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I ducked into the guest room, grabbed my laptop and headed for the deck, my feet leading me unerringly in the right direction. Almost as though I’d been here before. For heavens sake, this was driving me insane. I’d been here with Lindsay. End of story.
Like the inside, the deck was spacious and barely furnished. The barbecue was an expensive one set into a brick housing, and there were two comfortable looking padded sofas along with a solid wooden table and four chairs. Early evening sunlight washed across the wooden floorboards, but one of the sofas sat in the shade.
Daniel looked up from the barbecue, and waved a set of tongs at the shaded area. “You look as though you burn easily. Would you prefer to sit there?”
“Thank you. I have to cover up during the day, but I’m fine with the sun this low.” I put my laptop on the table and sniffed the air. “What’s for dinner? Smells divine.”
“Marinated pork fillet and vegetable skewers. I’ve got some Haloumi cheese too.”
“Very Mediterranean.”
“It’s probably the only meal I can cook reliably.”
“I find that hard to believe.” Was I flirting with him?
“You might have to help me with breakfast.” Was he flirting back? “There’s wine chilling in the fridge, if you’d like some.”
I wandered through the sliding doors into the massive kitchen and the American-style fridge. There wasn’t much inside, not enough to warrant its size, but I found the wine in the door. A Sauvignon Blanc from one of New Zealand’s more upmarket vineyards. The man had money, but also seemed to have taste.
Wine glasses sat in a nearby cupboard. I selected two and headed back outside. “Would you like some now?”
“Yes please. Cooking is thirsty work.”
I poured a generous measure and walked up to him, close enough to touch, before placing the glass on a shelf set into the wall. “Can I help at all?”
“I’m ready to serve up. Could you put some music on?” He nodded to an iPod on the sofa. “The speakers are all wireless. Just select something and press play.”
Checking out someone’s music tastes was always fun. I scrolled through the artists and albums, noting many of my favourites. Pearl Jam fit most occasions, and I chose Rearviewmirror, their greatest hits album. Moments later, the haunting tones of Yellow Ledbetter drifted across the open area.
“Good choice.” Daniel flashed me a smile. “Let’s eat.”
*
I WANTED TO PINCH MYSELF, to make sure this wasn’t all a dream. The kind that involved a handsome—sexy—guy who seemed intent on making me enjoy his company, and treated me like a princess. The wine flowed and we picked at chocolate covered strawberries, while we playfully argued about our favourite music. I was so relaxed I could have slithered off the sofa and melted into a puddle on the ground.
So far we hadn’t talked about decorating, or design ideas. The conversation had skipped from music to movies, whether dogs made better pets than cats, and if the Margarita was a better cocktail than the Manhattan. Pearl Jam played on in the background and I let out a happy sigh. “This is a gorgeous retreat, Daniel. You’re very lucky.”
His gaze was fixed on the sun in the distance. “We get a great view of the sunset from the beach. Fancy a walk? It’s not far.”
I was getting used to the way he carefully changed the subject if we began to encroach on anything personal. It made me even more curious about him. He wore no wedding ring, and there was no pale stripe on his finger that would indicate where a ring had been.
When he held out his hand to help me up from the sofa, I had no qualms about taking it. I didn’t let it go when I stood up. Tangling our fingers together felt right. More right than any other guy had in a long time. Walking by his side down the sand-strewn path had an easy quality to it, it felt natural. Something I could do again. Something I’d done before.
We reached a wide expanse of deserted sand minutes before the sun slid gracefully below the horizon. The clouds I’d seen earlier were amassing in large groups, like rowdy teenagers outside a liquor store, as though they were waiting for the darkness to give them permission to emerge.
I shivered. Daniel released my hand and wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me into his body. He smelled good. Woodsmoke and spun sugar, with a hint of something sharp. Whatever cologne he used suited him well.
My eyes were fixed on the horizon at the last golden fingers that clung to the sky, and reflected in the water, rippling on the gentle waves. “So beautiful,” I whispered.
“Yes,” he replied, his voice low and husky. His arm tightened around me and he pressed his lips onto my temple. “It’s you who’s beautiful, Hannah. You put the sunset to shame.”
My cheeks heated. “Don’t be silly. Nobody could compare to that.”
“You do.” He spun me to him, and cupped my cheeks in his hands. “You radiate beauty. It shines out of you like a beacon.” His eyes searched my face, intent and hungry. “And you have no idea what you do to me, Hannah Steele.”
I swallowed, my mouth suddenly as dry as the sand beneath our feet. “So why don’t you show me?”