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She giggles. “Hey, you got a kiss.”

“Aye.” I smile. “I’ll take that.”

“We can do it tonight. Back in Bannock. Think you can wait until then?”

“If we head straight to the car now, and take just a short break for lunch, we could be in Bannock by three. What do you think?”

“Oh no, we can’t do that. Remember what we agreed earlier? You hardly ever get a weekend off, so to make the most of it, we’re going to stay in Edinburgh all day. No need to get home till late. I’d feel terrible were you to rush back on a rare day off, all on my account.”

I sigh—and then chuckle. “Genuine question: doesn’t all this teasing bother you too? I mean, I’m not the only one you’re denying here.”

“Of course it bothers me. Yesterday, when you were standing beside me, jerking off, I wanted you inside me so badly. But, unlike you, I’m okay with anticipation. It’s part of the experience. I mean, where’s the fun in immediate satisfaction? Delayed gratification is what it’s all about.”

“I’ve been waiting six years to have sex with you again. If we were to do it right here, right now, I don’t think anyone on the planet would describe that as ‘immediate satisfaction’.”

“True, but if you’ve already been waiting six years, what’s another ten hours or so, eh?” She flashes a smile. “All right, let’s go. We don’t want to be late for checkout!”

It’s after nine when we finally get back to Bannock. I had a really fun day with Iona: we visited Edinburgh Castle, walked the Royal Mile, and climbed Arthur’s Seat. Was I distracted because I was desperate to take her to my bed? Maybe a little—okay, a lot—but I still appreciated getting to spend time with her. After so many years of things being strained between us, I’m now savouring every minute I get with her.

I park up outside her maw’s and help Iona upstairs with her bag and her haul of books. We’ve got the place to ourselves—Elspeth must still be at the restaurant. On the drive up, Iona and I agreed she’d come over to my room, but if we’re not going to be disturbed here . . .

Gently I place my hand on the small of Iona’s back and draw her closer to me, but she playfully pushes me away.

“Oi! You can wait another few minutes, you randy bugger. Let me freshen up and get changed. I’ll pop over to yours soon.” She gives me a quick peck on the lips.

I suppose I can wait a few more minutes—just about. “All right, see you in a bit.”

As I make for the stairs, she says, “Oh, just one thing.”

“Aye?”

“Well . . . you’ve mentioned you have a lot of fantasies you want to try out.”

“I do.”

“And I’ve read a lot of romance books over the years. There are a whole host of scenes that live rent-free in my head. There are so many things I’ve wanted to try out but haven’t been able to because past partners weren’t open to experimenting or didn’t have the strength. I’m confident I could try them with you, though. You and I have always been on the same wavelength about this stuff, and I reckon you’re strong enough for us to try even the most adventurous positions.”

I smirk. “I am.” No point in being modest—I’ve spent a hell of a lot of time in the gym over the years.

“Anyway, my point is . . . with so many things we both want to try, how are we going to organise this?”

“Ah. You’re right.” I click my fingers. “We have to think of the practicalities of all the crazy, passionate sex we’re going to have. Some people might claim sex should be spontaneous, and that being organised would take the excitement out of it, but I’m not convinced.”

“Right? I think it’d be far sexier to take this very seriously.” She places a hand on my chest. “We should act like we’re researchers and give this the proper consideration it deserves.”

A shiver runs down my spine. “Damn, there’s something insanely hot about the idea of you putting that brilliant mind of yours to our sex lives.”

“Well, you run a hotel—you’ve got a head for organisation too. Between now and me arriving in your room, I want you to have a think about how we’re going to tackle this project.”

I grin. “Never have I been happier about being assigned a piece of work. I’ll put my mind to it. See you soon.”

I move the car around to the back of the hotel, grab my bag, and head inside. Finally, after a month of teasing, the exchange of I-don’t-know-how-many rude photos, and a day of intense sexual frustration, I’m about to take Iona to my bed. Pure, unfiltered excitement courses through my veins.

Inside, Jamie is tidying up in the restaurant, but he stops when he spots me. “Lewis, thank God! While you were away, three customers got food poisoning, and the bathroom in room five flooded. It’s been a disaster!”

My heart sinks. When it comes to the hotel, I’m normally extremely conscientious, but I just don’t want to have to deal with this. All I want to do is take Iona upstairs. And bloody hell, food poisoning? How did that happen?

“Ignore your wee brother, the little troublemaker. None of that is true.” Elspeth emerges from the kitchen and smiles at me. “We got on just fine. No incidents to report.”