WARM WINTER KISSES a feel good Christmas romance novel (20 page)

Chapter 28

Rocco was an early bird; as I’d already gathered. When I woke up the next morning he was nowhere to be seen, so sleepily I wandered downstairs.

‘Aha, Miss Brown!’ He greeted me from the bottom, ‘and what time do you call this?’ He made a big show of checking his watch. ‘I do hope you’re not going to make a habit of rolling into the office late, wearing your best just-got-out-of-bed look.’

‘Well, I could do, if you wanted me to.’ I smiled, pleased that he seemed a bit brighter this morning.

‘Now then,’ he said, squeezing me affectionately around the waist, ‘we have some very important work to do today.’

‘We do?’ And there was me hoping that work might take a back seat on Christmas Eve.

‘Yes. I’ve checked the diary and it would seem I’ve overlooked your appraisal. We should have done this much earlier and I can only apologise. A terrible oversight on my part.’

‘Dreadful.’ I giggled as he slid open my robe and his hands found the curve of my waist. His lips descended upon my breastbone sending a thrill of delight ricocheting around my body.

‘So we ought to get onto it straight away, don’t you think?’

‘Er . . .’ I squirmed, as his tongue traced a route into my cleavage. ‘Yes, if you say so,’ I sighed, trying and failing to hang onto a modicum of decency. ‘Shall I book the whole morning out, then?’

‘Definitely. I think your ravishing, um, I mean your appraisal could take some time.’

I giggled some more as Rocco lifted me up in his arms. Finally, the moment I’d imagined and dreamt about, but never really believed would happen. My entire body tingled with anticipation. I thought he might take me straight back upstairs to the big double bed, but we didn’t make it, only getting as far as the depths of the shag pile in the living room.

He placed me gently on the huge wool rug in front of the fire, slipping my robe off my shoulders and kissing me tenderly on the lips. He sat back on his haunches, his dark eyes travelling over my body.

‘God, you are so beautiful, Beth.’ His voice was warm and appreciative and his fingers made feather-light movements across my body. His hands cupped my breasts, his thumbs making light circular motions on my nipples.

I groaned in delight, unable to ignore the almost unbearable warm longing between my thighs. I pulled Rocco down beside me, and his kisses became more urgent as his tongue explored my mouth. Instinctively, my hand reached out to his waistband, my fingers fumbling to undo his button and pull down the zip. Breathing heavily, Rocco ripped open his button, loosening his trousers, allowing my hand to feel his straining erection. I gasped again, light-headed with desire. Then Rocco was standing naked in front of me and I had never before seen anyone quite so beautiful. The long lines of his body were strong and firm, his muscles well-defined and his eyes heavy with longing. He held out his hands to me, pulling me up to reach him, and our bodies pressed together as his hands roamed over me. His hardness against me made me squirm with pleasure.

We fell back onto the rug, our bodies pressed together as our hands explored each other’s naked flesh, and all the time Rocco’s lips were covering me in tiny, delicious kisses.

‘Oh, Rocco,’ I gasped.

‘Yes?’ He smiled, his eyes alight with a wicked mischievousness.

‘Please, Rocco,’ I begged. I reached down to feel him, and he groaned. I’d waited so long. I couldn’t wait a moment longer.

He ran a fingertip across my moistened lips. With his other hand, he parted my legs, his fingers gently probing, tenderly exploring my wetness, and if it was possible to die of anticipation, then I think I probably would have done.

Gently, he pushed inside me, my body yielding, accommodating his masculinity.

‘Okay?’ he breathed, supporting his weight above me.

‘Yes, yes,’ I sighed, my body arching in pleasure to meet him. We were locked together, and ripples of pleasure washed over me, my mind erased of everything but the present moment, of being at one with Rocco.

‘Beth!’ He whispered my name over and over with increasing urgency, his hands caressing my face.

‘Rocco!’ I cried out in reply, as a final, shuddering, all-encompassing wave swept over me, sending spasms of ecstasy to the furthest extremes of my body. He fell, spent and exhausted, on top of me.

‘Oh, beautiful Beth.’

‘Rocco!’ Tears scattered on my cheeks as the enormity of the moment overtook me.

‘I love you, Beth. You do know that, don’t you?’

I knew it with all my heart, but I was still having trouble believing it.

‘I love you too,’ I replied, saying the words for the first time in my life, with a certainty and honesty I’d never known before.

Rocco supported himself on one elbow, as he wiped away my tears with his thumbs, his face full of concern.

‘So no tears, then, eh?’

‘No. Tears of happiness, that’s all. I can’t believe it. It was lovely. Heavenly. Like nothing I’ve ever known before.’

