‘I’m right! Twice in one day! Result!’

‘Shush.’ I dig him in the ribs. ‘You’re right about him needing to be here. Hugo made me realise you weren’t that bad.’

‘Me, bad?’

‘When you rescued me in the park and he liked you I thought you might be okay after all. Dogs know.’

‘I know.’ He pulls me in close, his words muffled against my hair.

‘You do know Ophelia only wanted a house for him cos he’s randy? Won’t leave her visitors alone?’

‘And I’m pretty randy too!’ His hands stray down my back.

‘And you said he reminded you of me!’ I try and ignore the anticipation that is building in the base of my stomach, the tingle that is spreading through my thighs.

‘Big,’ he kisses my shoulder, ‘lumbering,’ I want to kick him, but his mouth is distracting, ‘loving, sloppy, faithful, loyal.’

I don’t hear any more words. I just let go of control, stop thinking and allow myself to feel.

THE END

If you enjoyed The First Date, be sure to follow Zara Stoneley on Twitter @ZaraStoneley, on Facebook @ZaraStoneley, and check out her website at zarastoneley.com for all the updates on her latest work.

Have you read The Wedding Date yet?

Samantha is all set to be the maid of honour at her best friend’s wedding, there are just a few problems. She used to date the best man and she might have told everyone she’s bringing a plus one. Actor Jake Porter presents the perfect solution …

Get your copy here!

In the mood for even more effervescent romantic fiction?

You will adore The Lonely Fajita by Abigail Mann, an irresistible comedy of errors following Elissa Evans and the unlikely mentor who teaches her the power of singlehood. Click here to get your copy!

And don’t miss the historical romance of 2020, Before the Crown by Flora Harding, which tells the story of the secret engagement between Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip in the tempestuous wake of WWII. Get your copy here!

You can also find us at @0neMoreChapter_ on Twitter and @0neMoreChapter on Facebook where we’ll be shouting about all our new releases.

Happy reading!

Acknowledgements

With every book I’ve written, I’ve grown to appreciate more the fabulous team that beaver away making sure my books are the best they can be, have the loveliest covers, and are available to as many people as possible. You really are my heroes! Much as I’d love to, I can’t thank everybody individually because 1. that would make this incredibly long, and 2. I’d be scared stiff of forgetting somebody and feel guilty forever, but please do know that if you’ve played any part at all in the making of this book, I think you are amazing. Thank you!

There are a few extra special people I’d like to thank individually though.

Amanda Preston, my agent, you are friend, confidante, scraper up off the floor (following mental exhaustion, desperation or exasperation – not inebriation, though I’m sure you’d be excellent at that too) and very funny lady. I can’t imagine doing this without you.