‘I already told you, Freya, you’re a breath of fresh air. You’re honest and clever and ambitious; it’s like you brighten up every room. You told me truths about myself that no one ever has. It made me want you so much. You drive me crazy and I was desperate for you to be in my life in whatever way you’d allow. And, my God, you’re gorgeous. Look at you.’

He reached out to touch my lips. I shivered at the contact, my eyes dropping to his lips, wanting to taste them again. Jake gave me a sexy smile.

‘Hmm, and your body… I’m not sure I’ve thought about much else since I first touched you. That time in your hotel room, it was so hot; we were so perfect together.’ Jake leaned in towards my ear, moving my hair away so he could whisper, ‘My good girl.’

Those words lit up a fire inside me. I didn’t want to talk any more. I wanted to lose myself in him. ‘Kiss me, please,’ I pleaded, arching into him desperately. Jake cupped my face with his hands, leaning in to me, giving me what I wanted so much. When our lips met, we both murmured contently and the passion that had been between us in New York reignited instantly.

Then I pulled back sharply.

‘What’s wrong?’ Jake asked.

‘I need to tell you…’ I clung on to him but kept a couple of inches back from his lips, even though I needed them back on mine so much. ‘I think I wanted you from the first time I read one of your books. Your words have always meant so much to me. And when I met you, I couldn’t get over how handsome you were. But I didn’t think you’d ever look twice at me. You’re older, successful, wiser…’

Jake shook his head like he disagreed with how I’d described him, but I ignored that and kept on talking. ‘And often, you pissed me off, frankly. But when I got to know you, I quickly found out that cool, calm demeanour was just a front and I liked getting to know the real you. I was so attracted to you but I thought I irritated you. When you kissed me, I’d never been kissed like that. The way we were in bed together…’ I felt myself blush but made myself keep going. ‘It was like the sex I’d read about but never experienced in real life. But it was also the way you held me in your arms…’

‘It was a wrench to let you go,’ Jake said softly.

I nodded. ‘Same.’

‘So, we both didn’t think that the other one would be interested, then we were and it…’ Jake seemed to struggle to find the words.

‘Freaked us both out?’ I suggested. ‘I’m not as eloquent as you are.’