‘Well, that’s a relief.’ He kissed me lightly on the bridge of my nose. ‘I wouldn’t want to disappoint,’ he said, smiling. ‘After all, from what I hear, I have quite a reputation to live up to.’

‘Behave,’ I said, giving him a friendly dig in the side.

‘No regrets, then?’ he asked, and I was sure he knew my answer already.

‘None at all,’ I confirmed, revelling in the fact of being wrapped in his arms.

‘That was pretty amazing!’ he breathed, and his cheeks were flushed, his eyes bright. I smiled, feeling strangely powerful. I’d made this man happy. I could see it in his face. The last couple of days had been a rollercoaster of emotions. All the lows, now followed by a most magnificent high.

‘Amazing,’ I agreed, ‘although . . .’ I shifted uncomfortably on the rug and looked down at my bare legs. Fetching red spots had appeared on my skin, an occupational hazard, I supposed, of making love in such close proximity to the fire.

‘Ouch!’ He winced. ‘Come on, let’s get upstairs. Finish what we started here.’

‘Really? I thought we had finished,’ I teased.

‘Oh, believe you me, we’ve only just started.’

Upstairs we climbed into bed and I snuggled into the nest of Rocco’s arms. We lay there for hours, finding out more about each other, chatting about everything and nothing, stopping occasionally to kiss and caress one another.

‘I’m so glad you’re back, Beth.’ He squeezed my shoulder tight. ‘When I walked away from your flat that night I felt so bloody wretched. Hopeless. I thought I might never see you again and it felt awful. I didn’t know what I was going to do.’ His finger ran down my cheek. ‘But I wouldn’t have given up on you, Beth. I’d have kept coming back until you just couldn’t say no.’

I lifted my head briefly, sighing contentedly. Half of me couldn’t really believe the things I was hearing.

‘Well, you can imagine how I felt. Thinking you were about to marry a supermodel.’ I sniggered. How silly I’d been.

He shook his head and tutted in mock disgust.

‘I can’t honestly believe that you—’

‘You said something about Pandora talking you into the wedding,’ I interrupted, ‘and at that point the red mist came down and I couldn’t think straight anymore.’

He laughed, still shaking his head.

‘Pandora’s always loved this house. Certainly more than she’s ever loved me. And Zak is my best mate. I couldn’t say no. Of course, she’s talked me into providing the catering as well, but then what else are mates for?’

I laughed, realising how good natured he was beneath that gruff exterior. I felt an overwhelming sense of protectiveness, wanting nothing more than to save him from the kind of hurt he’d experienced at the hands of his mother. I’d make him happy, I knew I could. It was all I wanted now.

‘That wasn’t the half of it though, was it? You really thought I was the kind of man who would propose to my prospective wife and go to the trouble of lining up a mistress at the same time?’

I covered my eyes with my hands, grimacing at the memory.

‘Mmmm.’ Rocco’s brow furrowed. ‘Now you come to mention it though, it’s not such a bad idea. I hadn’t really thought about it before, but I mean if you’re okay with the whole thing I could always see what I can get sorted.’

I fished beneath my head for a pillow and bunged it playfully at Rocco.

He laughed, kissing me affectionately on the top of my head.

‘Honestly though, Beth, I’ve come to rely on you so much. I can’t do without you in my life now. In a short space of time you’ve made yourself indispensable. In every way.’ He smiled wryly. ‘I’ve always thrived on my work, giving it my all, worked eighteen hour days to make the restaurant one of the best in London. When I was awarded my first Michelin star I can’t tell you how proud I felt. I still feel that pride. I still have the passion, but now there are so many other avenues I’d like to explore. I told you about the gastropubs?’

‘You mentioned it.’ I sat up, eager to know more. ‘How’s it all coming along?’

‘Well, it looks to be a go-er. We’ll be starting off with one in the Lake District and one in Cornwall or Devon, see how they go and then the plan is to open further pubs around the country. I’ll be selecting chefs and managers to run each venue, but I’ll be working closely with them on the menus. We’ll be sourcing the best local ingredients and the menus will showcase recipes from the region. It’s a big commitment, but it’s something I think could be hugely successful. It’ll mean me taking a back seat in the running of the London restaurant for a while, but I have a good team there who I know I can rely on to keep things running as they should.’ He pushed himself up, stacking his pillows against the headboard, clearly enthused as he spoke about this new project. ‘This will be a great opportunity for us to work together, Beth. I mean, I can take it that you’ll be hanging around for a while now?’ He looked at me expectantly.

After what we’d just experienced, I wasn’t about to go anywhere.

