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“Steady on,” Daniel purred, a provocative smile on his lips. She took another drag and passed it back to him. As he drew on the joint, its tip glowed a bright ruby colour, and she examined his face in the haze of smoke that escaped.

It differed from Josh’s in every way. Daniel’s dark, slicked-back hair never seemed out of place. Strong eyebrows framed intense eyes that were fringed by thick, ebony-coloured lashes, and shadowy stubble clung to his hollow cheeks and defined chin. His angular features provided him with jaw-dropping beauty. He wasn’t Josh, but damn, he was hot. Daniel placed the joint in the ashtray and rested his head on his hand.

“You know, I’ve wanted you since the first minute I saw you,” he breathed. “If I’m full on sometimes, I’m sorry. It’s just needing you this much is torture.” Daniel's hand reached towards Kitty, and his fingers gently brushed her hair. Each stroke sent her deeper into his hypnotic eyes, and the pull of his lips, so close to hers, was magnetic.“You look incredible right now. You don’t know the effect you have on me,” he whispered.

He stopped stroking her hair and gently picked up one of her hands, his voice low and husky. “I want to please you, to show you how much I want you.”Daniel brought Kitty’s hand to his mouth and kissed the inside of her wrist, just like he had earlier. Hot lips against her pulse, his stubble engraving her skin. When she didn’t pull away, he intertwined his fingers with hers.

Kitty stared into Daniel’s eyes, exhausted. She only wanted to see and feel Josh, and her body burned with desire for his touch. Kitty closed her eyes and pictured his face, her mouth curling into a contented smile. Without him here, her imagination would have to do.

Daniel kissed her neck, soft lips mixed with the drag of his stubbled skin. Kitty’s nipples hardened against the silk of her dress as his kisses crept down to her shoulder. With her eyes shut tight, she pretended it was Josh. She could see him, smell him, and believe it washisbody next to hers. Fingers nudged her dress aside as warm lips glanced against her collarbone.

Letting out a small moan, Kitty turned her head towards her lover and found his mouth, kissing him hard, tongues searching each other. Giving in to her pent-up need was the only thing she could think about.

She was doing the wrong thing with Daniel. Using him. But she didn’t care. She’d just keep telling herself it was Josh.

Daniel moved on top of her. His breath came fast, and his hardness pressed against Kitty’s thigh. She moved her hand under his shirt, across his hard midriff, and curled her fingers around his back, pulling him closer.

His fingertips were at her breast, brushing her hard nipple through the fabric of her dress. With a sigh, Kitty dug her fingers into his skin, dragging them across his back. Blood pounded in her ears, and her heart thundered as she pressed her full lips against his, their tongues dancing together.

Daniel’s hand moved to her knee as it inched up the silk of her dress, bit by bit. Higher and higher, it travelled, caressing the inside of her thigh, teasing strokes expertly placed. When his fingers reached her aching core, Kitty took a sharp intake of breath,

“Oh, Josh,” she moaned.

Her words stung the air, like an assassin’s knife, straight at Daniel’s groin. He rolled back from her as if he had been scolded, his eyes burning with horror.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake!” he roared.

Kitty looked up at him with stunned, wide eyes, not believing what she’d done. What she’d said. She scrambled up the cushions to rest on her elbows, her breath coming in quick gasps. Daniel threw himself back against the bottom of the couch like a sulky toddler. He took a slug of his wine, appraising her through narrowed eyes.

“Daniel! I’m so sorry! I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“I’d rathernotknow what you were thinking,” he spat.

“Oh, crap. What a mess,” said Kitty, her head in her hands.

Daniel narrowed his eyes. “Dr Fox got under your skin?”

“Something like that,” she mumbled. Kitty sighed. It felt so nice to admit it to someone, even if that someone was the man she’d just humiliated.

“I can’t say I’m surprised,” Daniel said, pouting. “I mean, he only needs a red cape and a hammer, and he’d have a successful career in Hollywood. Plenty of women have made fools of themselves over him. I only hope you have more luck.”

Kitty grimaced. “It’s not like that, Daniel.”

“Oh, so there are feelings?” he asked.

“I’m not sure,” she said.

“Well, I only hope you have a strong constitution. He’s a tough nut to crack, according to Amber. She didn’t get him past first base.”

Kitty scowled, but Daniel continued.

“That’s two times you’ve let his name slip in inappropriate circumstances. It’s brutally clear that it’shimyou want, not me.” Daniel reached over and drained his glass of wine.

Kitty drew her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them.

“I don’t know what to say. You’re amazing. You’re everything a woman could want….”

“Except the womanIwant. This isn’t helping me feel better, Kitty.”