Page 72 of The Mismatch

‘I’m sorry if it’s come across like that.’ He moved his body slightly away from her. ‘I didn’t mean – I never wanted you to think … I’m sorry.’

‘I don’t want you to apologise, I just want you to …’ She paused, unable to say the words again. ‘You know.’

‘Can’t we just cuddle for now?’ He moved closer, kissed her head again.

‘Don’t you find me attractive?’

Another groan. ‘Obviously I do, Soraya. Do you know how many times I’ve gotten a hard-on in public just from you giving me a peck on the lips?’ He let out a small laugh.

Unsure what possessed her, Soraya sat up straighter and positioned herself so she was straddling him. She could feelhimand it both frightened and thrilled her.

He placed his hands on her lower back, holding her there.

She leant down to kiss him, and the kiss was surprisingly deep, his tongue stroking hers as she ground against him.

She worked her way to removing his top, exposing his chiselled torso. But then she stopped kissing him suddenly and just sat staring at his chest.

‘What’s going on?’ he asked.

‘I don’t get why you’re with me.’

Magnus let out a frustrated sigh. ‘What do you mean? Why are you saying this now?’

‘You’re … you. I mean, you’re hot, smart, and well, no offence, butnormal. And I’m a mess …’

He caught her chin with his hand and brought her face down close to his.

‘You’re gorgeous, intelligent, interesting, funny, sexy,’ he said. ‘Maybe I should be asking you why you’re withme?’

The combination of him pressed against her and his words made her nipples harden. Magnus noticed this and looked her directly in the eyes. His hand held the bottom of her T-shirt and she nodded, allowing him to lift it off. He pulled her down and drew his mouth to her nipple. She groaned in response.

‘The sounds you make … I could literally come just from hearing you moan.’

She breathed deeply.

After a few minutes he spoke. ‘Are you going to tell me why you have a black eye?’

It was like he had thrown a bucket of ice-cold water over her. ‘Magnus, now isn’t the time.’

He rolled her over so he was on top of her. His legs straddled her. Her bare chest exposed at this angle made her self-conscious, so she crossed her arms.

‘I can’t … I can’t do this with you whilst this is all spinning in my head, Soraya.’

‘But surely this is more fun than talking?’

‘It’s very,veryfun.’ His eyes darkened a tad. ‘But I need to know what’s going on – why did you lie about being inBrighton? What happened to you?’ He touched her bruised face.

‘It’s too long to explain.’

‘We have all night.’

‘I don’t feel comfortable talking about it.’

‘Soraya, I’m supposed to be your …’ It sounded like he was going to say ‘boyfriend’ but stopped himself. ‘You know. But you don’t tell me anything. Don’t you trust me?’

She sighed and didn’t know where to look. ‘My dad,’ she said, and then stopped talking, breathing deeply. Magnus’s gaze was hard, pensive. She didn’t know if she could say it. Her mouth felt gluey, her body impossibly warm and clammy. ‘They saw the picture you posted of me at that pub.’

There was a short silence.