Page 10 of Love By Sunset

Taking a deep breath, readjusting her thoughts, Emily smiled brightly. ‘So, change of subject. Will you be surfing tomorrow?’

His face relaxed, and he returned her smile, happy to let the mood lighten. ‘Depends on how busy things get and how the surf’s running. Maybe late afternoon.’

‘If I get finished, I might come and watch. Then on Monday, I’ve got a meeting and after that I have to head off.’

‘But you said you’d come back?’

Emily sighed. ‘Oh, Jake, I’m not sure. I find I’m liking you rather too much. If I go away, I just take the memory of a pleasant couple of days with a likeable guy. If I come back, we both know what will happen. You’re better at this holiday romance thing than I am. I’m not sure I could cope. I might end up hurt.’ Emily thought of the love, friendship, and patience her parents had always shown towards each other. That’s what she wanted for herself, and she shouldn’t look for it from Jake. She wanted commitment and long-term, and she knew he didn’t, although she didn’t know why.

‘You surprise me. I wouldn’t have thought you’d be the sort to back off without even trying?’

'Ouch,' Emily said. She shrugged away his comment and put her knife and fork down on the plate. ‘That was good. Thanks for bringing me here.’ Sipping some wine, she looked over the rim of her glass at Jake, her eyes steady on his, aware now he was back to exerting his considerable charm. Back to the lowered lids, the very occasional and subtle touch of his tongue on his full lower lip, the raised eyebrow.

And, hell! It worked. Her insides flipped and her mouth went dry, an urge pooling between her legs. She wavered again. Whynotcome back? A fortnight with this guy would be amazing… no doubt the best sex she would ever have.

She was organised, level-headed, hard-working, paid attention to detail. Could she risk letting go, just for a fortnight? A holiday from work, and from her own controlled standards? When she’d looked at her online diary last week, she’d felt oppressed by all the meetings, site visits and appointments, and wondered where her life was heading. Maybe the answerwasto break away for a couple of weeks, and see if it helped her choose in which direction she wanted to go?

No. She should go.

And never come back.

Because she was assessing a purchase which would affect him, and it could be construed as a conflict of interests. Because he was casual with relationships, and would leave her bereft. Oh, yes, she already knew that.

‘Well?Areyou the sort to back off without even trying it?’

After a lengthy silence, Emily drank from her wine glass and placed it carefully next to her plate, dropping her gaze to the table. ‘I like to know where I’m going in life. I like to know, if I take up with someone, we can at least give it a fair try, in case… in case…’

‘I get the point, but it seems a waste if you let a hankering for long-term stop you. I’m confident you’ll enjoy yourself.’ He reached out and ran his thumb over her lips, giving her his come-to-bed look again.

‘Yes, but you walk away unscathed. I’m not sure I would.’

‘Oh, come on. If you know it’s a holiday fling, there’s no need to get serious about things. Just relax, enjoy the ride. And I promise you, it’ll be some ride!’ He winked at her, a grin spreading over his face.

‘I’ll think about it. If I come back, it’ll be Wednesday or Thursday afternoon, depending on work, okay?’ Uneasily, she knew she was being torn between her attraction to this gorgeous guy, and her job. She thought Jake might be the winner, although she still wasn’t sure it was wise.

He and Emily went down to the small beach near the harbour after their meal, and spent a considerable amount of time testing their resolve not to rush back to the hotel and make love before he took her back to Seaview.

‘I won’t ask to come in,’ he said, standing with both her hands held in his, his face highlighted by the moon. ‘Much as I’d like to, it’s too soon. Maybe Iambetter at casual affairs than you, but even I don’t rush headlong into them any longer.’ He gave his endearing half-smile before continuing. ‘I think it’s obvious we’ve got something good here, something at least worth exploring, don’t you? No, don’t start bringing up reasons not to chance it.’ He let go of her hand to lay a gentle finger on her lips. ‘Listen, Emily. Just… let go for a while, okay? You said you were beginning to like me a lot. Well… I think I can say the same thing. And…’ He puffed out a breath of laughter. ‘You sure as hell make me feel sexy… I don’t want to say this, but more than anyone else ever has. It sounds so cheesy and anyway, I don’t want to influence your decision. Oh, hell, no. That’s an outright lie. I want you back, of course I do. Think about it, please?’

Jake bent his head and slanted his mouth over hers, hands sliding up her arms to her breasts, where his thumbs gently caressed the already erect nipples. Emily could feel, for about the tenth time that evening, his growing erection, and pulled him closer, almost in desperation. Maybe she should ask him up to her room? Maybe they only had this one night? His kiss went on for minutes, deep, passionate, exploratory. Then he stepped back, gave his slumberous smile, and spoke only one word, ‘Please?’ before turning and walking away.

Emily stood watching him as he retreated down the street. Her basic instinct was to run after him and tell him of course she’d come back, knowing full well all he wanted was her in his bed and she’d be more than happy to oblige. Her cautious side told her she was an idiot to even consider it. Uneasily, she went upstairs and entered her room. Leaning against the door, heart pounding, she closed her eyes, passion and anguish vying against each other.

She needed to make some decisions and make them fast.

CHAPTER6

Jake rangthe estate agents on Monday morning and made an appointment to see their solicitor on Wednesday.

The following two days were quiet at Silver Sands. A few late tourists, but once he’d made a few of his speciality cakes, some batches of soup and done the daily food preparation, he’d decided physical work was a necessity to rid himself of this stupid hankering for someone he barely knew, and his constant worrying about whether she’d come back. He’d looked out for her yesterday and had been disappointed when she’d not turned up to watch him surf as she’d hinted she might. He didn’t understand the pull she had on him and had no intention of letting her know about it. It frightened him, anyway.

Sexual attraction was the currency he used, and he didn’t do commitment, so if she didn’t show up ever again, it was no loss to him. Or so he told himself, ferociously and repeatedly, as he decided the whole café could do with a coat of paint, and repairs were needed to some tables and chairs. Despite this intense hard work, the two days dragged, and Wednesday morning was slow to arrive.

Jake arrived at Greenall’s, dressed in smart chinos and a denim shirt, and was shown in to the office of the company’s solicitor.

‘Mr Bradstock.’ Robbie Jones stood to greet him, offering a handshake. ‘What can we do for you? Something to do with the Solhaven Estate, I think you mentioned?’

‘Yeah.’ Jake sat down, a frown pulling his brows together. ‘Yeah. Henry Whitchurch sort of sponsored me since I was about twelve and—’

---