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Kitty beamed at him. He was really winding this whole invitation up. “Is it really such a big deal?”

“It's the jewel of the social calendar for miles around. The actual match is just a formality. What really matters is the opportunity to get very drunk and unnecessary with yours truly at the ball afterwards. And come to think of it, the Women’s Club does host it. It could be your last opportunity to dazzle them. Lifetime membership beckons!”

Kitty tipped an eyebrow to the sky. “Did you say you’ll be playing for the elderly gentlemen’s team?”

“Steady,” Daniel said. “They prefer to be called The Veterans. Far more dignified. To be honest, it’s probably one of my last years on the Bucks team, so I plan to go down in a blaze of glory with the most beautiful woman in Tottenbridge on my arm.”

As Daniel spoke, he continued to draw his thumb across Kitty’s knuckles, and each sensual, seductive stroke made her toes curl. Being out with Daniel was like dating the big bad wolf.

Kitty ordered coffee, and declining a cup himself, he leaned in towards her.

“I think it’s time for me to whisk you back to my place and ravage you,” he said, his smile dripping with desire.

Kitty sucked in her lips. “No ravaging tonight,” she said. “I have my last interview at ten thirty in the morning, and I need to be on the ball.”

Daniel pouted like a spoiled child. “I won’t say I’m not disappointed, but at least it’s a reasonable excuse. How about a glass of wine instead? I promise I’ll have you back home by the time the clock strikes midnight.”

“No. I need time to prep, and I can’t go into the Zoom meeting looking like I’ve had one too many the night before.”

Daniel cocked his head to the side. “I could think of things I’d rather be doing than prepping you, but if anyone could wing an interview, you could. Go on, live a little.”

She was well prepared, and the interview felt like more of a formality than anything. Kitty looked into Daniel’s eyes, their fire promising far more than friendship and a quick glass of wine. Why shouldn’t she have a bit of fun? She’d only have one glass and then walk home. If she was in bed by twelve-thirty, she’d be fine.

“Okay then. But if I don’t get this job, you’ll have to hire me in the pub until I find another.”

Daniel smiled. “You’d look fantastic pulling a pint, but you’d be far too distracting for me. Come on, let’s go.”

Daniel stood and guided Kitty’s chair away. His warm breath was at her ear as she stood up, and he inhaled deeply. “You smell incredible,” he whispered. “It’s all I can do to stop myself from devouring you right here in front of everyone.”

Words caught in her throat, and as his breath tickled her skin, her nipples hardened against the silk of her dress. Worried someone would notice, she glanced around her, left and right, unsure which way to turn. A smiling Daniel caught her hand and drew her in closer.

“You can’t escape me, Kitty. I will have you.” His soft lips brushed her cheek. The shivers that erupted across her skin and the tingle that sprung at her core would have sent one of her mother’s heroines to the nearest nunnery. But Kitty stood still, enjoying the sensations. It’d been so long since a man had desired her like this.Damnit,she was lonely. Why shouldn’t she enjoy Daniel’s attention?

After settling the bill, they stood chatting with the manager. As they spoke about wine and brandy, Daniel reached out his arm and, trailing it around the bare skin of Kitty’s back, rested his warm palm on the silk just above her buttock. Once again, he circled his thumb slowly against her skin, and the delicious ache in her core returned.

Kitty’s breath quickened. She turned to look at him, and Daniel gazed back, his lips slightly curved. Nobody had made her feel like this in a long time, not even Josh. Daniel’s touch was bringing her back to life.

When they left the restaurant, stepping into the hot air of the summer evening, Kitty turned to him

“Thank you for a lovely evening,” she said.

“It’s not over yet. I have a beautiful bottle of red with our names on it.”

Kitty’s lips opened to remind him she had to be up early, but he shook his head and fished out the car keys from his pocket.

“Have no fear,” he said. “You’ll leave my place within the next hour and a half with your dignity intact, along with my erection, unfortunately. You’ll be the death of me, Katherine. Promise to put me out of my misery soon.”

Rolling her eyes, Kitty suppressed a grin. She moved to the passenger side of the car and waited to get in. Daniel hadn’t pressed the button to release the lock. Instead, he strolled to her side, his handsome face in shadow. Kitty held her breath as he drew nearer.

“I’ve spent the entire evening battling to keep my hands off you. That dress…” He smiled, his eyes full of fire. “In that dress, I’d be your slave.” He grinned, taking her hand in his and kissing the inside of her wrist.“Would it be okay if I kissed you?”

He was so close to her now that she could feel his body heat through the silk she wore. She bit her lip and closed her eyes. What if she let him kiss her, opened her mouth to him, and who knows what else? It could be amazing, but something unspoken ached in her gut and held her back.Josh.She hadn’t had a chance to speak to him about the way he’d left Rose Cottage. To confirm, even for herself, that he wasn’t interested. Regret was a terrible thing to carry, and Kitty had no intention of adding it to her baggage.

She couldn’t even spend one evening with Daniel without thinking of Josh, wishing she was with him instead. Dishonesty wasn’t fair to either of them. She opened her eyes.

“Daniel, I…”

Kitty watched as his face fell and the hunger left his eyes. He stepped away from her.