When she turned back to look at the arch once more, Elle felt Stuart’s hands slip around her waist and she was pulled gently back against his chest. After a moment of surprise, she felt herself relax against him and realised how nice it was to share a sunset with someone like this.

‘It’s such a beautiful spot,’ she said after a few moments, feeling the first icy tentacles of cold begin to creep up across her skin as the sun disappeared slowly.

‘It is. There’s something incredibly peaceful about it, despite what the legend says took place here.’

‘Do you think it really happened?’ she asked, tilting her head slightly and realising it only came up to his collarbone. ‘I mean, the way the story’s told?’

‘Hard to say. It crossed my mind to have an archaeological survey done of the area, but I could never bring myself to have a bunch of strangers come here and dig everything up. I think I’d rather just leave things as they are.’

Elle looked back at the twin headstones and nodded slowly in agreement. She preferred to believe in the story the way it had been told for generations, without some scientist or historian deciding to muddy the waters if they found any kind of inconsistency.

‘Come on, let’s get you out of the cold,’ he said when she couldn’t suppress the small shiver that went through her.

Turning away after one last look, Elle slipped her hand into his much larger one as they walked back to the car. Stuart gently pulled her in front of him and kissed her, and once again she was amazed by her spontaneous reaction to the man.

She was certain he had only meant the kiss to be a playful reminder of what was to come later, but all of a sudden it turned from playful to something a lot more. Behind her, his large four-wheel drive held her up, while in front of her, Stuart’s solid body pressed against her hungrily.

Elle had no idea where this wantonness she was experiencing had come from. She’d never reacted this strongly to a man she’d just met before—or ever. She couldn’t get enough of him, despite the fact they’d already discussed the downside of outdoor recreational sex, she was fairly sure unless one of them put a stop to this soon, that’s exactly what they would be doing.

‘Your war wounds,’ she managed to breathe against his lips as she pulled away slightly.

‘I’m fine,’ he murmured, taking her mouth once more, sliding his hand up under her top. Elle yelped, jumping and banging her forehead against his, which instantly brought tears to her eyes.

‘Son of a bi—’

‘Far—’

They both muttered expletives, stepping apart and rubbing their heads.

‘Jesus, do you have a steel plate in your head or something?’ she asked, frowning up at him.