‘Spoilsport.’ He gave her thigh a squeeze and put his hand back on the steering wheel but not before giving her a look that promised so much more later.

She caught her lip between her teeth, trying to think of an opening conversational gambit but all her senses were humming and she felt too lethargic to try and break the thick atmosphere. Instead, she leaned back against the headrest and closed her eyes, enjoying the feelings buzzing through her body.

When they approached the turning for Killorgally, Conor wheeled the car up the gravelled track and slammed on the brakes as soon as they hit the car park. He looked at her from the driver’s seat, a question in his eyes. She nodded and they both almost hurled themselves out of their respective seats. He caught her hand and they dashed down towards the cottage. Anticipation hummed like an electrical charge between them. In fact, Hannah almost expected sparks to arc and jump where their hands touched. Her breasts felt heavy and between her legs there was a sweet ache; she’d never felt so revved up and desperate in her life. She squeezed Conor’s hand and he squeezed back. They exchanged mischievous grins. Hannah loved this. Loved being so open. Nothing shameful or hidden.

He leaned in, dropping her hand to cup her ear and whispered, his words sending a zing of heat straight to the sweet spot. ‘God, I want you, Hannah Campbell.’

‘I want you too.’ She spoke with a natural sultriness she hadn’t known she was capable of. She relished this feeling of being all woman. With other men she’d always let them take the lead. Now that Conor had declared his desire for her, it gave her the confidence to be bold. She might not be like those other women but right now and right here he wanted her. And it might not lead anywhere but she was done worrying about that. She’d spent too much of her life worrying about the unknown and the unexpected. Today had shown how wonderful the unknown and unexpected could be.

The cottage came into view and they both slowed a little as if now with their goal in view they could afford to take their time.

‘Hannah! Conor!’ Meredith stepped out in front of them from the orchard next to the path, followed by Alan. Her face was lit by a lovely, contented smile and she was wearing the cherry-red cardigan that she’d talked about. ‘Isn’t it a lovely day? We’ve been to Killarney. What a lovely little town. Do you know it, Conor?’

He nodded dumbly.

‘Alan drove me there and we had the most wonderful lunch on the coast. Honestly, Hannah, you should take a drive out that way. It really is glorious, isn’t it, Alan?’