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“I tell you, dear, if he wasn’t my husband some days I would throttle that man,” Jamie’s mother proclaimed to Sarah as they spoke across the counter the next morning at Dawning.
“Why? What’s Don done this time?” Sarah laughed gently at Emily’s outburst.
“Not done, more like,” she scoffed.
“Uh oh. That doesn’t sound good,” Sarah sympathised before adding “What can I get you by the way?”
“Tea please, dear. I need to steel my nerves before I drive to Penwick to do the shopping.”
“You’ll need a slice of the banana cake then with your tea, then. Shopping in Penwick needs fortification.” Sarah lifted the cake down from the top of the display cabinet.
“I’m watching my weight, dear. I’d better not.”
“What tosh,” Sarah declared using the term Emily often did. “You have a gorgeous figure. Besides, the cake is on me.”
“You really are such a lovely young thing, you know that? You are too good to me, Sarah.”
“No better than you deserve Emily,” Sarah assured her. “So what did Don not do?” Having finished with the cake Sarah began to fill a small teapot with hot water for the tea Emily ordered.
“He forgot our wedding anniversary,” she sighed. “In all our years together he’s never forgotten it. I thought he might have been up to something sneaky. You know, like a nice little surprise or something, so I didn’t say a word about it yesterday. But nothing! He just plain old forgot.”
“And yet you still love him,” Sarah slid the plate that held the cut slice of banana cake on it towards Emily.
“With all my heart, dear, and I will until the day I die.”
Sarah smiled at Emily’s comment. It was nice to have it reaffirmed that some marriages were genuinely filled with love and could last a lifetime.
“I’ll bring your tea out to you in a moment,” Sarah offered Emily as she picked up her banana cake and went off in search of a table.
Don hadn’t forgotten about their wedding anniversary and Sarah knew it. He had come in to Dawning earlier in the week to see if she would be willing to bake a cake especially for the occasion. Sarah had been working on it that morning putting the finishing touches on the frosting and Don was due to collect it around lunch. She already knew she wasn’t going to see Jamie that night due to Don having planned a family dinner which he’d asked his son to attend to celebrate the anniversary.
Finishing up preparing Emily’s tea Sarah balanced the teapot in one hand, the cup and saucer in the other. Weaving her way through the tables and smiling a hello at a number of customers she steadily made her way towards Emily.
“Here you go,” Sarah announced as she lowered the items on to the table in front of Emily. As she did the pendant that Jamie had given her slipped out from underneath her work uniform. Sarah had never worn the pendant to work before, saving it instead to wear when she and Jamie spent time together away from work. But that morning as she had spied it on her dresser she had been unable to resist the temptation of wearing it as memories of the kisses they had shared together the previous evening had come flooding back.
Emily gasped as she saw the precious trinket dangling from her neck. “Dear, where did you get that pendant?”
Sarah didn’t know what to say. What she and Jamie were building together was still new and developing. But without a doubt Sarah knew she had genuine feelings for him and he for her.
Sliding into the seat opposite Emily, Sarah took a deep breath. “Jamie gave it to me.”
“My son?” Emily lifted a hand to her mouth, her eyes brightening. “Oh, my dear Sarah. You dear, dear girl.” Reaching out a hand Emily grasped Sarah’s firmly in her own across the table.
This was not quite the reaction she had expected from Emily.
“It’s very beautiful,” Sarah said fondling it with affection.
“It is. And it’s very precious to our family. Rosa always knew he would find the right girl to give it to. I’m so glad it’s you, dear.” Emily squeezed Sarah’s hand once more before letting it go and reaching for the tea pot.
“Who’s Rosa?” Sarah’s mind flipped back to the tattoo of the name that Jamie had inked into his skin, the script that was located just above his heart. Rosa. But who was she and what did she have to do with the pendant Jamie had given her?
“He didn’t tell you?” Emily looked at Sarah surprised.
Sarah shook her head no.
“Rosa was Don’s mother, Jamie’s granny. She adored my boy from the moment he was born, and Jamie loved her just as much. She died four years ago, God rest her soul,” Emily stopped to take a sip of her tea.
