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‘Thank you.’ Aiden squeezed her a little tighter. ‘So, what is the process?’

‘Usually a couple of appointments – one of which is counselling to make sure you’ve considered the ramifications of being tested, and the results. Then it’s just a blood test, and a couple of weeks’ wait for the results.’

‘Just.’ He shook his head. ‘Will you do it?’

‘No. But I’ll hold your hand. How’s that?’

He laced his fingers through hers. ‘That’s pretty good. I’ll call them.’

‘OK. If that’s what you want. I’ll support you whatever you decide.’

‘It’s the last thing I want to do. But I think I need to.’ She felt, rather than heard or saw, the deep breath he took. ‘Is it OK if I tell you I need you too?’

The vulnerability in his eyes when she looked up was adorable. ‘Yes. You can definitely tell me that.’

He caught her face between his hands and held her there, his lips scant inches from hers. ‘I decided something else, by the way.’

‘You did?’ Her voice was a lot more breathless than it had been a few seconds earlier.

‘Yeah.’ He didn’t move, just looked into her eyes. ‘You definitely don’t owe me an apology. If anything, I owe you one, because I should never, ever have let you walk away from me without telling you how I feel about you.’

She swallowed hard as his thumb started to trace a pattern between her cheek and lips.

‘And I need you to tell me your name. Because the first time I tell you, I want to do it right. Tell me your name, Princess.’

‘Do you…?’ She had to pause to wet her lips, and the way his gaze dropped before flicking back up to her eyes made her shiver agreeably. ‘There was a bit of a fad, years ago, for naming babies after where they were conceived. Do you remember it?’

‘Uh-huh.’ His fingers had obviously got jealous of his thumb and started their own quest, stroking tiny, maddening movements on her neck, curling and whispering against the sensitive skin beneath her ear.

‘Well, my parents swear I was a honeymoon baby.’ The way his fingers were moving, and how his gaze still held hers made it difficult for her to focus on anything but him.

‘And where did your parents honeymoon?’

‘Miami.’

‘Hello, Miami. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you this sooner, but I love you too.’ He brushed his lips against hers, making her pulse rocket and breath come even faster as his magic ricocheted through her. ‘Completely, madly and besottedly. And with total amazement that you feel the same. Wow, that feels so good to say. I love you.’ He laughed and she wrapped her arms tightly round his waist. He buried his hands in her hair and held her tightly against him for long, long minutes.

Eventually, Mia broke the silence. ‘It’s been one hell of a day, Aiden. We could skip the drinks and go to bed?’

‘I doubt I’ll be able to sleep. Even my Sandman’s Brew isn’t strong enough to hush what’s going on in my mind. Especially away from Hudsbury.’ He dropped a kiss on her forehead. ‘But you should.’

‘Aiden, your mum is in the best place possible. She’s injured, yes, and is going to need recovery time and help – but she will recover from this. I promise.’

‘Thanks.’ He didn’t move.

‘Come to bed with me.’ She looked up at him.

‘Princess…’

‘I know what you’re going to say. Your mind’s still racing too much to sleep. But I also know you spent years using sex as a way to lose yourself and forget about the things bothering you. So come to bed, and let me look after you.’ She kissed him, sweetly at first, then with more heat, dragging her teeth against his bottom lip in the way that always made him moan. She stroked her fingers over his cheek and down his chin, enjoying the prickle of his beard against her fingertips. ‘I promise to do my best to take your mind off things, if that’s what you want.’

‘I told you, I’m not doing that any more. I wouldn’t ever use you like that.’

‘I know you wouldn’t.’ Mia felt another rush of love for him and stroked his cheek once more before pulling away and heading to the hallway. She paused halfway up the stairs – just long enough to peel off her T-shirt and throw it back down. ‘But I wouldn’t exactly call it a hardship… having sex with my very gorgeous boyfriend, who’s in love with me. Frankly, I need to relax too, and I’m going to have a very enjoyable, relaxing time very shortly. It’s up to you whether it’s with or without you.’

Seconds later his footsteps thumped on the stairs behind her. ‘You’re a bad woman, you know that?’

‘I do.’ She leaned over the top of the banister to grin at him from the landing, completely unrepentant. ‘Isn’t that one of the reasons you love me?’