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Josh gave an unsubtle eye roll and shook his head. He’d had enough of Daniel already.

“As much as I’d love to, I’m going. I was just dropping Kitty off.”

“Are you sure you won’t stay?” she asked.

Her eyes were wide and pleading, andJosh’s heart sank. He would have loved to join her and Julia. But with Daniel Cunningham in the mix, he couldn’t guarantee he’d hold his temper. They’d never got on, and Josh hated how he’d left a trail of broken hearts in his wake since moving to the village. If he stayed, the afternoon wouldn’t end well.

“No thanks. I better get to the farm.” He backed away towards the kitchen, and Kitty stared after him, her brows drawn together. She jumped up from the bench.

“I’ll see you out.”

“Hurry back,” Daniel called after her, his sing-song tone making Josh’s stomach curdle.

35

KITTY

After a hurried walkthrough the house, Kitty and Josh reached the front door and stepped outside onto the step. Boughs of honeysuckle swathed the doorway, and she breathed in its heady scent. The last of the afternoon sunlight cast a golden glow onto their skin. Kitty looked at Josh, marvelling at his beauty, even wearing the world's biggest frown. Her fingers itched to smooth the furrow at his brow away, to ask what was bothering him.

If, as she suspected, Daniel’s presence irritated him, it could be a good sign. Kitty wasn’t averse to encouraging just a little jealousy for the greater good. Perhaps it was just the nudge he needed.

Awkwardness filled Kitty’s body, like a teenager waiting for a goodbye kiss after a first date.Clearing his throat, Josh turned to Kitty, the frown still present.

“Do you see Daniel very much?” he asked, kicking at a stone on the path. His voice was quiet, hesitant.

Kitty’s heart fluttered in her ribcage. His question was as loaded as they came. Hewasjealous. All he needed was a gentle shove in the right direction, and she might be in with a chance.

“A little, I suppose,” she said, a small smile on her lips. “He comes over sometimes, and then, of course, I go to the pub. We have a lot of fun.”

Josh’s searching blue eyes met hers, and as a million unnamed emotions flashed across his face, the bottom of Kitty’s stomach took a slow-motion freefall. What was she doing? Why didn’t she just deny even knowing Daniel? Trying to make Josh jealous was a crazy risk to take.

He nodded and let out a breath. “Thank you for today,” he said, the warmth coming back into his face. “I’ll see you soon,” he said.

Kitty smiled at him. It was the last thing she felt like doing, but she was desperate to cling to the conversation and keep him there.

“I had so much fun. And thank you for your help with Diva. I may even be ready for that riding lesson soon.”

He laughed. “I know, I know. I promise we’ll do it.”

“You’re a hard man to pin down, Joshua Fox,” Kitty said, looking at him from under her lashes, willing him to respond to her.

It had been ages since she’d tried to flirt with anyone, and it didn’t seem to have the desired effect. He wasn’t taking her into his arms and carrying her off into the sunset. His hands were in his pockets, and he was still kicking at that bloody stone on the path. Kitty didn’t want him to leave. She wanted to go with him and hang out with Thea and Amelia. She needed him to know it.

Thoughts of taking Josh’s face in both hands and kissing his mouth—kissing his mouth hard—filled her mind, and Kitty felt a swell of confidence in her chest. Under the promise of his lips, her breath quickened, and her body flushed with heat.

She was going to do it. She’d tell him how much she wanted him. Blood screamed in her ears, and her heart beat hard enough to break out of her chest. But as Kitty opened her mouth to speak, without warning, Josh took her in his arms in a big hug.

His embrace was unexpected, but after her initial surprise, she welcomed the feel of his warm, hard body pressed against hers. His closeness and smell set her senses on fire, and she longed for more. She wanted his hands to move, to explore her body. Craved the mouth he’d buried in her hair to find her skin, kiss her hot neck, and bite into her.

The hug seemed to last forever, but Josh’s hands didn’t move. His mouth never found her neck, and he held her at arm’s length when he pulled away.

“I’m sorry. That was rude and presumptuous of me,” he said, looking at Kitty.

She wanted to scream that no, it was fine. In fact, it wasn’t anywhere near enough.

“I just want you to know how much I value your friendship,” he said. “And how much your help with Thea means to me.”

Kitty’s heart plummeted as the realisation kicked in. He valued herfriendship. He was grateful for her helping Thea. There was no “Kitty, you’re smart and sexy, great with goats, and I want to jump your bones.” Nothing.