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Thankful the lighting of a luxury boutique hotel was a lot more subtle than that of a Premier Inn, Valentina felt sexy as she caught sight of herself in the long mirror. And Arlo’s physique didn’t disappoint. She couldn’t help but run her hands over his deltoids and arm muscles, incredibly toned and sculpted from a combination of drumming and kickboxing.

‘You’re beautiful,’ Arlo said, before dropping lingering kisses on her shoulder

Valentina swallowed, feeling light-headed with lust as his mouth travelled over her hot skin until she groaned out loud with pleasure. They collapsed on the bed together and continued to kiss… protracted, deliciously slow kisses, their bodies pressed together.

And with all flights grounded and trains cancelled due to the weather, there was nothing else for it than to spend the next thirty-six hours in the ever-so trendy hotel room, raiding the mini-bar, talking about everything and nothing, calling down for room service and having the most mind-blowing sex of Valentina’s life.

* * *

Valentina and Arlo woke with a knocking on their door just after nine on the Tuesday morning. It was Jay. Quickly wrapping herself in a hotel bathrobe, Valentina let him in. Jay apologised profusely for disturbing them as he tried, and failed, to find somewhere to sit that didn’t have discarded clothes or room-service trays cluttering the surface.

‘I’m sorry for ruining your, um, time together,’ Jay said euphemistically, looking embarrassed at disturbing their mammoth sex session. ‘Arlo said he was here and I need to talk to him.’

Arlo had quickly thrown on his clothes and went to speak with Jay in the corridor. A few minutes later Arlo returned. He kissed Valentina. This time there was a melancholy along with the passion.

‘I’m going to have to go. Jay’s in a bad way. Astrid’s gone mental and burnt a ton of his stuff including music and instruments. I’m sorry…’

Valentina rested a hand on his chest. ‘I understand. Will he be okay?’

‘I really hope so.’ Arlo bent down and kissed her again. ‘I’ll call you just as soon as I can and let you know. This weekend… it’s…’

Valentina silenced him with a kiss then a gentle shove. ‘Go. I’ll speak to you soon, but I want to see you again.’

‘I do too. It’s just with Rocco and Jay…’

‘We can work something out.’

‘Okay.’

And Arlo left and Valentina went home to her home and her job and her life.

A couple of days later, Arlo phoned while Valentina was at work.

‘Hey! I caught a flight up and I’m in Glasgow Airport. I’m going to hire a car and come to Drumkeldy, just as soon as I work out where the hell it is!’

Valentina glowed and felt like doing cartwheels across the desks in the open-plan office. ‘Don’t, I’ll come to Glasgow.’

‘I’ll book a hotel and text you which one.’

‘Okay, see you soon.’

It had been just as magical as their time in London. Valentina lay against the pillows watching Arlo sleep, fascinated by his strong cheekbones, sculpted mouth and long eyelashes. Was it possible she could have already fallen in love with him? After mere days?

His lips curved into a smile.

‘I can sense you watching me, and I’m just trying to work out if it’s sweet or creepy.’ He opened his eyes and trailed a finger softly down Valentina’s cheek.

‘It’s sweet. Definitely sweet.’

‘Good, because I did the same to you earlier.’

After a lazy breakfast and a walk around the city, hand in hand, they said their goodbyes.

Back home, when she unpacked her overnight bag, Valentina found a little gift bag with her name on it. It was a snow globe of the Rosetta Stone and a note, A little memento of our lost weekend. Valentina lovingly placed it on her bedside table.

The next night Valentina got a text from Arlo as she was changing for bed.

I checked in with Jay. I’m worried he’s having a breakdown. I’m going to spend some time with him and get him some help. I don’t know when I’ll be free but I’ll be in touch as soon as I can, XXXXXXXXXXX