“I’m sorry,” Sarah offered.
“That pendant you’re wearing, Rosa’s husband gave it to her when she was pregnant with Don as a young woman. Rosa always said other than her children it was the most precious thing that she had. She left it to Jamie in her will, along with the instruction that he was to...” She trailed off giving Sarah a sly smile. “Well, I think Jamie better tell you that part, dear.”
Sarah felt her heart thudding in her chest. Self-consciously she reached up to touch the pendant again.
“To know he has given it to someone makes me so happy. For a while we thought he was going to give it to that awful Kimberley girl he was seeing. But for it to be you, dear –“, Emily broke off what she was saying and sniffled before smiling brightly at Sarah. “Oh, look at me being all silly. But Sarah, my dear, thank you for making my son feel this way. I know he wouldn’t have parted with it easily.”
Sarah nodded mutely, dumbstruck. Spying a customer waiting at the counter she turned to Emily. “I’m sorry, but I’ve got to go serve that gentleman.” Leaving Emily to her tea and banana cake Sarah headed for the counter.
By the time Sarah had finished serving the customer who had been waiting for her and two others who had arrived soon after him, Emily had left Dawning. Taking the opportunity to make herself her own cup of tea with the small break in customers Sarah found herself thinking about the pendant and reflecting back to the night of her birthday celebrations when Jamie had given it to her. He hadn’t mentioned any significance to her about the pendant at the time or since. She also wondered why he hadn’t told her about Rosa when she had noticed his tattoo last night. To be fair she mused, she hadn’t asked who Rosa was last night when she had the opportunity. She’d been too distracted by Jamie without his shirt on.
“Bugger,” she swore as she burned her hand on the hot water she was putting into her small teapot. Pulling her hand away she realised she was shaking.
Jamie had given her his gran’s most prized possession and she needed to give it back.
***
“This is a nice surprise. I wasn’t expecting to see you at all tonight.” Jamie greeted Sarah warmly when she knocked on his door around nine that evening.
Sarah had waited until she thought Jamie would be home from the anniversary dinner with his parents before driving around to his house to see him. As he leaned in to kiss her his faced turned to confusion as she pushed her way past him and into his house.
Not waiting for him Sarah walked into the living room, her skirt swishing gently against her legs as she moved. Turning to face Jamie where he stood after having followed her into the room, she stood with her hands on her hips.
“Take your shirt off,” Sarah instructed him.
“What?” He looked at her his face a picture of amused astonishment.
“Please. Take your shirt off.” Her voice betrayed no hint of nervousness. Her voice was firm and hinted at the quiet determination she felt.
“Sarah,” he began. She reached up and placed her fingers against his lips quietening him.
Silently Jamie grabbed a fistful of his shirt from behind his head and pulled it forwards stripping it from his body. Throwing it on the couch it landed in a crumpled heap.
Sarah lifted her hand and gently traced over the tattoo of Rosa’s name where she had first noticed it last night inked into Jamie’s skin over his heart.
“Sarah, what’s going on?” He asked the question gently.
Without lifting her eyes or stopping her finger from running over the lettering she answered him. “Tell me about her,” she whispered. “Tell me about Rosa.”
“She was my grandmother. Dad’s mum.”
“Why do you have her name tattooed here?” Her finger kept moving over the curved ink.
“She died, but I still love her. I wanted something that showed that, so I got it done.” Jamie waited for Sarah to speak.
“Your mum came into Dawning today. She saw me wearing the pendant.” Sarah’s finger never stopped tracing the lettering.
“She told me,” he confirmed for her.
“She said there were instructions from your gran about what you had to do with the pendant.”
“There were.” Sarah could hear Jamie’s voice becoming progressively strained as her finger continually traced over Rosa’s name.
“Did you follow them?” Sarah asked softly.
“I did. Granny Rosa would have been happy.”
“You mother didn’t tell me what they were. She said you should be the one to tell me.”
“I will. Not yet, but I will,” Jamie promised her.
