‘I meant what I said: we do whatever you’re comfortable with,’ Jake reassured me. ‘I just want to be close to you.’

‘Me too.’ I reached for my key card and opened up my room, feeling like I might be a tiny bit more comfortable surrounded by my things. It seemed naughty to be thinking of using a hotel bed for anything other than a nap in the afternoon. I didn’t think I’d ever be what could be described as naughty before but then I looked at Jake as I held the door open for us and I knew I’d never been with anyone like him before. It made me want to be a little bit naughty.

I closed the door behind us and took a breath.

‘I’m sorry, it’s a bit messy,’ I said as we moved through into the area where the bed was. My things were strewn everywhere. I’d never been particularity good at getting ready in an organised way. ‘I bet you’re a neat freak,’ I added, knowing by the grin he flashed me that I was completely correct.

‘Some of that is a procrastination thing, though – if I’m not motivated to write, I clean and if I’m stressed, I organise so…’ He held out his hand to me. I stepped over to him and took it, entwining my fingers with his. He brought our hands up to his lips and kissed the back of mine. ‘You don’t need to apologise about the room; I’m only looking at you.’

‘We are so different,’ I said, my skin instantly warming at his touch.

‘Not when it comes to important things.’ Jake let go of my hand and slipped an arm around my waist. My body instantly curved itself around his like we were two connecting puzzle pieces. ‘Trust, loyalty, love…’

‘Work ethic.’

Jake grinned. ‘When you told me off about that bloody article, I had never wanted a woman more.’

‘Maybe I need to tell you off more then.’ I was only half-joking.

‘I hate letting you down. I’m sorry that I couldn’t do what you wanted at the reader session.’

‘I’d be lying if I didn’t want to know everything about you,’ I confessed, wishing he would unpeel his layers for me. But I also knew this was early days, and I was expecting a lot when all we had done was kiss.

‘I want to know you too,’ Jake whispered.