My breath hitched. I wanted to kiss him again even though I could list all the reasons why we shouldn’t. There was also a list of reasons why I wanted to, though. Out on the Bridge on a New York summer’s day, looking into a handsome man’s eyes, I just went with the moment. My body was already leaning towards him like it couldn’t help itself. So, I smiled. ‘I’d love that too.’

He closed the distance between us, his fingers sliding properly into my hair, catching my lips with his like they were something precious. I found myself melting into him as he pulled me closer, his other hand on the small of my back. I hooked mine around his neck as we lost ourselves in the kiss despite the fact people were walking past us on the bridge. Everything faded into the background once again as our lips explored one another.

When his tongue touched mine, I murmured contentedly and Jake’s hand on my hair slid down to cup my chin.

Our kiss deepened and I tried to get even closer to him. His facial hair brushed against my skin again. His hold on me grew tighter like he was claiming me somehow. And I was happy to let him. Fire burned in my lips from his warm, passionate touch. I wondered if his kiss felt this good, just how good other touches from him might feel.

Then Jake broke away from my lips. ‘Freya,’ he said in a gruff voice that sent pleasure travelling down my body. His eyes were dark as he looked at me, his breath as ragged as my own. He shook his head. ‘You’re making me forget where I am.’

I smiled. ‘Me too,’ I agreed, also breathless.

He leaned in again and touched my lips gently with his. ‘Should we keep walking?’

‘I suppose we should,’ I said, thinking that I’d prefer to be alone with him but as we were on the very public Brooklyn Bridge, we should probably pull ourselves together. But God, kissing Jake was addictive.

Jake took my hand in his and we left the railing to carry on strolling across the bridge. The clear day allowed us to see the Manhattan skyline perfectly. We were silent as we walked, taking in the view, our hands entwined like we’d always walked that way.

I snuck a look at his profile. He was so handsome; it was crazy to think I had kissed this man. When he caught me looking, he glanced my way and gave me a smouldering smile like maybe he also couldn’t believe his luck. I had always wondered what it was like to kiss someone who gave you butterflies and who you craved more from with each touch of their lips. I hadn’t had that before.