LITMIR.BIZ

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      He pointed to the house. ‘What the hell has this all got to do with a space warrior odyssey?’

      She breathed out, a flicker of disappointment subsumed by good old common sense. Then she laughed, because she was a damned fool to even think... He wasn’t the kind of guy to try again after rejection. ‘Oh. Well, it’s a flashback scene or a dream sequence, going back to pre-apocalyptic Earth, or something. But between you and me I think it’s just a good excuse for a jolly.’

      He gave her a funny look. ‘A jolly what?’

      ‘A jolly. It means...it means a work thing that’s really just all about play.’

      ‘You Brits say the strangest things.’ But he was laughing and for a moment the air between them seemed less strained. Maybe, if they kept their conversations superficial, and maintained a decent distance, they could reach some sort of friendly equilibrium after all. Maybe he could be in one wing and she’d isolate herself in the opposite one. The place was certainly big enough. Yes, distance was the solution.

      A young woman appeared at the door and explained in a melodic Bahamian accent that she was Tina, the housekeeper, and to please leave everything to her. ‘Miss Fontaine has requested sole use of the house. I have put you and the... Dr Jake...’ The woman peered up at Jake and smiled. For a moment Lola thought the housekeeper was going to curtsy or kiss him, or just old-fashioned swoon. ‘Good afternoon, Dr Jake. Welcome to The Haven. I hope you’ll be happy here.’

      He shook her outstretched hand. ‘I’m sure I will. Thank you, Tina.’

      ‘Anything you want, just go right ahead and ask,’ Tina sighed.

      Lola sighed too, but hers was more through irritation. That’s right, lady, keep right on looking. I’ve kissed that mouth.

      A strange and breath-sapping spike of something lodged underneath Lola’s ribcage. Must have been the raw taco shells not agreeing with her, she decided, and nothing at all to do with a fierce possessive streak that scuttled through her. Jake was not her property and she would not be jealous of women looking at him like that. Yes, he was gorgeous. Yes, he was dashing and charming. So what? No big deal.

      She’d switched off momentarily and hadn’t heard what the housekeeper had been saying, but as she tapped behind her across the marble floors through the palatial house, then out past a huge infinity pool, Lola realised that they were being taken to a different building.

      ‘In here, please, Miss Bennett.’ They’d stopped outside a smaller, single-storey villa, cream and white with another deep red bush growing up the side, a small picket-fenced garden and a wrought-iron outside table for two on a deck overlooking the ocean. It was more private and secluded than the grand villa. It was, in fact, like a cosy honeymoon retreat.

      No. No flipping way. Blood rushed to her cheeks. She couldn’t...wouldn’t...shouldn’t be here with him. She should be in the big house, tending to her boss’s every need. Even that was preferable to being in a honeymoon hideaway with Jake. ‘I...er...there’s been a mistake...’

      ‘No. No mistake.’ Oblivious to Lola’s growing panic, the housekeeper was still chattering away. ‘The Lodge is for you and the doctor to share at Miss Fontaine’s insistence. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms. There are interconnecting phones to the main house in the kitchen, the lounge and each bedroom. But Miss Fontaine said, please, to let her rest for a few hours. She will call if she needs anything.’

      ‘Okay.’ Lola blew out a big breath. This was so not what she’d had in mind for superficial and distant. But if there was one thing she knew about her boss it was that she wouldn’t change her mind once it was made up. She and Jake would be sharing. Period. ‘Well, first, I need to get the dogs some water and some shade. It’s too hot for them. I could take them for a walk around the grounds. I saw a lovely little shaded area they could play in back near the big house.’ Anything to distract her from the fact that she would be sharing living quarters with a god.

      Tina smiled as she bent to give the dogs a stroke. ‘Aren’t they adorable? The beach out front is private, so they can run around there under the trees. I have a little dog of my own over in the staff annexe, they can come play any time. I can take them now, give you a break?’

      ‘Thanks, but the walk will do us good after being cooped up on a plane.’ Truthfully, it was just an excuse for some Jake-free time.

      But the traitorous puppies pattered quietly into the cool lodge, obviously exhausted from their first-class travelling ordeal, found a plump cushion each on a white rattan sofa and fell asleep.

      The housekeeper fussed around the light, bright house, showing them the modern kitchen facilities, the menu—because, yes, The Haven had its own chef—and the well-stocked pantry and fridge. Then she left, leaving them to decide who had which bedroom, and what the hell to do next.

      And then there were two.

      Lola glanced over at Jake, who was staring at the beach out of a huge picture window in the lounge. ‘Er...how shall I put this? Do you want to have a look at the bedrooms and decide where you want to sleep?’

      Eyebrows rising, Jake grinned. ‘Now you’re talking.’

      ‘I didn’t mean... No. I meant—’

      ‘I was joking, Lola. Don’t look so worried. Take whichever room you want and I’ll have the other.’ He bent and unzipped his bag, grabbed something from it. ‘I’m going for a swim while I have the chance. Coming?’

      She imagined him in board shorts. A naked chest. Bare skin. Soaking wet. And swallowed through a dry throat. ‘Er... No. I don’t want to leave these little guys on their own and I really do need to unpack. And Cameron might call...and I’m thirsty...’ And...she was rambling again.

      ‘Hey.’ He stepped closer. ‘Don’t worry, Lola. It’s all under control. How about I have a swim, then take over childcare while you go and cool off? A roster system?’

      ‘Oh, okay, that sounds great. Thanks. It is very hot. And I could do with a swim. Later, when you get back.’

      The smile slipped. ‘Sure. And that way we need never be in the same room for longer than a few moments. Just at cross-over. That’s what you want? Right?’

      Her heart began to hammer—he was very forthright when he wanted to be. Direct and to the point. She supposed he had to be in his line of work—couldn’t pussy-foot around a bad diagnosis. But it left her feeling exposed and vulnerable. She wasn’t used to people speaking their minds quite so openly. Besides, she didn’t know what she wanted in relation to their living arrangements. ‘I just think...in light of the other night...it would be better if our paths didn’t cross so much.’

      ‘Understood.’ He took a step away, then turned. ‘It was only a kiss, Lola. We can move on.’

      ‘Of course. Yes! Only a kiss! I’ve already moved on. No problem!’ As if she kissed people she’d just met all the time.

      Only a kiss, yes. But a very nice one at that. And she didn’t kiss strangers. Ever. She didn’t kiss random men. She didn’t kiss men she thought were just okay. She kissed men she liked. And she liked Jake. That was a massive part of the problem. She liked him. Too much, it seemed. ‘You’d better go get changed then.’

      While she wandered into the open-plan kitchen, he disappeared into a bathroom, returning moments later with a white towel looped round his shoulders, beach shorts slung low over slender hips. She tried very hard not to look, she really did, but she couldn’t help it. He was there, walking across the room, larger than life. Her gaze travelled upwards from his hips, past a smattering of dark hair, tanned washboard abs, a broad chest, to a smirking mouth.

      For a few seconds she remembered the taste of him. The heat. And she clung to the kitchen countertop as the same heat shimmered through her. How the hell would she be able to stay here with that kind of reaction going on?

      And when her eyes settled on his she knew that it was going to be almost impossible. There was

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