I grinned around a mouthful of him. Making him forget words was very good for my ego. I made a light humming sound, and he let go of the handle above us to fist his fingers in my hair.
 
 I took him deeper and he grunted before pulling me away from him and urging me to my feet. “Those York Peppermint Patty things.” His blue eyes were flame-bright as he kissed me hard. There was no room for niceties.
 
 It was messy and harsh and wonderful.
 
 Distantly, I filed away the information and let him sweep me from my thoughts into just feelings. Wild, turbulent ones that only had one outcome.
 
 Us naked.
 
 And I was very okay with that.
 
 He swooped me up in his arms and tossed me over his shoulder. “That’s it. I’m freezing my bollocks off and even your impressively beautiful mouth can’t combat that.”
 
 I laughed as he hopped down onto the snow, and wobbled his way to the house.
 
 “Have those boots ever seen snow?”
 
 “They have now.” He brought his hand down on my ass and I screeched out a laugh. He put me down just before the door and we tumbled across the threshold in a tangle of legs and arms and kisses.
 
 Laughter was only beaten out by moans as we stumbled our way down the hallway again to my room to try out the last condom he had with him.
 
 Oh, how we made good use of it.
 
 When I was fairly sure I’d never be able to walk again, we raided the kitchen for a frozen pizza. I even convinced him to try a few of my ice creams.
 
 He showed me a few different concoctions that I’d never have thought of without his input. Between the two of us, we managed to make a batch of salted caramel and chocolate swirl.
 
 A text from my brother gave me the last reprieve of the day. He was buried in a project at the shop and wouldn’t be home until late.
 
 I wasn’t even ashamed of stealing one of his condoms from the medicine cabinet. He wouldn’t miss it. Maybe.
 
 By the time Rory had to leave, there were no awkward pauses. I couldn’t even be mad that he was leaving. I was lucky enough to have a wonderful memory to pull out when I was old and gray.
 
 When I was a crazy single woman who’d enjoyed an intense fling with an inventive Irish lover.
 
 He kissed me at the door. Long, lingering kisses that made my lips tingle and my chest ache.
 
 Maybehischest ached a little too. I would probably never know.
 
 And then he was gone.
 
 I didn’t even mind that I had to SOS my best friend to get my car the next day. It was that worth it.
 
 Nine
 
 Approximately one month later
 
 Dude, where are you?
 
 The textfrom Kellan came across my rental car’s dashboard screen—and yes, I’d rented the same model car from the same place, out of some misguided sense of sentimentalism. There was no snow in Crescent Cove now, thank God, but the scenario was already setting up the same.
 
 I was late due to no fault of my own. Plane issues, missed connecting flight, lack of cars at the rental place. When I’d noticed this little dreamboat was one of two cars still available, how could I say no? It wasn’t as if I was depriving anyone else of it. The rental clerk had shoved me toward it as if she couldn’t wait to see it go.
 
 To me, it was a sign that this trip would be as eventful as the last. And I’d brought a box of condoms this time just in case.
 
 Tapping the wheel, I slid into an open spot near the Rusty Spoon and turned off the engine. My blood was already humming at the idea of seeing Ivy—
 
 No. Wrong. I was merely anticipating another productive session with Kellan. Which was why I’d cleared my calendar this weekend when he’d contacted me and asked if I was available. Professional courtesy of course.