The Cornish Hotel by the Sea

by Karen King

  Ellie watched him, her pulse playing table tennis. Did he really think she was gorgeous?

  Calm down, Ellie, she told herself, it was a throw-away comment so don’t make too much of it. He’s probably forgot he even said it now.

  She let her eyes linger on him for a while; sun-tanned, muscular legs, nice bum, tight black vest...and she already knew that it concealed a toned body. The image of him stepping out of the bathroom stark naked flashed across her mind and she felt a wash of heat flood through her. This guy certainly had some effect on her!

  Knowing how bad her aim was she decided not to risk copying Reece, especially as the waiting seagulls would pounce on the wrapper at the first opportunity and shred if for the scraps. So she walked over to the bin and dropped her fish and chip wrapper in it, then joined him at the wall. The beach below was bustling with holiday-makers, sprawled out on the vast expanse of caramel and, sunbathing, paddling in the sea, playing ball. There was hardly room to walk between the mass of bodies.

  “Maybe a stroll on the beach wasn’t a good idea,” Reece said. “It looks like the rest of the world has beaten us to it.”

  “This beach is always crowded but there’s a little cove not far away that hardly anyone uses because you have to walk across a pebbly beach to get to it. Do you fancy going there?” asked Ellie. “It’s a beautiful cove and the sand is really soft.” She’d spent many an afternoon there in her teenage years. It was one of her favourite spots. “Mind, the steps down are pretty steep.”

  Reece grinned. “I’m game if you are.”

  They walked side by side down the cobbled street, so close that Reece’s hand grazed hers at one point, sending goosebumpy shivers up her arm. And chill!

  A couple more streets, a short walk downhill and they were standing at the top of a narrow set of steep stone steps, leading down to a pebbly and not very inviting beach.

  “It looks a bit harsh on the feet,” Reece remarked as he stared down at it.

  “That’s why no one comes here, the pebbles put them off,” she grabbed the metal rail and started to walk down the steps, leaving Reece to follow. “Be careful, the steps are a bit uneven,” she warned him. If he slipped they’d both go crashing down.

  “Best not to take off your sandals yet,” she said when they reached the bottom.

  “Don’t worry, I don’t intend to!”

  Side by side they walked across the stony beach.

  “How far is this cove?” Reece asked.

  “Just past those rocks.” Ellie pointed in front of them to where the beach was divided by a mound of black, mussel-covered rocks jutting out from the cliffs and sprawling into the sea. A few people were gathered around the rocks, peering into the rock pools to see what they could find. Just like she used to do when she was a child. She remembered collecting mussels and taking them home as a treat for her dad. He’d loved them cooked French style with white wine and onions.

  “You can only walk to the cove when the tide’s out,” she said. “It’s covered completely when the tide comes in.”

  “And when does the tide come in?” asked Reece. “I don’t want to be left stranded!”

  “About five thirty.” She carefully stepped onto the rocks, avoiding the slippery green seaweed and slime that covered them. “Don’t worry, we’ve plenty of time. Anyway, I bet you’re a good swimmer.”

  “I am. But I don’t fancy swimming home.”

  They climbed over the rocks and stepped down into an oasis of golden sand, almost entirely surrounded by majestic granite cliffs. It was, as she’d expected, deserted apart from a few seagulls rummaging for food. Ellie gazed around at the almost untouched sand, the gently lapping Artic rolling to the shore in tiny waves of white foam, the ancient, high cliffs that had sheltered the secluded cove for centuries. As always she was taken aback by the beauty of it. “This is my very favourite place.”

  “I can see why.” Reece nodded approvingly.

  Ellie kicked off her sandals and ran barefoot over the sand, placing the sandals down by on a rock. “Coming for a paddle?”

  Coming for a paddle? Reece hadn’t paddled in the sea since he was a teenager. He watched as Ellie practically skipped over to the sea. There was something infectious about her joy of life, she was so refreshingly carefree and uninhibited. He guessed her upbringing was far more loving than his and for a brief moment he wanted a slice of that carefreeness. So he took off his sandals and crossed the beach in a few long strides.

