All was silent inside the house, and she pounded on the door again. Perversely, she hoped he was sleeping and she pounded harder, hoping she’d wake him up. But after a third go of trying to raise the dead with her curled fist on the timber door, all remained silent. Jilly stood there for a moment, biting her lip, before she shrugged and turned away to walk to the beach.
He’d keep till later.
She drew in a gasp of delight as she stepped through the row of she-oaks fringing the sand. Sapphire blue water filled her vision for as far as she could see and the morning sun sparkled on the water. Snowy-white cumulo-nimbus clouds sat low above the far horizon in the distance, the same colour as the foam on the breaking waves that rolled into the beach. The long, lazy swells rolling in across the Pacific steepened and broke into gentle waves as the ocean floor bottomed out, before they pushed up the white sandy shore.
Dad was right. This was one of the most beautiful beaches she’d ever seen. And it was almost deserted.
Far away in the distance, a couple walked ahead of a dog frolicking in the shallows. The rest of the beach was clear, with not another soul in sight. Jilly scanned the sand looking for a spot to settle in for the morning. She’d lathered herself in sunscreen after she’d slipped into her white bikini and had a wide-brimmed hat to protect her face. Her Kindle was charged and she’d packed two bottles of cold water in her beach bag. She spread her towel on the sand and glanced up as a movement in the water caught her eye. A lone surfer was surfing the point a little to the north. Jilly straightened and put her hand to her eyes with an envious sigh. Rising gracefully to his feet he turned when his board picked up the front of the wave. He glided effortlessly through the translucent water, so clear she could see the back of the board as he gained speed down the face of the wave. She held her breath as the wave curled over him and he disappeared into the tube for a few seconds before shooting out triumphantly from the right hand break.
Clapping her hands, Jilly smiled as he turned and paddled back to catch the next wave. It had been a long time since Dad had taught her to surf; she’d spent a lot of time on a board at Narrabeen when she was in her teens. She had never forgotten the power of pushing her board across and down the face of the wave at the same time; the adrenaline rush of the speed combined with the thrill of the movement. Being at one with nature—feeling the air, hearing the whoosh and suck of the wave as water sprayed around you, there was nothing like it.
Lately life had passed her by and she’d been focused on work and Dad’s health, and she’d taken little time for herself.
A good New Year’s resolution. Jilly time 2016!
By the time the surfer caught the next wave she’d settled on her towel and pushed the sand into a mound behind her back to lean on as she read. She narrowed her eyes as the wave pushed him closer to the section of the beach where she was sitting. With a groan, she looked away and picked up her Kindle; she should have known it was Dominic.
But as much as she tried to focus on her book, she couldn’t stop looking up and watching as he caught wave after wave in a show of effortless manoeuvres. Finally she gave up and laced her fingers behind the back of her head and gave in to sheer admiration. Who would ever have known that the staid boss of the SAB could carve up a wave like that? He was an absolute pro, as good as any she’d watched. A couple of times, Jilly caught her breath as his board teetered on the edge of the wave before he turned and sliced across the face of it. Finally, he caught a wave and paddled to the shore.
She pulled her hat low over her face, quickly picked up her Kindle and rolled over onto her stomach as he walked up the beach. Hopefully he wouldn’t notice her on the way back.
Five minutes later, cold water splashed onto the backs of her legs; her hope had been futile. She rolled over and leaned back on her elbows, squinting up into the bright sunshine.
“Morning, Jilly.” Dominic rested his board on the sand and Jilly looked away as he squatted beside her, that golden-tanned chest way too close for her comfort.
“Good morning.” She looked away from that magnificent expanse of bare skin, pleased that her sunglasses hid her expression. She pointed to the surf as the next wave crashed onto the beach.
“Pretty impressive surfing.”
“You sound surprised.” Dominic tipped his head to the side, obviously to clear the water from his ears. Jilly looked up at him as water droplets flew from his wet curls. His eyelashes were salt-encrusted and his blue eyes were alight with the smile that crossed his face as he stared back at her. His face was tanned, contrasting with the white zinc cream smeared on his nose. He could have passed for an eighteen-year-old; his grin was cheeky and he looked relaxed and happy.
