Page 73 of Tangled Control

“Sometimes. I played a lot when I was younger. We have a dartboard on the wall of our boathouse,” I answer. “Catriona tells me you’re quite the expert.”

“Yes.”

He gets up and opens the doors of the dartboard on the wall, then supplies us with three darts each.

“This is a proper professional set-up,” I comment and point to the black line taped to the floor that Daniel positions himself behind.

“Yes.”

“Game on.” Catriona winks and takes Daniel’s place after he’s finished. Daniel counts the points perfectly, hardly glancing at the board before adding them up. I hardly glance at the board either, too distracted by how fantastic Catriona’s arse looks in her tight jeans.

“Again!” I insist when Daniel wins the round. My nerves are gone, and I’m surprised at how at ease I am and how much I’m enjoying myself. There’s something so genuine and real about it, nothing fake or pretend.

“You sure your ego can take another beating?” Catriona teases, wiggling her eyebrows. I’m not bad at darts, but I’m no match for these two.

“You watch that smart mouth of yours, young lady,” I threaten and point the dart at her.

“Or what?”

“Keep it up and you’ll find out.”

Her eyes darken, and I chuckle under my breath. Before she can respond, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I fish it out and swallow when I see Alexandra’s name on the screen.Fuck.She never phones me. Quickly, I dismiss the call, trying to ignore the questioning look in Catriona’s eyes.

“Bring it on,” I say and jump on the spot while loosening my shoulders and cracking my neck like a boxer. Daniel gives me a side glance and draws his brows while Catriona snickers.

All thoughts of Alexandra are long gone when we get ready to leave. No surprise, Daniel won every round with Catriona second and me the sore loser. Catriona closes the door behind us and smiles up at me. I passed the test. I squeeze her hand, and there’s a lightness to my step that I haven’t felt in ages.

“Let’s head up to your place,” I say, unwilling to leave her world.

“Chinese takeaway?” she suggests.

“Sounds perfect.”

We eat out on her balcony, a single candle flickering amongst her pots of herbs. My laughter flows easily between mouthfuls of spicy curry as she animatedly tells me about her basil and coriander hopes. She stacks the plastic containers when we can’t eat any more, and I lift her from her chair onto my lap. She grabs a blanket – that apparently her granny knitted – and wraps it around us to keep us warm from the damp evening air.

I don’t need it, though. My skin is sizzling and my heart feels too big for my chest.

A train squeals past on its tracks, but once it’s gone, not a sound can be heard.

“Do you have any idea how pretty you are?” I say into the quiet darkness.

Catriona tucks her face against the crook of my neck. “No, I don’t. But do tell.” I know she’s smiling.

I wrap her hair around my fist and guide her head back so she can’t hide from me.

“Let me tell you. Your hair is the colour of warm sunshine, so soft and thick that I happily could get lost in it.” I tighten my fist for effect. A soft moan is my much-appreciated reward. Touching her forehead with my other hand, I trace a path down the edge of her nose. “Your nose is the perfect shape and size.”

“My nose?” She chuckles.

“Uh-huh, it’s not too big and not too small.” My fingers reach her mouth, gently following her upper lip and then the lower. Once. Twice. Her lips part and her eyes darken with building desire. My tone lowers. “Your mouth. I’ve travelled the world, but your mouth is the most tempting I’ve ever seen. Plump lips that are constantly asking me to kiss them. Begging me…”

“Yes,” she whispers, but I don’t do it. Instead, my gaze moves up.

“And your eyes…” A growl vibrates behind my sternum. “I used to think they were made of ice.” I lightly trace her eyebrow. “But your cousin made me realise they’re diamonds.”

“My cousin?” she whispers.

“Yeah. Eric said you were a diamond, and he’s right. I thought you were a block of cold ice, but you’re a pure diamond, with clarity and cut beyond anything on a royal crown. I was blinded by your sparkle, so much so that I didn’t seeyou.” Now her eyes sparkle suspiciously in the dim light. I push the blanket aside and expose the skin on her chest above her top. My heart races. “I need you, Cat, I need you now.”