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‘Now you are being silly.’ She laughed. ‘You’ve kissed me plenty before – and more. You don’t need to ask to kiss me now.’

Aiden stepped towards her, crowding her between the door and himself. ‘I kiss your fingers, your cheeks, your forehead… and I kiss you in greeting. And I’ve kissed you for fun and play. But I’ve never kissed you the way I want to right now.’

‘And how’s that?’

‘Differently. The proper first kiss every romance deserves. Please can I show you?’

Mia’s heart thudded in her chest, and her lungs seemed to forget how to work, leaving her breathless as she nodded. ‘Yes. Please.’

One hand slipped around her waist, pulling her close, and the other stroked her cheek gently, and his thumb traced the outline of her lips.

Her eyes fluttered shut. It was too much, and at the same time not even close to enough. She felt his breath against her skin a second before his lips met hers with surprising gentleness. She was used to his kisses being hot and hungry – often rough and demanding – but this? It was sweet and soft and gentle – almost possessive as he eased his lips over hers, carefully at first, then with more pressure as he teased her lips apart with his tongue. His fingers tightened at her waist and she pressed more tightly against him, savouring his warmth and the sweetness of the moment as he invaded her senses like warm honey, and fireworks exploded behind her eyelids. It was hot. Mind-blowing. Life-changing. And pure, utter magic.

When Aiden hesitated, Mia coiled her hand around his neck and pulled him back to her, losing herself in him for a few seconds more before slowly and reluctantly pulling back.

She exhaled a shaky breath that was part gasp and part delighted giggle. ‘Wow. So that’s what you mean by differently and properly.’

‘Yeah.’ His fingers still stroked her cheek, and she couldn’t have looked away from him if she’d wanted to. His eyes were intense, seeming to glow with the magic from earlier. She had to blink a few times before she realised she wasn’t imagining it.

‘Aiden!’

‘Yeah?’ He seemed a little dazed too.

‘Look around.’

He turned, noticing the magic shimmering in the air around them – a mini aurora of colour and tiny fireworks that silently blossomed and bloomed. ‘Oh wow. I guess that’s what they meant about magic being tied to emotions.’

‘Maybe.’ Mia smiled. ‘But I’m not sure we’re going to be able to keep this… us… secret much longer. I’m assuming others will have seen this?’

‘Probably. But I think I’m OK with that… if you are?’

‘Let them gossip.’ She leaned in to kiss him again. ‘You’re sure you don’t want to come in?’

‘Oh, I really do. But I told you, I’m trying to do better than just fucking you against your hall wall.’

Mia swallowed hard against the memory. ‘Then you better go while I’m still willing to let you. Before I change my mind and drag you in here.’

He shook his head, clearly amused – and tempted. ‘You really are someone quite amazing, Princess.’ He kissed her forehead again.

‘Message me when you get home safely please?’

‘You do realise I’ve spent more time on country roads on my bike than you probably do in your car? You don’t need to worry about me.’

‘I know. But still message me?’

‘OK.’ He tugged his gloves and helmet back on, and waved before riding back down the street, leaving Mia to head inside while pondering how she felt. She lost track of time, trying to figure things out, but smiled when her phone pinged.

I’m back. Thank you for a wonderful evening, Mia.

You put all the effort in. All I did was turn up.

But you being there was what made it special.

Wow. She didn’t really know how to reply to that, so sent a heart emoji.

We’re doing this again soon, right?

I’d really like that.