Sunshine Kisses

‘You’re wise,’ Abby murmured into his neck.

‘Just an old hand.’ He laughed. ‘Remember I have a good few years more practice than you. I had a better support system too. But you have me. And I’m going to be there for you, whatever you need.’ His hands tightened on her back. ‘One month. We need to get through one more month apart and then I’ll be around so much you’ll beg me to leave you alone.’

Not likely, she thought as he fed her a large strawberry. She sighed happily after swallowing. The idea of regular mornings like this felt entirely too good to be true. ‘I still can’t believe you’re actually going to be home permanently.’

‘Feels like I already am,’ Erik said softly, teasing a lock of her hair between his fingers.

Abby slid her hands up his bare chest, tugging his neck down to brush her lips to his. He was right—this was home. Their little bubble of domestic bliss felt somehow too cosy, too perfect. The bad voices in her head still hissed that this couldn’t be real. That she would wake up cold and alone on the other side of the wall. But Erik’s arms around her were solid. His skin was soft and silky under her fingertips. And even if her brain was resisting, her body kept her grounded.

‘Do you want more food?’ Erik’s voice was rough when they pulled apart, eyes searching hers.

‘Hungry for something else,’ she murmured, shaking her head.

The kiss hadn’t been heated. They’d explored each other’s mouths leisurely, hands barely moving. But every moment with Erik was quickly proving to be a turn on, whether gentle and tender or fuelled by desperation.

Minutes later, the bed was clear and Erik was stretched out on top of her, one knee pressing between her legs to spread them as his hands drifted up under her—his—hoodie.

‘How do you go from zero to ready in less than a second?’ Abby marvelled, her fingers brushing the front of his joggers.

He screwed his eyes shut at the contact and took a deep breath, exhaling as he slowly looked at her again. ‘I’m never at zero around you.’

She was processing the effect that had on her, combined with the proximity of his knee to the pulsing source of want between her legs and the feel of his thumb grazing the underside of her breast, when a knock sounded at the door.

Erik swore as his mother’s voice floated a greeting through the inches of wood separating them.

‘Get on the duvet and cover yourself with a blanket,’ he ordered, jumping up and frantically kicking her clothing from the night before under the bed. ‘Open Netflix on the TV.’

Abby followed his instructions as he slipped his dressing gown on and secured it tightly. The joggers really weren’t doing much to protect his modesty.

Storming to the door, Erik yanked it open. ‘Mother.’

She didn’t think she’d ever heard him call her that, particularly not in that tone. Exasperation? Sure. Downright amusement? Almost definitely. Pure annoyance? Never.

Thankfully, Nora was oblivious to the possibility that her son was likely plotting her disappearance as they spoke. ‘Hello, dear,’ she said cheerily. ‘Have you just woken up? Still in your gown?’ She craned her neck to better see into the room. ‘Oh, Abby’s in here with you. How lovely. I should have known you two would be holed up together.’

Abby sat remarkably still, clutching the soft blanket tightly around her waist and looking away from the TV long enough to offer a weak smile. The panic coursing through her body was at least helpful for selling their story of illness. If they’d started kissing two minutes earlier… Her heart wasn’t going to take many more of these interruptions.

‘We’re still not feeling great,’ Erik muttered, moving to block more of the door. Presumably so his mother wouldn’t dart past him and stake her claim in the room. ‘We were planning to take it easy today. Watch a few movies.’ With each word, he inched the door closer towards Nora, until a space just wide enough for her head remained.

Still, she was relentless in her attempt to crane past him.

‘Oh, that’s too bad. You don’t want to come antiquing with us? The fresh air might do you good. And you two always loved it.’

Well, Abby loved it. Her flat was littered with silly knick-knacks and aesthetic treats acquired while trawling through the small seaside town. Erik cared less for the shopping experience, she expected, and more for the joy it brought her when he found something she loved. Over the years, he had helped her build the collection, rummaging through piles of rubbish to bring her books, records, weird sculptures, and all manner of other bizarre household tack. He’d continued when he started working abroad, gifting her curious finds from markets and antique shops he’d discovered in his travels. Her favourite was a set of salt and pepper shakers shaped like Death and his Maiden. She’d lived in London for years, home to some of the most intriguing little shops in the world, and hadn’t entered a single one.

It simply wasn’t as much fun searching through precarious stacks of junk without him.

Erik looked back at her, eyes lidded in defeat. She knew he would be able to see the want written on her face. And as desperate as she was for more of what they’d just started, she’d missed their treasure hunting adventures.

‘Yeah, sounds fun. Can we meet you downstairs in an hour?’

‘Oh, darling, we were really hoping to get going earlier than that—’

‘Twenty minutes,’ Erik said firmly. ‘See you soon, mother.’ And with that, he shut the door, sighed, bolted it for good measure, and turned to face her. ‘How quickly can you get ready? Shower included.’

Abby considered as he walked towards her. ‘Twelve minutes?’

‘Good girl.’ He smiled softly. ‘Gives me eight minutes to make you scream.’