Stranded For One Scandalous Week (Mills & Boon Modern) (Rebels, Brothers, Billionaires Book 1) by Natalie Anderson (manga ebook reader txt) 📕

‘No lie-in ever?’ She stifled another yawn.

‘Drink this and get dressed—’

‘Dressed?’ She half pouted. ‘Is that necessary?’

He paused to appreciate the glimpse of unguarded, luscious laziness. Quiet, primly hard-working Merle had melted into a warm, messy woman who’d whispered what she wanted and destroyed him.

‘You’re not tempting me back to bed with you,’ he said firmly.

Actually, she totally was, but after last night he wanted to see if he could resist—even for a few minutes. He needed fresh air to clear his head and the warmth of the sun on his skin to bring back his energy. And he wanted to share that with her.

‘I have plans.’ He tempted her with a little mystery. ‘Good ones, I promise.’

‘You promise?’ She eyed him with teasing amusement. ‘That’s big.’

‘Not the only thing that’s big.’ He winked and walked out, chuckling at the groan that followed him.

Fifteen minutes later he smiled again at the sight of her. Back in the black coveralls, she had a hint of heat in her cheeks despite her teasing banter just before. She looked at him and their gazes meshed. Neither of them spoke, yet everything from the night before flickered in his mind. Her gaze suddenly slipped and she intently studied the basket on the kitchen counter as the colour in her cheeks rose. His heart missed a beat and for a moment that feeling returned—the hesitation, the confusion of whether this was the right thing.

Too late now.

He’d taken her—had his way with every inch of her body. Yet he’d not had his fill. Thank heaven he had the week to satisfy her. He’d thought it pure novelty, but now fierce determination flooded him, drowning that uncommon tendril of doubt that had sprouted again. He’d give her an affair she’d never forget.

She reached for the basket. ‘We’re going...’

‘On an adventure.’ He batted her hand away, not letting her see what he’d packed. ‘You might want to bring a swimsuit.’

Her smile flashed back. ‘You just want me out of my coveralls.’

‘You just think I’m shallow.’ He scooped up the basket and led her to the shed down by the water. ‘Are you okay with boating?’

‘Do we have to paddle?’ She shot him a sideways look.

‘No.’ He laughed as he unlocked the door. ‘We have a motor.’

‘Oh, wow.’ She stared at the classic motorboat that was stored pride of place in the shed. She fluttered her fingertips along the smooth, highly varnished wood as he opened the rear doors out onto the ramp. ‘It’s fabulous—we should be on the Italian riviera.’ She looked at the other equipment stored in the big shed. ‘You really do have all the toys.’

He glanced around the walls briefly before focusing back on the boat he’d not been out in for a decade. ‘Most of it’s new, but we’ve had this beauty for as long as I can remember. My mother bought it but I guess it was too valuable for my father to part with,’ Ash muttered. ‘Even when she was too unwell to walk, I’d carry her down for a spin on the water.’

‘That must’ve been hard.’

‘It was kind of normal.’ He tried to pull together some perspective. ‘There were good moments here.’

But there’d been bad moments too. And the last tainted all other memories of this house. Disappointing someone who really mattered, hurting them irreparably, was the worst. And he had to live with it for the rest of his life. He couldn’t change it. Forgiveness could never be attained.

‘Ash?’

At that soft query he reluctantly glanced over. The compassion in Merle’s gaze had deepened. He didn’t deserve it. ‘Shall we see if it starts?’ He turned away.

The engine coughed, then roared to life.

‘First try.’ She picked up the basket and came down to the end of the ramp. ‘Does it go fast or is it just for show?’ She shot him a look as she shrugged on the life jacket he handed to her.

That look was like a spark, bringing him back to the present. He smiled. ‘It goes fast.’

Merle beamed. ‘I expected nothing less.’

Onboard he let the engine go, whizzing them out along the coastline and past the next couple of bays. Then he headed inland. Merle curled cross-legged on the navy cushions, her face tilted towards the morning sun, her eyes closed. Ash realised almost too late he wasn’t watching where he was steering. He cut the engine so he didn’t crash them into the dock by accident. Merle blinked at their destination, directing a questioning look at him a second later.

‘You must be hungry—you haven’t had breakfast.’ He stepped from the boat onto the dock.

‘Isn’t there food in the basket?’

‘No. That has other essentials.’ He tethered the boat securely.

‘Surely it’s too early for it to be open?’

Five stars and famous, the restaurant had a waiting list a mile long, so he couldn’t quite understand Merle’s audible reluctance. ‘We’re just picking up a package. It won’t take a moment. Come on.’

Ash knew the owner and had phoned ahead to ensure they had what he needed. Up at the building, the door was open.

‘Hey, Josie.’ He gave the waiting woman a quick hug.

‘It’s been for ever, Ash.’

‘It has,’ he acknowledged briefly. ‘Thank you for doing this.’

‘Of course.’ Josie smiled, not even trying to hide her curiosity. ‘Are you staying long? What are your plans for the house?’

‘I’m not sure yet.’

A total lie. He’d have an assistant finalise the sale as soon as he returned to Sydney. Interested buyers had been trying to contact him for months but he’d avoided their calls. Having seen the house now, understanding the changes, there was no question what he’d do. His heart seized and he instinctively turned, seeking his favourite distraction. Besides, he didn’t want Merle thinking he didn’t want to introduce her to Josie. But she’d vanished. Frowning, he looked more keenly for her and spotted a flash through the window. She’d disappeared into the shadows just outside