Page 5 of Love By Sunset

CHAPTER4

Jake saw her arrive,the woman from the beach last night. No matter what had happened since, he was pleased to see her. There had been a fascinating spark between them, and he quite fancied following up on it, see what happened. Hopefully, she was a late holiday maker and a week of uncomplicated sex appealed under the present circumstances. It would take his mind off the problem of the missing will and the fact he might end up losing the café. His mouth twisted and his fist clenched where it lay on the table. He’d be rudderless without this place. There had to be a will. Henry had promised, and he’d never let him down before. He intended to make an appointment to see the solicitor dealing with the estate and discuss things with him as soon as he could.

But for now, well, hey, here was a gorgeous woman who’d triggered something deep inside, and it was time to consolidate! He hadn’t yet worked out why he was attracted to her, because as he’d already realised, she wasn’t his usual type. But she interested him, and that was enough for him to make an approach.

Jake watched her surreptitiously, clocking the exact moment she spotted him, and had, since her entry into the cafe, been hoping she’d eat outside. Now there she was, hesitating. Knowing she was tempted to drift over his way made it easy for him to make the first move—something he was very good at. He stood, laying the paper on the table, and walked towards her.

‘I saw you,’ he murmured, pitching his voice into a warm, seductive smoothness, a half smile creasing his cheek. ‘Last night. Watching me from the beach.’

‘Difficult not to watch you. You’re… you’re very good at surfing.’

He gave a nod of acknowledgement. ‘Thanks.’

Stepping forwards, Jake deliberately invaded her personal space by a tiny amount and saw the heat in her eyes as the flush on her cheeks deepened. Whoa, but she was interesting. Her hair was very dark, her eyes an intense blue, and she had to know her figure was well worth a second glance.

‘But when I came out?’ His smile vanished as his gaze intensified, the gold hue of his eyes darkening.

‘Difficult not to watch you then, either.’ Emily acknowledged, with a small smile.

‘You here for coffee?’

‘Lunch.’

‘Come and join me, okay?’

He heard her slow exhale of breath as, not waiting for her answer, he turned and walked back to his table, throwing one quick, and deliberately smouldering, look over his shoulder as if he almost dared her to follow. Jake waited for her to sit down before he lowered himself back into his chair, folded the paper and dropped it onto the ground. For a few moments, he let the silence grow as he observed her, interested in the sharp intelligence of her eyes, the lushness of her mouth. The woman held his gaze, as frank in her appraisal as he was in his. Good. She wasn’t likely to be one of the needy types.

‘Okay. Good to meet you, lady from the beach last night. What’s your name?’

‘Emily.’

‘Hi, Emily. I’m Jake.’

Her reaction was curious—a quick intake of breath and widening of her eyes. Why was that? It looked as if she might know who he was. In that case, she had the advantage.

‘Your café, then?’ She directed a nod towards the building.

‘Yes,’ he said cautiously. ‘Why?’

‘Oh, nothing. I mentioned I was coming out here and someone told me about you. The café. And… your surfing accident. I can’t believe that. Your surfing was way better than anyone else’s last night. How come you can’t compete anymore? I thought… I thought you’d be…’

‘Limping around on crutches? In a wheelchair? My, my,’ he replied, lifting his coffee mug and looking inside before replacing it on the table. ‘She was informative, yoursomeone, and it seems you were curious enough to listen.’ Jake disliked talking about his lost career. Once, all he’d had to do was wander the world and compete, coming home to the café when he had spare time. Mrs Needham had run things for him, and he’d had the money to pay her. Now all that easy camaraderie and glittering excitement, the adulation and the constant stream of beautiful girls, was gone, leaving him bereft. It was taking time to adjust. Three years on, and he knew he was getting there, but it was still a bit too recent to examine closely.

‘Well…’ Emily shifted in what he took to be discomfort, maybe sensing she’d hit a nerve. ‘Small town. I assume everyone knows everyone else and all their business, too?’

‘You could say so,’ he murmured. ‘Look, there’s Jenny. I think she’s got your lunch.’ He raised his hand to signal her over.

‘Hello, Jake,’ Mrs Needham said as she placed a tray on the table and unloaded the BLT, chips, coffee, a napkin-wrapped selection of cutlery and some sauces. ‘Right. Think that’s everything.’

‘Is it busy in there, Jenny? Do you need me back?’

Jenny Needham stood, hands on her hips, and looked from Jake to Emily, then back to Jake, a quick grin crossing her face. ‘Don’t think you’d be best pleased if I said yes. More coffee?’

‘That would be lovely, and thanks.’ Jake leaned over, his dark mood lifting, and snitched one of Emily’s chips. His eyes fixed on her as he ate it slowly, enjoying the blush that rose onto her face. He leaned forwards to take another chip, looking up in surprise as her hand closed over his.

‘Buy your own,’ she said mildly, pulling the bowl closer to her side of the table and releasing his hand.

Jake laughed, leaning back in his chair as he stretched out his long legs, linking his hands behind his head. ‘Fair enough. Should have asked Jenny for some. Okay, Emily. Now we know each other’s names. So, are you here on holiday?’

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