“I am. It’s the last thing I expected to see you doing,” she said honestly trying to keep her eyes from his muscled chest. “I’m used to you sitting at a desk in a suit firing orders at me.” She flicked a hand towards his board. “Doesn’t suit the corporate image I had.” Although that image had shimmied away last night when she’d seen him in his board shorts at the service station.
“You should try it sometime. Nothing like it.” He stared out at the sea. “I grew up here and the surf was my life before I left for uni.”
Surprise ran through Jilly. She’d always thought he’s come from the north shore of Sydney. Silver spoon and all that.
“I know. I love it too.” Jilly couldn’t help smiling back. “I surfed at Narrabeen when I was at high school.”
Dominic grinned at her and her heart did a little flip flop in her chest. She put her hand to her mouth pretending to yawn, forgetting all of her previous thoughts of his strange behaviour. The top of his wetsuit had been pulled down and she stared at the glistening water drops on his chest. Despite the bright sun, she could see the frown that suddenly marred his high forehead.
“Did you sleep well?” His tone was probing and his words jerked her out of that silly adolescent mooning.
“I did. Unfortunately.” She killed the smile as it all came flooding back and stared. “And apparently I slept a little too deeply.”
“Why?” His voice was cautious. “What do you mean by that?”
“Look, I’ve calmed down a bit now.” How to put this politely but make her point very clear? “I went to your cottage to see you on the way here and I was pretty angry.”
“Because?”
“Because I don’t appreciate you just letting yourself into my cottage whenever you feel like it. I don’t care if the place belongs to your family. If it happens again, I’ll—”
“Whoa. Just wait one minute. You think I was there while you were asleep? That’s sick. No way did I—or would I ever do that.”
His expression and the horrified indignation in his tone convinced her immediately he was telling the truth.
“Well, who else would put my clothes into a plastic bag and leave them on the end of my bed? Do you provide a maid service in your holiday rentals?” Her tone was sarcastic but she wanted an answer. If he hadn’t put them there, who had?
“Trust me.” Dominic stared at her and his voice was soft. He balanced on the balls of his feet and looked away from her out to the sea as he ran his hand through his hair. “I believe you, but I just want you to know that I did not—and would not—come into your cottage uninvited. It wasn’t me. My cousin Margaret has a key. Maybe she found them?”
Jilly pushed herself to her feet and brushed the loose sand from her legs. He’d been too close for her comfort in the sand beside her. “Okay, if you say so, I guess I’ll take your word for it.”
He stood and she tipped her head to the side and looked at him curiously. Even though he had denied it and she had no reason not to believe him, he still looked ill at ease.
“Okay, if it wasn’t your cousin, maybe I just had a memory lapse or something.” She reached out to touch his arm in an attempt to lighten the tension. “I’ve had a tough few days and I’m pretty tired. I really needed this break. My boss works me very hard, you know.” She let
a tentative smile cross her face. He looked so concerned she felt bad.
“Thank you.” Dominic straightened his shoulders and Jilly had to tip her head back to keep eye contact. “Have you given any more thought about moving to a motel?”
Jilly put her hands on her hips and jutted her chin out as any sympathy fled.
“No.”
Chapter Six
Dominic looked down at the woman staring at him. He knew very well how hard Jilly Henderson worked, and he was just sorry that the chances of her having a restful Christmas in that cottage were slim. He stared down at her beautiful green eyes as they locked with his. A man could drown in them. He’d not been immune to her at the office, but he had tried to ignore it. Even though she was quiet and professional in her dealings with him, he’d often heard her laughter coming from the morning tea room as she’d chatted to the other staff. But she’d always kept a barrier up between them and it had rankled, even though avoiding office romances was a policy he’d stuck to religiously as he’d climbed the corporate pole. Too many issues in the business world were generated by office relationships after a fling. Friday night staff drinks were notorious for beginning relationships between staff that were committed elsewhere.
