Written With Hearts

Written With Hearts - Chapter Twelve

Abby....

When we arrive at the venue for the signing, I can't help but feel a little apprehensive about the day ahead. After such a lovely and relaxed evening last night, I'm aware that today will be different. Yate will be working today, and as attentive as he was last night, he won't be able to shower me with the very same attention. Nor would I expect him to. I'm twenty-five for fuck's sake; I don't need him to babysit me. It's just going to be weird to see him doing his thing, watching women be all over him like a bloody rash. So, I have a plan. I'm going to mingle with some friendly faces that I met last night and enjoy the day. I'd hate for Yate to feel like he needs to keep checking back with me. It's not like we're together, together. In fact, I'm not entirely sure what we are. I'm kind of going with the flow, just enjoying getting to know him. So instead of Yate having to worry about whether I'm okay, I'm going to be Miss Independent. I'll leave him to do his cover model thing and keep myself occupied with all things authorly. I know that word doesn't exist, but I rather like it, nonetheless!

I already know quite a few authors, here at the signing, so it's not like I'm going to be like Norma No Mates or anything. That's the thing with book signings. A lot of the same people attend many different signings. You get to know the bloggers, the avid readers, and of course, your fellow authors. I absolutely love that about the book community. It almost feels like one massive book family gathering. For me, it's going to be lovely to be able to roam around the venue; enjoying the event as a reader instead of a signing author. So whilst Yate is showing off his gorgeous body to eager beavers, I shall happily wander around on my own.

"So I'll see you later, then?" Yate reluctantly asks, apprehensive to leave me.

I confidently smile up at him, wanting him to just go and enjoy his day without worrying about me. "You sure will!" My smile grows wider.

He relaxes, leaning down to kiss my cheek. "I'll find you, so we can grab some lunch together, okay?"

My eyes narrow with my mouth closed into a teasing line. "If you can find me," I reply with a flirting lilt.

Yate's expression changes, serious, yet adorned with determination. "Don't you worry, I'll find you," he guarantees with a distinguishable heat to his voice.

Loving the flirting passing between us, I laugh. "If you say so." My reply is equally as heated as my expectant eyes lower.

Yate now laughs, walking past me with the smile not leaving his face any time soon. I'm surprised by how good that makes me feel, knowing that I've put that smile on his handsome face. I'm also rather surprised by my open flirting with him. It's really hard not to, if I'm honest. Yate is hot with a personality that little old ladies would adore. I'll admit it; I'm really attracted to him. I know I'm a little rusty with guys, but I think he's attracted to me too. The fact that he's a complete gent with me, only makes me find him all the more attractive. Not once did he try it on with me last night. We talked, we laughed, we cuddled, we even kissed, but we didn't even come close to sex. That's unbelievably sexy.

As attracted as I am to him, I'm pleased that nothing happened last night. I don't want Yate to think I'm the Gloucestershire village bike. I'm no angel, but I'm certainly not easy either. After the abortion, it took me a long time to even want to be close to a man again. As the emotional scars healed, I slowly got back into the dating saddle. It's taken a long time to enjoy sex. I can't really say that I've enjoyed the most explosive of sex in recent times; it was more of a healing process for me. To be able to have sex with someone, without closing my eyes and remembering the night that I had sex with a complete stranger and then falling pregnant . . . yeah, that was definitely progress for me.

All those that I've had sex with, since that awful night, were guys that I was dating. They were guys that I thought I could possibly have a serious relationship with, but it just never happened. After five brief attempts at having a boyfriend, I eventually just gave up. I decided to focus on my fictional men. They are far more reliable.