by Karen King
“It is. Mind you, it’s the seagulls that wake you up first. They make such a noise, squawking and pattering over the roof.”
Reece’s gaze swept around the room. “You know, this place must be worth a tidy sum. If your mum did want to sell she’d do very well out of it. It depends what mortgage she has to pay, of course, but I’m sure she should get more than enough to buy herself a little bungalow.”
“She doesn’t want to sell. She’s determined to stay here and get the hotel back on its feet again.” Ellie shrugged. “Maybe in another five years she’ll feel like putting her feet up.” She turned away from the window. “Now, let’s go and get the wetsuits,” she said, leading the way downstairs again to the large storage cupboard in the hall. She rummaged through the assortment of wetsuits, booties, gloves and various other surfing apparel left by the many relatives who came to see them in the summer. There was bound to be one to fit Reece. She took out a black and grey wetsuit. “This looks about your size. Turn around.”
Reece obliged, standing still as she placed the wetsuit against his shoulders. “Yes, that seems perfect. Do you want to pop into the spare bedroom and try it on? Hang on, take a rash vest too,” she handed him a grey vest. “Take a couple of the suits to try if you want. I’ll go up to my room and put mine on too. We might as well walk down to the beach in them, it saves trying to wriggle into them when we’re there.”
“Sounds like a plan to me,” he said, taking the wet suit off her and grabbing another one from the pile in the cupboard. “Am I okay to leave my clothes in your spare room until we return?”
“Sure. See you in a few mins.” She set off down the corridor to the attic stairs.
Ellie changed into a bikini, pulling on a rash vest then her wetsuit – a turquoise and grey one she’d had since her teens - and tied back her hair. Going into the bathroom she swapped her contacts for dailies then popped saline solution, sun cream and sunglasses, her surf boots and gloves into a beach bag. What else did she need?
“Ready!” Reece called.
“Coming!” Beach towel. She grabbed two out of her wardrobe and shoved them in the bag then headed for the stairs.
Reece was waiting in the hall for her. God, he looked fit in that wetsuit. It showed his muscular shoulders and taut abs off to perfection and as for . . . well she didn’t dare look down there. She kept her eyes firmly on his face. “I knew it would fit you.”
He made no secret of the fact that he was enjoying the way the wet suit moulded to her figure.
“Very nice!”
“Thank you. Now let’s see if any of the booties and gloves are your size then we’ll get the boards out of the garden shed and we’re ready to go.”
She rummaged through the boots, selected two pairs and handed them to him. “Try these.”
The first pair were tight but the second pair fitted just right
“Great.” Ellie put both them in the beach bag with her own. “I’ve got towels in here too. Now let’s get the surf boards and we can be off. Medden Beach is the best one for surfing. It’s about a ten minute walk. Oh, hang on, water!”
She grabbed two bottles of water out of the fridge and popped them into her beach bag. Then she led the way out the back entrance and, taking a surfboard each from the shed and tucking them under their arms, they walked downhill to the beach and found a quiet spot to put their things.
“Right, let’s go catch those waves!” Ellie said excitedly, grabbing her board.
She walked her board until she was waist deep in water then lay on it. Reece was already ahead, riding his. He’d quickly got to his feet on the board, his weight centred in the middle, ready to ride the wave. He jumped straight in, just as she thought he would, whereas she preferred to paddle the waves for a while, building up her awareness of the sea before standing and riding them.
Soon she was lost in the exhilaration of riding the breaking waves to the shore. She glanced at Reece now and again and could see that he was enjoying himself too.
After a while she saw him paddle out to beach, flop down on the sand and reach in the beach bag for a bottle of water. She remained in the sea for a little longer, riding a few more waves, then padded out to join him.
“Can’t keep up the pace, eh?” she said, holding out her hand as he passed her the other bottle of water he’d taken out of the bag when he saw her walking towards him.”I told you it’s been a few years since I surfed. I’m a bit rusty.” Reece glanced at Ellie and she could see the admiration in his eyes. “You’re pretty good. Did you ever enter any of the surfing competitions?”