Sarah paused her finger from its pattern of tracing the tattoo and looked up at him. Noticing the flecks of gold that speckled his green eyes she nodded slowly. “I believe you.”
“God, Sarah,” Jamie groaned in relief as he closed the distance between them holding her tightly to him. He breathed in the scent of her hair. “I thought you were going to try to give it back for a second there.”
“I was going to,” she admitted holding him as tightly as he was her. “But you’d have to fight me pretty hard to get it back now. I love it, and I won’t ever easily give it up.”
“Good. It’s yours. It will always be yours.” He took a deep breath and Sarah could feel the rise and fall of his Adam’s apple against her cheek as he swallowed. “And so am I,” he whispered.
“What?” she pulled back from him, bracing herself against his strong arms. She frowned as she tried to puzzle out what he had just said.
“I’m yours, Sarah,” Jamie repeated.
“Really?” she asked tentatively. There was no mistaking the note of hope that was in her voice.
“Really. You’ve got me. I’m all in,” he confirmed confidently.
“Ahhh.” Sarah let out a squeal of delight letting go of Jamie. Allowing herself to fall limply backwards in his arms, she trusted him to catch her fall.
He laughed and tightened his grip around her waist. “Sarah you make me -“
Jamie never had the opportunity to finish what he had begun to say as Sarah launched herself at him and claimed his mouth as hers. Jamie’s mouth opened willingly to hers as her tongue snaked its way into his mouth on a mission to find his. His strong arms kept hold of her tightly as if he never wanted to let go. Sliding her hands up Jamie’s arms she felt the fine hairs that prickled under her touch as rested her hands on his biceps.
“God, Sarah,” Jamie rasped, “you have no idea what you do to me.” Tracing a line with his mouth from her jaw to her ear he bit down gently on her earlobe. Sarah gasped as the sensation of his teeth against her flesh sent a flush of pleasure through her body, moaning as the sensations of his mouth continuing to move against her sensitive skin caused her body to tingle. Her hands moved almost of their own accord from where they rested on his arms until they were twisted in his unkempt hair. Capturing her mouth with his once more Jamie let out a guttural groan. Lowering one of his hands from her waist he slid it downwards to her rounded backside. Squeezing gently he was rewarded with a squeak from Sarah.
“Sorry, too much?” he asked breathless.
“What? No. It was good,” her own breathlessness matched his.
Catching his breath Jamie was mesmerised as he looked down at her. Sarah’s upturned face looked back, a smile playing on her lips.
“Will you stay with me tonight?” he whispered to her. “We don’t have to do anything that you don’t want to do. I just want to hold you.”
“Yes,” she whispered. There was no fear or doubts that lingered in her mind as she answered. Without a shadow of a doubt Sarah knew that she wanted to be with him.
Leaving her briefly he hurried about the house switching off the lights. Taking her by the hand he led her the short distance to his bedroom.
Switching on a small lamp that sat on the bedside table, the room was bathed in a soft glow. Gazing around her Sarah tried to take in all that Jamie’s bedroom contained. The king sized bed dominated the space, the strong geometric design of the quilt hinting at the owner’s masculinity. The sleek sound system that she had heard playing the other night sat next to the bed. Momentarily Sarah wondered how he could be on the bed and comfortably have it so close to him when it was on. A tall chest of draws sat against one wall, with a small wardrobe positioned next to it. The biggest surprise came when her eyes rested on the bedside cabinet and the paperback novel that sat atop it.
“You’re a reader?” she asked, surprised. Picking up the novel she examined the cover of the popular thriller.
He shrugged. “Yeah. I read a bit before I go to sleep most nights.”
Returning the book to its place she sat down on the edge of the bed her hands resting gently in her lap. Jamie remained standing watching her. Bending down he placed a hand either side of her hips on the bed before lowering his face to hers. His rough lips offered a softness that was a balm for her yearning. Tilting her head to deepen the kiss Sarah could feel Jamie move in closer to her. Moving one of his arms off the bed he wrapped it around her waist. She felt the bed dip as his weight moved forward and he lifted his knee to rest on the mattress with her. Bringing his body over hers he gently encouraged her to lay down on the soft cover.
