Page 13 of Love By Sunset

‘So, tell me, why is it so important the café stays? I assume that’s what you’re after?’

‘If we throw Jake out, he’s lost his world. That place isn’t just somewhere he works. I think it’s been there most of his life, and it seems to mean stability to him.’

‘Are you really going back?’ Sasha looked at her curiously. Emily had given her a quick update before this morning’s meeting, so she knew this was a possibility.

Emily took a mouthful of coffee. ‘Mmm, that’s good. And thanks. I needed it.’ She set the mug down and glanced at Sasha. ‘No doubt you’ll find this amusing, but Jake as good as dared me to loosen up and give him a go. There’s something between us, that’s for sure. I know I don’t normally give way to impulse, but…’ she huffed out a long breath, ‘he’s so damned hot, Sasha. He makes me melt whenever I’m near him. The sex would be amazing, but I’m not deluding myself. I know there won’t be a happy ever after.’

‘Are you going to tell him about Approach? You could save him some worry if he knows you’re withdrawing.’

‘I can’t pre-empt the decision. Gerry either has to agree to keep the café or I have to veto the purchase formally. It’s down to confidentiality issues.’ Emily shrugged. ‘If this was the beginning of a potentially long-term relationship, then yes, I ought to tell him as soon as I can. However, as Jake has made it abundantly clear, I face the chop in a week or two, or whenever he gets bored, then I don’t think it matters too much.’

‘Oh, Emily, I’m worried you’re going to end up hurt. Wouldn’t it be better to keep away?’

‘I…’ For once, Emily was lost for words as she let Jake creep into her mind. Nothing like this had ever happened to her before, and she wasn’t sure she could take Sasha’s advice and simply keep away. It was a bit like she imagined an addict felt—simply unable to walk away from something you knew was a bad idea, for whatever reasons, but you nevertheless craved.

‘I’m not sure I can,’ Emily finally said with a shame-faced look at her PA.

‘He seems very selfish to insist on an affair run entirely on his terms.’

‘Selfish, or just completely honest?’

‘Okay, honest, but to me, still selfish. He’s only thinking about himself and doesn’t really care how it might affect you. Just be careful, okay?’ Sasha sighed as she stood and collected the mugs. ‘I can’t advise you further. I’ll book you in for some holiday. You’re long overdue, anyway. But be careful,’ she repeated, with a backward look as she left.

Emily dropped her face into her hands. She knew she shouldn’t go back while the company was still officially interested in the Solhaven Estate, but could she walk away? Now she was considering a veto of the purchase, she was reluctant to pass over Jake’s suggestion of spending a few days with him. Already she suspected this was more than just physical with her. She really liked the guy, as well as lusting after him. Sasha was right when she suggested she might be hurt.

Still feeling some guilt, on Wednesday Emily put a small suitcase in the boot of her car and set off back to Solhaven. A shiver ran through her and she shifted restlessly in the driver’s seat, her mind fixed on the next few days, maybe more. She had a feeling, despite her worries, it would be worth it.

By late afternoon, she stood behind Jake as he slashed paint onto the café as if he were trying to reach the inside walls as well. She stood for a moment admiring the play of muscles and gleam of sweat on his bare back, and his butt as he bent down to the paint bucket.

‘It’s looking better,’ she said.

Jake whirled round and dropped the brush. ‘Emily!’

He reached her in two strides and pulled her toward him, lowering his mouth to hers.

Emily responded wholeheartedly, wrapping her arms round his narrow waist and holding him even closer. If this was what letting go of control felt like, she wished she’d done it years ago, but then she hadn’t, until now, met anyone who tempted her like this man did. And for a guy not too keen on commitment, Emily thought his voice and his expression as he’d turned and seen her, were more intense than someone welcoming back what he said was only a holiday fling. And this kiss… her mind blanked as she gave herself up to it, smelling the salt, paint and sweat on him. Inside, it was as if a maelstrom had been unleashed and needed release. Her heart sped up, and she felt herself almost instantly ready for him.

Banishing all her confusion, worries and doubts, she let herself fall into the kiss, hoping as she did so, somehow, she could work through the problems.

Pulling back, breathing hard, Emily said, ‘If this is only a two-week fling, I don’t want to waste any time. Can Jenny take over here and close up for you?’

His eyes widened before crinkling up as he laughed. ‘I think I like your loss of control,’ he murmured. He let his lids fall and licked his lips, which did nothing to cool the burning heat inside her. She saw his eyes drop to her nipples, peaked so hard they were visible under her top and in retaliation, Emily also pulled back and let her eyes fall to his obvious erection.

‘But… no. Jenny has to go at five.’ He glanced at his wristwatch. ‘That gives us thirty minutes. So, no. If you’ve lost this control of yours, I’d like to take advantage of it and do as I promised… make sure you enjoy yourself. Tell you what, I’ll give you my key and postcode, so you can go to my house. It’s called Lobster Cottage.’ He paused, his eyes widening as if in shock, then shook his head and continued. ‘I close here at seven, so I should be back by twenty-past, half-past. I’ll bring something to eat with me. Then,’—his voice dropped, and he stared into her eyes — ‘then… I’ll show you what loving is.’

Emily frowned as she stared back at him. ‘Oh, yes? How do you know I don’t already know?’

‘Oh, I know, Emily. Believe me, I know!’ And with that, he dropped one more hard, hot kiss on her mouth, bent to pick up his bucket and brush, and disappeared round the back of the café, leaving her barely able to stand, full of desperate desire and shock.

Arrogant bastard. Yet she feared he’d be proved right. This chemistry between them was incandescent. Having answered his challenge, she thought she’d be in control, but he, the drifter, the easy-going one, seemed to have wrested that control from her before they’d even started, leaving her his willing slave.

Jake reappeared, holding out his hand. ‘The key,’ he said, giving her his sexy look, still bare-chested, still glorious. ‘Got your phone?’

As he dictated, Emily tapped in his postcode, then he walked with her over to her car.

He hustled up close, pushing her back against the door, his arms on either side of her body. His pupils contracted as he examined her face. Even with him just doing that, not kissing her or touching her, she felt weak, and her breathing quickened again.

‘I think,’ he murmured, ‘you’re a little cross with me, aren’t you?’

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