My nerves were still on edge as I turned the car onto Oughtagh Road towards the country park. Even the dappled shadows from the trees on the ground had taken on a sinister look. I kept glancing back in my rear-view mirror, wondering if I’d see that blue car again, wondering what I’d do if I did.

When I finally reached the car park, I sagged with relief to see Michael’s car. Tears sprang to my eyes when he got out of it and starting walking towards me, enveloped me in a bear hug so tight that it stilled my shaking. I let him whisper that everything would be okay. Let him whisper that he wanted to protect me. I let him tell me he loved me, even though I knew that I was going to hurt him.

‘I know in the grand scheme of things we’ve not known each other that long, but sometimes you just know, Rachel, and I know with you. The thought that someone could hurt you …’

His voice trailed off and I looked up into his green eyes, so vibrant against his swarthy skin. He bent his head towards me and kissed me, full on the lips with such tenderness that I wished I could feel like I did in that second forever.

I should have pushed him away. I knew that in kissing him back I was lying both to him and to myself, but I needed this. I needed him. Adrenaline was still coursing through my veins. My senses were still on high alert and I couldn’t resist.

I allowed the tenderness of his kiss to give way to passion. I gave myself permission to give in to my body’s desire.

‘I don’t have long,’ I whispered to him as his lips snaked their way down my neck.

His hand slid from my waist to my breast, cupping it gently until I gasped with pleasure. I stumbled backwards, felt his body push mine against the side of my car. I could feel he was hard, could tell from the way he hitched my skirt up, pressing himself against me so that I felt the delicious weight of him pinning me to the car, that he wanted me.

I could shut everything out. I could pretend not to be scared. Or hurt. Or confused. I could give in to my base desire just to feel desirable. To feel wanted.

I pushed him back from me for just a moment. Just enough to open the car door. I stood in front of him, lifted my T-shirt over my head and then lay across the back seat.

He bent down and climbed in over me, his hand sliding up the bare skin of my legs to my thighs, pushing them apart. I slid my hands inside his T-shirt to feel the firmness of his muscles, the soft hairs on his chest, and I couldn’t hold back any longer.