Sarah willingly allowed him to ease her backwards , her desire building as Jamie moved to join her on the bed. As he brought his full weight on to the mattress he angled his body slightly off hers to ensure he didn’t crush her with his weight. Sarah’s head came to rest against the covers and she couldn’t help the giggle that escaped from her lips, the joy at where she found herself too much to contain.
“You alright?” Jamie asked looking down at her as he gently smoothed a few stray strands of hair away from her face.
“Yeah.” Reaching behind his neck she drew him back down to her. Closing her eyes Sarah allowed herself to be swept up in the sea of pleasure that continued to develop as Jamie kissed her. Running her hands through his hair she marvelled at the feel of it against her fingers. Tugging on it gently she was surprised to find it caused him to let out a guttural moan. His mouth left hers as he once again kissed his way along her jaw. Lowering his head to her neck short gasps of breath came from her mouth as desire kept continuing to build within her body. As he nipped gently where her neck met her shoulder blade Sarah cried out in passionate joy. Licking the spot he’d bitten she came down from the high as a shudder coursed through her body.
Determined to bring him the same kind of pleasure he was giving her Sarah allowed her hands to roam. Feeling the arch of his back as he leant over her she could feel him sigh against her skin as she discovered the landscape of his body. Lightly skimming her nails up the length of his back Jamie lifted his head from her neck, his skin raising into goose bumps as he let out a rattled gasp of ecstasy.
Jamie reclaimed her mouth again and explored it with his tongue as she felt his weight begin to move. Raising his knee he gently nudged against her thighs, begging her to allow him to rest between them. Unhesitatingly she moved them apart for him and he claimed the space with his body. Feeling his hands that had until now been keeping in what he knew to be safe zones they began to roam across her body. Sarah sank deeper into pleasure as she allowed herself to feel the longing that Jamie brought to her with his touch.
Running one hand down the length of her waist Jamie began to slowly ease up Sarah’s shirt, his warm hand caressing her skin. As he pulled back from their kiss she felt the loss of his warm lips against her own. Trembling slightly as he stroked the soft skin of her stomach he began to move southwards on her body as he kissed, nipped and licked his way down her neck lifting her shirt slowly higher as he did.
“Still okay?” he murmured into her neck. She could feel the curve of his lips and the warmth of his breath against her skin as he spoke.
“Uh-huh,” she affirmed, her hands still roaming the expanse of his back.
Lifting his weight off her Jamie sat back against his heels. Offering a hand to Sarah she sat up alongside him. Leaning forwards he kissed her gently once as he moved his hands to her sides, before hesitating with the fabric of her shirt loosely in his grasp. Sarah understood the silent struggle he was having. From his hesitation it was clear that he wanted to strip the shirt from her body but was afraid that it might be more than she could handle. Even though he had just checked with her that she was okay, it seemingly hadn’t been enough. Grabbing the hem Sarah took the choice out of his hands and began to lift the shirt herself. She heard a sharp intake of breath from Jamie as she felt his grip on the material loosen as she raised it over her head and discarded it carelessly on to the floor. Lifting her eyes to meet his she was taken aback with the piercing look he was giving her.
“So beautiful,” he said in wonder as he beheld her. His gaze burned against her skin as he looked at her with her with open desire and want.
In her simple black bra with its lace edging she doubted she was beautiful. But when he said the words to her, she believed him.
“Lay down,” Jamie rasped.
Sarah didn’t hesitate as she moved back on the bed, her hair spilling out behind her as she eased herself onto the bedspread. Lowering his head to her stomach he kissed the soft flesh with a tenderness that made her tingle as he moved his mouth across her abdomen. Sarah reached down, threading her fingers through his hair as she watched his head move lazily over her body. Reaching her belly button, Jamie flicked out his tongue into the small space, causing her to giggle softly. Sarah felt Jamie grin against her skin before lifting his head and resting it on her stomach. She smiled down at him as he caressed his cheek along her belly, his stubble scratching her soft skin.
