal with these damn potatoes.”
Putting her shoes back on and picking up her glass of wine Sarah followed behind Jamie, appreciating the view of his backside in his jeans. Taking a quick sip of her wine she set it down on the counter as she started rifling through drawers to look for a potato peeler. In the second drawer that she tried she found one. Lifting it triumphantly she reached for the potatoes that Jamie had pulled out of a cupboard behind him. The dirt that covered them had been loosely brushed off and Sarah had no doubt that these were from a crop he had grown himself.
“Oh no you don’t,” Jamie instructed as he saw her preparing to help out. “I’m cooking for you tonight. You go sit over that side and talk to me.” He pointed to the row of bar stools that sat on the opposite side of the kitchen bench.
“Bossy britches,” Sarah poked her tongue out at him but did as she was instructed. “So if I have to be over here then, you can keep me entertained. How was work?”
“Long. Some woman broke down outside of town so had to go on a roadside assistance call this afternoon. I got home late from it otherwise I’d have all this done by now,” he nodded at the potatoes.
“Got to watch out for those call outs. Never know what crazy women you might meet.”
“Yeah. Some of them are right whackos.” He winked at her. It was clear they were both thinking about the night they had first met. “What about you? How was Dawning?”
“Pretty quiet actually. No surprise really though I guess. No one wants to be sitting inside drinking coffee on a day like today. Gave me a chance to do some bookwork at least.” It had been a gloriously sunny winter’s day that gave the hint of the impending spring that was now only weeks away. Though the day time temperatures were slowly beginning to warm up the nights were still more than a little on the chilly side. “I had a journalist from the Franklin Gazette drop by today. They want to do an article about Dawning.”
“You going to do it?”
“No. I’m not interested,” Sarah shook her head. Had enough press to last me ten lifetimes. “I’m happy to be a small café that people just discover. I’m not looking to end up in the newspaper.”
“Fair enough,” he conceded. Making quick work of the peeling Jamie sliced the potatoes and walked over to the oven. Pulling out the pan with the roast sitting in it he looked at it. “What do you prefer – the potatoes on their own tray or in with the roast?”
“What do you usually do?” She got off of the stool and stood next to him at the oven leaning into his side. Absently she reached out a hand and began drawing lazy circles across his back.
“I like them in with the roast. Are you okay if we do that?” Jamie asked.
“Yep. It’s the way I prefer it anyway.”
Jamie began adding the potato pieces one by one into the hot pan. Stepping back Sarah moved to avoid the spitting of the pan juices as the cold potatoes were dropped in.
“Hey, you stopped,” Jamie complained as she moved away.
“Hmm?”
“My back. You stopped. I love it when you play with my back like that.”
“Fancy a massage then if you’re done in here?” Sarah offered as Jamie slid the pan back with the roast and potatoes into the oven.
“You serious?” he looked at her with disbelief.
“Yup. Offer is going....going....”
“Sold to the incredibly lucky bastard in the kitchen!” Jamie cheered gathering her into his arms and giving her a hug. “God I got so lucky the day I met you. Where do you want me?”
Now that’s a loaded question if ever there was one, she thought. Swallowing, Sarah thought about it for a moment.
“Why don’t you bring your wine and let’s go by the fire. That way we’ll stay a bit warmer.” Grabbing the wine bottle on the way out of the kitchen, she led the way back to the living room.
As Jamie stoked the fire and added another log Sarah tossed a couple of pillows from the couch onto the floor before instructing Jamie to sit on one. Kneeling on the other pillow behind him she started kneading the muscles in his shoulders through his t-shirt. After less than a minute he let out a low growl. “God, that’s good,” he moaned.
She laughed. “I’ve barely even started.” Working at a knot in his shoulder she gave a soft grunt of satisfaction as a knotted muscle released its tension beneath her fingers.
She worked her way slowly down his back, stopping every now and again to take a sip of her wine. They sat in silence as she worked, the only noise the crackle of the fire, the ticking of the clock and Jamie as he let out regular low moans of appreciation as he continued to be relaxed by Sarah’s skilful hands.
“Ow,” Sarah complained as she wriggled behind Jamie, a pricking sensation running through legs and feet.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Yeah. Fine. It’s just...ow! I’ve been sitting on my feet for too long. I’ve got pins and needles. Hang on.” She adjusted herself so that she was still sitting behind Jamie but now sitting with one leg extended either side of him. Working on his back again once more it wasn’t long before the appreciative moans started again. “At least I know you’re enjoying this,” she said after a particularly low groan from him.
“You have no idea.” Leaning across one of Sarah’s legs he reached for the wine bottle where it sat on the small table next to the lounge. “Do you want some more wine?” he asked noticing her empty glass.
“No, thanks. I’ll wait until dinner.”
He poured a glass for himself before reaching back across to put the bottle back. Draping an arm across one of Sarah’s legs that encased his own, he sighed. “You have magic hands, Sarah. It feels fucking amazing.”
“Just watch out for the day that I ask for one back.” She grunted with the effort of a particularly stubborn muscle. “I’ll ask for a foot massage one day after I’ve been at work all day and my feet have been stinky and sweaty in my shoes all day.”
“What about now?” he ran his hand down her leg making her shiver. Lifting her foot he slipped off her shoe causing it to land on to the carpeted floor with a soft thud.
