Thinking of You by Jill Mansell Read Free Book Online Page B

the two of them together. While he and Caro had been a couple, their attitude had always been… well, not stand-offish exactly, but distant. Now, taking a sip of wine, she realized he was showing definite signs of improvement. Wait until she told Lucy that super-posh Rupert might actually be human after all.
    Actually, better text Lucy and tell her she was giving the party a miss.
    By half-past one they’d finished two bottles of wine. Gangs of New York wouldn’t have been Jem’s DVD of choice, but the food more than compensated. When the film ended, Rupert said, “Want to watch The Office next?”
    â€œOoh yes.” Relaxed and pleasantly fuzzy, she beamed up at him. “You know what? I’m really glad I stayed in.”
    â€œAll the best people do it. Unlike that rabble,” said Rupert of a group of noisy revelers making their way along the road outside. “Listen to them, bunch of tossers.” Raising his voice, he repeated loudly, “ Tossers .”
    Jem giggled. “I don’t think they can hear you.”
    Rupert leaped up from the sofa and crossed the room. Flinging open the sash window, he bellowed, “TOSSERS!”
    A chorus of shouting greeted this observation. Whistles and insults were flung up at him and a beer can made a tinny sound as it bounced off a wall.
    â€œClose the window,” Jem protested as cold air blasted through the room.
    â€œAre you kidding? They tried to throw a beer can at me.” Casting around the living room, Rupert searched for something to throw in return.
    â€œNo bottles.” Jem swiftly grabbed the empty wine bottle before he could reach it. Then she let out a shriek as he snatched up her boots and flung the first one out of the window. “Not my boots!”
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Chapter 7
    â€œWankers,” yelled Rupert, hurling the second boot before she could stop him, then slamming the window shut.
    â€œAre you mad? Go and get them back! They’re my boots.”
    â€œCorrection. They’re horrible boots.” Amused, he reached out and grasped Jem’s arms as she attempted to dart past him. “And it’s too late now; they’ve run off with them.”
    â€œYou bastard! How dare you?”
    â€œHey, shhh, they’ve served their purpose. I’ll buy you a new pair.”
    â€œThat was the last pair in the shop!” Jem struggled to break free.
    â€œAnd they were cheap and nasty. You deserve better than that. I’ll buy you some decent boots.” Rupert was laughing now. “Now there’s an offer you can’t turn down. OK, I’m sorry, maybe I shouldn’t have just grabbed them like that, but I’ve done you a big favor. We’ll go out tomorrow and find you a fabulous pair. That’s a promise.”
    Jem stared past him, lost for words. Her beautiful pointy pink cowboy boots, the bargain boots she’d been so proud of, gone, just like that.
    Had they really been cheap and nasty? Davy had said they looked nice.
    Then again, Davy wasn’t exactly known for his unerring sense of style.
    â€œCome on.” Rupert tilted her face up to look at him. “You know it makes sense.” His gaze softened as he stroked her cheek. “God, you’re a pretty little thing.”
    Jem knew he was going to kiss her. This wasn’t something she had ever imagined happening. But now that it was, it seemed entirely natural. As his mouth brushed against hers, she felt warmth spread through her body. Rupert’s fingers slid through her hair, then he drew her closer to him and kissed her properly.
    It was great. Then he pulled away and cradled her face in his hands, his hazel eyes searching hers.
    â€œWhat?” whispered Jem.
    â€œSorry, shouldn’t have done that.” He smiled briefly. “I just couldn’t help myself.”
    Jem hesitated. Would it be too forward to suggest that he could do it again if he liked?
    But Rupert was shaking his