Keeping his eyes on hers Jamie lifted his head from her stomach and ever so slowly moved up her body. As his head reached her breasts he slid his hand from where it rested on her hip and up along the side of her body. Tracing a line along her side he skimmed past the swell of her breast causing her to shudder. Reaching her shoulder he hesitated momentarily before slipping his fingers under the strap of her bra. He knew by this stage that Sarah would tell him if something was too much for her. As he slid the strap off her shoulder Sarah held her breath before wriggling her arm free of the strap.
Jamie dropped his gaze to her naked shoulder as he traced a line downwards with his fingers towards the cup of her bra. Tugging on the soft fabric he exposed her breast to him. Sarah wriggled beneath him at the thought of his warm mouth against her sensitive flesh. Gently pulling on his head to encourage him to do just that, Jamie resisted. Instead he ran his index finger over her breast, careful not to touch the nipple. She gasped and began to writhe as her flesh tingled, the rosebud peak tightening further. Smiling as he watched her react to his ministrations he circled her areola without quite touching it.
“You like?” he asked wickedly.
“I like. I like a whole lot,” Sarah agreed as he watched her.
Replacing his fingers with his mouth he worshipped all the places that his finger had just traced, still all the while careful not to touch her nipple. Moaning Sarah arched her back giving Jamie the opportunity to slip his hands beneath her body and unclasp her bra. Gently lifting it away from her she lay exposed to him from the waist up.
“Jamie,” she breathed.
Sarah could see his eyes had darkened and she knew he had been turned on watching how her body reacted to him. Lifting her arms above her head Jamie lowered his head to her needy curves and sucked gently on her nipple, groaning as he flicked against it with his tongue. Unable to keep still she moved her arms, gently holding his head against her breast.
Sliding a hand down her body Jamie caressed Sarah’s leg. Slowly working his hand upwards until her reached the fabric of her skirt he toyed with the edge, slipping his hand underneath its soft folds. Lifting her skirt he began to push it towards her waist.
“Jamie,” Sarah whispered to get his attention as he began to suck harder on her nipple.
Continuing to raise her skirt further she felt air against her thighs at he continued to raise the fabric higher. Running his hand up the side of her hip under her skirt she felt his hand skim over the side of the sheer fabric of her panties.
A chill ran through her body as an unpleasant but all too familiar feeling began to rise within her.
“Jamie,” she said a little louder this time.
“Mmm,” he mumbled against her breast.
“Jamie, stop. Please. I need you to stop.” The cold fingers of fear began to take hold as she pushed against his shoulder to get his attention.
At hearing her words he stiffened and looked up at her in horror.
“Oh my God. Did I hurt you? Are you okay? Are you alright? What’s wrong? Did I do something wrong?” Jamie panicked as he scrambled to his feet and took a step away from the bed, looking anxiously down at her.
Clutching one hand across herself to cover her chest she sat up on the edge of the bed, draping her legs over the side. “I’m alright, you stopped. I’m okay.” Her voice shook with the surge of adrenaline that was still shooting through her body.
Seeing Sarah’s attempt to cover herself Jamie looked about him and grabbed a sweatshirt of his that was sitting discarded on the top of the chest of drawers. Handing it to her she smiled gratefully before pulling it over her head. Repeatedly pushing his hair out of his face Jamie struggled to find a way to rectify what had just happened.
“Can I get you anything? Do you want a glass of water? I can get you one. Anything you need. Just name it.” Jamie’s words tumbled over one another as he spoke.
“No Jamie, I’m fine. I promise.” Sarah reached out her hand to grasp his and squeezed it gently.
It seemed bizarre in that situation that Sarah was the one who was attempting to reassure him rather than vice versa. But the moment Jamie had released her and moved off the bed the rush of fear that had gripped her had begun to dissipate. It still wasn’t all gone, but his having moved away from the bed reiterated to Sarah that Jamie wasn’t going to push her beyond what she was ready for. That in itself was the biggest balm she could have asked for.
