CHAPTER TWENTY SIX JOHN PAUL
Coming out of the cabin half an hour later, I can't help feeling pretty pleased with myself at what I'd accomplished. Picking the ingredients to the balm had proved simple compared with the task of mixing the various scents together in just the right proportions to make it perfect. Lucky for me, with the expert help of Henna, I'd managed to make a fragrant, cooling balm that could give good old Clinique and Nivea a run for their money.
I nip into the gift shop and pick up a few more bits and pieces that I know Craig will love and then I head back towards Mother Christmas's kitchen. Walking with a spring in my step across the snow covered ground towards the cabin, happily swinging the little gift bag too and fro, I spot Craig coming outside it, head tucked down, his hand fiddling with his coat and then delving in his pocket. I wave, dropping my hand in disappointment when he misses seeing me and turns around to lean casually back against the log fencing instead, radiating laid back nonchalance as he crosses his legs at the ankles.
Walking a little faster, I feel that familiar flurry of excitement in my tummy that I always get upon seeing him. I'm just deciding whether to surprise him by grabbing him through the wooden beams and tickling him or if I should wrap my arms around him and plant a kiss on his neck when I see that the hand I assumed was caressing his throat is actually holding his phone to his ear. Concluding I'm best forfeiting either one of those ways of making my presence known, I slow my steps as I approach him.
CRAIG
Stepping foot outside into the freezing cold after being inside the warmth of the kitchen cabin is like having an iceberg hit me full on but without the actual impact, making me shiver uncontrollably and pull the zipper on my coat closer to my chin. Frowning, wondering how much longer John Paul will be, I take my phone out and check the time, smiling broadly when it coincidentally starts to vibrate in my hand. Turning my back on the crowds behind me, I answer it.
"Gavin, mate...how're you doing?" I laugh lightly, listening as he regales me with his Christmas exploits, replying to the odd question he throws my way. When it feels like I've made small talk for long enough not to sound selfish, I open my mouth to voice the question that I've asked pretty much every day for the last month or so. He gets in there first though, as if he could sense what I'm thinking.
"It's come mate and I opened it like you asked me to" he says quietly. I exhale noisily, the rapid air from my lungs coming out in a steady stream, transforming into thick billowing clouds as the warm moisture hits the atmosphere. Closing my eyes for a second, I try to get my nerves under control.
"And?" I swallow hard, becoming anxious as the seconds seem to tick by endlessly.
"It's sorted, gone through no problems but then...you knew it would" he says, laughing warmly back when I let out a breathless expletive.
"Fuckk" I mean...oh my God! Finally. Pumping my fist to my lips, I can't help grinning to myself. "Honestly mate, I think you're the jammiest bastard I've ever had the fortune of meeting" Gavin continues, chuckling. I'd agree with him, things have been going really well and maybe I have been a bit lucky, what with the success of business and college and stuff but after what've felt like the loneliest three months of my life without John Paul by my side, I can't.
"What's John Paul said then?" he asks eagerly. A couple of weeks ago I never would've expected a question like that from one of my house mates but after the last few weeks, it doesn't come as too much of a surprise, especially as it's Gavin. They're all aware of the situation and how it could change but I think he, more than the others, gets how anxious I've been about all this.
"I haven't told him yet" I reply quietly, pausing as it all sinks in. "I'm going to tell him tomorrow though" I tell him, breathing out the lungs full of air that I hadn't even realised I was holding, barely able to contain the grin that I feel spreading over my features.
"Well yeah, you'll have to, time is running out my friend." He says sarcastically, stating the obvious. "How do you think he'll react?" he asks more seriously.
"React? Honestly? I've no idea". I'd like to be able to tell Gavin that John Paul's over the moon and I bet he'll be ecstatic but the way he's been a bit up and down lately, I'm not so sure. I can't help thinking he's holding something back or has something on his mind. Most of the time he seems fine, more than fine actually but there're just these odd occasions where I feel like his mind is elsewhere, like maybe he's not as happy with me as he used to be. For all I know, he could've decided that he'd rather stay in Hollyoaks with his friends and family after all.
