This whisky is delicious, I haven’t had alcohol in such a long time, it is going straight to my head. My body feels warm, I pull my feet up underneath me and rest my head back against the chair, listening to the crackling of the fire.

“So you were in Africa?” Luke asks me.

“Yeah, I’m a doctor or, was a doctor. I kind of just left.”

“Why?” I watch as he takes another sip of his whisky, his plump lips pressing against the glass. Holy shit, I am horny. I guess six months of forced celibacy sends you boy crazy. Should I tell this stranger about my messed up relationship or will that be off putting? Seriously, Lilly, you're not going to sleep with this man, it’s probably unethical or something seeing as he’s paid your sister to stay at your home. “It’s a long story,” I reply, wrapping my arms around myself defensively.

“I’m not going anywhere. We are kind of stuck in a snow storm.” Luke smiles but it quickly fades when he sees my face. “But it’s not any of my business, you don’t have to tell me.”

“I think I’m going to need more liquor for this story.” I crack a sad laugh.

“Oh, it’s one of those. Hold on.” He jumps up, runs to the kitchen and looks through the cupboards. There is a lot of clanging and banging going on until he appears with a beautiful cheese platter and a bottle of bubbly.

“Wow, this is awesome.”

“We should probably line our stomachs first.”

“Good idea,” I say, as he pops the bottle.

“This is from a friend’s vineyard. It’s a Trentodoc, Italian sparkling wine, like a prosecco but this is found in the vineyards of the Trentino region. That’s where Dolomites are; the mountains are part of the Italian Alps.”

“Sounds like here with our mountains.”

“Si, I have not had a chance to look around yet, maybe when the storm has settled, you could show me. Be my guide.” My cheeks warm at his invitation.

“Sure, if you’re not sick of me by then.” He smiles, handing me my glass.

“I think your company might be better than my own.” This makes me laugh. “The reason this wine is called Trentodoc is because the capital of the region is called Trento, and Doc is the name of the official Italian wine naming system.”

“Impressive. You seem to know a lot about your friend’s vineyard.” He moves nervously in his chair.

“I have listened to him so many times talking about it, I guess it has sunk in.”

“I think having a friend who owns a vineyard would be a great friend to have, because this wine is delicious.” The bubbles tickle my nose as I take a sip.

“I will pass on your critique when I see him next, he will be very happy a beautiful woman likes his wine.” Did he just call me beautiful? Luke obviously understands his mistake and quickly covers his words. “So, tell me what happened in Africa, that made you want to surprise your sister.” I take a big sip of wine to calm my nerves.

“My fiancé thought sleeping with the nurses in the camp was a good idea.” Luke chokes on his drink. “Yep, and, stupidly, I let him. Never said a word.”

“What! Why?” He seems outraged by this.

“Because I was stuck in the African desert. I had signed a contract, I couldn't leave. I…I felt trapped and a long way from home. I didn’t know what to do. I thought it would be just easier if I ignored it.”

“But? How could you forgive him?” Luke seems shocked by my actions.

“Just because I ignored it doesn’t mean I forgave him. After the first time, I stopped sleeping with him. I changed my shifts, made sure I was always busy, pushed him away. He didn’t care, he never once questioned me why we were never together, why we never slept with each other.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, so am I. Wasted years with someone that just wasn’t interested in me. Honestly, I don’t think I ever loved him and he me.” Twirling the glass in my hand, a 24-hour flight gives you some perspective about your life when all you have to do is think about it. “Our parents were friends through work, all great surgeons in their fields. They pushed us together, hinted that the merging of the two families’ practices would be beneficial, that we could take it over once we got back from Africa. They had our lives all mapped out for us.”

“Did he think this was his last chance before he settled down?”

“Probably, maybe, who knows. He knew I wouldn’t kick up a fuss if I had found out anyway. I was far more worried about disappointing my parents then I was about him disappointing me.”

“I understand that,” Luke says faintly.

