There was just enough light for her to see the outline of his face and the faint glitter in his eyes as he reached out and pulled her against him. ‘I can’t believe I’m skinny dipping with Flora Harris. Looks like I’ve finally corrupted you.’

‘I like being corrupted.’ She kept her voice light, trying not to reveal how it felt to be this close to him. She could feel the hardness of his thighs against hers and, despite his complaints about the cold water, a building pressure against her abdomen. ‘And I’m not naked.’

‘Not yet.’

‘Conner…’ To keep her balance she placed her hands on his shoulders and felt the smooth swell of hard male muscle under her fingers.

His mouth was dangerously close to hers. ‘I’ve been thinking about what you said.’

Thinking? How could he think? ‘What did I say?’

‘That you were the only female on the island that I haven’t kissed.’

‘I was wrong.’ She was so aware of him that could barely speak, ‘I’m fairly sure you haven’t kissed Ann Carne, and Mrs Parker may have escaped, too.’

‘Good point.’ He lifted his hands and cupped her face gently. ‘Nevertheless, it’s only fair to warn you that I might be about to corrupt you further. You might want to run for the beach. I’ll give you a two-second start.’

Her heart pounded like the hooves of a racehorse on the home stretch. ‘Two seconds doesn’t sound like much.’

‘It’s all you’re getting. Take it or leave it.’

She couldn’t take her eyes from his and the anticipation was agonising. ‘I’ll leave it. I can’t run in these waves.’ He was going to kiss her.

Finally, after what seemed like a lifetime, Conner MacNeil was going to kiss her.

‘If you can’t run, then you’re trapped.’ His head moved closer but he didn’t touch her. Instead, his mouth hovered tantalisingly close to hers, the expression in his eyes knowing and wickedly sexy as he prolonged the torture for both of them. Her stomach tumbled and her senses hummed and when finally he brushed his lips over hers, she knew that this was the most perfect and exciting thing that had ever happened to her. His lips were cool and the tip of his tongue gently caressed her lower lip.

Heat exploded inside her and she made a soft sound in her throat and leaned against him, seeking more. Her eyes closed, but still she saw stars as everything inside her erupted with excitement.

His fingers closed hard around her arms and his body shifted against hers.