He screwed up his face and she braced herself for a rough ride, but his thrusts slowed. He stroked in and out of her with delicacy, clenching his jaw. And she loved him because even when his orgasm was on the line, he couldn’t hurt her. He stayed a gentleman to the end, snarling her name as his big body shook, his hands holding her so lightly. They lay in the backseat, their clothes pulled back into place. Eden fished her flask from her purse, and they both drank the last of her rum.

“You’re from Queensland,” she said, her voice unsteady. “Does it taste like home?”

“You taste like home.”

“That’s so dorky.”

He turned his head, kissing her jaw. “You think I give a shit?”

No, he didn’t. He was openly affectionate, openly dorky and never apologetic about it.

“I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone like you,” she said.

“Good.”

Eden’s stomach gurgled. “Fuck! Sorry, I did mean to eat.”

Willow shook his head. “You’re lucky I can fix this.”

He got up and Eden’s blood turned to ice. “Please don’t go back to the party?”

“I won’t. I promise.” He opened the front passenger door and Eden heard the glove box click again. Seconds later, Willow returned with a bag of Doritos.

“Here.” He popped them open and handed them to her. “Don’t tell me you don’t like them. I saw a thousand empty packets at your place.”

Eden laughed, warmth filling her like hot chocolate. “Who brings chips to an engagement party?”

“Someone who knows what their girlfriend is like.”

Eden felt a stab of pain in her chest. She wasn’t his girlfriend, but when he sat beside her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders, he felt more like a boyfriend than any Eden had ever had.

They sat in the dark eating chips and to her relief Willow didn’t mention going back to the party. She hoped when they were done, she could convince him to do an Irish goodbye. Maybe she could even crash at his. It would be pushing the boundaries she’d set for herself when they started the fake relationship, but she didn’t want to be alone tonight.

“Pretty girl?”

“Yeah?”

“What’s the deal with your sister?”

“Sienna? What about her?”

“The way she’s all...” Willow widened his eyes and held out his arms like a zombie.

Eden smiled. “She takes buttloads of Valium.”

“Ah. That checks out.”

Eden shifted against the backseat and Willow frowned. “Feeling okay?”

“Of course.”

He leant in, letting her see the pale blue of his eyes. “You don’t have to lie if you’re feeling tender. We can talk about anything you want.”