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out on a first date?”
    “Oh.” His lips twitched. “When do you go home?”
    “The day after tomorrow.”
    He nuzzled the shell of my ear, a place I’d never thought to describe as an erogenous zone before now. “But you are coming back, aren’t you?”
    “That’s the plan.” I stole a kiss. “I’m going to be away for two weeks. I’ll miss you.”
    His arms tightened around me. “I’ll miss you too, sweetheart.”
    Sliding my fingers across the softness of his shirt, I nuzzled his chin. “I might feel different about putting out on a second date.”
    “Hmm. Are you asking if I’m free tomorrow?”
    “Nope. This is our second date. We had brunch, and then the movies. Two dates.”
    “Well, that’s an interesting proposal.” There was enough light left to see the way his eyes twinkled behind his glasses. “I’d need to do some rigorous testing to be sure.”
    I gazed at him in delight. This was a conversation we had regularly at work. “How long do you need? For testing?”
    He traced a finger down my cheek, to my chin, and then up to rest against my lips. “That’s a tricky one. It could take some time.”
    “How long?” I whispered.
    “All night?”
    Excitement unfurled in my chest and robbed the air from my lungs. I meant to say something smart, come up with a witty comeback to make him smile, but I could only feast my eyes on him and try not to grin like a simpleton. Pretty sure I failed that.
    Actions speak louder than words. Disentangling from his arms, I slipped one hand in his and tugged him up the steps. I already had the key in my pocket, and it was the work of moments to open the door and lead him over the doorstep. “This testing you want to do?” I moved back into his embrace once the door was closed. Strange how I’d been so nervous the night before, but now it felt right. “Where do you want to start?”
    “I love it when you talk geek.” He gave me the endearing smile I’d seen so often. “Are you sure about this, Dorothy?”
    “God, yes.”
    His lips were soft, his arms strong, and his chest firm. I reveled in the feel of his body, the different textures, and the gentleness with which he held me. The tender look in his eyes made me feel wanted, in a way I’d never known before.
    We moved into the living room, and I fully expected things to speed up. My previous boyfriends—not that there’d been many—liked to get down and dirty as fast as possible. Ben, it seemed, was different. We spent an age just kissing, although really, that was too tame a word. With one hand on the back of my neck and one around my hip, he kept me at the perfect angle to worship my mouth. Teasing me.
    I grew impatient and fumbled at the buttons on his shirt, only to have him still my hands.
    “Testing,” he murmured, “is in progress, and you can’t interrupt my plan.”
    “What comes next?” It came out as a whisper, and he smiled in reply. If he didn’t touch me soon, I’d melt into a puddle of goo.
    “I need to unpick the code.” He stroked a gentle finger along the round neckline of my T-shirt. “Piece by piece.”
    I dragged my shirt over my head and dropped it onto the floor. Standing there in my bra, I could have felt nervous, but Ben’s happy sigh spoke volumes.
    He tangled our fingers together and walked me to the sofa, punctuating each step with a kiss. “I intend to take my time.” Kiss . “I’ve waited a long time for this, Dorothy.” Kiss .
    He pressed his lips to my stomach, the sensitive skin at the base of my throat, the back of my neck. It was utterly delicious. Standing behind me, he slid one bra strap down my shoulder, and laid a trail of kisses in its place. I clutched at him, but he wouldn’t be hurried. Every touch lit a new fire inside me.
    The daylight was completely gone now, and the only illumination came from a single lamp on the side table. The blinds were open, and I could see moonlight playing over the sea in the distance, ghostly and beautiful.