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She nods then glances around the room as though capturing a mental snapshot of it. She has one last look out the window, taking in the view of the castle, then comes over to me by the door.

“After we spent all day yesterday at the book event, it’ll be really nice to do some touristy things around the city with you today.” She smiles. “Let’s not head back to Bannock till late, all right? You hardly ever get a weekend off, so let’s make the most of it.”

I grin back at her. “That sounds perfect.” I’m more than happy to spend as much time with her as I can.

“Oh, and just before we go . . .” She places her hands on my chest, rises onto her tiptoes, and kisses me.

At first, the unexpectedness of it freezes me to the spot, but then elation floods through me. For the longest time, I wasn’t sure I’d ever kiss Iona again, but now it’s finally happening. Her lips are so soft, and their warmth feels like coming home.

Dropping the bags, I cup her face, gently stroking her cheeks with my thumbs. Her hands slide up to my neck, her fingers weaving into my hair. I press my lips more firmly against hers, and she responds by pushing me against the door. A laugh escapes me even as our lips remain pressed together, but this quickly morphs into a groan when her mouth opens, giving me an invitation I can’t refuse.

My heart racing, I deepen the kiss. Our tongues dance, and a symphony of moans and breathy whispers fills the air. Our kiss becomes hungry, fervent, years of suppressed emotions pouring out like water through a burst dam.

I draw her closer to me, the soft curves of her body moulding against mine. Her hands continue exploring, her fingers scraping lightly along my scalp, sending shivers down my spine. Through our clothes, I feel the heat radiating from her skin.

A surge of arousal rushes through me, and my cock hardens, pressing insistently against the denim of my jeans. The friction is both torturous and delicious. It makes me want more—no, need more.

My hands slide from her face down to her waist, then lower still, gripping her hips and pulling her even more tightly against me. She gasps into my mouth when she feels my hardness, and then a breathy giggle escapes her lips. She moves against me, rocking from side to side in a rhythm that sends shock waves through my entire body.

The tension between us builds to a fever pitch. Every movement, every touch, is amplified and significant. When we finally break apart, we’re both panting and flustered. I grin down at her, admiring her flushed cheeks and pink kiss-swollen lips.

I return one of my hands to her face, gently brushing her cheek, while my other remains on her hip, holding her firmly against me.

“Iona, this means the world to me.” My voice wavers, rough with both emotion and desire. My words may be clichéd, but they’re the truth. I wasn’t sure I’d ever win her back, nor did I believe my life could be complete without her. For us to be taking this step . . . it means everything.

Aye, we’ve maybe not done things in the most conventional order. Some couples might have kissed before they did what we got up to last night. But hey, when we were eighteen, the kiss came first. It’s nice to do things a little differently this time.

Dipping my head to her hair, I inhale deeply, the sweet strawberry scent filling my nostrils.

“When you showered this morning, you didn’t use the shampoo the hotel provided, did you?”

“No.” There’s a hint of surprise in her voice. “I always bring my own. I’ve been using it for years—it works so well for my hair. I’d be so upset if they ever stopped making it.”

“Me too.” I play with a loose lock. “I have a lot of memories associated with that smell.”

I plant a kiss on the nape of her neck. She shivers, and a soft, contented sigh escapes her lips.

“You know, maybe we don’t have to wait years before sleeping with one another,” she says. “I’ve thought about it, and . . . I’ve decided I’m ready now.”

“Fuck, are you sure?”

She rolls her hips in a teasing motion, making me half gasp, half laugh.

“Aye.”

My pulse quickens. My skin tingles with anticipation. “Well, in that case, I guess the only question is . . . your bed or mine? Or shall I push them together to give us a bit more room?” I wiggle my eyebrows.

“Oh, wait a minute!” Iona glances over her shoulder and checks the clock on her bedside table. “Oh no! Have you seen the time? We’ve only got a couple of minutes to check out. We’ll have to take a rain check.” She feigns a pout, but her eyes twinkle mischievously.

“Iona, whatever the fine is for checking out late, I’ll pay it.”

“No, we can’t do that. As everyone knows, I’m a bit of a goody two-shoes. I don’t want to be fined.”

“Bollocks! A goody two-shoes? You’re anything but, and I love it.”

“Okay, but you’re a hotel manager. Imagine how hypocritical it would be if you were to be late for checkout when you expect your own guests to leave promptly. No, that wouldn’t do at all. We’ll just have to have sex another time.”

“You like teasing me too much,” I say gruffly. “You deliberately waited until we didn’t have any time left, didn’t you?”