Chapter 10

December 25th

7:25 p.m.

My gaze returned to my phone screen for the fiftieth time in an hour. Ryan had texted me, as promised, first thing this morning, to say he was on his way. I'd had another text later in the morning when he'd arrived at his parents' house to say that he'd arrived, and he was hoping he could escape his relatives when his family duties were over so we could meet up. Since then, there'd been nothing. I kept telling myself not to be so impatient and selfish, that it was Christmas and family time was important, but it was so fucking hard when I craved him so badly. Now I'd finally had a taste of him, all I wanted was more.

Finally, finally, my phone buzzed, and I snatched it up, almost knocking over my mum's glass of Bristol Cream sherry in my haste. "Sorry," I muttered, attempting to calm myself, but she just smiled, patting my knee, before returning her attention to the TV screen where Love Actually was playing.

I opened my notifications and hit Ryan's name, right at the top of the list.

Ryan:

I need to see you. Do you think you'll be able to get away?

Me:

YES

Ryan:

*laughing emoji* Did you miss me or are you just fed up with your relatives?

Me:

The first one

Ryan:

Me too

Fuck. Why is it like this already? We only just found each other again

Found each other again. Like we'd been lost, which, in a way, I guess we had been.

Me:

I don't know, but I don't want to stop x

Ryan:

Me neither x

"Awww. You're really into each other, aren't you?"

My head shot around to see my sister leaning over the back of the sofa, unashamedly reading the messages on my screen.

"Hey! That's private!" Shielding my phone with my hand, I shot her a betrayed look, and she laughed.

"I didn't actually read your messages. Don't worry. I just saw Ryan's name pop up." She bent her head, lowering her voice. "I've noticed that you've been staring at your phone all day, even when we were opening presents. Nothing normally drags your attention away from presents. Why don't you go and see him?"

"What about Mum and Dad?"

She shrugged. "I think they'll be fine with it. We've spent most of yesterday and today with them. I'm sure Mum said something about her and Dad going next door for a nightcap in a bit, anyway. Take the opportunity and go. I would."

"Yeah." I nodded, then nodded again. "Okay."

Picking up my phone, I sent another text.

Me:

Ready when you are

Ryan:

Now. I'll come and pick you up. I want to drive home and spend the rest of Christmas with you in my bed

Fuck. His words sent a jolt of heat straight to my cock, and I shifted in my seat, uncomfortably aware of my parents' presence.

Me:

Yesss. I'll grab my stuff now

Ryan:

OMW x

I stood, stretching. "Mum, Dad. I'm going to see Ryan now. We, uh, might head back to London tonight."

My mum smiled at me. "I'm glad you boys reconnected."

I returned her smile. "Me too."

Packing up my stuff as quickly as I could, followed by goodbyes to my parents, Olivia, and Luke and promises to call them, I was finally ready to leave. As soon as a set of headlights swung into the cul-de-sac, I threw open the front door.

The car came to a stop at the end of my parents' driveway, and the driver's door opened. Ryan appeared, a gorgeous smile lighting up his face as he strode towards me. As soon as he was within touching distance, he wrapped me in his arms, his mouth coming down on mine.

"Hi," he whispered against my lips when we finally broke apart.

"Hi." I kissed him again because now I could. How did I get to be so lucky?

"Ready to go?" Releasing me, he hefted the bag containing my Christmas presents over his shoulder. Scooping up my duffel bag, I followed him to the boot, where we stowed the bags.

As I turned my head back towards the house, I caught my entire nosy family blatantly watching Ryan and me through the front windows, my mum nudging Olivia and gesturing wildly with her hands while Luke stood there smirking, and my dad watched us with a small smile on his face.

I knew there would be questions from them. But as I turned back to Ryan, meeting his soft, affectionate gaze, I knew I'd suffer through a hundred interrogations from my family if it meant I got to be with him.

Leaning forwards, he brushed a soft, fleeting kiss across my lips.

"Let's go home," he said.