Lauren paced the floor of her bedroom in Zak’s cottage. She’d tried sleeping but it just wasn’t happening, and it was nothing to do with the sugar rush that all of those scrumptious puddings had given her. It was mainly down to the rush that Zak’s unexpected kiss had given her.

They’d kissed again when they’d said goodnight and she’d watched him disappear into his own room.

She was drunk. Too much fizz and too much wine had been consumed for her to be thinking straight. Lauren wrung her hands together. It would be a really bad idea to go to Zak, to offer herself to him. She was too raw, too emotionally vulnerable. Too soon out of one relationship to consider another one.

She could go downstairs, make a cup of tea, watch something rubbishy on the television. That’s what she’d do at home when she was frustrated and restless. Or should she risk their friendship by making an approach to Zak?

What if he wasn’t interested? What if she’d misread the signs? What if he was already fast asleep? What if his kiss had really just been a slight overstepping of the mark between friends? What if he was now regretting getting carried away?

Her mouth was dry. There was only one way to find out.

Tugging off her comfy pyjamas Lauren slipped her kimono on. Unlatching her door as quietly as she could – strange when she was planning to wake Zak up in just a moment – she padded barefoot across the landing. For a moment, she listened at Zak’s door. There were no unnerving snoring sounds. She couldn’t hear him breathing.

Gently, she lifted the latch on his door. He was in bed, but he wasn’t asleep. The moon streamed in through the window, bathing his bed in its soft white light. Her friend was propped up on one arm. His chest was bare.

‘I couldn’t sleep,’ Lauren whispered, lingering in the doorway.

‘Me neither.’

Lauren felt shy, but she knew that it was now or never. ‘Want some company?’

She heard Zak suck in a breath. ‘If you’re sure.’

Her voice had gone, so she nodded even though it was dark. Zak flicked back the duvet. She let her kimono fall from her shoulders.

‘God, you’re beautiful,’ Zak said.

Lauren climbed into his bed and laid against him. She was relieved to find that it wasn’t only Zak’s chest that was bare. His skin was warm, soft – sensational against hers.

‘I didn’t bring you here to seduce you,’ he murmured, his fingers toying with her hair. ‘That was never my intention.’

Lauren stroked his face, tenderly. ‘It may have escaped your notice, Mr Reynolds, but I think you’ll find that I’m seducing you.’

Chapter 95

Chapter 95