Chapter Twenty

The alarm buzzed through her deep sleep. Ellie groaned and reached out for her phone to turn it off. Besides her Reece slept soundly, spooned against her back, one hand cupping her breast. She yawned, longing to lie there, snuggled up to him and go back to sleep. Yes and walk in wearing last night’s clothes when Mum’s having breakfast. Great idea. Not.

She tried to wriggle out of Reece’s grasp without waking him and reached for her phone.

“Is it time to get up already?” he murmured sleepily as she found the phone and slid the screen to silence the alarm.

“I’m afraid so.” She turned around, wrapping her arms around him and they kissed. She loved it when they lay skin to skin like this.

“Stay for a little longer.” As he pressed closer to her, she felt the stirrings of passion in his body and was tempted to stay for a replay. It had been so good.

“Tempting you, am I?” he teased, his voice already thick with desire.

She kissed him on the nose and wriggled away. “You are, but I must go. I won’t be fit for anything tomorrow if I don’t get a few more hours’ sleep.”

He flicked on the bedside light and leaned up on one elbow, watching as she reached down for her clothes. “Can’t keep up the pace, eh?”

She turned to him and grinned. “As the saying goes, always leave them wanting more.”

She could feel his eyes on her as she pulled on her panties, did up her bra, slipped on her maxi dress. It was as if he couldn’t get enough of her.

“Right, I’m off. See you in the morning.”

Reece wrapped his arm around Ellie’s waist, pulled her to him and kissed her deeply. “You’re the only woman who’s ever sneaked from my bed in the middle of the night,” he said gruffly.

She chuckled. “Like I said, keep ‘em wanting more.” She wriggled out of his embrace, picked up her sandals and handbag, gave him a finger wave and slipped out of his room, closing the door quietly behind her.

As she made her way to the private quarters, she thought about Reece’s words. Was she really the only woman who’d ever sneaked out of his bed? Couldn’t the others tear themselves away?

Well, she could understand that. Reece Mitchell was one hell of a guy. What a shame he was going home so soon.

The flat was all quiet when she sneaked in. Ellie went straight to her bedroom, pulled off her clothes and crept into bed. She felt her eyes closing as her head touched the pillow.

Once again the alarm woke her up. This time it was telling her that it was seven o’clock, and time to get up. She yawned and rubbed her eyes. She was so tired. And no wonder when she’d spent half the night cavorting with Reece. A smile stretched over her face as she remembered the way he’d kissed her, touched her, whispered how beautiful she was. It had been a long time since she felt like this about someone. Not since Lee.

Actually she hadn’t even felt like this about Lee. She realised now that what she’d felt for him was infatuation not love.

Love.

Is that what she felt for Reece?

She sat up and hugged her knees. She was attracted to him yes. She looked forward to seeing him. But in love with him?

She shook her head. She didn’t do ‘in love’.

Footloose and fancy free, in charge of her own destiny. That was her motto.

And not even a gorgeous hunk like Reece was going to get her to break that. There was no way anyone was going to get near her heart and get the chance to break it.

It’s too late. A little voice whispered in her head. She ignored it, got out of bed and headed for the shower. She had a lot to get through today.

He could still smell her perfume on the sheets. Light, heady, fragrant – just like Ellie. He lay for a while, remembering their night of passion. Spending a night with a woman he barely knew wasn’t new to him, but spending the night with a woman like Ellie was. She was uncomplicated. She didn’t ask anything from him. No promises, murmurs of love, no commitment. She just enjoyed being with him. No strings attached.

Which would make you think she was a good time girl but she obviously wasn’t. She was close to her mother and willing to put her life on hold to help her. Intelligent, loyal, kind.

When did he notice all that about her?

Being with her this past week, watching how she treated people, how she dealt with situations that’s when. He loved the way her face lit up when she smiled, a smile that spread right to her eyes. The way she threw her head back when she laughed, a real chuckle not a silly, tinkly, false laugh. He was going to miss her when they both returned home. She was good company.

Ellie could be the one woman to tempt him to break his ‘no emotional ties’ rule.

And there was no way he could let that happen. There was no place in his life for complicated relationships. He needed to get this deal wrapped up quickly. He’d been hoping it would be all done and dusted before he went home tomorrow but Steve was taking his time looking at the figures, and wanted to see Gwel Teg himself before the contract had to be drawn up. So it could be next Friday before the deal was agreed, which meant he’d have to come down again next weekend and persuade Ellie’s mum to accept it.

That shouldn’t be too difficult. Anyone could see that Sue was tired and the hotel was too much for her to cope with. He was pretty sure that if he slipped out Ellie’s intention to give up her job and flat and move back down with her if Sue couldn’t cope, she’d sign on the dotted line immediately. Then she wouldn’t have to worry about Gwel Teg any longer. Meanwhile, the tidier the hotel was the more impressed Steve would be when he came to have a look around tomorrow, so he’d better get cracking and help Harry get the jobs done.

He got out of bed and made his way to the bathroom.