“You’re going to regret that,” she cautioned him.
“What, dropping your shoe on the floor? I wouldn’t have picked you for a girl who was mad about shoes.”
“I’m not. I mean my foot. You’re going to regret touching my foot,” she warned again.
“It’s only fair,” he insisted. “I can do your foot while you’re doing my back.”
“Alright then. If you think your man enough to handle it,” she challenged him.
“Oh baby, I’m man enough to handle you.” The words were out of Jamie’s mouth before he realised he’d said them. “Shit, Sarah I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like it sounded. I mean, I did, but...”
She giggled. Lifting both her legs so that they wrapped around his waist she leaned forwards and did the same with her arms. She looked somewhat like a koala attached to the trunk of her own human tree. “It’s okay. Really. I guess we’ll see if your man enough to handle my foot soon enough,” she said still cuddling him from behind. Retracting her arms and legs she resettled and continued her ministrations to his back.
“One awesome foot rub coming up,” Jamie announced as he pulled off her sock. Stroking the bottom of her foot gently with his fingers Sarah immediately kicked out.
“What the?” he exclaimed. Catching her leg Jamie pressed his thumb back into the base of Sarah’s foot. As soon as his thumb made contact with the sensitive skin on the underside of her foot she kicked out again. “What the hell?”
“Sorry,” she giggled.
Again he caught her leg. Holding her foot more firmly this time he tried for the third time. As he again touched his fingers to her foot she kicked and wiggled against his grasp until she broke free. “I’m sorry,” she apologised, still laughing. “I can’t help it.”
“You’re ticklish?” he asked in wonder.
“Just my feet. Nowhere else. I kick every time. Always have ever since I was a kid.” Running her hands down his back one last time she enjoyed the feel of him under her fingers. “You sir, are done.” She announced resting her hands on his shoulders.
Abandoning her foot Jamie leaned back against her chest. Sarah draped her arms forwards over his shoulders and let them fall towards his chest. “Come on. We should get the rest of the vegetables ready for dinner,” she suggested.
Sitting forward he brought himself to his knees before he turned back to look at her. She was still sitting on her pillow from the couch her face slightly flushed from the heat of the fire and the effort of giving the massage. Reaching out a hand to her, he stood up and pulled her up with him. Standing facing one another Jamie threaded his fingers through hers. Smiling a lazy grin he looked down at her. Heat began to build between the pair as they studied one other.
“I’m going to kiss you,” he whispered. “Tell me to stop if you need me to.”
She nodded, as butterflies skittered through her belly in delicious anticipation.
Looking into her eyes, ever so slowly Jamie lowered his head to Sarah’s before closing his eyes and brushing over her lips with his. It was barely a graze, but it was enough to set Sarah’s heart beating faster. He hesitated without moving away from her, as if testing to see how she would react to what he had done. She could feel his warm breath tickling her cheek as he waited. When nothing came he pressed his lips to hers again, a little more sure this time. As he did Sarah felt his fingers that had been twined with hers leave her grasp only to move to her face as Jamie cupped her cheek gently. All too soon he pulled his lips away from hers.
He had kept the kiss chaste and hadn’t pressed her for anything more. Yet as Jamie began to move his head away from hers he felt Sarah’s hand come to rest on his chest. Stilling, he opened his eyes to look at her, the unspoken question hovering, wondering if he had pushed her too far, too fast.
“It’s okay,” she whispered. Rising up on her toes she closed the gap between them to press her soft lips to his wind roughened ones. He needs lip balm. The thought quickly flitted across Sarah’s mind as she stepped in towards Jamie, pressing her body against the length of his. She felt him resist for a brief moment in surprise at her boldness before he took control of the kiss. Tilting his head slightly he begged entrance to her mouth with his tongue, before nipping her lower lip softly. Obliging she parted her lips for him and their tongues began a sensual dance together. Jamie groaned and pulled Sarah tighter against his chest, crushing her breasts against his firm chest. Tightening one arm around her waist he slowly snaked the other up her back. Rasping a breath at the feel of his hand as it slipped over her bra strap and into her hair she delighted as his rough fingers made contact with the sensitive skin there. He stroked the base of her neck softly as the heady scent of his woodsy cologne rose between them.
Her own hand around his waist, she lifted his t-shirt slightly to gain access to the feel of the skin beneath it. As she did Jamie pulled away from their kiss for a moment and searched her eyes intently, a small frown crossing his face. Caressing the soft skin she had discovered he shuddered, closing his eyes and whispering her name like a reverential blessing. Continuing to move her hand slowly over his back he moaned a sound of longing and desire. He crashed his mouth back down onto hers, possessing it with a feverish passion. A sound escaped from the back of Sarah’s throat in ecstasy as she poured all she could into the kiss letting him know just how much she wanted him to keep touching her like he was. Her skin felt alive as it tingled with every brush of his thumb against her neck. Sarah could feel her body respond with the desire of wanting to give her all to him.
Slowly Jamie pulled back and this time Sarah didn’t fight him on it. “Are you okay?” he whispered hoarsely, brushing his jaw against her soft cheek and tickling it with his coarse stubble. The sound it made as it rasped against her skin continued to make her nerves jangle with delight.
“I’m okay,” she whispered.
Every cell in her body was dancing and she felt more alive than she ever had before. In that moment Sarah felt so much better than okay.