Christmas with the Boss

by Seaton, Annie

  “See, these things happen.” Dominic stood and walked over to the shower and opened the lock. “All you need now is to find the person who mowed the lawn and I’m out of trouble.” Those sexy lips opened in a wide grin and his white teeth flashed in the dimness that had descended as the black clouds raced in.

  “I’ll have to be more careful from now on.” Jilly stood and walked across to the railing where he was leaning looking out to the storm. “I’m sorry. I do seem to be blaming you for everything that goes wrong.” A low chuckle reached her and she turned around with a frown. “What was that?”

  “What?” Dominic looked around.

  “That noise. Did you laugh?’ The hair on Jilly’s neck stood to attention again—as did her nipples. Not that they’d ever gone down. She rubbed her arms, making out she was cold, nothing to do with this sexual attraction that was consuming her. As she let her gaze move up past those bare arms to his sexy lips, she wondered how the hell she’d ever work next to him without combusting into a haze of lust.

  He was just too damned good looking.

  “Are you scared here by yourself?” Dominic leaned in closer to her and she got a whiff of surf, and sand, and sweaty man. She couldn’t help taking a deep breath and inhaling the manly essence.

  “No, why would you ask that?”

  He shrugged. “It’s pretty lonely out here. For a city girl.”

  “I’m fine. I’m enjoying the quiet.” Jilly wasn’t going to let him know how unsettled she was. It was only the storm that was bothering her. Not him or the spooky feeling that wouldn’t go away. The old cottage took on a sinister air as more lightning flashed in from the sea.

  “So are you still up for a surf in the morning?” Dominic pointed to the board propped up against the wall. “I found my old kneeboard in the shed. It’s all waxed and ready to go.”

  “Will the weather be okay?”

  “Guaranteed. This is just a summer storm.” Like the tumultuous feelings that were coursing through her as the touch of his hand warmed her skin. Her body was reacting to him with surprising heat. She lifted her drink and drained the beer, welcoming the fizz that coursed through her blood.

  “For sure.”

  Another chuckle came from the dark and despite the heat of Dominic’s body beside hers, goose bumps rose on her skin.

  “What was that?”

  “Just the wind. Don’t be nervous.” His arm went around her and he squeezed her shoulder and Jilly put aside her jumpiness.

  Grow up, she chastised herself. He was right; this was a very different place to her apartment in Manly where there were people around day and night.

  She swallowed as he kept his arm there; he was flirting with her and she didn’t mind one bit. They weren’t at work now; it was a vacation. Maybe she could put her rules aside for a day or two.

  “I hope the weather’s okay for our surf tomorrow. I’m looking forward to it.” She shivered as the wind whipped around the verandah. “Do you want to come inside before this rain hits.”

  The cold breeze chilled her skin as Dominic stepped away. “It’s time I went home.” He’d put a barrier up suddenly. And his expression was back to that of Dominic the boss. Was she giving out vibes he didn’t like?

  Jilly shrugged as she took a step back. Literally and emotionally. “What about the plum pudding?”

  “Let’s save it for after our surf tomorrow. You think I work you hard in the office, you ain’t seen nothing yet. We’ll get you working those waves.” The distance had left his voice but he moved towards the steps.

  “Thanks for the beer. Do you want to take the rest back with you?”

  “Nah.” He waved dismissively. “Put them in your fridge. New Year’s Eve is coming up.”

  “So what time in the morning?” She kept her voice casual not wanting him to see her disappointment.

  “Sunrise too early? Meet me on the beach.”

  Jilly nodded and with a final wave, Dominic disappeared into the darkness and emptiness surrounded her.

  Chapter Nine

  Boxing Day

  Despite the unsettled feeling that wouldn’t leave her as she sat on the lounge and read after a light dinner, Jilly slept well. Before she went to bed, she double checked the locks on the window and the doors, and left a light on in the kitchen. There was nothing she could do about the thin piece of lattice in the kitchen that shook in the wind. She still couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching her, which she knew was stupid, because there was no one within cooee.

