Page 54 of Isla

"I know, but sometimes it doesn't even feel real. Like if I pinch myself I’ll wake up from a dream."

Charlie's gaze softens, losing focus as memories rush back. "I remember feeling the same way. I still do sometimes, if I'm being honest. Just don't let that get in the way of enjoying it, Isla. Don't be so worried that it won't last that you forget to have fun."

"I remember having a very similar conversation with you when you started getting serious with–"

"Was that the same conversation you swore you'd only ever date one guy?" she asks, cutting me off, eyes twinkling.

"Maybeee," I hedge, biting my lip to keep from grinning.

Charlie stayswith me for the rest of the day, barring her frequent bathroom breaks. It's so good to catch up with her. I missed our gossiping and girl talk. I'm mad at myself for not making more time for her. When James died, it felt like my world turned upside down, and I tried to shoulder that weight alone instead of leaning on the people who love me. I won't make that mistake again.

As I'm locking up, the farm truck pulls up to the barn. The windows are down, Dylan's tan arm hanging out. It's such a casual thing. I shouldn't find it sexy, but god, do I ever. "Hey, good lookin'," he drawls. "Ready for our date?"

I look down at myself and the literal coating of dust covering my skin, then back up at him, arching an eyebrow.

"Fine, we can go shower first." He rolls his eyes, holding back a smile.

"We?" I ask as I climb in and slam the door shut. "I like that sound of that."

"We'll have to be quiet. Theo and Henry are already back at the house."

"Good thing there's an empty cottage far enough away where nobody will hear us," I say, wiggling my eyebrows suggestively.

Dylan parks the car in the driveway and looks over at me, so much heat in the depths of those brown eyes. I forget about everything but my need to touch him. It doesn't matter that we've both been working all day, that I'm grimy and covered in dust. I straddle his lap, swallowing his groan as our mouths meet. This. This is what matters. The caress of his thumb against my cheek, the heat of his palm on my lower back, the small sound he makes in the back of his throat when I bite his lip and suck on his tongue. He leans his head back, breathing hard, eyelids heavy with desire. "Do you want to stay in tonight? Watch a movie?" he asks, his voice rough. I lean into his touch as he sweeps my hair away from my face.

I know exactly where this is going if I say yes. "Yes. But I have to eat soon before I turn into somebody you don't want to know."

"I don't think that's possible."

"You're underestimating me."

He grins. "I'll run to the pub to pick up some food. Why don't you grab what you need from the house, and I'll meet you down at the cottage?"

I push open his door and slide off his lap. "Do you need anything?"

"Will you grab me some comfortable clothes?"

"Sure. Don't take too long." I press my lips to his, lingering. He pushes me away when my stomach growls, slamming the door and peeling out of the driveway, blowing me a kiss as he races down theroad toward the pub. I can't help but grin as I push through the front door of the house, and run smack into Theo.

"Easy there, Sunflower." He reaches over my head and presses his palm against the door, closing it as he cages me in. One finger tilts my chin, our gazes colliding, awareness buzzing between us. "This week is going so slowly. You have no idea how close I was to begging Dylan to switch days with me," he murmurs, tracing my lower lip with his thumb.

"Two more days, then it's your turn," I say gently, pushing up on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek. He turns his head at the last second, catching my mouth with his, his passion consuming me. I pull away after a couple of seconds, breathing hard. "If you kiss me like this on Dylan's day, then he can kiss me on yours."

"Not a goddamn chance," Theo growls, his face dark.

"That's exactly what I thought." I laugh, ducking under his arm and running up to my room to grab pajamas before heading back downstairs.

"Red, is that you?" Henry calls from the kitchen, coming out in shorts and an apron. No shirt in sight. Jesus Christ.

"Hey, big guy." I smile, suddenly feeling shy. He stops two steps down from me and pulls me into his arms, hugging me tightly.

"I missed you."

"I just saw you at breakfast, Henry," I say, breathing him in. I missed him, too.

"I know, but I miss havingtimewith you. A meal here and there doesn't count, especially when we're all rushing around."

"Three more weeks," I whisper against his shoulder. Three more weeks and we get as much quality time as we want together. Which means sleeping together. All four of us. A shiver wracks my body, desire sliding down my spine, goosebumps following in its wake.

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