Plain English, page 21
“You?” Claire laughed against their chest. “No one’s touched me in six months.”
Pip could hardly believe that, but even though they hadn’t gone nearly as long between partners, none of the others had ever touched them like Claire.
“Come on,” Claire urged, then flicked her tongue to Pip’s other nipple. “Please stay with me now.”
“Yes,” Pip vowed without hesitation, “together.”
They rocked, breath heavy, hearts racing, all hands and mouths and raw power.
“Yes.” Claire tightened around Pip.
“Yes.” They agreed as they lifted off the bed.
It was the only word either of them knew anymore, and the only one either of them wanted to hear. The chain reaction ricocheted through them both and reverberated through the room in hoarse cries and the clutch of fingernails and thighs and Claire’s mouth hot over their heart.
Sweat prickled and turned cool while Pip waited for the urge to run, for the disconnect to crash through the clouds, for reality to rip through the fabric they’d tried to weave. They weren’t naive enough to believe that the whispers filling their brain since the earliest age of awareness could be banished in a single evening, no matter how magical, but as they sank into the lush mattress with Claire still flush in the crook of their arm, the only sound Pip heard was the echo of their last words still ringing through the room.
Yes. Yes. Together.
Chapter Nineteen
Claire awoke to a soft kiss on her temple and tried to snuggle a little closer to the body beside her. The crisp sheets rustled against her cheek, and she reached for the duvet to pull up over both of them.
“We’re almost there,” Pip whispered softly in her ear.
“I think we got there several times already.”
Pip’s low chuckle rumbled through her chest. “Undoubtedly, but in this case, I mean we’re almost to our stop.”
Claire didn’t have the wherewithal to process the word ‘stop’ when she didn’t even have the energy to start going in the first place. Her fingers kept searching for the duvet or even the sheet she seemed to be on top of instead of under, when her hand fell on something hard and cool to the touch. She wasn’t amused with the mental work it would take to figure that out, and even less thrilled with the loud voice shouting in the distance.
“Five minutes to Amberwick. Next stop Amberwick.”
She cracked open one eye enough to see her own hand wrapped around an armrest. Turning her head slightly her eyes drifted to the button of Pip’s dress shirt below her nose. She groaned as her least favourite part of the last few hours came back to her.
They’d left the hotel in the dim light of morning wearing the same clothes they’d worn the night before and crossed the street into the train station. Thankfully, most of the staff and predawn commuters had been too busy with their own morning rush to pay much attention to two people stumbling aboard the train in evening wear, though the steward who’d offered them coffee did do a bit of a double take.
She hadn’t managed to care in the moment as she curled into her plush first-class seat and promptly nodded off. Now with the sun rising, her own village coming into view, and nearly an hour’s more sleep, she wondered why her embarrassment hadn’t risen yet. She and Pip were clearly conveying all the outward signs of a walk of shame, or rather a train of shame, but she couldn’t summon the corresponding emotions. She barely managed to feel chagrin as they stepped onto the platform filled with locals.
Pip took her hand, and they headed for Vic’s Land Rover without a bag between them. The move soothed her in a way she couldn’t have imagined even ten days ago. The easy, casual touch spoke to how much things had shifted between them, but she couldn’t help wondering what other shifts might be in store. She hadn’t even begun to process how the world had tilted on its axis over the last twelve hours. She simply didn’t have the capacity yet. She would need large quantities of food and caffeine to even approximate a functioning status, followed by a long hot shower to ease the aches in the muscles they’d strained, and then maybe after a solid ten hours of uninterrupted sleep, she might be able to make sense of what she’d experienced in Pip’s arms.
Pip turned out of the railway station car park and down toward the village. The sun had barely hoisted itself above the horizon and cast the usually blue sea in shimmering gold.
“I’m not usually up early enough to see the sun so low over the North Sea,” Pip mused.
Claire yawned. “Are you a fan of the early morning light?”
Pip glanced away from the road long enough to meet Claire’s eyes and flash one of those knowing smiles. “I am now.”
“You’re too smooth.” Claire laughed.
“Has anyone ever told you, you have the best laugh in the whole world?”
“Maybe, but only when they were trying to get me into bed, not afterward. You really don’t have to work so hard anymore.”
“Complimenting you is never work.”
Claire rolled her eyes, but as she turned to watch the estuary approach out the window, she fought a flutter in her stomach. How could the butterflies still take flight after everything they’d seen and done together?
A million memories played across her mind’s eye, and she became absorbed in her own little world. She might have been content to move there permanently if not for the sight of two familiar figures waiting to cross the roundabout as Pip pulled up in front of the gallery.
She craned her neck in the hopes that her tired eyes were playing tricks on her, but her gran was most definitely walking toward them with Emma Volant in tow.
“Is it common for you to have company before you open to customers?” Pip asked.
“Not at all. It seems we’ve got impeccable timing.”
“Should we get our stories straight?”
Claire snorted. “Can you sing? Maybe light a baton on fire? Because short of a truly spectacular show, there’s no reasonable excuse for us to return home at this hour, dressed like this, which doesn’t involve being out together all night.”
