Page 91 of Lime Tree Hill

She nodded. It had been lonely in Sydney without him too, especially after Ruby left. “Sometimes, I feel like we’re on borrowed time…that I’m living someone else’s life.”

“We have the here and now.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, his fingers tracing up and down her arm. “That’s all we can be sure of.”

He was right. Life could change with a conscious thought, in an unplanned moment, or because of a choice made by another. She knew that, but contentment sometimes nudged that thought sideways.

“Mitch?”

“Yeah.”

“Did you ever think this would happen, you know, before we were married?”

He pulled her closer. “I knew our growing attraction could complicate things, for sure. That first kiss in my office stayed in my head for weeks.”

“It really was an amazing kiss. But you said you weren’t looking for a connection.”

“Yeah, but I’ve never been one to hold back if a shift in focus is warranted. I love the connection we have.”

“Me too. I’m sorry I misjudged you in the beginning. I thought you were ruthless and a player. But actually, you’re a big softy. Romantic too.”

He pulled back to look at her, his eyes bright with amusement. “Are you falling in love with me, Mrs. Harrington?”

She reached up and kissed him. “Maybe…just a tiny bit.”

“I’m falling in love with you too, and more than a tiny bit.”

Tayla closed her eyes, his chest smooth under her cheek. She’d once thought people put too much emphasis on the L word, but his declaration warmed her inside more than she’dever expected it would. “Doesn’t it worry you, how we came together?”

“Not one bit. The journey may have been unconventional, but the destination suits us both, and I’d like to settle here for a while. See how it goes.”

“Me too.”

“Great. Now, we need to get up, before that hand you’re rubbing over my abs moves closer to another round.” Mitch let her go and pushed himself off the bed. As he stood naked before her, she tried to maintain eye contact, but she couldn’t resist a little peek at his pecs, his abs, his…

“You hungry?” he asked with a grin as he followed her line of sight.

She shot him a cheeky smile. “Starving.”

He headed into the bathroom and turned on the shower. “Great, because after that emotional workout, I could murder a huge steak and fries, followed by a dainty crème brûlée, and washed down with a glass of cold beer.”

“I know just the place. I love dainty crème brûlée. And it’s my shout.”

40

SURFING THE FEAR

Mitch had stayedwith Tayla for the rest of the week while she arranged for her Vespa to be shipped, and packed her remaining few things.

They’d booked into a B&B for the last two nights, and both evenings, strolled along the Bondi shoreline, hands entwined as easy conversation flowed. Afterward, they’d dined at a nearby eatery, then walked home again, eager to make up for lost time between borrowed sheets and tender moments.

Without the hum of the packing shed, the workers coming and going, and Ned calling in for cups of tea, their time together had felt like a honeymoon. Like lazy Sunday mornings spent in bed enjoying mind-blowing sex while drizzle dampened the earth. Exactly how she’d imagined honeymoon sex to be.

Now, back at Lime Tree Hill, the days blurred into each other as Mitch slipped into his work routine, and Tayla started her second stint as a locum at Clifton Falls General. However, when the weekend arrived, he relaxed again. So when he suggested a surfing lesson, despite the overcast day, Tayla took a deep breath and agreed.

They drove to the northern end of Petrie Bay, to the spot wherea local surf school held lessons. With the Pacific calmer than usual, the waves rolled quietly into shore, and her stomach didn’t flip as much as she’d expected. They’d had a few lessons since their return, each one building on the next as her confidence increased, but she still hadn’t ridden a wave.

He cut the engine and took her hand, his gentle squeeze reassuring. Independence aside, Tayla enjoyed being part of a couple. That comforting feeling of someone having your back.

“Ready?”

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