“You don’t seem okay,” he countered steadily. “Let me help you Sarah. What can I do?”
“I’m fine Jamie, really. You stopping was all that I needed.”
“Then why are you crying?” Jamie asked gently.
Raising her hand to her cheek Sarah was surprised to find that it was wet when she pulled it away. “I’m not sure,” she admitted truthfully. “Adrenaline I guess. Relief. Disappointment.” She pushed the tears away with the back of her hand.
Deciding that Sarah was being truthful and not simply saying things in an attempt to spare his feelings Jamie sat down on the bed beside her. “Can you tell me what happened?” he asked concerned. “Did I do something stupid again?”
“No, you didn’t do anything wrong. It was me.” Pressing against her face she pushed away the last few tears that remained. “You’re the first person I’ve done anything like this with since...him. So when we started to get closer to, you know, I just – “ she took a deep breath. “You know what? I can’t even really put a name to it. It wasn’t panic and it wasn’t even really fear either when it comes right down to it, even though that’s what I felt for a second. I know you would never hurt me. It was more just the need to make it stop. Does that make sense?”
Jamie looked at Sarah uncomprehendingly. “I want to say yes, but I got to be honest here. I’m not sure what you’re saying,” he admitted.
Sarah furrowed her brow as she thought. “The best way I can explain it is like this. I didn’t have a choice about what happened to my body for a long time. It wasn’t a choice whether my ex hurt me or not, he just did what he wanted. He was bigger and stronger than me and it was all about control for him. How he could manipulate me. Now it’s like I’ve gone to the other extreme.”
“What do you mean?”
“That it’s about me having total control over my own body. There was a moment when we started to get really intimate that I lost that feeling of control. That the thought of giving up my body entirely to you was just too much.”
“I won’t ever do what he did to you, Sarah. I want you to always feel safe with me,” Jamie assured her.
“If I even thought that for a second you would then I wouldn’t be with you. You’re nothing like him and I know you won’t ever do anything like he did. But it just seems like my brain and my body aren’t quite getting the message at the same time.” Sarah scrunched up her face at her explanation. “That sounded really weird. I’m sure a psychologist would probably say something like my reaction is some kind of left over trauma that I’m still working through.”
Jamie softened at her explanation and stopped being so hard on himself realising that he hadn’t done anything wrong. On the contrary he had done the right thing without even realising it. He had stopped as soon as Sarah had asked and moved away allowing her to gain instant control over her surroundings and body. Handing the sweater to her had also allowed her a choice of whether to cover up or not, giving her even more control of the situation.
“I wanted to make love to you tonight Jamie. I still do. But I’m just not ready. Not yet.”
“Hey,” he said softly coming to sit beside her on the bed. “I said I would never push you. That we could take this as slow as you needed to. I meant it Sarah.”
Sarah leaned in against him “Thank you.” Reaching out she picked up his hand that was resting in his lap and laced her fingers with his. “Even though I needed you to stop I absolutely loved what we did.” She looked up at him, her blue eyes sparkling with an honestly that left Jamie in no doubt as to the sincerity of what she was saying.
“Me too,” he murmured. Moving himself on the bed, he rested his back against the headboard and extended a hand to her. “Sit with me?”
Sarah took Jamie’s hand and allowed him to draw her to him, resting her back against his chest. Sarah hummed in appreciation at the cocoon of content she felt in being held in his arms and knowing he was prepared to wait for her. “Thank you,” she whispered as the last vestiges of adrenaline seeped away from her body.
“What for?” he asked, wrapping his arms around her and holding her close.
“For understanding. For stopping. For being you.”
Jamie kissed her behind her ear and breathed her scent in deeply. “You are one hell of a woman Sarah Walker, you know that? I’m glad your car broke down.”
“Me too,” she agreed.
“And you look unbelievably good in my sweatshirt by the way,” he said huskily.
“I like it. It smells like you. I might just steal it in the morning,” she teased lightly.
Jamie’s arms went limp with his surprise at her words. “You still want to stay?” He was startled she would even consider it.
