Page 89 of The Romance Library

I paused, thinking whether I should tell her what happened or not. But I was bursting with excitement. I had to tell someone. But Theo was next door and he’d hear everything.

‘Can I call you back in five?’

‘Yeah, course.’

I quickly grabbed my room key, slipped on my shoes and headed to the beach.

This wasn’t a conversation I could have in my room or in the streets where people might overhear. The beach at Sunshine Bay wasn’t crowded like so many of the nice beaches in England. Usually people used it for walks and occasional picnics, but during the daytime, like now, people were either at home, working, or eating lunch at the cafe, the pub, or the fish and chips restaurant. I loved the fact that it was so peaceful.

Once I was sure I was alone, I dialled Sarah’s number.

‘Hey,’ she mumbled through a mouthful of food.

‘Sorry about that. I just had to go to the beach, where it was more private.’

‘Why, what’s up? Everything okay?’

‘Yep. More than okay. Y’know you said that because we won, hopefully me and Theo would’ve bonded?’

‘Yeah?’

‘Well, last night we bonded… with our bodies!’

Sarah gasped so loud they probably heard her across the ocean.

‘No fucking way!’

‘Yes, way!’ I laughed.

‘Then again, I don’t know why I’m so surprised. You two have been spending a lot of time together, and after you sent me that picture of him, to be honest, I’m surprised you lasted that long. If I had a Henry Cavill lookalike staying in the room next door to me, I would’ve accidentally fallen on his dick approximately two seconds after he arrived.’

I burst out laughing. The truth was, as much as I would’ve denied wanting to, I probably wouldn’t have been sorry if that happened.

‘He is ridiculously hot!’

‘So come on, then! Don’t leave me hanging. I need details! How did it happen and where? And most importantly, was it good?’

I told Sarah everything. About the almost kiss on the beach and the rocking chair sex.

‘Oh my God! You lucky cow! I never knew I had a rocking chair sex fantasy until now!’

‘Me either! But it definitely gets a thumbs-up.’

‘Plus bonus points for semi-al fresco fucking! I wonder if any of the residents saw you shagging with the patio doors open?’

‘And that’s not the only thing. He bought me a bag of books and was encouraging me to get back into reading.’

‘Marry him! Immediately! A man who buys you books and is happy for you to read them is the equivalent of finding a stable of unicorns! I’m sooo jealous. Where do they grow men like this? Does Theo have any brothers?’

I laughed. Imagine if there was a pick-your-own-Theo farm. It’d be inundated.

‘He’s got two brothers.’

‘Send me their telephone numbers right now!’ she said excitedly.

‘Ha-ha! Neither of them are in the UK.’

‘I can call them on WhatsApp. And I have a passport! I can travel!’

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