Page 51 of Highland Hearts Holiday Bookshop

“Well, quality over quantity is what is important.” I bumped his shoulder with mine as we stopped in front of the door to the shop. “Buddy.”

“Mate.”

I looked up at him, my heart tripping over his word.

“Mate?”

“We call them mates here. My mates. Not my buddy.”

“Ah, oh, right. Okay, well, goodnight, mate.” I stretched up on my toes to give his cheek a kiss just as a small bang sounded from inside the shop. Alexander turned toward it, and our lips met.

Holy …

Desire raced through me. One moment, I was chilled from the icy wind, and the next I was burning hot. I’d never had someone light me up inside before, not from a single kiss, and I moaned softly at his lips.

When I realized what I was doing, I made to step back, embarrassment already creeping up, threatening to replace desire, when he wrapped a hand around the back of my neck and angled my head, deepening the kiss.

And with that simple act, Alexander forever eradicated the notion that awkward computer programmers with strained social skills wouldn’t be sexy as hell. Because this man kissed like he knew every one of my hidden secrets, as though he’d dipped into my darkest desires and flipped a light on, causing every nerve ending on my body to stand up and shout inexcitement. When his other arm came around my waist, pulling me against his body, I took the opportunity to thread my hands through his thick hair.

He didn’t just kiss. He devoured. He tasted.

He played.

It wasn’t just a kiss. It was a dance. Our tongues met, tasting, licking, teasing each other, and I moaned against his lips. I wanted more. So much more.

When we broke apart, panting, I waved my hands in front of my face.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I just meant to kiss you on the cheek. I didn’t mean…”

“I know. I heard a noise. It was an accident.”

I didn’t know anyone who accidentally fell into a full make-out session like that, but I decided to let him off easily. We’d agreed to be friends, hadn’t we?

“Yup, an accident. It happens. Right. I’d better see what that bang was from inside.” Turning, I put my hand on the knob and ran straight into the door, hitting my forehead against the wood, because—duh—I hadn’t unlocked the door yet.

“Oh shite. Are you all right then? Here, let me look.”

“Fine. I’m totally fine. Really. Thanks for walking me home, mate.” I wasn’t sure what burned harder, the knot already forming on my head or the embarrassment in my cheeks, and I quickly unlocked the door, hoping to slip inside so I could die of shame in peace and quiet.

“Rosie. Wait.”

Was he calling me back? Hope lifted inside me, butwhen I turned, he was just holding up the bag of birdseed.

“Oh right. For my wanker-free birds.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Alexander squinted at my forehead. “Should I get some ice?”

“It’s fine. Really. I’m just tired and clumsy and, right, just yeah. I’m done for the day.”

“Goodnight. Sleep well, Rosie.”

“Safe walk home and all that.” I waved him away, closing the door and locking it quickly behind me. Leaning my back against it, I closed my eyes, embarrassment flooding me.

The speaker switched on and the songClumsyby Fergie burst out.

“Oh, you too? Lovely. Justlovely.” Grumbling, I went to find some ice to nurse my head.

I wasn’t sure what to put on my injured pride though.

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