Taking that as a cue, she wriggled out of hers, seizing the opportunity to shed her socks, too, as thick purple socks didn’t lend themselves to sexy, mutual undressing either. His eyes were greedy as they raked over her in her underwear and she suddenly remembered. ‘It’s a sports bra, I didn’t think we’d—’

But he kissed her explanation from her lips, stooped slightly to get his arms around her beneath her bottom and twirled with her in his arms so that he could carry her with him onto the bed. ‘You’re gorgeous. Beautiful. Sexy,’ he murmured. ‘And I love sports bras, especially when they have, like this one, a little zip at the front.’ To demonstrate his pleasure, he tugged the tag down and the elastic fabric sprang aside, giving him unfettered opportunity to lower his mouth to her breasts. ‘Luscious,’ he murmured.

Time drifted by as they explored each other’s bodies. Dizzily, Laurel thought she’d never before made love with a man who was incredibly sweet and incredibly confident at the same time. He wasn’t afraid of asking her what she liked – and trialling it – but seemed to enjoy taking it from there, surprising her, arousing her, until she felt ready to explode.

Then he rolled on a condom and pushed inside her … and explode she did.

Chapter Fourteen

Grady was woken by a rustling beside his bed. When he cracked open his eyes he got a glimpse of tumbled auburn hair. Laurel. Memories of the night before sent a shiver of desire through him. He had the pleasantly achy feeling that spoke of energetic sex and he was probably wearing a goofy smile. ‘You’re running out on me now you’ve had your wicked way with my body?’ he demanded sleepily.

Laurel’s head popped up above the level of the rumpled duvet, eyes dancing. ‘I don’t want to face a stream of Daisy’s questions, which I will if she sees me coming in. Rea keeps telling her not to ask me where I’ve been or where I’m going but …’

‘… She does anyway,’ he finished for her. ‘It’s OK. She’s fourteen. I understand.’ He stretched and yawned. It was five-thirty on a dark December morning but he rolled out of bed and began to search for his clothes. ‘I’ll walk you home.’

‘You really don’t need—’

He waved her protest away. Getting up an hour before his alarm was due to go off was a small price to pay for a sexy, satisfying, earth-shattering night with Laurel. As she rose to her feet with her top in her hand he swept her into a bear hug, enjoying the feel of those fantastic breasts against him. ‘OK?’ he murmured against her neck, breathing in the bed-warm smell of her.

She hugged him back and whispered, ‘Very.’