The Summer of Sunshine and Margot(76)

“About what happened,” he began.

“The kiss?” She batted her eyes.

He smiled. “And before.”

“The sex?”

“That would be it, yes.”

“It was nice.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Just nice?”

“Very nice?” She laughed. “It was great.”

“I agree. I’d like to try it again. In a bed. Perhaps without my pants around my ankles.”

There were probably several reasons why getting involved with Alec was complicated. She worked for his mother. She lived in his house. She didn’t know where the whole thing was going. And yet...

She liked him. A lot. Just as important, the man turned her on. He was fun to be around and smart and she was so ready to be with someone who was actually good for her.

“I think having both of us naked is something we should explore.” Her stomach growled. She sighed. “Maybe after dinner.”

“I look forward to it.”

“Me, too.”

  Alec stepped out of his shower, doing his best not to whistle. Although there was no reason to hold back. Margot had left his bed a few minutes before to get ready in her own bathroom.

He dried off, smiling the entire time. The previous evening had been better than he could have imagined. After dinner, they’d retreated to his room where they’d made love twice more before falling asleep in each other’s arms. She’d awakened him just before dawn, her mouth bringing him from drowsy to aroused in less than thirty seconds. Before he could figure out what she was doing, he’d lost control with all the finesse of a fourteen-year-old boy. She’d still been laughing when he’d returned the favor, going down on her, loving her with his mouth until she succumbed to her own release.

Margot was fun—something he’d expected, but it was wonderful to have it confirmed. He’d also lived the fantasy of having her on top, her long hair loose and hanging across his body...

His body reacted to his thoughts. He quickly changed mental topics until the manifestation eased. With luck, after breakfast, they could continue to explore each other. Of course Edna might come by, or the cleaners. Perhaps instead they could escape to Margot’s apartment.

He was still considering the options as he walked in the kitchen. The first thing he noticed was the smell of coffee. The second was his mother sitting at the kitchen table.

She raised her mug and smiled at him. “Good morning, darling. How are—” She stopped talking as she studied him. A second later, she chuckled. “You’ve had sex! That’s so nice. I assume with Margot? She really is perfect for you, and you for her. I was going to start back up with my lessons today but now I think I’ll put it off until later in the week. Do you want some coffee before I head out?”

Alec had no idea how long he stood there, staring at his mother, as his mind went completely blank. No thoughts formed—not even words. When he was finally able to pull himself together, he managed to stammer, “E-excuse me,” before ducking out of the room.

He took the stairs two at a time, knocked once on Margot’s door, then let himself in.

“It’s me.”

She walked out from the bathroom, already dressed, her hair pulled back in a ponytail. She laughed. “Really? Again? I have to say I love the enthusiasm, but only if you promise we can have breakfast after. You’re wearing me out.”

He stared at her. “My mother’s back and she knows we had sex. She took one look at me and just knew.”

Margot surprised him by laughing again. “Okay, that’s both awkward and funny. How on earth did she know?”

“I have no idea. She’s always been like that.” The numbness was wearing off and panic was taking its place. “What are we going to do?”

She put her hands on his chest. “It’s going to be fine. She might tease you a little, but nothing more.”

The panic receded. “I worried you’d want to leave.”

“Not at all. Unless you want me to.”

Not ever. The voice was loud and steady in his head—as if imparting a certain truth. “I don’t.”

“Then we’ll continue on as before.” She raised herself on tiptoe and kissed him. “Well, not exactly as before.”

He wrapped his arms around her. “Tonight?”

“Absolutely. It’s a date.”

  Sunshine had toyed with the idea of what it would be like to be in Declan’s bedroom. She avoided it, as a rule, only going in occasionally to put away linens the cleaning service had left in the dryer. Every now and then, when she was being especially foolish, she thought about them together in his room. No, not in his room, in his bed.

She knew better, of course. She wasn’t that girl/woman anymore. She was better and smarter and had a lot more self-control. Still, she had daydreamed, but none of her fantasies had been like this.

“What do you think?” Declan asked looking both hopeful and terrified.

She looked him up and down, taking in the freshly pressed button-down shirt, the dark wash jeans and loafers. He’d showered and shaved and he looked good.

“She’ll be dazzled,” Sunshine told him, injecting enthusiasm into her voice when what she really wanted to do was stomp her foot and tell him he couldn’t go.