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She looks up at me, smiles, and wets her bottom lip.

No sex doesn’t mean no kiss, I tell myself.

I lean in, taking my time, one hand at the side of her neck, my thumb along her jaw. She goes soft under my mouth. She tastes of wine and chocolate.

When I start to draw back, her fist closes in my shirt and keeps me where I am.

“Ryan,” she says against my mouth.

“Aye?”

“You did hear me back at the restaurant, didn’t you? When I said I sometimes eat sausage. Because I was thinking…”

Jesus Christ.

I’m delighted. I’m in agony. Both at once.

“Briony Sinclair,” I say. “Behave yourself.”

It would carry a lot more authority if I didn’t have to adjust myself as I say it. Briony notices.

“Ryan Sloan,” she teases. “Are you getting hard?”

“If you start talking about eating sausage, of course my cock is gonnae perk its head up and try to get your attention.” I rest my forehead against hers. “And there’s folk who think you’re a sweet wee florist.”

She chuckles, sounding rather pleased with herself.

“Well, then.” Her hand smooths down my shirt. “If you want to, and I want to, can’t we just forget our agreement not to have sex?”

“No, Briony.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’ve had a couple of sangrias.” With extraordinary effort, I take her hand and lift it from my shirt.

“I’ll have you know I’m still in full possession of my faculties.”

“Aye, well, be that as it may, we’re sticking to the agreement we made before you had any sangrias.”

She pouts. “Ugh, fine. Well, at the very least, could you show it to me?”

“Show you…my dick?”

“Yes. Just so I’ve got something to think about when I go inside and use my vibrator.”

I close my eyes. Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck. My cock is straining against my fly now.

“You’re a menace.”

“Is that a no?”

“Of course it’s a no.” I step back from her. “I told you I could keep it in my pants, and I intend to prove it.”

Her gaze drops to my crotch and lingers there. “Spoilsport.”

But she unlocks her door, which is just as well because I don’t know how much longer I could hold out. She gives me one last look, then heads into her flat and closes her door behind her.

I head upstairs with one image stuck in my head: Briony using her vibrator while thinking of my dick. Which is ironic because I’ll soon have my dick in my hand while thinking of Briony using her vibrator.