With Sabrina, all he wanted to do was show the world that she was his. He wanted everybody to see that he was the one holding her hand, that he was the only one allowed to kiss her. When he’d left her with love bites after their first night together, he hadn’t understood why he’d done it. He wasn’t a teenager anymore, who did stupid things like that, and he’d certainly never done it to any of his previous girlfriends. But now that he knew the feelings he harbored for her, he knew that during their first night he’d instinctively branded her.

Daniel’s chest felt heavy when he finally woke, and he felt something pressing against his thighs. As soon as he opened his eyes, he realized to his amazement what the cause of the weight was. His lips lifted into a smile.

Sabrina had snuggled into him and slept deeply, her head resting in the crook of his arm. Her arm lay heavy on his chest, and she’d placed one leg over his thighs. Just a look at her peaceful body sprawled over him, coupled with the feel of her bare legs touching the exposed skin on his shorts-clad thighs, was enough for his body to heat up.

Suddenly, the shade of the tree wasn’t sufficient to cool him, nor was the light breeze getting even close to lowering his body temperature.

He was in deep shit. What had made him think he could spend the night in bed with her without touching her,? Even now, he could barely restrain himself from putting his hands on her to tug her even closer, or run his hand underneath her shorts to touch the soft skin of her ass. And now she was dressed. Tonight, she’d be naked or as close to naked as possible.

Panic gripped him. He’d never be able to go through with his plan. The coldest shower in the Antarctic wasn’t sufficient to cool his thoughts or bring his erection under control once Sabrina was in his bed tonight.

How could he ever go through with his slow seduction to make her come to him when he would jump her bones the minute they were back at the cottage? Whose brilliant idea had that been? Oh yes, his own. Tim had doubted from the start that he’d ever be able to go through with it and had suggested he’d tell her the truth the minute they got out of town. One-nil for Tim.

***

Tim waved to catch Holly’s attention when he saw her appear at the door to the coffee shop. She spotted him instantly and shuffled past the busy tables to plop down next to him on the couch. They kissed on the cheek.

“Darling, you have no idea what kind of night I’ve had,” Tim complained theatrically.

“Don’t get your knickers in twist, sweetie, at least you didn’t have to deal with Sabrina crying her eyes out again.” She let out a long breath of air.

“I love it when you talk dirty to me,” he teased her.

“I wish, sweetie, I wish. For you I’d give up my job, honestly I would.”

Tim gave her a friendly squeeze. “Sorry, darling, I can’t change what I am. But if I could, I’d do it for you in a heartbeat.”

She shrugged. “I think it’s your turn to pay. I’ll have a triple grande—”

He cut her off instantly. “Already ordered. I’m so way ahead of you.” Her drink was called out by the barista and Tim got up to collect it for her.

Holly took a greedy gulp, then wiped the foam off her lips. “I needed that. I got up way too early to make sure Sabrina was really going to leave with him and not change her mind at the last minute.”

“That’s nothing. Danny kept me up half the night to organize everything for the weekend. Okay, so I volunteered to help him.”

Holly raised an eyebrow.

“Fine. I convinced him that he needed to put some thought into this.” Tim glanced at her and grinned. “I made him take a crash course in sensual massage.”

“You did what?” Holly almost spilled her latte.

“I called my masseuse and had her teach him how to do a sensual massage. Trust me, Sabrina will thank us for it later. He’s a fast learner. And he’s motivated.”

Holly shook her head. “Don’t you think we’re taking this too far?”

Tim made a dismissive hand movement. “After all you’ve told me about Sabrina over the years, I’m telling you they’re perfect for each other.”

“I’m having second thoughts. She’s going to get hurt. We should have never done this. What the hell were we thinking?” There was concern in Holly's voice.

Sheepishly, Tim looked at her. “Did I mention that he’s fallen in love with her?”

Holly’s mouth dropped open. “Are you sure?”

He tossed her an offended look. “Do I know Danny, or don’t I know Danny?”