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The spark in her eyes made his stomach do a tiny flip.

‘Oh, I think you’re safe …’ she said. ‘For now.’

This time the flip became a kick of desire that took him by surprise. Curled up on his sofa, cradling her glass, Katie looked as if she belonged in the Island House and always had done. He could be in trouble here.

She put the mug on the side table and pushed a lock of hair off her face. ‘That tea has worked its magic. I feel better now. Maybe I can even sleep.’

A mix of relief and disappointment washed over him that their moment together was over.

‘You’re welcome. Happy to help. With anything,’ he qualified, aware that the circumstances had brought him closer than he would normally ever become with his guests. While he was always polite and helpful, despite some provocation at times, he’d never felt so invested in ensuring a particular guest had an enjoyable stay. In fact, he was ready to go way beyond the call of duty.

Pulling aside the blanket, she lowered her feet to the carpet straight on to Pongo’s tail.

With a loud yelp, he shot under her legs and caught her off balance.

Arlo was already half out of the chair, but it was too late to stop Katie tripping and ending up sprawled across the rug, narrowly missing the edge of the coffee table. ‘Are you OK?’ he exclaimed, dropping to his knees when she didn’t immediately say anything.

‘I – I think so. Just a bit – surprised.’ She pushed herself to all fours and then to her knees. Her eyes sparkled and she broke into a smile that catapulted Arlo’s hormones into overdrive. ‘Is Pongo OK?’

Pongo woofed from the safety of the hearth rug.

Arlo gave the dog an exasperated glare. ‘Looks like it.’

‘It’s not his fault. I wasn’t looking where I put my feet. Maybe I shouldn’t have had that whisky after all …’ She held his gaze and desire flooded him again, making every nerve ending zing.

‘Maybe I shouldn’t have encouraged you.’

‘It was my decision,’ Katie said softly. ‘I never do anything I don’t want to.’

They were both still on their knees, facing each other. Arlo expected her to stand up at any moment and, when she didn’t, his pulse spiked.

We are going to kiss each other, he thought.

He was bang on.

Katie tilted up her chin with her eyes closed. Her cheeks were flushed and he closed his eyes and felt the velvet touch of her lips on his. Her hands settled on his waist and he pushed his hand under her hair, deepening the kiss. His body tightened pleasurably; it had been so long … so long since he’d had anything like this need for a woman. He hadn’t been looking for this, and yet he ached for her body.

The intensity of the kiss made him wonder if this would escalate to more, if they’d end up ripping each other’s clothes off right here in front of the hearth or on the sofa. He knew he would love every second but regret every moment in the morning because Katie was clearly going through something, and he didn’t want to take advantage of that.

Every instinct urged him to give into his desire but a lightning bolt of realisation struck him. Katie was special and that meant he couldn’t do this to her.

She grabbed his bum and urged him even closer to her.

Arlo groaned with pleasure – and total agony at what he had to do next.

He opened his eyes. ‘Katie … you are gorgeous and I want to do this so much …’

Her eyes opened too.

‘Oh.’ Her tone was downbeat. ‘Why do I sense a “but” coming?’ She let go of his bum and leaned away from him slightly.

‘No. I mean. I – I don’t want to not do this. I want to do this. However it was going to end, I know it would have been amazing …’ His words petered out, unable to say the ‘b-word’ and live up to Katie’s worst expectations of him.

Arlo didn’t need Katie’s contempt because he already felt like the most stupid and ungrateful man in the world. He’d managed to sabotage his chance of a hot night with the most gorgeous and intriguing woman that had crossed his path since … well … he didn’t want to remember the last time.

‘You know, Arlo, as a writer, I’ve had a lot of rejections in my life. In fact, I’ve had dozens. Most of them have been lovely, apologetic, often very long-winded before they get to the killer blow. However, eventually, there is always a “but”. So, if you are going to say it, I would rather you got it over with now.’ She smiled again, bravely and ironically, and Arlo hated himself as he’d rarely hated himself before.

‘I don’t think this is a good idea,’ he said, helping her to her feet. ‘And I must be out of my mind to say it because I want you. Very much.’