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Admitting defeat, she nodded. “Fine, but just don’t expect me to laugh.”

A grin of triumph spread across Daniel’s face, and he topped up Kitty’s gin and tonic.

“You must be exhausted,” he said as he guided her over towards Julia’s hammock. As she clutched her glass, he knelt and took off her boots, one by one. Kitty held onto his shoulder and stood on each leg while he pulled her socks off.The whole ritual of his actions was intensely intimate, and his soft fingers on her calves sent a rash of goosebumps up her legs.

“That feels amazing, thank you,” she whispered.

“My pleasure.” Daniel smiled as he moved her to the edge of the hammock.

“Just lie down, and I’ll take care of all your needs.”

Kitty sucked in a breath but was too tired to find a witty comeback. “I need a shower,” she said.

“You’re perfect just the way you are.”

Kitty wanted to tell him that Josh said nothing had to be perfect, but as his insistent hands and low voice guided her down into the soft hug of the fabric, she couldn’t summon the energy. The gin had hit her now, and Kitty’s head swam.

“I smell like cow poo!” she protested, her gaze dropping.

“Not from where I’m standing,” he said as he stared down at her, his eyes smouldering with longing.

Once Kitty was settled, Daniel set the hammock on a gentle rock, walked back to pick up the book, and joined her, laying on the adjoining sun lounger.

“Are you lying comfortably?”

“You know I am,” Kitty murmured, struggling to find the energy to talk.

“Then I’ll begin.”

In the dwindling light, Kitty could see the twinkle in Daniel’s eye as he read her a steamy scene from one of her mum’s books. He made every single word count, rolling them around on his tongue, his cadence matching the pulse thumping in her ears.

Kitty’s body, full of excitement and unrequited lust from her afternoon, was crying out for release. Her mind flashed back to the riverbank. The way Josh undressed in front of her, every moment an exquisite torture. A dull ache settled in her core as she recalled his taught, golden skin and the way the water snaked across it.

But Daniel was here, and Josh wasn’t. All it would take would be one touch, one hand to stray to his thigh, and all her frustration could disappear. Daniel’s body, his mouth, could mend the confusion and hurt. He’d be a willing band-aid.

But it wouldn’t be right. She’d be using him, hurting herself, and it would put her past the point of no return with Josh. Why she still hung onto the hope that he wanted her, Kitty didn’t know, but if she gave in to temptation, she’d never forgive herself.

Kitty glanced at Daniel, his aquiline profile catching the shadows as the sun set over the horizon. His long dark lashes fluttered as he read the words in the book, and Kitty shut her eyes to block out his beautiful, tempting face.The sexy lilt of his voice and the hot and busy day merged to create a perfect storm, and it wasn’t long before she drifted off into a fitful sleep.

* * *

Kitty woke with a start.Disorientated, she glanced down to see Herod nesting on her legs, his paws kneading imaginary dough on her lap. She was still lying in the hammock, feeling sweaty and needing a good stretch.

Julia must have gone to bed and left some hurricane lanterns burning, their light casting a soft glow. A patchwork blanket covered her, and someone had laid a sprig of lavender on the cushion next to her head, its fresh smell hanging in the air.

Kitty tried to get up, but something hard pressed into her side. She reached under the blanket, and her hand touched something solid and angular. Retrieving the offending object, Kitty’s hand drew out the book Daniel had been reading from.

The picture on the front showed a busty, dark-haired lady with oversized lips and far too much bronzer for Regency England. A rugged blond hero was bending her backwards over a rosebush. His oversized muscles seemed to be in the fight of their lives under his torn shirt. The castle in the background looked more Disney than highlands, and Kitty rolled her eyes at her mother’s taste.

As she held the book, a piece of paper poked out between the pages. She extracted it and read its flowery script.

“My beautiful Katherine,” Daniel whispered into her ear. Despite the anguish in his voice, she didn’t stir from her heavy slumber. He gently traced along her fragile collarbone with his strong, thick, masculine fingers. Despite his touch, she gave him nothing. He gazed upon her innocent face. Long, dark lashes brushed freckled cheeks, and her perfect bosoms heaved steadily against her clothes. How he longed to reach down and release them from their confines. He was burning with lust for this woman. Cruel, cruel Katherine. How much longer would she keep him waiting? Under his ardent gaze, Katherine shifted in her sleep. Could he take her now? Would she end his torture and confess her own hunger? Her soft, luscious lips parted in sleep, and when Daniel reached down to kiss them, she whispered, ‘Josh.’

Sleep well, my beautiful, cruel Katherine.Until we meet again.

Kitty’s breath caught.

Holy crap!What did she do?