"Oh well, I'm sure you won't be disappointed, not if he's missed seeing your ugly mug as much as you've been pining for him being around" he says, laughing at his own humour. "Anyway, I'd best go, take care Craig, see you when you get back".
"Yeah you too...oh and make sure you've stocked up on milk for when we get back too, I won't be impressed if there is none, especially with most of the shops closed for New Year okay?" he sighs heavily, exaggerated but I know he doesn't mind really.
"Yes boss...jeez Craig, there was me thinking you'd lighten up a bit being around your John Paul...chill out man, everything's running smoothly, we haven't flooded the place and I promise there'll be plenty of milk and even a loaf of bread ready for your return...satisfied?" I laugh at Gavin's attempt to put me in my place.
"Just remember who's..."
"Yeah yeah, whatever" he taunts as he cuts me off, tutting down the line.
"Right well, so long as you know...see you in a couple of days though yeah, and say hello to the others from me". He chuckles and I can just imagine him leaning back against the kitchen work surface, brew in one hand, toast in the other as he rolls his eyes.
"Will do...have fun, oh and Craig?"
"Yeah?"
"Good luck mate, we're all rooting for you" he says, suddenly sincere.
"Cheers Gavin, I might need it". I slide my phone back into place, push myself away from the wooden veranda and glance around sighing, almost dropping it when my eyes connect with the radiant blue ones staring back at me. I feel the familiar warmth I always get when I see John Paul, spread through me, radiating through my body until the cold I'd been feeling until that moment dissipates.
"Hey, I didn't see you there...come here" I say flirtatiously, beckoning him forwards when I incline my head, going down on my knees so I can lean through the wooden logs to grasp his shoulders and kiss him.
He blinks, the frown on his forehead deepening for a second or two before disappearing completely and then he steps forwards, tilting his head back so his lips can meet mine as I grasp the lapels of his coat.
"Hmm". A quiet murmur escapes from me as his lips meet mine softly, the cold pressure soon giving way to heat as they move against mine. Then he gives over to it too, sighing into my mouth, the moist heat coating my tongue as it strokes leisurely against his. It's only when I hear a high pitched shriek nearby that we break apart, my forehead resting against his as I try to level out my breathing. Eventually he pulls back so the only contact is his gloved fingers resting against my cheeks.
"Present for your mum?" I ask, nodding in the direction of the gift bag he's got dangling from his fingers. He glances down as though he's just remembered where he's been, his eyes flying to mine before averting away again.
"What?...oh, yeah...something like that". He shrugs dismissively, his shoulders hunching slightly against the cold as he starts to trudge around the cabin and back up the steps to meet me, his breath whispering across my cheek when I grab his sleeve to stop him passing me and pull him in close, wrapping my arms around him.
"You are going to love what I've done in there" I tell him, grinning. He's been quite a bit longer than I was expecting but that'd given me time to get all the decorating bits together and mix loads of different coloured icings, even going so far as to perfect a silver and gold glitter laced fondant one that was edible. He pulls back and smiles but as I start to back us towards the entrance, he resists.
"Who was on the phone?"
"What?" I turn to him frowning, not exactly getting the response I was expecting. He clears his throat, then gestures towards the place I was standing moments ago when I turned and saw him. "Oh, Gavin" I say laughing, it suddenly dawning on me what he's talking about. His mouth forms into a silent 'o' and I think he's going to drop it but then he asks another question.
"Everything alright? What did he want?" he asks curiously.
"Couldn't be better. He didn't want anything much, he was just bored I think...calling to see if we were having fun" I find myself inadvertently elaborating. "Now then, let me show you what I've been up to while you've been shopping, come on". Taking his hand in mine, I give it a little tug, coaxing him to follow me. He seems reluctant to move at first, which is weird but he eventually follows me, only letting go of my hand long enough to take our outdoor gear off once we're inside. Then I take hold again and lead him towards the table, telling him to close his eyes as we approach.
"Ta dah!" I wave my hand in front of the work unit with a flourish, grinning inanely when his eyes widen in surprise. Then he turns to me chuckling, shaking his head.