‘Well, if that job offer’s still open I’d love to be involved. It all sounds really exciting.’

‘That’s great,’ he said, stroking my chin. ‘The temp agency rang the other day wanting to know if I wanted to keep you on. Obviously I told them no way. That you were nothing but a trouble maker and a loose cannon.’

‘Is that right?’ I elbowed him sharply in the ribs.

‘No. But I did say we wouldn’t need you anymore. What I’ll do is draw up a contract for, say, the next three months, get you to look it over and if you’re happy with it, we can go with that. It’ll make more sense for you to work directly for me.’

‘Sure,’ I said brightly. Well, three months was a start, I supposed. ‘Um, you don’t think that our personal relationship will get in the way of our business relationship?’

‘Not if we don’t let it. Besides . . .’ His hands reached beneath the covers, finding the curve of my waist and his fingers began to explore my body, travelling down my hips and circling my thighs, ‘I’m beginning to realise there could be definite advantages.’

‘Ooh,’ I sighed, as his hands found a gloriously sensitive spot between the tops of my thighs and I writhed beneath his touch. ‘I do hope you’ve not brought me back here just for my . . . oh good grief, stop it . . . oh . . . for my body.’

‘Not just your body, but I have to say, Miss Brown, it is one of your most appealing attributes.’

‘That’s shocking,’ I said, pushing him away in mock disgust.

‘Oh, along with your marvellous organisational skills, your creativity, your IT prowess, your first-class secretarial skills . . .’

I looked down at him as his mouth hovered temptingly over my nipples.

‘. . . and your people skills are great, too. I mean, you are a very accomplished personal assistant and I am a very lucky man to have you, er, um, under me, so to speak.’

I giggled and pulled his head down onto my breasts, gasping as his tongue found my bare skin.

‘Well, that’s okay, then,’ I just managed to say before being submerged under a fierce attack of kisses and caresses. ‘As long as you promise not to take advantage of me.’

Rocco proceeded to make love to me again. But this time he savoured each moment, exploring every contour of my body with his fingers and his tongue, until I thought I might faint with pleasure, and then we fell asleep together, wrapped tightly in each other’s arms.

Chapter 29

I crept out of bed, leaving Rocco snoring peacefully beneath the covers. It was Christmas Day. Through the bedroom window, I saw that thick snowflakes were dropping from the sky, topping up the snow that had transformed the landscape over the last few days. I turned to watch Rocco as he lay outstretched on the bed, and felt what I can only describe as a surge of pure joy.

It was unbelievable. A white Christmas for the first time I could remember, and I was spending it alone with the man I loved. As if on cue, he shifted under the duvet and I caught a glimpse of the strong calf muscle of one leg hanging over the edge of the bed.

‘What are you doing?’ A hand reached up to rub his eyes.

‘Merry Christmas, darling!’ I called, feeling as ridiculously excited as a small childwh
o’
d discovered that Santa had been and left a sack of presents.

‘Come back to bed so I can give you your Christmas present,’ he said, his voice heavy with intent.

‘It’s snowing outside. Isn’t it fabulous?’ I turned, but Rocc
o’
s enthusiasm for the weather outside didn’t match mine and he rolled over, burying his head beneath a pillow. ‘Do you fancy a walk? I’m sure Millie wouldn’t say no.’

Rocco groaned again and heaved himself up in bed.

‘Yes, we will. But not yet. We have the whole day ahead of us. Come here for a cuddle.’ He held out his arms, his eyes shining.

I sat on the edge of the bed and threw my arms around his neck.

‘Happy Christmas, darling!’

‘Happy Christmas to you too, sweetheart. You know,’ he said, stroking my hair away from my face, ‘having you here is the best Christmas present I could ever have wished for.’

With that, he pulled me down into his arms and proceeded to kiss me all over. Having Rocco make love to me, slowly, leisurely, his face full of tenderness, was the best Christmas present I could ever have wished for.

* * *

Later, downstairs, Rocco made us breakfast.

‘I know it’s turned into a bit of a cliché, but you can’t really beat smoked salmon and scrambled eggs for a festive breakfast, along with, of course, the obligatory glass of champagne.’

‘Mmm, delicious,’ I said, my noise twitching at the aromas wafting around the kitchen. Not only the scent of creamy eggs, but competing for attention a cranberry and orange sauce simmered gently at the back of the hob, some muffins were baking in the oven and a concoction of sage, onion and something else, the ingredients for the stuffing to accompany our magnificent goose at lunch, was sitting in a bowl on the side.

I only had to turn my back for a second and it seemed Rocco had whipped up another culinary creation. I was completely in awe of his mastery.