  When he reached the water’s edge, Ellie was already paddling, a look of sheer enjoyment on her face as the waves lapped gently over her feet. Reece was watching her in amusement.

  “Too old and boring to paddle?” Her eyes sparked a challenge.

  He accepted it and joined her in the shallow water. It was cool and surprisingly refreshing. His thoughts jerked back to the last time he’d paddled in the sea. He was nine years old, his last summer holiday before his parents divorced but he hadn’t known that then. He’d sensed that the atmosphere was even tenser than usual and had done his best to keep out of their way, paddling in the sea, building sandcastles and playing beach ball with a couple of kids he’d made friends with. His Mum had walked out a few months later, the day after his tenth birthday.

  “Isn’t it heavenly?” Ellie thrust her head back, arms outstretched, basking in the sun’s rays.

  Reece smiled as he watched her, marvelling and slightly envying her sheer delight in living.

  She turned to him. “Have you had enough? Shall we sit down for a bit?”

  She was out of the sea and across the sand in a flash, flopping down in the shelter of the cove. She folded her long skirt around her legs and hugged her knees. “When I come here I wonder what I’m doing living in a city,” she confessed as Reece sat down beside her. “It’s so beautiful here. I feel as if I’m in another world.”

  Reece felt something stir deep within him. He turned to her, gazed into her hazel eyes. “A world with just you and me in it,” he said softly.

  She gazed back, her eyes widening as he bent his head closer. She licked her lips. He hesitated, giving her chance to pull away if she wanted and saw her give a little shiver of anticipation, then, as he leaned even closer he heard a little gasp escape from her lips and she closed her eyes.

  Chapter Seven

  Wow! This guy could kiss!

  It took all of Ellie’s willpower to push Reece away instead of snog him like mad and run her hands over the toned body she remembered so well dripping wet from the shower, but somehow she did it. Sexy, as he undeniably was, it wasn’t her style to get so ‘friendly’ with someone she barely knew. He could be married, living with someone, engaged. He wouldn’t be the first guy to forget he had a wife or girlfriend when he was away from home.

  “Woah!” she said breathlessly, sitting up and trying to compose herself. “Steady on!”

  He lounged on his elbow, looking up at her. “Sorry, but you’re so irresistible, I just couldn’t help myself.” He raised his hand and touched her face, running one finger softly, softly over her cheeks and down to her mouth. “I think you’re a wonderful, beautiful girl, Ellie Truman, and I fancy you like mad. But if you don’t feel the same way please say so and I’ll back off.” he said softly.

  Ellie licked her lips, not sure what to say. She fancied him like mad too but he was a guest. She’s only known him five minutes. And they’d both be going back home soon. Three very good reasons not to get involved.

  Or maybe three very good reasons to have a bit of fun. At least things couldn’t get too serious, could they?

  “Let’s say I’m interested but you being a guest complicates things.” She paused, best to get it out there before things got any further. “And I don’t know anything about you. Whether you’re with someone . . . married.” She looked him straight in the face as she waited for his answer. She had no intention of going out with a married man and if Reece was lying she was sure she’d be able to tell.

  “Nope. Definitely n
o wife. I’m not the marrying kind. And no girlfriend at the moment. There’s a vacancy in that department if you want to take it up?” He grinned.

  She smiled back, relieved to hear that not only was he single, he wanted to remain that way. Just as she did. So they could enjoy each other’s company for the next week or so without worrying that anyone was getting in too deep and wanted more. No strings attached. Just how she liked it.

  He raised a dark eyebrow questioningly. “What about you? Do you have a husband or boyfriend somewhere? A wedding dress in the loft you’re dying to wear?”

  A wedding dress in the loft you’re dying to wear? What a strange thing to say. Perhaps one of his exes had tried to lead him down the bridal path. She’d known a couple of women who had their whole wedding planned even though they hadn’t found the man they wanted to marry yet. Well he had no fears on that score with her.

  She’d had a few boyfriends since Lee – make that several - but nothing serious, although a couple of them had wanted it to be. She’d long since got over Lee but had no intention of letting anyone close enough to break her heart again. Besides, she liked her freedom. She saw so many of her friends compromising their dreams to fit in with their partners and she didn’t want to do that. She was going to live her life how she wanted to.