“Is that terrible?”
“How much would you like to see your gran, the crown princess of whatever, when you rolled out of bed after a spontaneous night of seriously mind-blowing sex?”
Pip’s grin spread in spite of the situation. “So you agree the sex was top tier?”
“I’m surprised someone of your calibre even has to ask.”
Pip shrugged and looked as though they might say something more if not for a knock on the window of the Rover.
Claire shouted and jumped, though there was no reason to be so startled by the arrival of two people they’d seen coming. She simply didn’t seem to be high-functioning at the moment, and she had many factors she could blame, but chief among them was the fact that Pip had mentioned sex, which apparently had the power to short-circuit her brain entirely.
“Good morning,” Pip called amiably as they exited the car. Maybe they weren’t as frazzled, seeing as how they weren’t facing their own grandmother, or perhaps they’d simply had more practice with these types of encounters. “To what do we owe the honour of such esteemed company at such an early hour?”
“I hardly sleep a wink anymore, so I baked some scones,” Gran explained as Claire climbed out and managed to give Emma a conspiratorial grin.
“She brought them over to my house knowing I’m also an early riser, but I’d baked a batch myself,” Emma added.
“And after a bit of a chat, we thought Claire might like a sweet treat to start her day.” Gran moved her eyes pointedly over Pip’s attire. “But I suspect she may have already had one.”
Claire groaned. “Good morning to you, too, Gran.”
“Hi, love.” Gran kissed each of her cheeks, and the smell of fresh baked goods hit her senses, making her stomach growl loudly.
“Why don’t you come in, and I’ll put the kettle on.”
“Are you sure?” Emma asked, her eyes flicking from Claire’s dress to Pip.
“Of course,” Pip answered for her. “Don’t go on my account. I’ve actually got to be off.”
“You do?” Claire asked, surprise and perhaps a hint of fear creeping in.
“As much as I hate to leave three beautiful women and a breakfast undoubtedly fit for a king, there’s a mechanic coming to check the clutch on the motorbike this morning.”
“A likely excuse,” Claire grumbled, then under her breath added, “traitor.”
“If I’d only known where the last twenty-four hours would take us, I assure you I’d have planned differently.”
“Why don’t we go on in and set the kettle for you,” Emma offered, taking Gran by the arm. “It’s always lovely to see you, Pip, no matter how briefly.”
“Likewise.”
“Perhaps next time you bring my granddaughter home shortly after dawn, you’ll be able to stay a little longer.”
“Gran,” Claire snapped, but Pip only flashed their winning smile and gave her a little bow.
“It is my fervent hope I’m afforded the opportunity in the near future.”
Gran shook her head as Emma gave her another little tug, but Claire thought she saw her smile as she unlocked the door to the shop.
“That could’ve gone worse,” Pip said when they were finally out of earshot.
“Could it?” Claire’s voice went up an octave. “Because as far as mornings-after go, having your grandmother basically accuse your lover of a booty call and then being left to face the charge alone doesn’t rank high for me.”
Pip smiled and pulled Claire close. “At least you’ll get scones. I notice she didn’t offer me one for the road.”
“You don’t deserve one until you prove you’re not abandoning me for good.”
Pip kissed her temple. “I’m sorry you even had to worry about such a thing.”
“I didn’t until it came out of my mouth,” Claire admitted. “I thought we’d have more time, but you’ve slept with me, now things are awkward, and suddenly you’re leaving. I wouldn’t blame you if the whole mechanic bit turned out to be a rather convenient excuse to make your escape.”
Pip nodded. “I wish I could find the charge unfounded, but it’s not. In the past I would absolutely have done such a thing, but you’re different, Claire, and I’m different around you.”
She softened, and rested her forehead on Pip’s shoulder. “I don’t want to believe you. I never wanted that to be true.”
“Then I suppose it would be a great disappointment to you if I proved myself by returning this evening to try to make it up to you?”
Claire sighed. “I might not hate that.”
“With such a ringing endorsement, how could I possibly resist?” Then before Claire could offer more in the way of comebacks, Pip caught hold of her chin and kissed her soundly on the mouth. Then they stepped back and glanced over their shoulder to where both Gran and Emma were clearly watching them. “Now go explain that to our audience.”
“Ugh. Remember you promised me a real, honest good-bye.”
“And you will get one, but not today, because I will see you tonight after you have cleared up all the questions waiting for you inside.”
Claire shook her heard. “You are the worst.”
Pip laughed as they got back in the Rover. “And you like that about me.”
She didn’t argue, and she didn’t quite manage to hold in a small smile as she turned to face the music.
Emma and Gran both managed to look busy as she opened the door. The kettle gurgled in the kitchen while Emma set out the scones on the tiny table, along with some jam and clotted cream.
“I can’t stay long, love,” Gran said, bustling in with two teacups. “Your grandfather has a doctor’s appointment up in Newpeth at nine. Spill the beans quickly.”
“I’m not sure I have any beans to spill.”
“Bollocks.”
“Gran!”
