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Mia nodded. ‘That’s what I’m talking about, yes. And no, I haven’t before, but that’s not stopping me thinking about it – a lot – now.’

‘You know it’s probably just the cookies?’

‘You’re a good baker, Aiden. But I don’t think you’re that good. It’s not like you’ve spelled me!’ She giggled. ‘I just thought it could be fun.’

Oh, he was sure it would be. But he had to check they were on the same page. ‘You’re interested in just sex? And you’re OK with me not being able to offer anything more?’

‘Just sex.’ She nodded. ‘Another… favour… between friends.’

Damn, that was a favour he wanted to give. Or accept. Or both. ‘And you’re good with just fucking and still being friends. Just a mutual scratching of itches.’

She didn’t wince at the deliberately crude word. ‘I’d insist on it. I’m not losing you as a friend, Aiden. Not over a one-off event. However much fun it would be. But I will remind you I’m a healthcare professional. If you have itches in any of those areas, I strongly suggest you book an appointment with one of my colleagues.’

He watched her for a couple of seconds, struggling to keep a straight face before creasing up laughing. He had to cough a couple of times to clear his throat enough to speak. ‘I’ll have you know I’m sensible… I always wrap my banana.’

This time Mia was the one struggling to keep a straight face. ‘Those poor, abused bananas.’

He laughed again before sobering up. ‘Are you serious about this?’

‘No. Not in the least. Isn’t that the whole point?’ The smile she gave him was so hot that it melted through all his arguments and sense to settle low in his stomach.

‘Mia, do you—?’ The shrilling chimes of the shop phone interrupted, and he cursed. ‘Can we come back to this in a minute? Glimmers and Sparkles, Aiden speaking. How can I help?’

After a few minutes that felt like ice ages, Mia stood and brushed off her skirt, waved apologetically and rushed out through the store. Clearly whatever spell had been over them had been broken, which was probably – almost definitely – for the best. Aiden knew his rules were there for a reason, and none of those had changed.

It was definitely for the best.

His phone pinged a few minutes later with a message from Mia. He braced himself mentally before opening it, already planning a heartfelt apology, and scratched at his shoulder blade.

Sorry about the quick exit. I have clinic this afternoon.

That was less bad than he’d expected – and probably deserved. He hesitated in his reply when Mia’s dots reappeared… A local address flashed up on his screen, but nothing more. He watched as the dots appeared then disappeared, then reappeared again, and was running out of patience when the next message pinged through.

My address. In case you wanted to finish our conversation. I usually get home about six on clinic days.

Fucking wow.

Mia sighed as she shut her front door and kicked off her shoes. She checked her phone again… Yup, she really had sent those messages, and she really had had that conversation with Aiden. But his simple reply – See you then – hadn’t told her what he thought of them.

She wasn’t sure if she knew what she thought of them herself, and she’d written them. She shook her head, laughing as she headed through the little kitchen and into the bathroom. She’d just washed her hands to remove her lenses when she heard a knock at her front door. She grinned at herself in the mirror: it was time to let her hair down, both literally – she pulled out the clip that had been holding it up for most of the day – and figuratively.

She ran her fingers through her hair, shaking it out into a wavy mess as she headed back to the front door. A frisson of heat shuddered through her when she saw Aiden’s tall shape shadowing the stained glass, and settled low in her stomach.

‘Hello.’ She felt almost shy. ‘I wasn’t sure if you’d come.’

‘Neither was I,’ he admitted quietly, before flashing a cheeky grin at her. ‘But even if you’re worried your skills are a bit… rusty, I’m confident enough in mine to make sure we both do!’

‘Make sure we both…?’ It took Mia a few moments to work it out, and then laughed before thumping his chest. She let her hand rest where it had landed, thumb rubbing over the leather of his jacket.

‘I’m dreadful, I know.’

‘Maybe a little, but you’re good fun too.’

‘Mia.’ He covered her hand with his, long fingers reaching down to wrap around her wrist. ‘Being totally serious now – I don’t want you to think that I’ve come here with any expectations of you.’

‘Really?’

‘Honestly.’