Ellie was already in the kitchen, dressed in denim knee length dungarees and a blue and white striped tee shirt, having breakfast when he went in. He always made his way to the staff kitchen now rather than the guest one. Ellie, her mother and Mandy – Harry was still a bit reserved - treated him like one of the family and he felt like one. He’d paid up front for his room though, to make sure they didn’t feel obliged to give him a discount. This hard-headed businessman was getting a soft heart.

“Good morning,” he wrapped his arms around Ellie’s waist and kissed her. She’d tied her hair up in bunches and looked incredibly sexy. “Did you manage to sneak in without being discovered?”

She grinned impishly. “Yes, thank goodness. You’re not doing my reputation any good, you know.”

“Ah, but I am brightening up your life.” He kissed her soundly. “You look sexy in those dungarees. I take it they’re your painting outfit?

“Harry’s going to help me take up the carpet, ready for the new one, and I’m painting the skirting boards”

“Want any help?”

She leaned back and scrutinised him. “Are you serious? I thought you didn’t do painting and decorating?”

“I don’t – usually. But I’ll make an exception for you.”

She playfully tapped his nose with her finger. “Thank you but I think I’d better do it. I have painted skirting boards before whereas you haven’t – have you?”

“Nope. But I’m sure I could manage it.”

“Seriously, I can manage it. I’m sure you’ve got stuff of your own to do.”

“A bit of paperwork but then I’ll help Harry. We’ll get the rest of the jobs sorted.”

“Thank you.” Ellie kissed him then wriggled free. “Help yourself to breakfast. See you later.” She picked up her coffee and toast and walked out of the kitchen.

Reece filled up the kettle, switched it on and opened the dishwasher to take out a clean mug. He made himself a black coffee and sat down at the table to drink it, his mind flitting back to the night before. Ellie had really got under his skin. Don’t get too involved, he reminded himself. Finishing his drink he went to find Harry and offer his help.

* * *

Ellie had finished painting the skirting board and window sill by mid-morning. “What do you think?” she asked as her mum poked her head around the door to see how she was getting on.

“It looks lovely. Thank you, dear.” Sue stepped into the middle of the room and looked around. “You know, this wallpaper isn’t too bad. I don’t think the carpet will show it up, after all.”

“Neither do I.” Ellie wiped the back of her hand across her forehead. “I’ll paint the ceiling once the plaster is dry. We’re going to get this room looking even better than before, Mum.”

Sue gave her a hug. “Thank you so much for all your help. I really don’t know what I’d have done without you. But now I insist you take a break.”

“There’s still so much to be done.”

“I know but it can wait. You’ve worked hard enough. I want you to take the rest of the day off and that’s an order.” She wagged her finger teasingly but Ellie could see that she was serious. “Go and find that Reece of yours and tell him the same. He’s a guest and you are on holiday. Go and enjoy the day together.”

It was a tempting idea. “Are you sure?” Elle asked. “I don’t want to leave you to do everything.”

“I’m not going to be doing anything apart from sitting in the garden,” Sue told her. “I’ve got some thinking to be done and I’m best left alone while I do it.”

“Then in that case I will.” She kissed her Mum on the cheek. “But only if you promise you won’t do anything strenuous.”

“I promise.”

Ellie went to have a shower and change her clothes, then looked around for Reece. She found him fixing a loose door hinge in the lounge.

“The ceiling’s done,” she told him.

“I know, I’ve just been up there looking for you. You made a great job of it.”

“Thank you. Mum is insisting I take the rest of the day off. And she said I wasn’t to let you do any more jobs either.”

Reece gave the screw a final twist with the screwdriver. “There, done.” He put the screwdriver back in the tool set then walked lazily towards Ellie. “What do you suggest we do?”

She smiled at him. “Do you have other plans?”

“None at all. I’m open to suggestions.” He nuzzled into her neck. “Your wish is my command.”

“Well, I want to take some photos of the beach and the town too, to put on the social media pages so do you fancy a bit more sightseeing?”

“Sounds good to me,” Reece said. “I’d would like to see more of Port Medden.”

“I was thinking of going in an hour or so. Is that too early for you?”

“That’d be great, gives me time to reply to a few emails and shower.”

Why, every time he mentioned the word shower, did a mental image of Reece stepping out of the shower stark naked flash through Ellie’s mind? It was as if that encounter was stamped on her brain forever.

He did have a fantastic body though. Memories of their lovemaking last night slide showed across her mind.

“Penny for them?” he asked

No way was she going to let him know that she was thinking about him. She shrugged. “Sorry, my mind was wandering, planning the Pinterest page.” She switched to the photo gallery on her camera and selected some shots of the vase of flowers from the Smythe’s room that she’d taken earlier. “Which do you think is best?” she asked, sliding through them.

“That one,” he pointed to the one she’d thought was the best too. “See you later.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulled her to him and kissed her gently on the lips. She resisted the urge to melt into his arms, managing to control herself enough to kiss him lightly, then ease away. “Stop distracting me, Mr Mitchell,” she teased, tapping him on the nose. “I’ve got work to do.”

He grinned. “I’ll leave you to it then.”

Ellie watched him walk away, her heart skipping a beat. What was it about him that attracted her so much?

She shook her head. Lust, that’s what it was.