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“That’s encouraging.”

I came around the table and slid my arms around his waist.

“Although I do have one more very important item on my schedule.”

He looked down at me.

“Does it involve repairing anything?”

“Not unless you find something seriously wrong with my kissing technique.”

“Let me check.”

He bent toward me, and I met him halfway.

His kiss was warm and unhurried. I held him close, enjoying the familiar scratch of his beard against my cheek and the way he seemed perfectly content to stand there with me despite how tired we both were.

When he eased back, I followed him for another.

“Well?” I asked.

“I might need a longer inspection.”

I laughed and kissed him again.

Somehow we made it down the short hallway to my bedroom, although we stopped twice along the way because neither of us seemed especially interested in hurrying.

Inside, I switched on the bedside lamp.

Duncan looked around the little room, taking in the floral quilt, the paperback beside my pillow, and the cardigan I’d left over the back of a chair.

“Comfortable?”

“It is. Although the bed’s smaller than yours.”

“I noticed.”

I glanced between him and the mattress.

“I’m sure we can manage.”

He pulled me into his arms again.

This kiss was different. There was less laughter in it, although none of the happiness had gone away. He held me gently, his hands warm at my back, and I could feel the steady rise and fall of his breathing beneath my palms.

I drew back far enough to look at him.

“I’m glad you came home with me.”

“So am I. I’ve been looking forward to having you to myself since this morning.”

I smiled and reached for the buttons of his shirt.

He watched me undo them, then helped me ease the fabric from his shoulders. I took my time kissing him, enjoying being able to touch him without an opening deadline or a workshop full of unfinished repairs waiting for us.

Duncan returned every kiss with the same patient attention. We undressed one another slowly, stopping often to kiss and hold each other, until the cold night outside seemed very far away.

When he sat on the edge of the bed, I moved between his knees and rested my hands on his shoulders.