  Mind you, she had no objection to having a holiday romance with Reece. He was charming and fun. Although a bit egoistic she reckoned, and she already knew about his grumpy side.

  She shook her head. “Foot-loose and fancy-free, that’s me. And that’s the way I like it,” she added just to make sure he got the message.

  “It sounds like we’re on the same wavelength,” He bent forward and kissed her on the nose. “Pleased to hear the interest is mutual. Now, let’s go for another paddle before I get too carried away.”

  He held her hand and pulled her up, and, with their fingers still entwined, walked across the sand to the sea. As they stepped into the cool water, Ellie scooped up a handful of water and splashed it over him, laughing as it sprayed over his face.

  “You minx!” he said. “I’ll get you for that!”

  Lifting up her long skirt, Ellie turned and ran off, through the rippling sea, but with two long steps Reece was beside her and splashed Ellie with a shower of seawater that showered over her shoulders.

  “Hey, be careful,” she laughed. “I don’t want my clothes to get soaked.”

  “Then you’d better jump!” Reece shouted.

  Ellie looked over her shoulder to see a wave rolling towards her. Lifting her skirt even higher she jumped just in time. The wave crashed under her feet.

  Another wave cascaded their way. Reece reached out for Ellie’s hand, she held up her skirt with the other hand and they jumped the wave together, shrieking with laughter like a pair of kids. As soon as there was a lull in the waves, Ellie released Reece’s hand and paddled towards the shore. “Race you!” she shouted over her shoulder.

  She sprinted across the beach, Reece hot on her heels.

  “Well, that cooled us down!” Reece grinned as they both flopped down on the sand.

  “I ought to be getting back,” Ellie told him. “I promised Mum that I’d visit her again today.”

  “Better let your skirt dry first.” Reece’s eyes danced. “You’ll cause a traffic jam!”

  “What?” Ellie glanced down at her skirt which was now drenched and clinging seductively to her legs. And completely see through. She hadn’t realised she’d got it so wet. She couldn’t walk back to the hotel like this.

  “Hey, don’t look so worried, it’ll soon dry out if we sit here in the sun for a while. And just to keep my mind off how enticing you look, you can tell me a bit more about your job.”

  “A bit bossy, aren’t you? Not an attractive trait in a man,” she quipped, spreading her skirt out over her legs so that it would dry quicker.

  “I really would like know more about it,” he told her. “Exactly how do you help firms improve their image?”

  Well, it wasn’t often you found a guy interested in your work. Sexy and considerate, Reece was turning out to be quite something. “My big passion is children’s education,” she told him. “I think every child has a right to an education so I encourage companies to sponsor education in third world countries, to donate towards the cost of building schools, sponsoring the children, providing books, etc. It improves their public image and helps children too. A win-win situation.”

  He seemed genuinely interested and asked a lot more questions. Ellie replied animatedly then realised that she’d been talking for ages. He must think she was all me, me, me!

  “Sorry I tend to go on a bit. Tell me to shut up when you’ve had enough.”

  “Not at all. It’s refreshing to hear someone talk about their work with such enthusiasm. You sound like you really enjoy it. “I do. What about you? What sort of work do you do?

  * * *

  “Nothing as altruistic as you,” he said. “It’s mainly boring meetings with clients.”

  She wanted to ask him more but a glance at her watch told her it was 4.30. “Oh gosh, I didn’t realise it was that late. I have to get back to the hotel.” She looked down at her skirt and was relieved to see that it was only slightly damp now.

  “Me too.” He stood up and held out his hand. “Need a hand up?”

  “Thanks.” She could manage but why turn down the offer of feeling his hand in hers? He pulled her up to join him, and enclosed his arms around her, kissing her once again. A kiss that was even more spine-tingling than the previous one had been.

  “Now come on, I can’t stay here all day, chatting to you,” he teased. “I’ve got a couple of business calls to make.”