And it always happened at this time of the year; another reason to avoid the Christmas drinks that seemed to be on every night from the first of December until the big office party when there was inevitably a tale of woe. Staff turnover from the Christmas party fallout was a given every year.
But not for him.
“Earth to Dominic.” Jilly’s familiar voice washed over him. He ignored the little jolt that headed for his groin, but was thankful that he was wearing board shorts over his budgie smugglers. The budgie had already given a little chirp when Jilly’s hand had touched his arm a moment ago.
“Sorry. You had me back in the office for a while there. And yes, I do know how hard you work.” He wasn’t going to mention someone being in in her cottage—if she was prepared to put it down to a memory lapse, he wasn’t going to discourage it. But he was going to do his damnedest to make sure it didn’t happen again.
If I had a fucking clue how to, that is.
“So seeing your boss is such a hard taskmaster, he needs to make sure you have a great holiday. How would you like to come for a surf with me in the morning?” Dominic couldn’t take his eyes off Jilly when her face broke into a wide smile. She was drop dead gorgeous. And if he kept his eyes on her face, his gaze wasn’t tempted to stray to the luscious curves packaged in that white bikini.
“Oh, yes please! That’d be awesome. Do you have a spare board?”
“I do, but I’m pretty sure we’ll find a smaller one to suit you in the shed at the back of your cottage. It shouldn’t be locked. I’ll come down and have a look this afternoon if that’s okay?” He waited for her nod. After last night’s antics, he wasn’t going to go near the place and give her any reason to doubt him. As far as he knew all his and Derro’s boards had been there for years. He was the only one of all the cousins who ever came back to the coast. Except for his cousin Margaret; she’d never moved away. The rest of them were scattered far and wide over the world in a variety of careers. One thing he could say about the Smythe-Phillips; they were high achievers.
Except for Derro, but maybe he’d known what his life was going to hold for him.
Dominic gazed out over the ocean; Derro had never had a career goal. Surfing had been his life and it had caused his death before he was twenty. His ashes had been scattered to the wind on this very beach ten years ago. Guilt ran through him; he hadn’t caught up with Margaret for years. She’d been the older, crazy cousin as they’d grown up and run wild at their grandparents’ beach cottages and Derro’s death had tipped her into eccentricity. When he’d last seen her, he’d been shocked at how she’d aged.
Despite the sadness that came with being here, Dominic had looked forward to coming home. This was the place he could be himself and not the corporate suit that he’d become. He had planned to use this week as a time to reconsider his future. His life was not what he wanted for himself, even if he was making a success of it. Maybe it was time for a change; a sea change. Even after two nights away from Sydney peace was stealing through his bones. But he certainly didn’t need the complication of anyone in that cottage and the problems it could bring. That person was now staring up at him with a strange expression on her face.
Jilly reached out again and touched his arm gently. “Dominic?”
“Yes?” He gave his head a gentle shake. She had a terrible effect on him; his thoughts were all over the place.
“Merry Christmas.”
“Oh. I forgot. And to you too.” A chuckle accompanied his words. “How about when I come over I’ll bring a couple of beers and we can sit on your porch and watch the storm after we dig out a board for you?” He’d had no intention of saying that and his words surprised him. At least if he was there, he could keep her safe. Not that he thought she could really come to any harm. After all what could—
“Storm?” Jilly frowned at him and lifted her eyes to the clear blue sky.
“Guaranteed to be a storm later.” Dominic lifted his head and sniffed the pure air. “Can’t you smell it?”
Jilly’s pretty laugh trilled around him. “No, I can’t, but I’ll take your word for it. And yes, it would be nice to have some company.”
Despite her laugh, he was surprised to see a tear drop from the tip of her long eyelashes. He reached out and used the pad of his thumb to wipe it from her cheek.
“You okay?”
She let out an unladylike sniff and wiped her hand over her eyes. “Sorry. First Christmas without my dad. I thought I’d be okay, but I guess I’m not.”
