The Lunchtime Special

Chapter 7 - From Ferries to Fairies

God, Jake is so easy to talk to. He's smart, he's funny, he's charming, he doesn't take himself too seriously and he doesn't take offence at my sass. I like those qualities in a man; I like them a lot. I have no idea if this connection I feel can or will go anywhere, or even if he wants it to, but I know I wish I could see him again...although...there is, of course, the matter of Will and Laila's wedding. Thoughts of Melbourne bring me back from my reverie and I gaze with pride as the Harbour Bridge and Opera House come into sight, both looking more beautiful than ever lit up.

"Do you have anything quite this breathtaking in Melbourne?" I ask softly.

"No, definitely not," Jake replies, his voice deep and husky. I turn to him to say something cheeky but the words die in my throat; he's not looking out at the harbour at all...he's looking at me, and the look on his face is...quite literally...breathtaking. Air escapes my lungs and is whipped away on the breeze as I stare, mesmerised, into his eyes, waiting. His gaze flickers briefly to my lips then returns; the warm amber darkening to deep mahogany, and the hairs on my arms stand to attention. I want him to want to kiss me. Remembering what he told me earlier about crippling shyness, I lean closer, breathing his name so quietly it's almost silent before brushing my lips, butterfly-soft, over his. I hear him take a deep breath then his mouth is on mine and suddenly my emotions are swelling and swirling, undulating like the water we're travelling over. His lips are cold from the wind but they're soft and gentle, tender and sweet as they lightly explore my own. His fingers brush my jaw, flutter softly over the pulse at my throat, then tangle in my hair until I moan quietly into his mouth.

"I've been wanting to do that since we met," he whispers when the kiss ends - an unbearably perfect first kiss - then he draws me closer and does it again; the second just as exquisite as the first. Heart hammering, I bring my hands up to rest on his chest, the rapid thudding beneath my fingers telling me I'm not alone in the sensations assaulting me.

When the kiss ends he doesn't move away, his face so close I can still feel the warmth of his lips as our breaths mingle. Slowly I become aware again of sounds and movements around us. We're arriving back at Circular Quay; people are getting up and moving to where the gangplanks will be lowered and a small crowd waits to board once we've vacated the vessel. Jake stands and holds out a hand to me, pressing his lips briefly to mine when I rise before tugging me gently in the direction of the exit and I follow along silently, my hand engulfed in his larger one. We leave the ferry and pier behind, strolling along the Quay quietly hand-in-hand, until suddenly he pulls me off the main thoroughfare, takes my face in his hands, tilts his head and kisses me senseless. This time his mouth is sensuous, lips sucking and pulling at mine, tongue demanding entrance before he extracts the breath from me and gives me his in return. My hands are trembling as I reach them up to cup his nape, pulling him closer. When we part we're both breathing in short gasps.

"I have a confession to make," he murmurs, bringing his forehead to rest against mine.

"Okay," I whisper, opening heavy lids to drown in his regard.

"I really, really like kissing you," he says.

"Oh...I see," I reply after a moment's hesitation. "Well, I...I guess that makes up for liking cricket and rugby...almost."

His whole face smiles at me – a teasing, sexy smile – and the volcano of warmth that has been bubbling away in my gut erupts, flooding my entire upper body. Suddenly I'm ultra-sensitive to his every touch; his index finger lightly brushes a wisp of hair off my cheek and I'm certain every follicle on my head feels it, his warm breath on my neck is causing goosebumps down my entire right side, even to my toes, I swear – and every single rampaging hormone I possess is screaming at me to pull him so close I won't know where I end and he begins.