The Lavender Bay Collection. Sarah Bennett

hope for your prowess between the sheets.’ She bit her lip to hold back a giggle as she filled the glasses.

      ‘Mediocre? When did I get downgraded from basic to bloody mediocre? Your memory must be failing, woman. Here let me remind you.’ Beth found herself hauled around and swept into a tight embrace. Sam’s lips slammed down onto hers, and then he was kissing her so deeply she didn’t even mind the way it made her aching toes curl in her slippers. By the time he released her, she had to clutch the sink behind her so she didn’t slide to the floor.

      With a satisfied sniff, Sam wandered away to dish up the curry. Placing the plates on the table, he nodded at the seat in front of her. ‘Are you sitting down? Your dinner’s getting cold.’

      ‘I’ll be there in a minute, just as soon as my knees stop wobbling,’ she admitted.

      The expression on his face could only be described as gloating. ‘Mediocre, huh?’

      Gathering the shreds of her dignity, she slid into her seat. ‘Did I say that, I think I meant to say adequate.’ It might have been her turn to gloat as he choked on a mouthful of his curry. She offered him one of the glasses. ‘Water?’