"You did this?" he asks dubiously. I roll my eyes as I grab the apron he wore earlier, fastening it once more around his back, my hands lingering a little longer than necessarily on his hips. He moves slightly back until his arse presses lightly against the front of my jeans causing a reaction almost instantaneously. Then he looks back over his shoulder and grins at me, raising his eyebrow suggestively. I glance around, noting most people are tidying away or standing at the sinks washing up, so I thrust forward in response, chuckling lightly when he stumbles forwards as I catch him unawares. My hands grasp more tightly to his hips as he sways back against me once more, his hand coming back to rest gently on the swell of my arse, just for a second before letting go. Then he steps away completely, his eyes finding mine, his mouth curving regretfully into a wry smile.
"Pity we're not alone...imagine the damage we could do to this place" he whispers huskily in my ear, snickering to himself when he sees my eyes widen as I remember the 'damage' we'd done back at the flat in Blackpool the last time we'd prepared food together. Then this really mischievous glint enters his eyes and his lips curl into a really sexy smile as he takes me by the shoulders and moves me to stand beside him. "Unfortunately there're loads of people here so we can't do any damage so..."
"So...?" God, talk about breathy. He hears this, I can tell because his eyes dart to my lips and linger there for a second before meeting mine.
"So we'd best just get these things decorated eh?" he says flippantly, arching his eyebrow at me, clapping and rubbing his hands together with glee. I'm still a bit stunned that he's gone from flirtatious and provocative to...this in a matter of moments, that I can hardly think to acknowledge him. He doesn't seem phased though, he just starts tilting and looking inside the various little dishes I've filled with icing and decorations, like he hadn't just been rubbing himself up against me in the most sensual way possible. Oh well, if he can push his desires to the side for the time being then so can I.
"Right, are you ready for this?...you're gonna be impressed, I'm telling you" I say smugly, reaching around him to grasp the corner of the clean muslin that's covering the gingerbread. "Take a look at these babies...what do you think?" I ask, whipping the cloths away with a flourish. After taking the biscuits from the oven, I'd put them all out on one of the metal racks to cool, the stars, bells, stockings, elves and trees all laid out in neat little rows.
"Wow, they turned out really well...Mr Kipling would be quaking in his boots if he saw these, they're brilliant. Just think..." he says, nudging me lightly in the ribs, "if you can't think of anything else to do, you could always start up your own business making Christmas gingerbreads" he says, chuckling lightly.
"Haha, somehow I think his job's safe...here, try some". I snap a piece of gingerbread from the star that'd broken as I'd transferred it to the cooling rack, swiping the piece of biscuit through the white fondant icing I'd prepared for piping before holding it to his lips. His nostrils flare slightly as he breathes in the mild spicy aroma, his tongue darting out to wet his lips as he parts them to take the tasty morsel. His eyes stay locked on mine, sucking me in like a vortex until the gingerbread touches his bottom lip. Then he closes them, savouring the taste as he takes the biscuit between his teeth. I wait expectantly, my body tightening, my fingers curling around the edge of the metal unit as he elicits a tiny groan of appreciation.
"Oh God, that's better than..." his eyes fly open, locking on mine.
"Sex?" I suggest. He snorts, covering his mouth with his hand as he starts coughing, his eyes watering as a piece of the gingerbread goes down the wrong way. He finally gets his fit under control and pops another piece in his mouth, chewing thoughtfully.
"No...it's good Craig, really good, best gingerbread I've ever tasted" he says suggestively, "but it's no where near as good as sex". He licks the crumbs from his lips, then presses them to mine briefly, smiling as he pulls back. "Nope, definitely not as tasty as you are" he adds gruffly. He swipes his finger through the icing and holds it out to me, his lips parting on a gasp as I take the digit into my mouth and suck it clean. He clears his throat, his eyes darting around, a blush staining his cheeks as it makes it's way up from the collar of his jumper. "Saying that, I wouldn't mind if you wanted to get a copy of the recipe, just in case we ever get chance to make it again...alone" he says, whispering the last part against my ear as he dips his head close.
"And the icing?" He nods his head in agreement. "I reckon I can do that".
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