“Wow, G...this is amazing.”

He chuckled. “I had grander plans, but they didn’t quite work out. This will have to do, I’m afraid.”

Tugging his fingers, I wrenched him to a stop. “This is perfect. I can’t thank you enough.”

Spinning to face me, he met me in the middle of the flax blanket. My skin sparkled as his eyes glowed with lust. My breasts grew heavier and everything inside me awoke, stretched, and liquefied in preparation for whatever he’d planned.

I had no idea what he intended to do. But I was certain of one thing. I wasn’t leaving without pleasuring both of us. We would make love, we would orgasm, and I wouldn’t freak out like last time.

I’ll trust him.

Not being with Galloway would be the biggest mistake of my life.

He was the answer I was supposed to find. And that was far more important than the stressful words of ‘unwanted pregnancy’. Life was too short to refute happiness. Life was far, far too short to say no to love.

Galloway’s lips parted as his eyes drifted to my mouth. “I wish I had a fancy restaurant to buy you dinner. I wish I had a bottle of champagne to toast whatever dreams you chase. I wish I could take you out, Estelle. To spoil you like you should be spoiled.”

“You are spoiling me.”

He rolled his eyes. “All I see is hard ground, dark forest, and entrapment on an island in the middle of nowhere.” His fingers slinked into my hair, dragging me closer. “You deserve so much more.”

His head bowed; his mouth found mine.

My toes tingled as his tongue slipped dominantly but sweetly to taste me.

I expected a welcome kiss. An appetizer of a kiss.

But somehow, the chastity between us snapped and we lost each other.

He kissed me.

Oh, God, how he kissed me.

His tongue didn’t hesitate. His lips didn’t retaliate. He kissed with grace and passion all at once.

His arms bunched tighter. His erection throbbed harder. And his groan resonated in my ears like perfect thunder. His fingers tightened, drifting to my nape. His body pressed against mine and the heat between us billowed into sunshine.

For the first time, we were free to be ourselves. No children. No pretences. Nothing but time and desire.

Our heads tilted in a dance, our breath mingling, our souls dancing as our connection transcended that of a simple act.

This kiss was power.

This kiss was togetherness.

This kiss was everything I was looking for and everything I didn’t know I’d been missing.

It went on and on.

Our desire built and built.

I was seconds away from ripping my nightgown off, undoing his shorts, and begging him to take me.

But he stopped.

The open-mouthed connection severed as he kissed the corner of my lips, my cheeks, my eyelids, and ended on my hairline.

His erection stood upright in his shorts, straining against the material. He hadn’t changed his board-shorts (he only had one pair), but he’d slicked back his long hair and shrugged into a grey t-shirt.

To me, he’d never looked more handsome or more tortured.

His breathing was fast as he rested his forehead on mine. “I’m—I’m sorry.”

“What for?”

“For getting carried away.”

“I liked being carried away.”

He smirked. “Oh, really? You’re happy to forgo the date and jump straight to the good stuff, huh?”

“What if I said I did? Would that make me too easy?”

Our eyes locked, humour and lust equal emotions. “I would never call you easy, Estelle.”

“Too forward then?”

“I wouldn’t call you that, either.”

“Even if I do...this?” My fingers latched around his erection, stroking him through his shorts.

His eyes snapped closed. A heavy groan fell from his lips. “Christ, that feels good.” His hips rocked into my palm, requesting more and giving himself up all at once.

A full body shiver took me as I pressed my thumb against his crown and kissed his chin. “I think we can forgo the date.”

His face lowered so I could reach his lips. “You sure? I don’t want you to feel taken advantage of.”

I laughed softly, squeezing his shaft. “I think you’re confused with who is currently getting taken advantage of.”

His chuckle landed in my hair as he squeezed me tight and guided me to the flax blankets. Spreading out, he splayed on his back, tucking me into his side.

I never stopped stroking, revelling in the way his muscles bunched and jaw clenched. “I love having this sort of power over you.”

“Woman, you’ve had this power over me all along.” His eyes closed as I squeezed a little tighter. “You just didn’t pay attention.”

“Are you saying I’m unobservant?”

“I’m saying you’re everything I’ve ever wanted.”

His confession froze my hand.

I struggled to know what to say to that.

You’re everything I’ve ever wanted, too. You’re everything I’m terrified of.

I loved him. I was in love with him.

The words danced on my heart, desperate to be said. But was now the right time? Did I say them before sex and mess it up or during sex and turn it into something more than what he was ready for?

I swallowed hard as his large hand captured my cheek, guiding me back to him. “I want you to know something.”

His past?

His secrets?