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“I know.” She looked down, resting her hands on his chest, fiddling with one of the buttons on his shirt. She wanted him so badly it hurt. “I told you at the Black Fort, it’s been a really long time since I’ve been with anyone. And I’m out of practice with, well, everything to do with relationships. And I’m probably messing this up right now. I don’t do casual things. I don’t fall for people lightly.”

She took a deep breath. May as well say it straight and get it over with.

“And I’m pretty sure I’ve fallen hard for you. You’ve made me feel alive for the first time in years – for the first time since my dad died, if I’m really being honest. But if you’re not ready or if me being too serious like this scares you, then you should tell me now. I’ll understand.”

She finally dared to peek up at him and saw a bemused yet slightly playful expression on his face. He reached up to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear and his hand lingered at her neck.

“When I first met you,” he said, “I was in such a dark place, I was sure I would never be able to open myself up to someone else. You pulled me out. You’ve made me feel alive again too.” He wrapped one arm around her waist and leaned his forehead against hers. “You being serious like this doesn’t scare me,” he whispered. “It thrills me.”

Cordelia felt an opening in her chest, like a flower turning its petals to the sun. “Really?”

“Really. Christ, I’ve been dying to kiss you since the Black Fort.”

She let out a tiny gasp. “You have?”

He nodded. “Didn’t know how you felt, though.”

She winced. “I think I made myself abundantly clear.”

“You did. And it was gorgeous. I’ll never forget the sight of you running up to me on that pier.”

Her heart was racing, unable to believe this was really happening, unable to compute that he was telling her he felt the same way she did. “But I’m only here until the end of August,” she said. “What then?”

“I don’t think we need to go worrying about that just yet,” Niall said. “You might not like me anymore in a couple of months.”

“I already didn’t like you,” she pointed out. “And look where that got us.”

Niall laughed. “Fair play.” He tilted her chin so that her eyes met his. “Have I proved my intentions now? Or do I need to get you a claddagh ring? Maybe let you wear my school jacket?”

“Do you have a school jacket?”

“No. But if I did, I’d let you wear it.” He batted his eyelashes. “Cordelia James, will you go steady with me?”

It was her turn to laugh, and it was clear and bubbly and for a moment the stars seemed to shine even brighter. “Yes,” she said, leaning in to kiss him, his lips already so familiar. She ran her hand down his chest and Niall gave a little purr of pleasure, a visceral sound that tugged at the string connected to the pit of need low in her belly. She felt all her fear and anxiety melt away, leaving only a warm thrumming behind.

“Do you want to come inside?” she asked coyly.

The inside of the cottage was dark.

Niall hadn’t been here in years. He could smell Cordelia’s bergamot scent beneath the wood polish and wool. Cordelia put her bag down and closed the door, and Niall was there in an instant, his hands in her hair, his mouth covering hers. God, he would never tire of kissing her. Her lips were so soft – he took the lower one between his teeth and tugged on it gently, eliciting that tiny moan from her again. In one swift movement, he slipped her cardigan off her shoulders and it fell softly to the floor. He pushed her back against the door, his hardness pressing into her thigh, but she seemed to welcome it, twisting in his arms and kissing him with more force, her hand dropping so she could run her fingernails over the bulge at his inseam. He groaned against her mouth and swept his tongue inside her.

His hand moved from her hip to the curve of her waist, playing over her ribcage until he reached her breast. He swept his thumb across the soft fabric, feeling her nipple beneath. She wasn’t wearing a bra. He brushed her nipple again and again until it hardened into a tight peak. Cordelia groaned and dug her fingers into his back, giving a little shudder.

“I need you in my mouth,” Niall said roughly, and she gasped as he slid the strap of her dress down and tugged at the neckline, exposing one perfect breast, soft as satin and begging to be kissed. He took the whole thing in his mouth, sucking on her and flicking the nipple with his tongue until she cried out. Then he gently slid the dress back into place.

“What are you doing?” she panted.

His mouth moved to her ear. “Taking my time,” he murmured.

She was so impossibly lovely. He didn’t want to rush anything. He wanted to sip her slowly and savor every last drop. He wanted to feast on her until the sun rose and still be hungry for more. He slipped his other hand beneath the hem of her skirt and stroked the delicate skin of her thigh. Her breath caught as he hitched her leg up to his hip, sliding himself further between her legs. His mouth explored the length of her collarbone, dipping down to kiss the valley between her breasts. The hand at her thigh moved to grip her ass, lifting her up so that he could press deeper against her.

“You’re so fucking hard,” she whispered in his ear and it was like a shot of pure ecstasy through his veins. She began to fumble with the buttons on his shirt, but when he went to help her, she stopped him. “Keep those hands where they were,” she growled and he chuckled, breathless, loving the sound of her ordering him around.

He traced a finger down her collarbone and ran his palm over her breast again, that teasing nipple still hard and calling to him. He needed to work on the other one. It took all his self-control not to rip off the thin cotton dress right there.

Cordelia reached the last button and slid his shirt off his shoulders, letting it puddle on the floor. Then her hands were on him and he couldn’t think, he couldn’t see, he could hardly breathe . . . everything was Cordelia. She kissed along his shoulder, then gently bit his neck, making him gasp. Her fingernails raked through the hair on his chest, her palms resting at his hips, one index finger swooping teasingly beneath the waistband of his jeans while the other went to cup his cock, rubbing her palm up and down in a steady repetitive motion that had his knees going weak.

“You’re killing me, woman,” Niall moaned.