Toni gave an over the top gasp and jogged around in front of him, forcing Scott to look down at her when he replied.
‘Wait just one minute. You can paint? When were you planning to reveal this secret skill? Or was it going to be a surprise?’
‘Wax crayons and coloured pencils are my media of choice. So vibrant, you know.’
‘Seriously?’
He looked at her for a split second, still laughing. ‘Not a bit. I like technical drawing. Black lines using a straight-edge ruler and circles made from saucers and plates. Now that I am computerised, the survey company allow me to colour in the big bits but only when it’s not important. They can always correct it later.’
Now it was Toni’s turn to laugh, before she thumped him gently on the arm.
‘You might have warned me this afternoon that we would be coming back here tonight! I spent ages choosing something smart to wear for my posh birthday dinner. I should have guessed that you would choose a restaurant close to home. Research—so important.’
‘Absolutely. Which is why I’m taking you somewhere very, very exclusive. Think of it as your birthday present.’
‘Exclusive! I like the sound of that. Even if I wasn’t expecting a present. Is it very far?’
He smiled, and surprised her by sliding around behind her so that his arms were wrapped around her waist, holding her tight against him. She felt the pressure of his head against the side of her face as he dropped his chin on to her shoulder, lifted his left arm and pointed.
She pretended not to notice as his fingertips gently moved against her skin to flick the imaginary ends of her hair back over the collar of her wool coat, which was being warmed by Scott’s hot body.
‘For one night only, Elstrom Mapping has become Elstrom Fine Dining.’
‘We’re eating here! Wait a minute,’ she said and tried to turn around to face him but the wall of muscle wouldn’t move an inch. ‘I asked for hot food and a tablecloth. Cutlery would be nice too.’
He brushed his stubbly cheek next to her throat so that when he spoke the words were whispered, hot and moist, in her ear. ‘The way I want to kiss you right now might get us arrested. Especially when I have something hot and spicy waiting inside. Would you like to find out more? Was that a nod? Excellent. Let’s go, birthday girl.’
* * *
Ten minutes later, Toni was starting to reconsider whether this was such a good idea after all.
‘You didn’t mention that walking upstairs wearing a blindfold would be involved,’ she giggled. ‘I hope you don’t think that my birthday party was my usual kind of social event. Please, tell me where I’m going. If fluffy handcuffs come out I may run.’
Or perhaps not. But she didn’t want Scott to know that!
His reply was a truly filthy low chuckle and he took even tighter hold of her waist and pulled her closer to him.
‘That would spoil the surprise.’
He kissed her quickly on the top of the head, which made her giggle even louder. ‘Get ready,’ he whispered and their steps slowed. ‘We’ve arrived.’
She felt him stretch forward and suddenly a very cold breeze whirled around her legs. Even the warmth of Scott’s body pressed along her side couldn’t block out that icy blast.
Toni took a tight hold of her bag but gripped Scott’s hand tighter.
‘Is this going to be an igloo-style dining experience? Because I have to tell you that I left my thermals back at the house.’
‘Glad to hear it. Stay close. You’ll be fine, trust me.’
One final squeeze of her hand and she took a step forward and cuddled even closer to Scott. Trust him! If he was planning to make her get up close and personal he was certainly doing a good job. It was freezing!
‘Promise not to peek for ten more seconds,’ Scott murmured and she could feel the heat of his breath against her neck and then the gentle tug of the ribbon covering her eyes being untied at the back and lifted away.
She carefully half opened one eye and then instantly blinked and stared in amazement, her eyes scarcely able to take in what she was looking at.
They were standing on a rooftop terrace with panoramic views across the London skyline. All the lights of the tall buildings and the winding curve of the River Thames were laid out in front of her on this clear, cold frosty night.
Every light twinkled and gleamed as though it had been polished diamond-bright just for her. And above her every star in the heavens was clear and sharp against the dark night sky, with only a faint glow from the city below.
It was as though she had been transported to her own personal roof garden overlooking London.
Scott took a step closer to an elaborate wrought iron railing and they stood side by side for a second, their breaths hot and fast and making faint clouds of mist in the cold air.
‘Oh, Scott,’ was all she managed to say, one hand pressed against her throat and the other still clutching on to his arm.
‘Happy birthday, Antonia.’ He smiled and wrapped his arm around her shoulders and hugged her. ‘Happy birthday.’
* * *
Scott grinned down at Toni, who was standing next to him with a totally shocked look on her face, and was rewarded with a stunning smile that seemed to reach into his heart and unlock the heavy metal gates that he had constructed since Alexa.
There wasn’t a hint of artifice or pretence in this girl’s smile and everything he had been through to make this evening possible suddenly seemed a small price to pay.
‘Hey, birthday girl. Let’s get you out of the cold.’
Holding tightly on to Toni’s waist, he nudged her back towards the door and heard her gasp of delight.
‘What? I cannot believe it.’ She laughed up into his face and then looked back to the enclosed conservatory area of the roof garden, where he had set up his father’s simple bistro table for dinner for two.
Electric lamps flickered on each wall, there were candles on the table and a blast of warm air welcomed them the second they stepped inside.
‘My dad isn’t too keen on the cold so he built this extension from his third floor flat out on to our roof garden when we were kids. We can be out of the wind here but still get the view.’
‘Oh, wait until I tell Amy about this place.’ Toni chuckled as Scott guided her into the half glass conservatory. ‘It is actually warm and cosy. In fact I’m thinking of moving in. I love it. Want to make a trade?’
‘Not quite. I have two heaters on full power just for you. And. Hot. Food.’
Scott guided Toni to her chair and watched her eyes pop with delight at the hot tray he had plugged in before he’d set out.
It only took a moment to pour her a glass of red wine and then one for himself.
‘How about a toast? To lamb tagine and rice, made by the brilliant Moroccan restaurant down the street. A decent French red from the cellar. And good company. Cheers.’
‘Good company,’ Toni breathed as they touched wine glasses and then she took a sip and closed her eyes in pleasure as she savoured the wine. ‘That’s wonderful. In fact—’ she gazed around the conservatory, taking in the tiny sofa for one and the bookcases and plants ‘—this is all wonderful. When you do exclusive, you do it in style, Mr Elstrom. I approve.’
‘Then my work is done,’ he said, smiling. ‘I’m pleased you like it. The roof garden used to be one of my favourite places, even before this conservatory was built. There were fewer skyscraper buildings then and the stars seemed brighter somehow.’