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The thought crossed her mind again, that if she’d stood up to Catriona at that point, rather than avoiding conflict, then she and Sam wouldn’t have lost all this time.

Still, she was back together with Sam and things had worked out for them, in the end.

Chapter

Twenty

Sam placed the box into the trolley and scooted around into the next aisle to find Maya. She was searching through some boxes of lights.

“Hey,” he called. “Check this out.” He came to a stop and pointed proudly at what he’d found.

“Amazing!” She lifted her hands in the air. “You got the inflatable Santa. Hold on, let me cross it off.”

Taking out the scorecard from their lights walk, she drew a line through inflatable Santa. “Now we need the general lights, the icicles, the inflatable penguins, that giant wrap thing for the garage . . .” She glanced up. “Are you sure you don’t mind us doing this to your house?”

He grinned. This was fun. In fact, being with Maya was always fun. “Course not.”

She gave a contented sigh. “This is my best idea ever.” She licked her finger and put it on her shoulder, making a noise to imitate putting out a flame.

Reaching over to tug her in, Sam smiled. “You certainly are hot stuff.”

He kissed her, only meaning for it to be a brief peck. But the fire that burst inside galvanized him into running his mouth thoroughly over hers, exploring the softness and the heat and gently biting her lower lip. Her breath hitched, sending a wave of desire through his body.

Sliding in his tongue, he absorbed the way she responded, pressing close and threading her fingers into his hair with a delicious traction that set his skin alight.

Sam broke off when heat built a little too quickly in his body for a Sunday morning in the Glenavie Garden Center. He didn’t want the evidence of that to strain too hard against his jeans and give any of the other shoppers a heart attack.

They’d been seeing each other for only under a week, but each time he was near her, the heat between them was more intense. That must be because whatever was brewing hadn’t only been present a few weeks, but had started years ago and lain dormant until their unexpected meeting at that party.

However, he didn’t want to rush her. They hadn’t been together very long, plus he’d been in another relationship a few days ago. He didn’t even know how they’d define things. Was it casual? Serious? Exclusive? For him it was serious, and he very much wanted it to be exclusive. Those were issues that he was keen to voice, as well as wanting to admit his craving for physical intimacy. But again, he didn’t want to exert any pressure or hurry her.

Maya was blushing, and it was so adorable his heart throbbed. He brushed his lips over the dusky color staining her cheeks.

She smiled. “What time is everyone coming to yours?”

He checked his watch. “In about an hour.”

“Cool. Let’s find all the other items and get everything over there.”

After helping him to drag the last box out of the boot and into the garage, Maya sat on it. “Blimey. How are inflatables so heavy when they’re mostly air, and not even blown up yet?”

Sam grinned. “Maybe we should’ve waited for Nico. His muscles have got muscles. It’s what gives him his lady-killing persona.”

“Hmm.” Maya curled her lip. “I only have time for bearded ski instructor–naked butlers with fiery amber eyes.”

“That’s very specific,” Sam said slowly, keeping a solemn expression on his face. “We might have difficulty finding him for you.”

“That’s okay.” Maya shrugged. “I already found him.”

Sam shot her a smile, warmth gathering inside him. “Found him, and got him.” He sat next to her on the box, and took her hand. “Speaking of which. I was wondering how you’d . . . define us.”

Maya rubbed her thumb over his skin, and it made him lose his train of thought. “Define?”

Clearing his throat, he nodded. “If, for example, we were out and about and someone I know stopped to chat. Let’s say his name’s Bobby. And I was like, ‘Hey, Bobby, this is . . . ’ ” He paused. “What would I say?”

She arched an eyebrow, giving him a deadpan look. “Maya. My name’s Maya. I can’t believe you’ve forgotten already.”

Smiling, he shook his head. “I mean I’d be like, ‘This is Maya, my . . . friend’? ‘Girlfriend’?”