It sounded so uncouth.

Shagged.

Ugh.

ME: How the hell do you know?

EVANGELINE: She showed up here asking Mum to help her.

Oh, Jesus.

ADELAIDE: She thought she was pregnant until we reminded her she’s already been through the menopause.

EVA: And when did you get a dog? You didn’t mention it.

Why was everyone obsessed with that bloody dog?

ME: Is the dog really important? Does it matter here? My house is in turmoil.

EVA: HOW WOULD YOU KNOW HUH? YOU AREN’T THERE!

ME: LEAVE ME OUT OF THIS!

ADELAIDE: Do you have condoms this time or do you need one of us to run you a couple down?

ME: WHY DON’T YOU GO AWAY!

ME: Harlots.

EVA: You’re the one in a man’s house. Did I help after all?

ME: If you think I’m giving you any credit after you pissed me off for the better part of a week with a misguided plan, you are sorely mistaken.

ADELAIDE: Muahaha. Told you so.

ME: Is Aunt Cat all right?

ADELAIDE: She’s fine. Mum’s feeding her and she’s going to stay here tonight, so you might want to have someone check the house is properly locked up.

ME: I will, thank you. Are you sure you don’t want me to come and get her?

EVA: No, she said you’re mad at her. She’s just upset. Best to let her stay for the night, I think, and get your dad home tomorrow.

ME: I agree. We’re trying to reach him now. We think he might be with Alex.

ADELAIDE: Let us know if he’s all right.

ME: I will. Thank you for looking after her… And that dog.

EVA: Alpaca.

ME: What now?

EVA: The dog. She’s called it Alpaca.

ME: Why would anyone call a dog Alpaca?

ADELAIDE: No idea, but honestly, we’re all too afraid to ask.

No kidding.

But seriously.

Alpaca?

“All right?” Miles asked, walking in.

He really was wearing nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. Water dripped down his toned, tanned body, but I did have to have a slight chuckle at the tan lines on his arms.

He had a permanent t-shirt. A proper little farmer’s tan.

Not that it distracted entirely from the rest of his body.

I’d never seen him shirtless, and boy, was it worth the wait. Muscle, but not too much of it. Enough to see he had a physical job but also liked bread.

That was also my body type.

But more that I liked bread and was also physical.

“Are you done eating me alive?”

“Not really,” I admitted. “But if you don’t have condoms, I suppose I’ll have to stick to dinner.”

He grinned. “I have condoms. Depends how long you’re going to stay.” He walked over to me and leaned over, closing his mouth over mine. “Well?”

“Depends on when you want to get rid of me.”

“I’m pretty sure that’s never.” He took my glass and phone from my hands, set them down, then tugged my feet down so I was lying on the sofa. His body covered mine, and he kissed me as though he hadn’t done it for a thousand years.