  Apart from Dominic. But one minute, he’d been up close and personal and then he’d withdrawn into himself and left in a matter of minutes.

  The alarm on her iPhone roused her at 4.30 a.m. and she stumbled into the kitchen, rubbing her eyes, and reached for the kettle. Her hand froze on the tap as she looked up at the back door. Unlocked and wide open. And not only that, the surfboard that Dominic had left outside on the verandah was lying along the sofa, the cotton draw string bag that had encased it, lay scrunched on the rose-covered mat.

  Jilly backed away and looked around.

  “What the fuck?” Her hands shook as she shut the back door and flicked the lock over. She’d forget about the cup of tea; just get changed and head to the beach.

  Get out of this house. Forget about what Dominic said about it not being safe, being in here was beginning to creep her out a little.

  The first rosy glimmers of dawn were streaking the sky with a soft apricot when she stepped outside, the board tucked beneath her arm. A warm wind puffed in off the hills this morning and everything was washed clean from the storm last night. The wind must have blown the door opened, she reasoned to herself. And she must have carried the board inside when she was half-asleep and forgotten that she had. If she wasn’t careful, she was going to have herself spooked and head home early, which she really didn’t want to do. Sydney would be hot and busy and she’d probably end up at work if she went home early.

  Dominic tried to tell you not to stay here, a little voice nagged within her.

  He was waiting for her on the beach, his strong, muscular lines silhouetted by the rising sun behind him. The wet sand was smooth and shining, clear of footprints, as Jilly followed him to the water’s edge.

  “Sleep okay?” His eyes were hooded.

  “Like a baby.” Well, I did.

  “Good. Surf’s great. You ready?” Dominic waited for Jilly to catch him up and they walked out into the water together until they were waist deep. They waited for a break in the waves. When the last wave of the set broke and passed them with the white frothy foam bubbling around them, Dominic slid onto his board and lay on his stomach, and began to paddle out into the deeper water. Anticipation filled Jilly as she waited for the next wave to pass. The rough wax on the board crumbled beneath her fingers as she gripped the sides with both hands and slid onto the length of the board. Before she could find her centre of balance, her bare stomach slid along the slippery board and she held on tight as the board slid away.

  It was too late. The board bucked beneath her as the oncoming wave lifted the front of it and Jilly slipped off. She wasn’t quick enough and gasped, copping a mouthful of salt water as she went under the small wave that broke over her, and then carried the kneeboard into the shore.

  It was a tossup whether embarrassment or temper won out, and she let her temper build. That was the final straw. What the hell was Dominic playing at? Coughing and spluttering, she marched back through the shallows—as much as one could march in knee-deep water and stood at the edge of the sand, her arms folded as she waited for him to catch the next wave into shore.

  Of course he did it gracefully, staying on the board until he was in knee-deep water.

  “Are you okay? What happened?” He tossed his head back and his hair stuck to his neck. He reached up and brushed the long strands from his eyes.

  Jilly glared up at him. “Just what is your problem? Do you really have to go to these extremes to get me to move out of
your precious cottage? I suppose it was you who came back and left the door open last night when you brought the board inside, too?” Her words ran together as rage filled her chest.

  The water splashed around Dominic’s legs as he strode from the water. His mouth was tight and his eyes were flashing as he put his board down carefully on the sand and turned to her.

  “Would you like to tell me exactly how it’s my fault that you fell off your board? I thought you said you could surf?”

  Jilly let her temper burn ever hotter. She didn’t have red hair for nothing. She picked up the board and shoved it at him “When did you do that? In the middle of the night when I was asleep? You really do have a problem, don’t you?”

  Socialising and being pleasant to her boss was no longer an option after this prank. How the hell she was going to take him seriously enough to work with from now on was something she’d worry about when she went back to Sydney.

  “I need this break and I’m not going to let you, or anyone else ruin it for me!”

  She turned away, intending to leave him there, but stopped when Dominic reached out and held her arm. He held her firmly and took her board with his free hand. She saw the exact moment that he realised what she was upset about.

  “Bloody hell,” he said.

