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“Ha! Yes. It’ll take bigger feet than mine to fill these boots.”

Josh smiled.“Leave Thea to me. I’ll come and pick you up at six forty-five. Can you be ready?”

“After a long beat, Kitty spoke. “Okay,” she said, giving Josh the most hope he’d had in a while.

23

KITTY

Kitty arrived homeweary and sweaty. Dog tired, the promise of the day with Josh had kept her going. He’d avoided her all week, plain and simple, no matter what excuse he’d come up with. It hurt, and she had no idea why, but he was her friend. She’d give him the benefit of the doubt. Something about him pulled at her, a need for his approval. A need to be near him.

Julia’s tinkling laugh carried on the breeze from the back of the house, interrupting her thoughts. A low, lilting baritone joined it. Intrigued, Kitty followed the voices to find Daniel and Julia sitting on the patio, demolishing a giant pitcher of Pimms. Daniel’s eyes hung on her as she stepped into the sun, and the corners of his mouth turned up.

“Kitty! You’re back! I was wondering when you’d finish,” Julia said. “Daniel came to keep me company. We’ve been waiting for you.” Julia gazed over at him, her eyes shining with adoration.

Daniel Cunningham had worked his magic again. He gave Kitty a conspiratorial wink, and she couldn’t help but smile. His eyes contained the cheekiest gleam. He was aware of his effect on Julia. Relentless in charming everyone around him, but damn, she’d forgotten how sexy he was.

“Hello there,” he said, standing to greet her with a kiss on her cheek. The warmth of his body blended with hers and beckoned her to sink into him. Soft stubble grazed her skin, and the woody, spicy scent of his cologne tickled her nose. Kitty stiffened. He smelled amazing, and she probably stunk of pig poo.

“It’s good to see you in person, Daniel,” she said, moving away from him. “How’ve you been? Did you manage to get the splinters out?” She was referring to his ‘stick pic’. She’d saved it to her camera roll and looked at it if she ever needed a giggle.

Daniel’s eyes crinkled, and he shot her a dangerous glance. “Nothing a soak in a tub and a pair of tweezers couldn’t fix. I could have done with some help, though. You look amazing. Your bruise has gone.”

He was either kind or delusional. Kitty wasn’t sure which. “We both know that’s pure flattery on your part. I look a fright, but I’ll take the compliment.”

Daniel sucked in a theatrical breath. “Always so sharp, Ms Cameron. When will I get a glimpse of your softer edges?”

His eyes raked over her body. Kitty felt every single millisecond, her heart beating a little louder than before. She’d file the tingle his hungry gaze gave her for later under ‘kissellaneous’.

“I’m afraid you’ll have to take a rain check. The shower waits for no woman. I won’t be long.”

Kitty turned and walked into the house.

“Hurry back,” Daniel called after her. “I’ll have your drink waiting.”

With a renewed spring in her step, Kitty headed to her bedroom and shed her clothes in a messy pile. Her bare skin burned hot in the warm air. Was she sure it was just the day’s heat? Daniel always brought a smile to her lips, and his words made her blood pump just a little more than was healthy.

The sound of Julia’s laughter in the garden filled her heart. How easy it was for him to make people happy. Daniel’s life was so simple. He’d told her he dedicated himself to pleasure. Reliant on Amber to keep the pub and bistro running, he flitted in and out, spending his time on the golf course or getting up to who knew what. Kitty didn’t dare guess. But fate was dangling a big, juicy carrot for her, and its name was Daniel Cunningham.

She stood under a cool jet of water and washed the smell of Small Oaks from her body. The memory of Josh’s handsome face in the barn pricked at her brain. What had he thought when he’d seen her under the hose? And why was the thought of him watching her so pleasing?

Kitty's slick tan skin shone in the mirror as she exited the shower. Her previously pallid complexion was long gone, thanks to her hours in the sun. She twirled around, admiring her reflection. She’d never been so at home in her body. Daniel would probably give his eyeteeth to join her right now.

The corners of her mouth curled. The thoughts that popped into her head these days shocked her. Kitty hardly recognised herself. What the hell was Daniel Cunningham doing to her?

She brushed out her long, wet hair, put on some knickers, and shrugged into a simple cotton sundress that skimmed the top of her thighs. Examining her new freckles in the mirror, she added some bronzer to her cheeks, a light line of kohl under her lashes and a slick of mascara.

The woman who stared back was confident and beautiful.Satisfied, she added a final touch of lip gloss and a light spray of perfume, then padded downstairs barefoot to join Julia and Daniel.

24

DANIEL

When Kitty came backout to the patio, Daniel’s mouth gaped open. Her body gave off silent waves of energy. The golden glow of her skin pulled at his fingers, and they itched to touch the sumptuous hairthat pooled around her shoulders like velvet. The thought of its length tangled around his fist sent a shiver right down to Daniel’s cock.

“You’re breathtaking,” he said, his sexy drawl dripping with unspoken intent.

Kitty sat down, avoiding his gaze, and Daniel dragged his eyes over her. She smelled of flowers and lavender, and her thin dress hugged the curve of her breasts where they met her ribs.Damn, she’d improved. Life in the country certainly agreed with her.