Her throat feels like it’s closing over, no words can escape, she wonders if she’s still breathing.

‘I know I’m engaged to somebody else, but it feels wrong.’

Bonnie grips the side of the desk to steady herself.

‘I know it’s not fair to ask how you feel about me, but I want you to know that I’m going to break up with Sophie. It’s wrong of me to be with her when I feel this way about you.’

Thoughts collide inside her head, but she ignores them, letting her heart leap and soar with hope. A future with Oliver suddenly seems possible. ‘I have feelings for you,’ she admits, solemn, but then she finds herself smiling, laughing, everything in her life suddenly shifting. ‘I have more feelings for you than I did when I was a giddy love-struck teenager.’

Oliver’s whole face lights up. ‘Really?’

She nods, euphoria starting to take over.

‘The other night made me realise how much I’ve been missing you for all these years.’

‘I know,’ she agrees. ‘Being with you just feels so natural.’

She can feel herself floating. She moves forward, her body being pulled to his. ‘You know it won’t be easy. This town is small. Everyone will have an opinion.’

‘It might not be easy, but it’ll be worth it.’ He reaches out, his hand taking hers.

And just like that she melts. They stare at each other, neither saying a word. Bonnie can hear the seconds on the clock ticking over. She feels magnetised to him, her body wanting to be against his. He clearly feels the same, drawing her closer.

‘We can’t, Ollie. Not yet.’

‘I want you, Bonnie. I want you so bad.’ His eyes remain steady on her lips as he pulls her against him. She can feel how much he wants her.

Her own aching desire is pulsing through her. She can feel herself becoming a little breathless, but she stops herself. ‘You have to end things with Sophie.’ She tries to step back but he holds onto her, leaning in for a kiss.

‘Ollie, no!’ She’s firm now.

‘Sorry.’ He shakes himself and lets out a deep breath. ‘You just turn me on so much.’

Bonnie feels herself redden at this, but she bites down on a smile.

They both stand there staring at each other, Bonnie’s giddiness reflected in the twinkle of Ollie’s eyes. It’s as though they both know their worlds are about to combine.

‘You better go,’ she tells him with a smile to indicate there’s plenty of time to do everything he wants to do to her.

This fills his face with a grin. ‘Soon, okay … soon.’

He walks off, leaving Bonnie with a promise she’s going to let herself fall asleep with.

Chapter 4

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