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“Oh really?” said Lottie, her eyes sleepy but shining. She loved having Hannah here in her own bed, in her little cottage. It felt like the perfect way to end such a wonderful day.

But there were still ways the day could get even better, and Hannah started things off by climbing on top of Lottie and kissing her. Lottie moaned, enjoying the sensation of Hannah slowly unbuttoning her pyjamas, opening the shirt and kissing down her neck, her breasts, her stomach.

“Now this may be the best Christmas present ever,” whispered Lottie.

“I quite agree,” said Hannah as she moved lower and pulled away Lottie’s pyjama bottoms and underwear.

Lottie gasped as Hannah breathed between her legs, a promise of what was to come. She gently kissed Lottie, who squirmed, wanting more. Then, when Lottie felt like she might explode with anticipation, Hannah drew her tongue upwards. Lottie’s hand flew to her mouth. Hannah smiled, but didn’t stop, gently taking Lottie as close to the edge as she could.

Lottie couldn’t countenance making a sound with her children just downstairs, but when Hannah’s fingers joined her mouth, moving inside her, she nearly lost that battle.

She squeaked and then bit her hand as Hannah moved in sync with Lottie. She balled the sheet with her other hand as she came. Had they been anywhere else she knew she would have been loud. But as things were, she ended up with toothmarks in the back of her hand.

“God you’re good at that,” she breathed, as Hannah moved away slightly, resting her head on Lottie’s thigh. She could feel Hannah’s smile.

“I learnt from you,” said Hannah.

“Oh, I have so much more to teach you,” said Lottie. “But not right now. I need a minute.” She rested an arm over her eyes and concentrated on getting her breathing back to normal.

Hannah moved up the bed and removed her own silky pyjamas. Lottie slowly ran her hand down Hannah’s side, luxuriating in the feel of her warm smooth skin. She paused at Hannah’s hip.

Hannah sighed. “I thought you needed recovery time.”

“Maybe less than I thought,” said Lottie, pressing a kiss to the side of Hannah’s neck.

Hannah moved her head to allow more access. “This is definitely the hottest Christmas I’ve ever had,” she said.

Boxing Day morning dawned overcast, but Lottie didn’t care. By her reckoning, for every day the sun was out early in the Highlands, it would be grey and miserable for about ten more. It was part of the charm of the place.

Hannah pulled her silk pyjama top over herself and went over to the window. “I love how the sky changes almost every minute. You can look at the same view again and again but it feels totally different.”

Lottie didn’t bother with clothes. She wrapped her arms around Hannah from behind. “It’s why I love it so much here.” Her voice caught in her throat.

“I would never ask you to leave,” said Hannah, as though reading her mind.

Before long they were in the kitchen tucking into the pancakes that Freya had declared were a new tradition. Lottie wasn’t going to argue. Boxing Day breakfast had always been a strictly self-service effort in the cottage if she wasn’t working in the hotel.

The day passed in a happy haze of food and drink and good company, Hannah and Lottie studiously avoiding talking about the future. Lottie didn’t want to break the spell, and it seemed, nor did Hannah, who slipped away to call Mark just as it was getting dark. Lottie took her chance to check in with Anne-Marie and see if things at the hotel were OK.

“You’re supposed to be on your day off,” said Anne-Marie.

“I’m just checking you’re OK and you don’t need any help,” said Lottie in a sing-song voice.

“Och, it’s quiet today aside from in the bar. But I do have someone I wanted to introduce you to.” Anne-Marie tugged Lottie’s sleeve and they went into Lottie’s office.

“Well, this is good timing,” said the familiar man inside. Satnam.

Lottie furrowed her brow. The only guest who had ever sat at the desk in this office was Hannah, and that was in extreme circumstances. Satnam had a broad grin on his face and was clutching a cup of tea.

“Just the woman I was hoping to see,” he said. “I have a confession to make.”

Lottie looked quizzically at Anne-Marie who remained silent, a small smile on her face.

“I’m a mystery shopper. I work for one of the major tourist boards in the United Kingdom, and I visit hotels and resorts across the country.” Satnam spread his hands on the desk.

“Oh,” said Lottie, casting her mind back through their interactions and hoping that the toilet in Satnam’s room hadn’t given him any trouble during his stay.

“I have been incredibly impressed with the service here, and I’ll be ensuring that this hotel gets prominent billing in our new Highlands publication and marketing series,” he continued.