“Nothing to be sorry about. It’s tough, isn’t it? What about your mum?”
Jilly shook her head mutely.
He stared over her head to the ocean and let her gather herself together.
“I lost both my parents in the same year. It’s hard. Times like Christmas and birthdays really bring it home.”
“Come on over later. When you’re ready.” A small smile tilted her lips. “I’ll try not to be rude to you this afternoon.’
Dominic picked up his board, and hitched it beneath his arm. He was reluctant to go back to the cottage; he was enjoying her company. “Okay, sounds like a plan; I’ll see you later.” As he turned away, Dominic allowed himself one lingering glance at the lush curves in the white bikini.
Yep, she’s drop dead gorgeous.
Maybe his office rule could take a break too.
Chapter Seven
Jilly didn’t spend much longer on the beach before the sun got too hot. With her fair skin, she’d end up looking like a lobster. It took a while to get immersed in her book; the sight of Dominic walking away from her with the board beneath his arm, his strong muscles flexing, had set her heart in a little pitter patter, and it was hard to concentrate. Then she opened her Kindle and tried to focus on one of the romances she had downloaded. For a couple of hours she buried herself in an imaginary world, not giving any thought to Dominic or the sorting out of Dad’s stuff that waited for her back in Sydney.
Eventually, the heat of the sun—not to mention the steamy scenes in the romance—got too much and she packed up her bag and towel. The erotic romance about a holiday fling had her thoughts heading in an inappropriate direction.
A holiday fling? Maybe that’s what I need?
Uh, uh. She shook her head. Not with her boss. Although it was becoming harder to reconcile the Dominic of the surf with Mr Smythe-Phillips of the office. Maybe it would help if he put a shirt on. Too much naked chest for her comfort.
But what a gorgeous naked chest.
Jilly grinned as she headed back to the beach house. She paused as she opened the gate to the path that led to the front door. Someone had mowed the grass and cleaned up the garden while she’d been at the beach. The cottage looked prettier with smooth, green lawn surrounding it; m
ore like the photo in the email. The edges had been trimmed and the long grass outside the fence was neatly clipped too. She closed the gate behind her and took two steps before she stopped dead and looked around slowly, her mouth dropping open.
Her car was gone. Jilly spun on her heel and looked back to the road; no sign of it. She climbed the steps slowly and walked along the verandah to the door and her heart lodged in her throat. The door was wide open and the key she had locked it with was in her beach bag. She put her bag on the table outside the door and poked her head inside cautiously.
“Hello?” Her voice was husky and she cleared her throat. “Dominic? Are you inside?” Her eyes settled on the small dining table. Her car keys were sitting exactly where she had left them last night. But a small vase filled with pretty summer flowers was in the middle of the table.
Jilly frowned and backed out through the doorway before walking to the far end of the verandah and peering around the back of the house. She let out the breath she had been holding. Her little red sedan was parked behind the shed in the longer grass. Whoever had mowed had moved her car to the back. Folding her arms, she marched along the verandah and stepped back inside.
Thoughtful, but presumptuous.
“Is there anybody here?” Her temper was growing by the minute. If Dominic had wanted her to move her car so he could mow, all he’d had to do was ask. God, he knew she was on the beach; he could have waited till she came back.
How dare he just walk in, pick up her keys and move her car as though he owned the place? Well, in a way, he did. The place belonged to his family, but she was a tenant and she didn’t feel at all comfortable with him having free access to where she was staying. She was tempted to march up and front him straight away, but she’d wait until he came down later.
Jilly picked up her Kindle, raided the fridge for a healthy snack and wandered back outside. She narrowed her eyes. In between the door and the shower halfway along the verandah, a small hammock chair hung from a hook. She walked up to it and gave it a gentle push as she looked around. She was sure that chair hadn’t been there last night when she’d had her shower. She shrugged; it looked inviting, calico macramé knots held it together and colourful cushions invited her to sink in and curl her legs up.
Christmas with the Boss Page 4