‘It’s more of a general question about how another person fits into – or would fit into – all of this.’ I waved my hand around, as though to indicate life, the world – possibly even the universe and everything. I caught the pointedness in my voice too late. I’d already said what I said, and I couldn’t take it back. He seemed to be considering his words.

I was certain that I’d blown it.

‘Sarah, there is no one. Not now. There was, quite a while ago, but she was not as taken with the lifestyle as I am, so she left. Now it is only me. And I like to think that, yes, I am leaving room for someone to be part of all of this.’

I hadn’t blown it.

He took a sip of his drink and looked out at the marina, perhaps intentionally giving me a moment to digest what he’d said. He was talking about more than a holiday romance, and it frightened me a little. A lot, really. The silver fox was a grown-up, and even this short conversation with him made me feel girlish – and not in a good way. He was the real deal. And the real deal was interested in me. For real.

I looked across at Josh; he was talking with Hannah and laughing about something. I immediately felt a twinge of jealousy I had no right – and probably no reason – to feel.

The boy and the man. What to do?

But only one of them was alluding to something more than a flirtation – more than a sexual encounter and a good story to dine out on when I got home.

A waft of delicious, masculine scent enveloped me. James’s mouth was next to my ear. ‘I want you to come with me later. There’s something I want to show you.’

‘What?’ I whispered, both nervous and excited.

‘Are you asking me to repeat myself – or are you asking what it is that I want to show you?’

‘Well, I heard you, so let’s go with the latter.’ My banter was fantastic.

‘I am meeting up with an old friend, and he’s introducing me to this artist I’ve come to see – I want you to see his work.’

‘Oh.’

‘You sound disappointed.’

‘No, no, not at all.’

‘Did you think I meant …’

‘No, of course not.’ I was doing a poor job of hiding that I thought he was inviting me back to his place, and that I was disappointed he wasn’t.

He brushed his lips over my ear – which I felt to my very toes – and said, ‘Well, I do want to make love to you. Of course, I do – but first I want to show you some incredible art. Will you come?’