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Inside, Amy could still feel the touch of his lips on hers. She paced the living room, arms folded, muttering to herself as Ollie watched from his rug.

“This is ridiculous,” she whispered. “You work together. He’s been through enough. You’ve been through enough. It’s best to take it slow… see where it goes.” She shook her head. “Right.”

Ollie lifted his head at her quizzically. She sank onto the couch, running a hand through her hair. She could still taste the wine and want. Every fiber of her tried to reason her feelings away, to place them somewhere safe.

It didn’t work.

“Come on, boy, let’s go out before bedtime.” She let Ollie out the front door, watching as he did his business. The night had deepened. Wind brushed the windowpanes. Even though the season was warmer, the nights were still cool.

She sat heavily on the couch, and Ollie joined her as she slipped off her heels. She resigned herself to scroll through TV channels on her remote.

Then—after twenty minutes, maybe less—a low, familiar rumble slid up the drive.

Headlights swept briefly across the room. The truck paused, idling, then cut off.

A knock. Her breath caught.

Amy opened the door before she could talk herself out of it.

Sully stood there, hair mussed from his hands. A nervous, crooked smile hovered somewhere between apology and need. He looked like someone who had driven himself in circles before landing here.

“I got halfway home,” he said, voice rough, “before I knew I had to come back.”

Amy’s heart thudded hard. “Sully…”

He stepped closer. The faint blush of cooler air followed him inside. “I’ve wanted you for weeks,” he said, almost in disbelief at himself. “Maybe months. Maybe since the first time you told me off.”

She laughed softly. The tension unraveled between them, leaving only truth.

“I kept thinking if I waited long enough, it’d pass.” He shook his head. “But that’s not what’s happening. If you don’t feel the same, tell me now and I’ll head home.”

Amy reached out to slide her fingers into his. His hand was warm and strong.

Silence stretched between them, wide and certain.

Then—without words—she tugged lightly, leading him through the doorway and closing it behind them.

The cottage was dim and quiet except for the soft ticking of the clock and the hum of the wind outside. Amy led Sully through the kitchen. Her hands found the back of his shirt and slid around his waist. She felt the warmth of him, solid and steady even as her pulse raced.

He caught her wrists gently, his breath unsteady. “Amy, are you sure?” His voice was rough, asking but already knowing the answer. “Because once this starts, I don’t think I can step away again.”

Her reply was a whisper against his lips. “I’m sure. More than sure.”

Sully’s restraint lasted only a heartbeat. The kiss that followed was hungry, almost desperate. Months of tension unspooled all at once. When he gathered her close, she melted into him completely. Every stored moment—the arguments, the laughter—rushed between them like a current too strong to hold back.

His kisses rained fire on her neck; his hands roamed freely over her body. Passion rose quickly between them as she burned for him. This felt right, even though it was undeniably fast. She wanted him now.

They moved across the kitchen floor, not paying attention to where their movements led them. The kitchen table stopped their momentum, and Sully’s hands reached under her dress, moving aside fabric to find her wet. Amy moaned as Sully pushed a finger into her. Pulling back, he looked into her face. His eyes were clouded with passion. He bent his head to kiss her passionately, his finger moving in and out, making her wild with overwhelming need. His mouth moved to her fabric-covered breasts. Heat overtook her, and she couldn’t hold back from grinding herself against Sully’s hand. Sensations ripped through her, and she called out while coming around his finger. “Oh, baby,” he whispered in her ear, his eyes full of wonder as he watched her face.

“I want you. Now,” Amy said, reaching for his fly.

“Upstairs,” was Sully’s returning growl. He gathered her in his arms and took the stairs two at a time.

Setting her on her feet, Sully pulled at Amy’s dress as she slipped it over her head and stepped easily out of her panties and bra. Sully stood motionless, watching her every movement. Amy stretched out on top of her bed completely naked.

“Oh my God, Amy. You’re beautiful,” he said, standing over her fully clothed.

“Okay then, Diarmid. Take off your clothes and stop messing around.”