“Definitely. Unless you don’t want me to,” Sarah hesitated momentarily at the thought.
“God yes, sweetheart, I want you to stay. But if it’s too much for you it’s okay to go.”
Leaning her head back she kissed him lightly. “I’ll be alright. The only thing is though, I don’t have anything to wear to bed. Do you have something I can borrow? A shirt or something maybe?”
“Yeah. Here, sit up, I’ll get it for you.” Sarah sat up and Jamie scrambled out from behind her and off the bed. Walking across to the chest of drawers he searched through and pulled out a long sleeved shirt. “Pyjama top okay?” he asked throwing it towards her.
“Perfect. It looks new,” Sarah commented as she caught and began inspecting the shirt.
“Probably is,” he shrugged. “I only wear the bottom part of pj’s to bed. Is that going to be a problem?”
“Let’s see: you topless next to me, hopefully holding me while I fall sleep? Nope. I don’t see a problem with that at all.” She grinned wickedly at him. “I need the bathroom, be back in a sec.” Sliding off of the bed she left the room with the pyjama top in hand.
As Sarah swapped her clothes for the nightwear and brushed her teeth as best as she could using her finger she marvelled at the fact that she genuinely was okay with what had happened. I might have needed him to stop but I’m more than fine with staying over. I’m not ready yet, but I’m better now than I was six months ago and so much better than I was a few years ago. Sex with Jamie will happen one day.
At least I hope it will.
By the time Sarah returned Jamie had changed into his pyjama bottoms and was sitting up in the bed waiting for her. He whistled a low sound in appreciation at the view of Sarah re-entering his bedroom. “You could make a monk break his vows looking like that.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Hardly.” The pyjama top had been a little on the large side, coming down mid-thigh on her. The sleeves had swamped her arms, making her need to roll them up.
“Trust me sweetheart, you are having quite an effect on me.” He waved his hands towards his groin and Sarah noticed that his pyjamas had tented out considerably in that region.
“Got an excited little friend down there at the moment do you?” she asked archly climbing into the bed beside him.
“Hey, not so much with the little,” Jamie protested.
She laughed gently. “Do you want me to turn out the light?” she asked stretching across to the small light on the bedside table next to her.
“In a minute. I just want to look at you for a bit.”
Sarah stuck her fingers in her mouth and stretched it out wide while poking her tongue out at him, effectively pulling a crazy face at him.
“Yeah okay, maybe not,” Jamie laughed reaching over Sarah to reach for the switch on the lamp.
Sarah laughed as Jamie’s body hovered above hers. As her laughter subsided Jamie caressed the side of her face, tracing the contours. Lowering his head to hers Jamie kissed her sweetly.
“Goodnight, my love,” he whispered before retreating back to his side of the bed.
“Goodnight,” she repeated softly, a warm glow blooming in her chest at the fact he had referred to her as his love.
Settling behind her Sarah felt Jamie’s body curl around hers. She marvelled at just how well they seemed to fit together, almost like two pieces of a puzzle. Sarah felt an arm snake over her stomach before it tugged her closer towards Jamie. Sarah wriggled her bottom and nestled in further. Jamie tensed as she did and admonished her gently. “You might want to be careful about doing that. Unless you want to be poked in the back all night by my not-so-little friend.”
Laying in the darkness Sarah enjoyed the feel of Jamie’s body against her own as sleep crept up on her.
“Sarah?” Jamie broke the quiet of the room by softly speaking her name.
“Hmm?”
“What made you change your mind about giving back the necklace?”
“The tattoo,” she responded lazily.
“What do you mean?”
“I saw your tattoo last night when you came flying out of your bedroom to put the potatoes on. Then today your mother told me about how close you and your granny were. It got me thinking that if you loved her so much to put her name on your skin permanently then you would do the right thing by her with the pendant that she loved so much.”
He said nothing in reply, but Sarah felt the kiss he pressed into her hair as his chest rose and fell in a deep sigh.
This is happiness, she thought as sleep finally caught her and she closed her eyes and slipped into oblivion for the night. I’ve finally found my happiness.