  “Is that all you’ve got to say?” Jilly pulled her arm away and folded her arms. “Why on earth would you put soap on my board instead of wax?”

  He put the board down on the ground and turned to her, his other hand holding her shoulder lightly. “I didn’t.” His eyes narrowed as he stared down at her. “And what was that you said about the door being open?”

  “Don’t worry about it. I’m going to go back, have a shower—and leave the door propped open while I have it—and have a peaceful day away from you.” She lifted her chin and held his gaze with hers. “So, are you going to let me go?”

  Damn him. No matter how angry she was, Jilly had to admit how he really was irresistible. In a suit he’d looked fine, but standing in front of her, sun drenched muscles, golden-chested and dripping with salt water, he was ridiculously handsome. Like some Greek god or something. She couldn’t bear to think how much better he’d look without anything on at all. She blinked as she tried to clear the picture and the stupid comparisons from her mind. What the heck was wrong with her?

  His chuckle was husky as he looked down at her. “I’m so sorry. I should have checked the board better.” He reached up and tucked her hair behind her ear. “I’m really sorry. I’ll stay out and you can have my board. I’ll go home and get some wax.”

  Jilly shook her head, bemused as his eyes held hers. His touch was sending trembles down her back. “So who soaped the board?”

  Dominic stared down at her, his expression unreadable. “My cousin used to do it for a lark. He was the world’s biggest practical joker.”

  Jilly picked up the sadness in Dominic’s voice. “Was?” she asked quietly.

  He lifted his gaze and pointed to the rocks on the point to the south. “Derro drowned on the point the day after his eighteenth birthday.”

  Chapter Ten

  Jilly’s lips parted in sympathy as Dominic told her about Derro. He’d not spoken of the tragedy for years and his voice caught as he told her of waiting on the beach that afternoon; waiting hopelessly for Derro to reappear after he’d slipped beneath the water. But he hadn’t.

  “Luckily I had my phone and I called triple zero. The guys from the surf club were here on the jet ski within minutes.” He shook his head and lifted his gaze to the horizon. “It took two days for his body to wash up. His sister, Margaret found him. It was a pretty tough time for the family.”

  Jilly reached over and squeezed his hand. Dominic curled his fingers around hers and didn’t let go.

  They sat on the sand together as the sun climbed quickly in the morning sky. He didn’t tell her what was in his head, or a feeling within his heart; he had no proof and he didn’t want to sound crazy.

  “This is the first time I’ve had that board out since then, and he obviously had the last laugh. I suppose the soap dried up and as soon as it hit the water, it got slippery.”

  Last night he’d pulled back when she’d mentioned going inside. He knew she was attracted to him and he’d run. It was all too complicated; being her boss and the crazy situation at the beach cottage that he still couldn’t get a handle on.

  The sun caught her beautiful green eyes as she turned to him. His confusion dissipated like the spray above the waves as she steadily held his gaze. Instead of pulling away as he expected, she reached up and cupped his jaw in her hand.

  “Forget about the board. Falling off didn’t hurt me. I’m sorry about your cousin. It must have been so hard for you.”

  Dominic let go of her hand and put his arm around her shoulders. He didn’t want her to move away. Her bare thigh was pressed up against his and what he wanted was only a breath away. He dipped his head, closed his eyes and lowered his mouth to hers.

  Maybe it was a kiss returned because she felt sorry for him—maybe not. All he knew was that her lips were sweet beneath his and he explored her mouth gently. She sighed his name and her breath whispered against his lips. Jilly reached up and her fingers tangled in his wet hair as she pulled him closer. There was more than sympathy in her response. He groaned against her mouth and pushed her gently back on the sand.

