She guffawed. “For Christ’s sake, keep your voice down. His ego’s big enough.”

I chuckled at her teasing and continued to clean my plate.

Stuffed full, I wished I were in a chair with a back so I could slump down in sleepy satisfaction. Between the food and jet lag, I was almost ready for bed. Milly took hold of the tray with one hand and popped a smaller menu in front of me with the other. “Dessert.”

Oh God, I couldn’t eat another—

Sticky toffee pudding.

The British bar back home had sticky toffee pudding on the menu. I’d bet my entire shorts collection that Dexter’s was yummier.

“Well?” Milly returned to me a few minutes later.

I made a face of distress. “I want the sticky toffee pudding and ice cream so bad, but I don’t think I’ll manage it.”

“Then why don’t we split one?” Roane suddenly appeared at my side, and I jerked with surprise. He smirked, those dark eyes twinkling mischievously.

Before I could speak and reprimand him for the fright, Milly said, “Excellent idea. And a table has opened up by the fireplace so you can sit there with Shadow.”

Glancing down, I found Shadow at his side and focused on the dog. Scratching his ears, I welcomed him warmly, laughing when he licked my wrist in response.

It was so much easier to focus on Shadow because the Roane before me differed from the Roane this morning. Sure, he still had the beard and wild thick hair, but now he wore a dark red plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up, a pair of dark-wash jeans that didn’t have mud stains on them, and a pair of hiking boots instead of Wellingtons. I focused in on his strong tan forearms and shivered.

He smelled amazing. At first, I was hit with something musky, woodsy, like his cologne had a strong sandalwood base note. Then this overlying ocean scent drifted over me, layered with something citrusy. It was fresh and heady at the same time, and it made a woman want to nuzzle her face in his strong throat and run her fingers through the bristles of his beard.

Well, it made this woman want to.

“Is Shadow the only one you’re going to say hello to?”

Realizing I was being rude, I straightened and gave him what I hoped was a natural smile. “Hey.”

Roane grinned that boyish, wicked smile of his. “Hi. Let’s grab that table before someone else does.” He shot Milly a look. “Can I get a pint too, Milly?”

“I’ll bring it over with the pudding. Another cider, Evie?”

I nodded. A little fortification might be just the thing. Throwing off lingering exhaustion, I slid from the stool to follow Roane.