“Will? I don’t really think it’s …” She frowned.

He turned towards her and he must have seen the concern on her face, because his expression softened. “Hey, it’s okay, Lucy. Jules and I are close, and most of the time we get along, but this time, she’s stepped over the line.”

Lucy nodded, the weight of the situation resting heavily on her heart. She liked Will—she hadn’t felt like this in a long time, if ever—but Jules was one of the most important people in her life. If being with Will would jeopardise her relationship with Jules, then she’d choose Jules, no questions asked.

“Hey,” he said quietly. She caught the quick flick of his tongue to wet his lips as he leant towards her and their lips met.

His kiss was tentative at first, his full lips moving against hers softly, slowly. Another flick of his tongue, but this time she felt it against hers. She tilted her head as the kiss deepened, then pressed her hand to his chest, not to push him away, but to steady herself as the shivers rushed the length of her body.

Her fingers curled, encasing a handful of his coat as she leant back against the seat, pulling Will with her, the weight of him feeling both thrilling and familiar, like a perfect fit.

He broke the kiss, breathless, and looked at her from mere inches away. “Lucy …” he said. “Oh, god, I want you so much …” He pushed himself upright as he finished his thought, “… but not like this, not here.”

Lucy’s senses returned and for a fleeting second, she saw the scene inside the car as though she was standing outside it looking in. Will was right. No matter what they were feeling, they should absolutely not do anything more in the front seat of a four-wheel-drive parked in the driveway of the family’s cabin.

She took a deep breath. “Quite right,” she said, her hands lifting to her cheeks and feeling how warm they were. She must look like a beetroot.

“But Lucy?”

“Mmm-hmm.” She glanced at him, still trying to catch her breath.

“I don’t want to wait much longer.”

“Oh, yes … right. I see …” For goodness’ sake, why did she have to be so bloody English sometimes. She mentally slapped herself while Will chuckled at her with a mischievous look on his face.

“Ready to go in?” Will asked. “I don’t want everyone to think we’ve been, uh …” It seemed it was Will’s turn to be embarrassed and a laugh burst out of Lucy. She pressed her lips together to stifle a snigger.

“Yeah, yeah,” said Will, shaking his head and readjusting his trousers. “Come on, let’s go.” He shoved his gloves on roughly and Lucy slipped her hands into hers for the short walk up to the house. She knew exactly how cold it was out there.

When she climbed out of the car and met up with Will, he reached out for her hand and she didn’t hesitate before taking it. Glove-to-glove was hardly the most romantic thing in the world, but it felt lovely regardless.