  By the time he had kissed her lips, her face, and then slowly slid his lips down her neck to that sweet spot he had noticed in the shadow of her collarbone, she was arching against him. Dominic lowered his hand to slip it inside her bikini top and cupped her breast in his palm. He held the full mound gently and rubbed his thumb across the rigid peak, smiling as she murmured with pleasure against his neck. He lifted his head and looked down at her, her eyes were wide; she looked more alive than he had ever seen her. Passion filled her eyes and a slow smile tilted those lips that had been against his neck a few seconds ago. He leaned on one elbow as he circled her nipple with soft, lazy strokes before he bent and took it into his mouth. Her skin was salty as he licked and sucked each breast. Her fingers drifted down his back and pulled at the waist of his board shorts and rational thought fled as his cock hardened.

  The sharp bark of a dog brought him to his senses and he pulled back and straightened her top.

  He rolled over and sat up and looped his hands around his knees. Luckily the dog had run ahead and the couple walking along the beach was still a couple of hundred metres away. Jilly sat up and brushed the sand from her shoulders.

  He stared out to sea, breathing deeply as the couple walked along the beach towards them.

  Not a word was spoken.

  ##

  Jilly folded her arms across her chest. Her heart was beating at the rate of knots and she flicked a glance at Dominic. He was staring out to sea; his jaw hard. His gaze steely. So many sensations ran through her; it was more than the physical. Somehow she knew that they had connected on a deeper level than sheer physical need. If it hadn’t been for the dog barking, he would have been inside her by now. She craved his touch and shivered as he shifted his position and put more distance between them.

  The dog bounded up to them, a huge black thing with floppy ears and loose jowls. She laughed as it nuzzled into her neck, the same place that Dominic’s lips had been only minutes before. She jumped to her feet as the dog played around them, and she knew the exact second that Dominic turned to look at her, even though she wasn’t watching him. She felt his eyes on her like a brand. It was crazy but she did.

  The couple whistled to their dog and waved to Dominic and Jilly as they walked away.

  “Do you want to go back in the surf on my board or go back to the cottage?”

  She tried to read what was in his voice and subdue the restlessness that was in her. It was hard to quell, that deep ache low in her belly and the tingling between her thighs made it hard to think logically.

  She tried to lighten the mood. “How about some plum pudd
ing for breakfast? It is Boxing Day.”

  His mile was distant and the warm feeling in her shriveled. He’d started it and she’d made a fool of herself. Dominic stood and together they picked up their boards and headed back toward the cottages.

  Her heart was still thudding in slow, heavy beats and the blood was zinging around her body. Her nerve endings were skittering all over the place as confusion filled her. But when they reached the road, Dominic turned to face her.

  “Sorry the surfing was such a fiasco. We’ll try again another morning, okay?” He hitched the board up higher and nodded at her. “Have a good day; I have to go to Coffs Harbour. Anything you need?”

  Jilly shook her head. “No, thank you.”

  She watched him as he walked away, before she turned and went back to her place. This holiday was not working out how she’d planned. It was time to forget about Dominic, and start to relax and have the rest she’d planned. It had been a long time since she’d made out on a beach, but the frustration that filled her had more to do with Dominic’s hot and cold moods than any unfulfilled sexual needs.

  ##

  The day passed slowly. No matter how much Jilly tried to push him from her mind, Dominic wouldn’t leave her thoughts. She’d come here for the quiet and today, she got in—in bucket loads. She read and dozed and took herself off for a long walk down to Valla Beach after lunch. Burned off the chocolate, the strawberry milk and the beer. The cottage up the road stayed quiet and empty and there was no sign of Dominic’s silver car.

  When she came back from her walk, she settled gingerly in the hammock chair with a cold drink and her Kindle. She looked around nervously as she plumped up the cushions. No wind this afternoon. She pushed her foot onto the floor and rocked the chair gently as she began to read.

  “Who the hell are you?”

  Jilly dropped her Kindle with a start and slid out of the hammock as a woman clumped up the wooden steps. She strode along the verandah towards her, arms swinging wildly by her sides. It was hard to pick her age; her skin was tanned a deep nut brown and her face was set in a ferocious glare. Her hair was looped up in some sort of old fashioned beehive bun and she wore a pair of men’s board shorts and a bikini top and her feet were bare and encrusted with dirt. One hand pointed at Jilly, in the other was a small garden spade which she was now waving around.