Between Heaven and Rock (The Swallow Barn Cottage Series, Book 3)

Drinks and Cold Pies

"Oli," she murmured and cupped his jaw.

He was under her, his bent right knee between her legs, and she needed to stop rubbing to it, because that was surely going too far too quickly. Also she was getting tired of keeping her hands above his waist! Blimey, is shag always so complicated when one's noggin participates in it?!

"At the risk of being 'funny' again," she said and looked him in the eyes. "Should we stop maybe?"

He gave her an amused look and squeezed her buttocks. God, his hands! On her arse! So perfect! Focus, Ulla!

"I'm enjoying this, don't get me wrong," she tried again. "But I'm just thinking– maybe we should talk about it first?" she said. "Because I sort of– I really like you, alright?" she said sharply. He watched her face with the same warm expression, and she gritted her teeth. "As a person. Doesn't happen to me that often, yeah? And I just don't want to arse it up, and make this painful and awkward and–" His lips twitched, and she glared at him. "Any input from you on the matter?" she asked in an acidic tone. "Any suggestions? Any comments?"

He smirked, and then deftly rolled her over on her back. She gave out a surprised 'ooph.' He studied her face, as if counting the freckles on her nose, and then pecked her lips.

"I suggest a dinner," he said - and then moved off her and sat up. "I'm not sure if we have any food in the fridge, but maybe we can order take away."

What?! She gawked at him. She had no words!

"Let me go check," he said, jumped off the bed, and was gone.

What?

What?!

She was lying on the bed, like a Christmas turkey spread on a platter - and he went to the kitchen to check the fridge for leftovers?! Also, there was no food there. They finished the last container the night before, and they'd had fish and chips they'd ordered before for lunch.

"There's nothing left," he shouted from the kitchen.

Ulla groaned and covered her face with her hands. That's what you get for being decent and stopping this snogfest! Should've just shagged the bloke!

"Do you want to go to the pub actually?" he asked from the door. She lowered her hands, turned her head, and glared at him. "The Oak and Shield," he continued. "It's in the next town. You'll have to drive us, but it's just ten minutes or so."

"Are you bloody serious?" she asked.

"C'mon, Ulla, I'm starving," he said and left again, presumably to the bathroom.

Ulla rolled on her stomach and emitted a low howl into the pillow, hopefully muffling most of it.

***

"I wonder if it was a good idea," she grumbled, parking her car near the pub. "It's snowing pretty heavy now. Will we be able to get back?"

And there was also the question of driving back to the city afterwards, but maybe she should deal with one aggro at a time. And even to her cynical self, the pub looked cosy and inviting. She opened the car door, tried to step out, and then her right foot slipped on an ice patch under the fresh fallen snow, and she slid, grabbing to the doorframe.

"Are you alright?" he asked from his side of the car.

"Yeah, I just–"

She didn't finish because suddenly she felt a physical presence near her, and someone firmly grabbed her under her elbow. Her reflexes kicked in immediately - and she rammed the elbow into the person's torso, twisting out of their grip.