Sweetly Isolated (The Swallow Barn Cottage Series, Book 1)

Tina and John, on the Lounge Floor

One bumped elbow when they crashed on the floor.

One scratched shin that she accidentally brushed at the sharp corner of the box with the special baubles.

A beard burn on her stomach.

A carpet burn on her backside.

One shoulder slammed into the leg of her sofa, because they kept sliding on the floor with each of his thrusts.

One temple that met his when she tried to roll him on his back.

Carpet burns on her knees after she succeeded.

A lovebite on her shoulder.

Probably, ten fingerprints on her buttocks, when he squeezed, growling.

A potential goose egg on the back of his head, because that was a properly loud thud when he fell back down after his crisis...

...and the biggest crisis she'd ever had in her life.

***

"I think I've seen stars," he said, and Tina snorted.

"It's just the lights on the tree," she said.

"Learn to take a compliment, Popplewell," he said, rolled her under him, slid down, and placed a loud sloppy kiss on her naked stomach.

Tina giggled squeakily and started wiggling, trying to get out from his greedy hands.

"Alright, alright, I surrender!" she hollered. "I rocked your world, and you saw stars."

"Good job," he praised and kissed her stomach again. "I've never had sex under a Christmas tree."

"I've never had sex on the floor," Tina said ruffling his hair. He looked up, and she brushed the tips of her fingers along his thick glossy eyebrow. "With a man, that is. But yeah, that's a lovely pressy to find under a Christmas tree."

He chuckled.

"And now we need to eat. I'm starving." He moved off her, rolled over, and sat up. "Do you know where my pants are?"

Tina rummaged under her back and pulled out an item.

"These are yours," he said. "And by the way, tap pants are officially the best kind of knickers."

"Told you so," she said.

She didn't feel like pulling on the silk knickers, she was somewhat... sticky. He rose, picked up his from under the tree, and walked to the bathroom. Tina threw an approving look after him. Scratch Tina's previous convictions. Who needs the blond and lithe? Bearman all the way! She stretched on the floor with gusto and purred.

"Are you coming?" came from the bathroom.

Oh.

She didn't realise it was an option. And yes, please, and thank you.

***

An hour later she was sitting at the kitchen table, chewing a samosa he'd quickly warmed up in a toaster oven, while he was putting their frozen beef bourguignon pies in the oven. Tina ogled his curls, sticking in all directions, drying after the bath they'd shared - and ended up splashing half of onto the floor because they had been moving enthusiastically in the tub. He turned and stretched his hand to her. Tina gave it a confused look, picked up his fingers, and gave his hand a gentle shake. He laughed, leaned in, and kissed her cheek.

"I was asking for the towel," he said and pointed at the kitchen towel on the table near her.

Tina snorted and handed it to him.