She gulped down the water then shook her head. “No, I like to do things for fun. I’m not interested in being competitive.” She gazed out at the sea. “You know. I love it down here. Maybe it wouldn’t be such a big sacrifice to move back after all.”
Besides her, Reece gazed silently out to sea. “I know what you mean,” he said slowly. “I could be tempted to join you.”
Did he mean that? Ellie gazed out at the sea, thinking about Reece’s words, imaging them both living in Cornwall, maybe helping Mum run Gwel Teg.
“Penny for them?”
Reece’s voice startled Ellie out of her thoughts. What was the matter with her? Going all gooey over stuff like that? She flashed him a smile. “I was just remembering the hours I spent down here with my mates when I was a teenager.”
“I bet you were the local beach babe.” He leaned over and kissed her, making her heart skip a beat. “Come on then, my stomach’s starting to growl.”
“Mine too. Will you join me for dinner again, on the house, as a thank you for your help with the Smythes?”
He grinned. “I’d be delighted to.”
Kate telephoned Ellie later to ask how things were going. She was really sympathetic when Ellie briefly related the events of yesterday.
“Sorry you’re having such a tough time, hun. Reece sounds a keeper though.” Kate replied.
That surprised Ellie. Reece? A keeper? No way. She didn’t do serious and Kate knew it. Besides, they’d only just met and would soon be saying goodbye.
“He’s a hottie, but not for me,” she retorted.
“Well he’s certainly pulling out all the stops to help you. Sounds like he fancies you big time.”
“Of course he doesn’t. He’s just being helpful.”
“So he’s not made any moves?”
“Well…”
“I knew it!” Kate squealed down the phone.
“We did kiss on the beach. And we went surfing together this afternoon. Actually, we’re dating.” She confessed. “But it’s just a holiday romance.”
“Then why is he being so helpful?”
That was the big question. And one that Ellie thought about a lot when she’d finally finished taking to Kate.
Why was Reece helping her so much?
“That was a delicious meal.” Reece pushed back his plate and rubbed his stomach appreciatively. “Your chef is excellent. Has he worked for you for long?”
“Five years. Marcus only lives a few streets away and fortunately is happy to come over in the evening and cook meals for whatever guests are staying at the hotel.” Ellie paused, remembering how her parents had once provided meals at lunchtime too but since her father had died this had been cut to evenings only. At first Mum had worried this would mean she’d lose Marcus all together, but he was more than happy with the new arrangements as this gave him all day to spend on his artwork. “He’s an artist. He painted the Ships in the Storm picture in the lounge and a few of the local cafes have some of his paintings for sale. He’s starting to get quite a reputation now.”
“I noticed that painting, it’s very impressive. I can almost feel the waves lashing against the ship when I look at it.”
“Yes, lots of the guests admire it.” Actually that might be something to add to the website. Guests liked to read about personal stuff too. Perhaps she could have a photo of Marcus standing by the picture? She could even give a link to hi
s website. It would be nice to get him some more sales. She stood up. “Would you like a coffee to finish off the meal?”
“Thank you that would be lovely. A white Americano, please.”
When she returned with coffee and cheese and biscuits, Reece was sitting, head bent, occupied with his mobile phone. “Sorry, I had to attend to an urgent email,” he said as she joined him. He closed down the screen and slipped the phone into his pocket. “Now, I’m all yours.”
“Hey, don’t apologise for using your phone, you’re a guest here. It’s very kind of you to help us out as much as you have. I realise that you’ve got other things to do and certainly don’t expect you to give me your undivided attention.” She sat down. Look, we’ve taken advantage of you enough. I don’t want you to feel that you have to help out all the time.” She raised her eyes to his then wished she hadn’t because as his grey eyes gazed at her, Ellie felt a shiver tingle through her. She couldn’t move, couldn’t even tear her eyes away, she was lost in the feelings his gaze aroused in her.
