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‘Oh, and what might they be?’

She lifted her gaze, as if she was having to think about the question.

‘Well, it’s definitely the best wine I’ve had since I came up here.’

Duncan’s laugh was so loud, several people turned to look at them.

‘The wine, really?’ His eyebrows were so high they butted his headline.

‘Well, I normally find dessert the highlight, but we haven’t got to that yet.’

‘Dessert and wine. Wow, I need to up my game for you, don’t I, Barker? How about I get to tell you my favourite things then instead?’

‘You mean it’s not the wine, too?’ Bex joked. The truth was, she was just desperate to hear that laugh again, although the chuckle he responded with was almost as warming. There was something about hearing Duncan laugh that made everything else in the world evaporate.

‘No, it’s not the wine,’ he said. ‘That’s not even top five.’

‘Well, in that case, I need to hear the full top five list.’ She grinned.

‘Of course you do.’ Rather than responding, he pressed his lips tightly together before he looked down at their entwined fingers.

‘Well, number five is this,’ he said, lifting his hand slightly to show what he was referring to.

‘Only number five?’ she said, genuinely surprised. The casual way in which they held one another’s hands was probably her favourite thing about the evening – other than the kiss, of course. She was desperate to know what could beat that.

‘Now I’m intrigued,’ she said. ‘Number four must be good.’

‘Number four is this,’ he said, raising his leg ever so slightly and trailing it along the inside of her thigh. A slight gasp escaped her lips, eliciting a perfect knowing smile from Duncan.

‘Okay, that’s a good number four,’ she agreed, trying to lessen the pounding in her chest – though how she was going to do that, she had no idea. There were still three more things left on his list.

‘Number three. When I first saw you coming up to the castle.’ His expression was a picture of sincerity. ‘You took my breath away, Barker. I really didn’t know that was possible. I thought it was just an expression, but somehow you did it.’

She bit down on her lower lip, her body desperate to be closer to him. To kiss him again. But she was also desperate to hear what the other things were.

‘Okay, so what about the top two?’

‘Well, number two has to be the kiss, doesn’t it? No doubt about that.’

‘Number two?’ she echoed. ‘What’s number one? And don’t you dare say food or wine.’

‘No, number one is this.’ He released her hand before slowly lifting his and brushing his thumb gently along her jawline. As if on instinct, her eyes involuntarily closed. His thumb continued to move, this time along her bottom lip. With her pulse hammering so hard she could barely hear, Bex tried to stifle a second gasp, but it was impossible. As the sound escaped, Duncan’s hand moved again, this time to cradle the back of her neck as he whispered into her ear.

‘You are incredible.’

The warmth from his breath sent shivers down her spine. And then, for the second time, his lips pressed against hers.

She wouldn’t have thought it possible, but somehow the kiss was even more electric than the first one. Whether it had been the anticipation, the waiting for it, or just the fact that with every touch he knew her body more and more, she didn’t know. But when she broke away, she found her eyes were still closed.

‘Well,’ she said when she opened them again. ‘That list fails on two points, I’m afraid.’

His laugh was deep and resonant. Everything she hoped it would be.

‘Why? You said I shouldn’t mention food, and I didn’t.’

‘I know, but it had to be based on things that had already happened. And your little trick with your leg, not to mention that kiss, hadn’t happened when you started your list. So I’m afraid your top five is null and void.’

He shook his head, laughter still rolling from him.