Page 109 of Journey to the Scottish Highlands

The loaded glances Evan kept delivering over at me sent my stomach spiralling to the ground.

We clattered through the side door, into the kitchen and out into the great hall. My breath was ragged with excitement.

The grand, white staircase sat in front of us. Evan swept me off my feet and up into his arms. I let out a squeal of surprise and wrapped my arms around his neck.

‘Bring back any memories?’ he teased, cradling me in his arms as he strode upstairs towards his bedroom.

‘Maybe,’ I grinned, wanting to imprint every second onto my memory. The way Evan was holding me against his chest; the smell of his skin; the shine of his blueberry hair. He’d rescued me from myself and brought so much happiness and fun back into my life. At first, I’d thought he was a bit of a stuffed shirt, but he’d opened up to me and let me in. That had made me fall for him even more.

Was I imagining all of this? Perhaps I was dreaming it, and all this wonderful experience was happening to someone else?

I squeezed my eyes shut for a few seconds. Nope. I was still wrapped in this amazing man’s arms, about to go to bed with him for the first time.

We reached the top of the stairs, and Evan proceeded to transport me past the portraits of his ancestors and the ornate wall lamps, along to his closed bedroom door.

The look he gave me as he delivered one bold kick to his bedroom door to open it made me gasp.

He laid me down on top of his queen-sized bed and grinned wolfishly. ‘Don’t you move.’

Evan closed his curtains, returned to his bedroom door and locked it. Then he turned and waggled his eyebrows.

I giggled and propped myself up on one elbow. ‘Aren’t we supposed to be working on the final arrangements for the tour?’

‘Everybody needs a break now and again.’

Evan returned to the bed and playfully climbed on top of me. I was underneath him, wriggling with desire. My heart was skipping in my chest.

He leant down and kissed me. The serious fullness of his mouth was intoxicating. God, I wanted him so much it hurt.

I wanted to feel Evan’s body against mine, fitting together like the pieces of a jigsaw.

The prospect of making love to Evan and appreciating every inch of him was making my belly ache with longing.

As I gazed up into Evan’s chiselled face and ran a finger over his stubbly jaw, Leon didn’t exist anymore. Nobody did. With just the birds chattering in the trees outside his bedroom window and the lunchtime sunshine lighting up the closed curtains, it was as if Evan and I were the only people in the world. I was falling in love with him. I trusted him.

We undressed each other slowly and deliberately, our fingers fumbling and brushing against each other.

And as we made love, tumbling around on the bed covers, I knew I couldn’t feel any happier and more wanted than I did right now.

* * *

‘A drink, Ms Madden?’

I nestled my head against Evan’s bare chest with its irresistible, coarse dark hair.

His bedsheets were pooled around us, and the lazy afternoon sun was fighting to get through his closed curtains. He whispered into my hair. ‘I think we should have champagne. After all, that’s what brought us together.’ Evan lifted a finger and traced it down my spine, making me shiver with delight.

‘A glass would be lovely. Thank you.’

Evan dropped his head and delivered a slow, deliberate kiss to my mouth before getting up to tug his T-shirt and boxers back on. His naked body was sinewy and toned, just as I’d imagined it in my mind.

‘Won’t be long.’

I returned his dreamy, wide smile and sank back against the pillows. I found myself grinning like an idiot up at the corniced bedroom ceiling. Was it wrong to be so happy? Was I risking a major letdown feeling like this? Allowing my emotions to bubble and spill over? If it was, I couldn’t help it. It was as if I were playing a part in some romantic drama, and at any moment the director would holler, ‘Cut!’ and I’d be dragged back to reality with a fierce bump.

From downstairs, I could hear him clinking champagne glasses in the kitchen and singing to himself. He sounded like I felt: lighter and bubbling with happiness.

I pushed myself upright in bed. It was as though this old house was savouring the moment too. Everything looked golden and brimming with promise. I strained my ears and beamed. Evan was belting out ‘Universe’ by Coldplay.