“What? I might have been born in the dark, but it wasn’t last night. You don’t show up this early in an evening dress without having been out all night, and you don’t stay out all night with someone like Lady Mulgrave unless you’re up to no good.”
Her face flamed, but before she could even consider a rebuttal, Gran continued.
“And don’t get me wrong. I’ve no objections to a young woman having a bit of fun, and I never wanted you to be all on your own. I’m glad you’ve found someone your own age who’s awfully easy on the eyes.” Gran turned to Emma with an am I right? kind of expression.
Emma nodded in agreement. “Almost ridiculously pretty, or handsome maybe, but yes.”
“Okay, what’s the point, then? Pip and I went to dinner in Edinburgh and had such a good time we decided to spend the night. Doesn’t that constitute a little fun?”
“The point is . . .” Her gran drew out an exasperated pause as only a grandmother could. “I want to make sure you understand that a little bit of fun is all it can ever be.”
The words hit her square in the chest.
“You grew up in America. You don’t understand how things work over here, but there’s a way things are done, and someone with a title and castle, and a square jaw and dimpled chin, isn’t going to stick around the likes of Amberwick indefinitely.”
“I know.”
“And the Mulgrave clan won’t accept a poor artist into the upper echelons with anything other than animosity.”
“I know,” she said a little more forcefully.
“And it’s all for the best anyway,” Gran clucked. “Even if you did manage to win Pip over for long enough to make her forget the rules, you’d only end up with heartbreak on your hands.”
“I won’t,” she said over the wild rush of her own pulse in her ears. “Pip and I are having a good time, but we’re just having fun.”
“Good.” Gran patted her arm and kissed her cheek. “Because that girl is too good-looking to ever be faithful.”
And then her lovely little old gran tottled out the door, leaving her big knife stuck right between Claire’s ribs.
Emma must have seen it because she placed an arm around Claire’s shoulders and eased her into the chair. “I’ll get the tea.”
She sat very still, trying to breathe evenly and not think at all as her friend bustled about, pouring tea and plating the scones. “Thanks.”
Emma sat opposite her. “I’m happy to do it, and thrilled at my timing. I suspect I picked exactly the right morning to pop in.”
She smiled weakly.
“I’d been meaning to stop by all week, but if I’d showed up three days ago, I get the sense I wouldn’t have had nearly as much gossip to catch up on.”
“No, you definitely wouldn’t,” Claire admitted. “Despite what it may look like, Pip and I didn’t just fall into bed.”
“So last night . . .?”
“No, last night we totally fell into bed, but that was the first time.”
“Oh wow. You didn’t get much time to process before your grandmother jumped all over you.”
Claire laughed, but the sound came across as more tired than humorous. “No, she’s got a real knack for dropping truth bombs at the worst moments.”
“Yes, I’ve met her. She’s not one for beating around the bush, but I’m wondering after seeing you and Pip together on the boat and then this morning if Diane’s little bomb was actually the truth.”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t want to pry . . .” Emma paused to spread some cream on her scone. “And I know when you two met you intended to keep things casual. But, from where I’m sitting, it looks as though there might be more between you.”
“Oh no.” Claire quickly jammed a scone in her mouth before doctoring it.
“Okay,” Emma said.
“I mean, I’ve been impressed with them in a few ways I didn’t anticipate.”
Emma nodded.
“They have more going on underneath those good looks, like there’s a soft side there, and a lot more introspection than you’d expect for someone so steeped in privilege. And a self-deprecating sense of humour, like they get how good-looking they are and how suave they can be, but they also know when they are full of it, which is endearing.”
Emma smiled. “Yes, sounds casual.”
Claire groaned. “I might be in a little deeper than I initially wanted.”
“Because of last night?”
“Last night didn’t help. The sex was amazing, which I suppose shouldn’t come as a shock since Pip has likely had more practice in that area than the average human.”
“So, all the hype then?”
“Totally founded. They’re passionate and skilled, and when they look at me with those eyes, it’s something more.” She didn’t know how to explain without going into the vulnerability she’d seen in Pip last night, and she didn’t want to break their trust or turn it into tawdry gossip, but she also didn’t know how to process the emotions it sparked in her. Pip set the bar high and then hurdled it by staying so completely present even when Claire clearly deviated from the script. They brought all the sex appeal anyone could ever imagine to the experience, but they didn’t stop there, and maybe if they had, Claire could’ve been more convincing in her continued assertion of their casualness, but certain parts of last night didn’t feel casual.
She glanced up from stirring her tea to see Emma eyeing her intently. “I notice you’re using they/them pronouns.”
“Leave it to the writer.” She shook her head. “I don’t know what the final verdict will be. We’re sort of trying it on.”
“I like that,” Emma said. “I actually like so many things about the two of you together.”
“I do, too,” Claire admitted. Then, with a tired sigh, she added, “but my Gran’s not wrong. Pip and I come from completely different worlds.”
“I don’t disagree, and she’s likely right about Pip’s family, too. I’ve spent enough time around Vic and Sophia to know these nobility types are harder to break away from than the mafia.”