“Grown ass adults and we still worry about what our parents think.” Luke smiles, raises his glass, and cheer’s me.

“So you never…?” Typical male wondering how on earth you could go without sex for so long.

“Once. I met a lovely Canadian soldier who I was showing around, we got caught in a storm and had to find a hotel somewhere.”

“You seem to like getting caught in storms with strange men.” Luke looks at me over his glass, is he flirting with me? I blush under his gaze.

“My sister calls it fate.”

“Fate?”

“Yes, she thinks… oh, my God, I need to shut up. This wine is going to my head. Never mind.”

“What, no, you have to continue, your sister thinks?” I roll my eyes.

“Lolly, thinks running into you at the cottage is fate.” His eyes widen. “See, you think I’m crazy.”

“I think I told you last night I thought you were.” He gives me a smirk. I bury my face into the arm chair, utterly embarrassed.

“Ugh, I’m still so sorry about last night, about the whole… you know …” I wave my hand in the air.

“Checking out my dick.” His accent caresses the words, how on earth did the word dick sound so sexy from his mouth and not creepy like it usually does when other guys say it. “But, I understand now. It’s been awhile.” He laughs. “You were only human. It is impressive… no?” I pick up the cushion behind my head and throw it at him, playfully. It knocks the glass of wine in his hand and spills all over his white t-shirt.

“Shit, I’m so sorry.” That was so stupid, Lilly, what the hell do you think you’re doing? But, Luke surprises me and slowly starts peeling the soaking t-shirt off of his body. My teeth sink into my bottom lip, my pulse starts beating out of time, warmth washing over my skin, and a tingle settles itself between my legs. No, no, this is bad. “What are you doing?”

“Taking off my shirt.” My chest becomes heavy and I try and swallow as my mouth turns dry.

“But… you can’t sit there without a shirt,” I cry, waving my hand furiously in front of him.

“Why? Will you not be able to keep your hands off me?” He smirks at me. He’s not far from the truth there, because the man’s chest is a thing of beauty; tanned, toned, a little glossy from a sheen of sweat settling over his skin from sitting close to the fire. Shut it down, Lilly, shut it down now.

“As if, I’m not desperate,” I reply, rolling my eyes at him, which just makes him laugh.

“The flushed cheeks tell me otherwise.” My jaw drops, did he just …

“That is from the wine, most definitely not from you.”

“Are you sure about that?” What a cocky bastard.

“Of course I am.”

“Last night says differently.” He raises a brow at me.

“I was jet lagged.”

“You couldn’t keep your eyes off my dick.”

“That’s because I was in shock, finding a naked man in my home.”

“Wasn’t ‘cause it’s been awhile?”

“Excuse me?”

“When was the last time someone touched you, admired you, satisfied you?”

“You stop that right now. Stop it with that Italian sex voice. I’m sure it works on hundreds of ladies, but it’s not going to work on me. Yes, you are a very good-looking man, I’m sure you know this because you own a mirror. But, do not assume because I haven’t had sex in six months,” his eyes widen at my statement, “that I am some easy prey for you. I’m not one of those girls.”

“Six months?”

“Of course that is all you focus on. Yes, it’s been six months and I don’t see that ending anytime soon.” I glare at him. “When was the last time you had sex?” I ask, crossing my arms in front of me defensively.

“A week ago.” Of course, look at him. Probably a different woman each night.

“Ugh, men,” I gasp, throwing my hands up into the air. I stand up and walk into the kitchen, grabbing myself a glass of water to cool down.

“Please, tell me you self-love.” I still, he did not just ask me that. Turning around quickly, I stalk towards him, pressing my finger into his hard chest.

“Of course I do and it’s so much better than any orgasm any man has ever given me.”

“Then you have been with the wrong men.” Those chocolate eyes look down on me, that cocky smirk infuriating me.

“And guess what, there is no way in hell you’re going to be the right one, either. Good night, Luke.” I turn on my heel and stomp to my bedroom, slamming the door like some spoilt brat.