After breakfast we donned our winter gear and prepared to face the elements. A few months earlier the suggestion of a walk in the great outdoors would have been enough to send me scampering for the safety of the sofa, but now it was one of my favourite things to do, something I looked forward to with pleasure. Millie, not having read the calendar, was excited just at the prospect of coming with us, but then she always was. As Rocco opened the back door, she went blundering outside, her progress only slightly curtailed by the deep snow underfoot.

It was a beautiful bright winter’s day, the light casting an almost magical glow on the surrounding landscape. We walked hand in hand, chatting and laughing, squeezing each other’s hands. Rocco scooped up a handful of snow, patting it into a perfect ball before lobbing it playfully at my back as I did my best to dodge his aim.

‘Right, that’s it!’ I squealed, bending down to make my own, failing miserably to hit my target at all.

Rocco laughed, ducking my feeble attempts, and playfully rubbed snow into the back of my anorak. I was grateful for the padding.

We walked for miles in our wellies, crunching through the fields, along the towpath, marvelling at the sight of the boats all dusted in white. Surprisingly, there were lots of people about, togged up in their best Sunday gear. Some of them were on their way to church, but others, like us, were just out for some fresh air before descending into the excesses of the day.

I thought of Mum and Dad and wondered what they would be doing, trying to imagine them with a glass of something in hand sitting on some sandy beach. And Lexi, enjoying her first poignant Christmas alone with Mitchell. I felt a momentary pang of longing for my family, resolving to phone them all later that day to send them my love and Christmas wishes.

‘Are you ready to go home now?’ We’d been walking for at least an hour and a half. The tops of my thighs and the backs of my calves ached with the exertion, my face and all the other exposed bits of my body glowed in what I felt certain was a ruddy, unflattering manner.

‘I think so.’ We climbed over the stile at the bottom of the field adjoining Whitefriars and trudged our way up the hill, Rocco’s arm around my shoulder.

Back at the house Millie, after a cursory wipe with a towel from Rocco, snuggled up in front of the Aga and I popped the kettle on to make some coffee.

‘No regrets, then?’

‘Regrets?’

‘Yes, about being here. Spending Christmas with a cantankerous old chef?’

‘No,’ I said, laughing. ‘I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be or, more importantly, anyone else I’d rather be spending Christmas with.’

‘That’s good to hear.’ Rocco took my hands in his and kissed me lightly on the lips. ‘I love you, Beth. I love you with my whole being. I honestly never believed I could feel this way about someone.’

I couldn’t help the huge smile from spreading across the entire width of my face. Hearing those three little words uttered from Rocco’s lips was the most amazing thing I’d ever heard in my life. I knew I would never tire of hearing them. I thought I might even burst with happiness.

‘Oh Rocco!’ I said, throwing my arms around his neck, ‘I love you too!’ The words I’d always struggled to say to Martin now tripped off my tongue effortlessly and without any hint of self-consciousness. This was the thing I’d thought I might never experience, but at long last it was really happening to me.

‘Good answer,’ said Rocco grinning, breaking the spell. ‘In that case, I think it must be time for presents.’

‘This just gets better and better. Presents too? I can’t wait.’ Rocco took me by the hand and led me out of the kitchen and into the living room. Millie, as ever, followed behind. At the threshold I stopped dead in my tracks and gasped. The sight in front of me brought tears to my eyes.

The tree, the one I had lovingly decorated, looked absolutely stunning, the myriad of fairy lights twinkling invitingly. The fire was stoked with logs and was crackling away, but most amazing of all was the huge stack of presents that had suddenly appeared in front of the tree.

‘Wow! Where did they all come from?’

‘Father Christmas, of course!’ Rocco grinned, looking pleased.

‘But there’s so many of them!’ I ran over to the tree, picking up each of the beautifully wrapped packages, seeing that every single one of them had my name written on the label.

‘It would seem that way. Well,’ he said, with a hint of impatience, ‘aren’t you going to open them?’

‘You first,’ I said, diving to the back of the tree, finding the one solitary present I’d bought for Rocco, which was looking a bit sorry for itself among all the presents for me. I placed it in his hands, and his face lit up.

‘Well, thank you.’ He paused as his eyes grew wide. ‘What can it be?’ His fingers pulled away the wrapping paper to reveal the countryman’s hat within. ‘Aw, that’s fantastic!’ Straight away he placed the hat upon his head, where it looked as if it had always belonged. ‘I shall wear it all the time.’