She dragged her eyes away and raised the coffee cup to her mouth, slowly sipping the hot liquid. She had to get a grip. She couldn’t go all ga-ga over Reece like a love-struck teenager just because his kisses were – well, so damn sexy.
“I don’t mind helping, I’ve told you.” He picked up one of the cheese and biscuits and nibbled it. “Have you thought any more about what your mother will do when you have to go home? Is there no way she can afford extra help?”
“No. Not even for a couple of hours a day.” She risked meeting his eyes again. “I’ll see how she is. If she’s still weak then I’ll take a bit longer off work. If the worst comes to the worst I’ll have to give up my job and flat and move back in with Mum until she’s well enough to cope by herself.” It wasn’t something she wanted to do but her mum’s health came first.
“Is that wise? You’ve a good job and you’re independent. You said yourself that you couldn’t wait to get out of this little town and live in the big city. It would probably be very difficult for you to adjust and what would you live on? If the hotel is struggling as much as you say would there be enough money to keep two of you.”
She had thought of that already. “I’ll be saving on rent and might be able to do some freelancing PR work, set myself up as a consultant. Once we’ve built up the hotel again so we can afford help I can go back to the Midlands if I want. I think Martin might even give me a sabbatical from work for six months or so.” She knew a couple of other people in the company who had done this. She’d be dropping Kate in the lurch though if she moved out of the flat, she’d struggle to pay all the rent by herself.
“Surely there’s no rush to make such a major decision. Your mother might not want you to live here. Why not go home as planned next week and wait a month or two to see how she copes before you give up your life.”
He was right. It was a big decision and she shouldn’t rush it.
“Have you thought that your Mum might want to take it easy for bit? Selling up might be the best solution if she does find the hotel too much for her. It’s a nice location, you should get a good price for it. And I know you said that she wouldn’t be able to afford somewhere in Cornwall but have you actually looked into that? Some of the apartments are very reasonable.”
It might be the best solution but she couldn’t see Mum agreeing to it. “I suggested it when Dad died. Mum refused point blank. She said this was her home and she was staying right here until she was carried out. I reckon she still feels the same way. She can’t wait to get out of hospital.” She grinned ruefully. “She can be quite stubborn.”
His eyes twinkled. “I can see where you get it from.”
She sighed. “You don’t know what a relief it is to have someone to talk to about this. It’s so kind of you to take the time. There must be other stuff you should be doing.”
He reached for her hand and squeezed it gently. A light, barely there touch but it sent her blood pressure racing.
“Nothing else I want to do. I like you. And I admire the way you look out for your mum.”
His unwavering gaze held a zillion unsaid words. She swallowed. Licked her lips. Fought to control her racing heart.
It was crazy. Why did he have such an effect on her? Did he feel the same?
Was Kate right, is that why he was being so helpful?
Chapter Eleven
What was it about Ellie that got under his skin so much? Reece pondered as he walked along the empty beach. When she’d left him saying she had to do some paperwork before going to bed, he’d wanted to go after her, ask her to come for a moonlight walk with him. But alcohol, moonlight and Ellie would have been too risky. So he’d gone for the walk alone.
He was returning to London at the end of the week, and Ellie was going home the following weekend. He’d thought that perhaps they could have a pleasant dalliance for a few days, maybe spend a couple of nights together. They were both adults, and it was obvious the attraction he felt for Ellie was mutual, so why not have a bit of fun before they said goodbye. But when he’d sat opposite her tonight he hadn’t wanted to say goodbye. And all the time he was telling her not to give up her life and move down to Cornwall he’d been thinking how he didn’t want her to go out of his life, to disappear without a trace.
It was crazy. The sooner he got this deal tied up and went back to London the better.
