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“Late August? What was—” His face fell. “Oh! High Line?”

With a nod, she flung open the duvet and shifted to Tarquin’s side of the bed, inviting him into her fort of blankets and pillows.

“So, you did miss me!” Tarquin slid in beside her, and Leia cocooned the sheets and duvet around his nakedness. He rolled onto his side, facing her, his bliss tipping toward concern. “But all jokes aside, why did you stop journaling?”

“Regret, sadness, longing…there wasn’t much room left for gratitude.” She swept her fingers along his furrowed brow and back again. “I thought walking away from you was for the best, for me and my career, but it broke my heart.”

Tarquin hugged her close.

“And to top it all off, I’d lost my job at the Institute the day before. Budget cuts.”

“No! You loved it there! I assumed you just quit because Frill-Seekers was getting too big.”

“Nope. Being let go hurt, but in retrospect, it was the push I needed.” She lifted her chin. “If they’d kept me, I wouldn’t have come to London, wouldn’t have held my fashion show. I wouldn’t be here now with you.”

He softly kissed her. “I owe those bean counters several pints!”

Leia giggled, her fingers swirling in the fine auburn hair on his sculpted chest. “We both do.”

“Bless.” He squeezed her tight, kissing her forehead. “God, this week flew by. Fancy a little more sightseeing on our last day?”

“How many hours of light do we have?”

“It’s around nine o’clock now, so we’ll have about six. We’ll have to bundle up, though. It’s sunny but blustery out there. Or if you’d prefer, we could stay in…” He kissed her lips and down her neck, his sharp, warm puffs of breath skating over her skin. “Pick up where we left off last night.” His erection poked her stomach.

Tangled together in the shower. He can’t get enough. Want tingled between her thighs. And neither can I. God, you’d think we’d be all out of orgasms by now. “This morning, you mean.” She smirked and brushed a lazy finger along his jaw, the coarseness of his stubble pricking her skin. “We didn’t climb back into bed until quarter to two!”

“Worth it, though! So wet and steamy. Jesus, Leia. I was so worked up, it felt like my balls would blow when I came.” Eyes still on her, he bent down, taking her peaked nipple into his mouth for a long, slow suck.

He’s SO bad! She sighed. He knows exactly what this does to me. He just knows.

And so did Leia. Months of separation did little to erase what they’d learned about each other in London. Tarquin went wild whenever Leia nibbled his shoulder or kissed near his belly button, and every time her tongue flirted with the ridge of his penis, his eyes would roll back and curses would fill the air. In bed, in the shower—it didn’t matter where Leia and Tarquin fooled around; their subtle dance of give and take never felt conditional or expected. It felt natural, respectful.

Loving.

This man! Leia arched her back, asking for more. I swear he’s God’s gift to womankind. The things he can do with his tongue! Tarquin flicked and pressed her nipple, teasing Leia into a dizzy puddle of bliss, her nails digging into his shoulders. “You repaying me for last night?”

He glanced up, his gaze heavy and mischievous. “Don’t you want me to?”

“Oh, I do! But…”

“Butt? You mean…this gorgeous butt?” Tarquin slipped his fingers into her underwear, grabbing a handful of her ass as he closed his mouth around her breast again for a vigorous suck, the sensation rocketing straight to her core.

Goose bumps pebbled her skin as she gasped through a giggle. “You’re insatiable and silly, and I’d love orgasms for breakfast, but we really should…” Her eyes lazily flickered, fighting the pleasure building within in.

He sucked harder and slid his hand around Leia’s hip and between her legs. All her thoughts of silliness, sunlight, and sightseeing faded away like a north island mist, replaced by countless sighs and uncontrollable tingles worthy of a glowing gratitude entry.

Her breaths shortened. “I love your mouth on me,” she gasped, writhing beneath him, desire soaking her panties as his fingers circled and teased.

Tarquin relinquished her breast with a soft kiss. “I can tell. You’re so deliciously wet, begging for more.” He nudged his glasses up his nose. “I know you’ll taste amazing.”

Shifting between her thighs, he kissed his way along her stomach, stopping just shy of her underwear, which he peeled away slowly, his leisurely pace a cruel tease. But the wait was worth it. Panties gone, his fingers gently parted her, his breath warm and ragged as his tongue stroked across her, sparking a surge of tingly shivers firing through her body. She twitched with each lick, her hands ravishing his bedhead, grasping, tugging, refusing to let go.

I want this. I want him, more than anything. Leia moaned as Tarquin glided two fingers inside her. “Deeper, Tarquin.” She bucked instinctively against his hand and bit her lip as he circled her slick center with his tongue, his fingers plunging harder, faster, intensifying her need, taking her higher and higher until she broke.

Sucking in a breath, Leia stiffened, letting out a loud moan as the orgasm ripped through her, unraveling body and soul. She fisted Tarquin’s hair, riding each explosive pulse until she whimpered with relief. Wilting into a pool of dizzy satisfaction, her open-mouthed gaze meandered over the wooden beams crossing the ceiling.

Tarquin eased himself up onto an elbow. “Ah, Leia. What were you saying about breakfast?” He flashed a satisfied smirk. “You still peckish?”