  Hand in hand they made their way back over the sand, the rocks and across the stony beach, only letting go when they reached the narrow stone steps. Reece went up first and reached for Ellie’s hand again as soon as she got to the top. They walked to the hotel in companionable silence.

  “Oh, Ellie, thank goodness you’re back!” Mandy ran over as soon as Ellie stepped through the door. “A water pipe’s burst and flooded out the Honeymoon Suite. Harry’s called out a plumber and is trying to fix it temporarily himself, but Mr Smythe, the guest, is furious. The water’s poured through the ceiling to the bed below, ruining the open suitcase full of clothes they’d left on the bed ready to unpack. He said he’s going to sue us!”

  “You bet your sweet life I am!” A stockily built man with greying hair came striding over to them, followed by a slim, fair-haired woman who was trying to pacify him. “This is supposed to be our second honeymoon and now it’s ruined. Someone’s going to pay for this!”

  Ellie caught her breath. She’d noticed when looking through her mother’s papers yesterday that the hotel insurance had expired. She’d intended to talk to Mum about it today. What the hell should she do now?

  “I’m so sorry…” she apologised, desperately trying to find the words to pacify him. If he sued for compensation it would bankrupt the hotel. Think, Ellie, think!

  “Is that all you can say? You’re sorry? Our clothes are ruined. Our room is a mess. The bed is soaked.” Mr Smythe’s face was bright red and Ellie was seriously worried that he was going to have a heart attack. What would Mum do if she was here?

  Suddenly she was aware that Reece was talking. “I do apologise. What a dreadful thing to happen, but rest assured, sir, that we’ll do our best to put it right. Can we offer you coffee and sandwiches in the lounge while Miss Truman sorts you out an alternative room?” He turned to Mandy, “Please escort Mr Smythe and his wife to the lounge, Mandy, and arrange for sandwiches of their choice to be made for them.”

  Ellie stared at him in astonishment. What the hell was he doing acting like he worked here, and in a position of authority at that? He had no right to deal with the guests and make these sort of decisions. She was about to tell him so when she noticed that Mr Smythe was no longer looking so angry.

  “Ellie?” Mandy was looking questionin
gly at her.

  Ellie fought down her anger. Okay so Reece shouldn’t have taken over but he did seem to have calmed the guests down a bit. And she needed a bit of breathing space to think how to deal with the situation. The Smythes needed to be appeased and quickly. If they pushed for compensation….

  She nodded at Mandy to indicate that she agreed with Reece then turned to the Smythes. “I’m so sorry this has happened, Mr and Mrs Smythe. I’ll arrange for you to be moved to another room and for your clothes to be cleaned, of course.”

  “I should hope so too,” huffed Mr Smythe. “I wanted this to be a special holiday for my wife. It’s our Silver Wedding Anniversary.”

  Of course, she remembered Mandy telling her. No wonder the man was seething. How on earth was she going to put this right?

  “I really can’t apologise enough. I realise how distressing and inconvenient this is for you but we can assure you that we’ll do our best to ensure your stay is just how wanted it to be.” Reece said, once again taking control. “Miss Truman and I will assess the damage and call a plumber and then we’ll join you in the lounge.”

  “Come on, dear,” said Mrs Smythe, touching her husband’s arm. “Accidents happen and they’re trying to make amends.”

  “It shouldn’t have happened. I’ve had that case years and it’s ruined. So are our clothes,” he muttered, but allowed his wife to take his arm and they followed Mandy into the restaurant.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to take over,” Reece said as soon as the Smythes were out of earshot, “It’s just that I know you have to deal with situations like this quickly and I just wanted to help. Shall we check out the damage? I’m sure it’s nothing too drastic and your insurance will foot the bill.”

  It would if we were insured, Ellie thought in panic as they made their way over to the lift. Goodness knows how much the plumber would cost, and what other damage had been done. And what if the Smythes did push for compensation? What was she going to do?

  “This is really worrying you, isn’t it?” asked Reece as the lift doors closed on them. His grey eyes softened with concern as they rested on her face. “I know you feel responsible for the place while your mother is in hospital but I’m sure she’ll understand. It shouldn’t take long to put right.”