Page 35 of An Accidental Love Affair

A short time later, Reece packed up their picnic. Taking her hand, he guided them up the cliff side to the car. They drove away, heading toward the village pub. They were famished.

As they sat in the common room, eating their meal, they talked very little, saying more with their eyes than mere words could express.

“Are you ready to see the Cliff House?”

“You want to go there now? It’s getting pretty late.”

He shrugged. “I’m not in any hurry to get back to the big house, are you?”

She shook her head. “No.” She blushed, glancing away. It was obvious he wanted her again; the blue in his eyes was deepening as he watched her. Note to self, she thought, Reece’s eyes darken when he’s in the mood.

“Let’s go,” he said, laying money on the table. He nodded to the proprietor and escorted her out the door.

“Does everyone in the village keep your secret?”

“There are some who would trade my secrets for money, but most of the villagers allow my family its anonymity. My father grew up here and does a lot for the town.”

“So you’re all one big family?”

“Yeah, I guess we are.” They got in the car and drove away from the village, paying no mind to the vehicle behind them.

Reece drove down the lane, parking outside the Cliff House. He loved this place with its breathtaking view of the ocean. Someday, when he grew tired of the Hollywood life, he wanted to live here. He wanted to stand on the cliff’s edge as he stared out at the waves; he wanted to walk the beach every morning and watch the sunset every night.

“It’s Barton Cottage,” Nicole said, drawing him back to the present.

“What did you say?”

Her eyes cut to him then back to the house. “In Sense and Sensibility, the Dashwood ladies are forced to move to Barton Cottage when their half-brother inherits their father’s estate. This looks just like how I imagined the cottage would be.”

Reece exited the car, coming around to the passenger side to help her out. “Do you think so?”

She nodded. “It’s wonderful, Reece.”

“You haven’t seen the inside yet.”

“Does it have a fireplace that smokes?”

He laughed. “A very large one,” he said, taking her hand and leading her down the pebbled path to the door.

He paused before turning the key in the lock. “I thought you might want to shower. I had Maggie bring us some clean clothes while we were at the beach.”

“That must’ve been her I saw on the cliff this afternoon.” She held her hand to her mouth in embarrassment. “Oh God, she saw us. She’ll think I’m another groupie throwing myself at you.”

Reece held the door open. “Maggie’s not like that. She doesn’t judge.” He moved passed her to turn on a light. “Here, make yourself comfortable while I put on a spot of tea.”

“You know how to boil water?” she asked as she walked toward the sofa.

“I’m a man of many talents, Nicole, as you will soon find out.” With that cryptic remark, he left her alone.

Nicole glanced around the room, surprised to find it looking so clean. Had Maggie straightened the place up for them? Now she was even more embarrassed. Did the woman suspect Reece was planning to seduce her?

“Why are you frowning?” he asked, watching as she jumped in fright.

She held her hand to her chest. “Ghosts make more noise than you do. Why were you sneaking up on me?”

“I wasn’t. You were so deep in thought, you didn’t hear me return. Care to tell me what’s put that look in your eyes?”

She pressed her lips together, crossing her arms. “I’m not comfortable with Maggie knowing what you had planned for me tonight.”

---