He dropped his towel to the floor, and then it was my turn to admire him. Let’s just say there was a lot to admire. And he was so damned sexy. I only hoped his skills matched his looks. Then with a level of assuredness, which both surprised and thrilled me, he joined me on the bed, pulled me to him and locked his lips to mine.

All those future memories – the weight of him on me, the feel of him inside me, giving him pleasure with my hands, my mouth, my body wrapped around him, letting him explore every inch of me until I couldn’t stand it, letting myself fall into a delicious, all-consuming orgasm – it was all of that and more. I had definitely not set myself up for disappointment by fantasising on the boat.

I hadn’t wanted to ask him where he’d learned to kiss as well as he did, and I certainly didn’t want to know why a guy who had chosen to be celibate could shag so brilliantly. But he could, and that’s all I cared about – for around two hours – yes, two hours.

At least I’m guessing it was somewhere around two hours. It certainly felt that long, but for some reason, clock-watching had been the last thing on my mind, so I had no idea what time we’d started.

Still, there came the point where we stopped shagging and lay side by side staring up at the ceiling, breathing heavily like they do in the movies.

‘It’s never been like that for me.’

‘Me neither,’ I said, lying a little. It had been incredible, but it wasn’t the first time I’d had toe-tingling sex.

‘I’ve never even had sex in the daytime before.’

I tore my eyes away from the interesting water stain on the ceiling. ‘What?’ I propped myself up on one elbow and stared incredulously at my lover.

He laughed in response. ‘It’s true. Sex for me has always been fumbling around in the dark deep under the covers. Pleasurable in a way, but also a little awkward.’

‘Oh.’ What else could I say?

‘That was …’ He didn’t seem to know what to say either.

‘That was good, Joshua. I don’t usually have an orgasm the first time with someone.’

‘Really?’ He seemed particularly pleased with himself. I suppose he had a right to be.

‘Really. Feel free to pat yourself on the back for that. You’re a good lover.’

The grin widened. ‘Thank you.’

‘You’re welcome.’ I smiled back and kissed him with a loud smack on the lips. ‘Though I can’t imagine how “fumbling around in the dark” got you those sorts of skills.’

‘I read,’ he replied with perfect comic timing. I burst out laughing. Well played, Joshua. Clearly, he was keeping the truth close to his chest.