‘Well, I’m sorry I didn’t get you anything more, but—’

‘Hush,’ he said, putting his finger to his mouth. ‘I told you, as much as I love this hat . . .’ He adjusted it into a jaunty position, looking up at me from under the brim with big brown eyes. ‘The best present I could ever have wished for is having you here with me, so I’m one happy man. You though, madam, have a fair few presents to get through, so you’d better get started.’

It was overwhelming. I didn’t really know where to start. Rocco picked up the camera and started snapping as I began to unwrap the first of the huge pile of presents. Each of the parcels was intricately wrapped in the same rich gold embossed paper, with matching ribbons and tags.

‘Oh, they’re almost too beautiful to open!’ I turned a small box over and over in my hands.

‘Get a move on or else we’ll be here all day and we’ve got plenty to fit in yet.’

I couldn’t imagine what. The dinner was looking after itself and Rocco would be putting the finishing touches to that later, Millie was walked and was lying contentedly in front of the fire and I was happy to spend the rest of the day curled up right there.

‘Oh, all right then,’ I said, ripping off the paper with a flourish. Inside was a black velvet box. I pulled the lid back and gasped at the pretty diamante brooch in the shape of a crescent.

‘It’s lovely!’ I said, my fingers scrabbling with the pin as I attached it to my jumper.

Next came a big fluffy towelling robe in pink, no doubt given in the hope that it would stop me borrowing Rocco’s, two CDs that I’d mentioned I liked the sound of, two whopping romantic novels from the current bestseller’s list, which I had to restrain myself from diving into there and then, a beautiful cashmere V-necked jumper in slate grey, a hard-backed floral-covered notebook, a fountain pen, a delectation of delights from Floris and a pair of pink Hunter boots.

‘I’ve never had so many presents,’ I admitted some time later, from beneath a mass of wrapping paper, feeling thoroughly and deliciously spoilt.

‘You’re worth it,’ he said, leaning over and kissing me on the forehead. His cheeks were flushed, which I assumed was due to the heat radiating from the hearth. ‘Fancy a drink?’ he asked. ‘I think it’s about time we had another glass of champagne, don’t you?’

‘Great,’ I agreed, far too readily, resolving there and then to embark on a new healthy living regime from the New Year onwards, limiting myself to just one glass of champagne a week, or perhaps more realistically, one glass a day. After all, don’t they say a little of what you fancy does you good?

‘By the way . . .’ Rocco handed over a brimming flute of bubbles. ‘I got that contract drawn up for you if you’d like to take a look.’

I looked at him, puzzled, as he handed me a roll of paper, held together with a ribbon.

‘You know, we talked about formalising our working relationship, so I thought you wouldn’t mind me putting together a contract.’

Of course I remembered. But today? I’m sure Rocco must have noticed my expression. It wasn’t that I minded; it was just that his timing was completely out. That whole magical experience of being with Rocco on Christmas Day, with the fire roaring in the background surrounded by my wonderful array of presents and a glass of champagne in hand had been punctured by this reminder of the real reason for my being there. My working relationship with Rocco.

‘Oh right, thanks,’ I said, turning the unexpected present over in my fingers.

‘Well, aren’t you going to open it, then?’

I pulled open the ends of the ribbon, uncurling the formal-looking paperwork and as I did, something small and sparkly toppled out onto the floor. My eyes, growing larger with each passing second, followed the not-so-small diamond onto the floor, where it landed on top of a piece of tissue paper.

I bent down and picked up the ring, staring at it, uncomprehending, for what seemed like an eternity before my gaze travelled up to Rocco’s face. The piece of paper in my hand demanded attention. I read the words.

My Dearest Darling Beth,

Will you marry me?

Love Rocco xxx

I had to read them again. I looked from the note to Rocco and then back again. Slowly, the creeping realisation of what it all meant seeped into my poor befuddled brain.

‘Really?’

Rocco took the ring from my hand and placed it gently on the third finger of my left hand. It fitted perfectly.

‘Really.’ God, he was beautiful, I thought, drinking in his dark sparkling eyes and seductive smile. As if I needed any reminder just then.

‘But, we’ve . . .’

‘Please don’t say we’ve only known each other a short while.’ Rocco pre-empted my sentence.

‘I love you, Beth. I think you love me too. And I know for certain that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. What’s happened with my mum recently, it’s made me realise just what is important in life. The restaurant, the Michelin stars, they’re great, but they’re not everything. What I really want is you, Beth, to share my life with you. We could have a great life here together. Working in the business. Bringing up a family.’

I nodded, overwhelmed, searching and failing to come up with anything apposite to say.

‘I hope that’s what you want too.’

I nodded again, hoping my capacity for speech would return at some point.

‘
So. Are you going to put me out of my misery? Will you marry me, Beth?’