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Okay, I’m not sure if my sweet florist neighbour meant that as a threat, but when a lassie says something like that while she’s literally got your balls in the palm of her hand, it’s enough to send a shiver down the spine of even the toughest man.

“Briony,” I begin, then decide this conversation might be easier if my balls aren’t in her hand. Carefully I peel her fingers from my sack, then, for good measure, tug my boxers back up. She pouts, bottom lip out, like I’m spoiling all the fun by putting my cock away.

“Just for a moment,” I tell her. “Because I want you to focus on what I’m saying to you. All right?”

She looks up at me and gives a small nod.

“Great.” Christ, where to begin? Fuck it, I may as well just come out with it. “I like you, Briony. More than I’ve ever liked any lassie.”

The playful look drops from her face, and her eyes widen slightly.

“Earlier, I was upstairs pacing and checking the time every few minutes because I couldnae wait to come down and see you again. So…aye. That’s where I’m at. And to be clear, it’s no just that I fancy you, though obviously I do. As you’ve already pointed out—” I gesture to my dick. Putting it back in my boxers has done precisely fuck all to make my boner less obvious. “I think we can both see I fancy you, right?”

Briony lets out a small laugh. “Mm-hmm. Your body is making your position on that quite clear.”

“Right. So, aye, I fancy you, but I also like spending time wi’ you, flower girl. Am I looking to ‘hit it and quit it’? Naw, course I’m no. But you need to know what you’re getting into wi’ me.”

I take a breath. I’m not used to speeches like this, and my mouth has gone dry, which is fucking inconvenient.

“I’m intense, Briony. About training. About what I eat, how I look after myself. About my career and being the best. Some people might even call me obsessive, and they’d probably be right. Because when something matters to me, I’m no very good at taking it lightly. And you matter to me, Briony.”

I take her hand and give it a squeeze. “If you want to be my girlfriend, then trust me, I’m all in. But I really do mean all in. You need to be sure that’s what you want, because I don’t think I have a halfway setting.”

“Oh, that’s a tough one.” She taps her chin. “Let me think it over. Can I tolerate a six-foot-whatever obsessive MMA fighter being completely devoted to me? Hmm…yeah, I think I’ll manage.”

“Aye?”

“Of course.” Her expression softens. “I know what you’re like, Ryan. And I like you exactly as you are.”

“You’re sure?”

“I’m sure. So I’m your girlfriend now?”

I nod. I’ve never had a girlfriend before.

“Well, boyfriend, I think I’ve been very patient. But now…” She reaches for my waistband and is hooking her fingers into it when I catch her hand.

“Oi! I’d like to see your penis again, thank you very much.”

Grinning, I release her hand, get to my feet, and step out of the jeans pooled around my ankles. Then I scoop her off the sofa, one arm behind her back and the other beneath her knees. She gives a startled laugh and catches hold of my shoulders.

“You want to see my cock, eh? That can be arranged. But first, where’s your bedroom?”

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

BRIONY

Ryan lays me on my bed, then straightens and looks down at me. His eyes travel over me slowly. My hair is spread across the pillow, and my dress has ridden halfway up my thighs.

“Look at you,” he says. “Fucking gorgeous. But you’d look even better wi’ nothing on.”

I prop myself up on my elbows. “So would you.”

He grins, reaches behind his head, and pulls his T-shirt off in one movement, then tosses it aside. My gaze drops expectantly to his boxers, but instead of taking them off, he kneels on the bed and reaches for the top button of my dress.

He undoes it, then bends and presses his lips to the skin beneath it. Then the second button. Another kiss.

“Ryan. Your boxers.”