He stood and watched the moonlight shining on the sea for a while, casting shadows everywhere. It was so calm and still, soothing almost. He’d loved going to the seaside when he was a lad, when his mum had still been living with them. Before she’d walked out and left him, a distraught ten year old living with his strict, emotionally distant father, taking all the love and laughter with her.
“I guess we both had the same idea.”
He turned at the sound of Ellie’s voice, surprised to see her standing barefoot in front of him, looking almost ethereal, her sandals dangling by the straps from her left hand.
“Finished your paperwork then?”
“Yes, for tonight anyway.” She turned to face the ocean, her face silhouetted in the moonlight. “I always used to come here before I went to bed. I loved the stillness of the sea at night, it’s so peaceful. It helps get things in perspective, don’t you think? Makes you realise that you’re just a cog in the wheel of a huge universe which will carry on long after you’ve gone.”
He whistled. “That’s deep.”
“Oh I can be sometimes.” Her voice was soft, hushed and he wondered if she was thinking about her father. Like he’d being thinking about his mother. If she had, he guessed her thoughts were a lot happier than his had been. “Fancy going for a paddle?”
She put her sandals down onto the sand and almost skipped over to the sea.
“Watch you don’t get your clothes wet again,” he shouted as she stepped into the water. An image of her long, wet skirt clinging to her legs flashed across his mind. Down boy.
“I won’t. I’m not going in far.” She paddled along the edge, stopping now and again to let the water lap over her feet. Then she stood still and looked up at the full moon, beaming down onto the still, indigo water, making the surface shimmer and glow.
She glanced over her shoulder then smiled. “You coming in?”
“Can’t leave you to paddle alone at night.” He slipped off his sandals and rolled up the legs of his trousers, wondering what his business colleagues would think if they saw him now.
Suspecting that the water was cold he braced himself, then stepped in. It was cool but not unpleasant. He stood still as the sea lapped over his feet, feeling himself relax. Out here like this, on the deserted beach, with the ocean spreading for miles in front of them it seemed like there was just the two of them in the world. He felt all his cares and worries flitter away if only for that moment. He no longer felt driven by success, for the desire for his parents to look up to him, to be proud of him, that had almost consumed him since his childhood. None of that mattered.
All that mattered was the here and now. Him and Ellie paddling in the sea at midnight. He had never felt so comfortable, so at one with someone in all his life.
“Isn’t it wonderful?” As Ellie turned to him he noticed that they were standing directly under the moon, surrounded in its beam. Like two lovers alone in the universe.
Without even realising what he was going to do, he reached out and wound his arms around her waist, pulling her to him. “Not as wonderful as you,” he whispered. Then he kissed her like he’d never kissed anyone else before. And she was returning the kiss with the same fervour. Their bodies melted into each other, entwining as their kiss got deeper and deeper until Reece was sure that he wouldn’t be able to stop himself from lowering Ellie onto the sand and making love to her under the stars.
Almost in a dream, Ellie felt Reece’s lips on hers, gently first then deeper, his hands were around her waist, pulling her towards him, then his right hand moved up her body and caressed the back of her neck, his fingers were running through her hair, gently pulling her head closer. She closed her eyes, losing herself in the passion of the moment, her heart thudding so loud that she was sure he could feel it against his chest.
She was lost in the feel of him, the potent smell of male mixed with tangy aftershave, the electrifying tingle of his touch, the taste of his lips on hers, the sound of him breathing deeply as he pulled her every bit closer until it seemed that they were not two bodies but one. She could feel the hardness of his body, knew that he was aroused and was filled with an overwhelming desire to free herself, and him, of the clothes that formed a barrier between them and let their passion take its course.
“Ellie.” It was the way he said it, a deep, guttural, almost primeval groan that brought her to her senses. God, what was she thinking of? Making out on the beach like this? She quickly pulled herself away, her breath coming out in shallow gasps as she put a safe distance between them. He reached out to pull her back but she slipped out of his grasp. “Whoops…getting a bit carried away there,” she said as lightly as she could.