Page 66 of The Gin Lover's Guide to Dating

‘What the…’ I spin round and find myself face to face with Josh. ‘Josh, you idiot! I nearly knocked you out there. I had no idea who it was.’

‘Why, who else are you seeing in this place?’ He grins, wrapping his arms back around my waist, causing me to melt into a little puddle. ‘How are you, beautiful? I saw you arriving.’

‘I’m good.’ I try to wrestle out of his grip, paranoid that someone’s going to walk into the changing rooms and see us. ‘Looking forward to destroying you at pool.’

‘Is that right?’ His eyes are fixed on mine, his tone characteristically sexy and smooth. ‘So, do I not get a kiss? I’ve been waiting for this for two days.’

‘What if someone comes in?’ My eyes dart towards the door anxiously, my hangover from Clara still clearly having an effect.

‘So, what?’ He shrugs casually. ‘It’s not against the rules.’

‘It’s not?’ I’m surprised at this.

‘No. There’s no rules against the staff dating each other, as long as they keep it out of working hours.’ He glances down at his wrist. ‘And by my watch, I make it six minutes till our shifts start.’

I lean over and check his watch.

‘So it is.’ I finally start to relax. ‘Well in that case, I’m great. How are you?’

Instead of answering, he pulls me in for a long sensual kiss, his strong hands gripping me just at my lower back. It has the effect of enhancing the intimacy between us yet keeping to the same level of personal respect as the other night. We quickly become so completely lost in each other that neither of us notices the door to the changing room opening once more.

‘Hola, lovers!’ Reyes’s jubilant voice blasts through our passionate embrace, causing us to pull apart suddenly. ‘Do not stop romancing for me. I am very happy to see you together.’

Josh grins like a naughty teenager, while I bite my bottom lip apprehensively, my face flushed with embarrassment.

‘Well, I guess I’d better get to work.’ Josh taps his watch. ‘Time’s up. See you at break time?’

‘Can’t wait.’ I give him my best competitive smile.

‘Chica. Wow.’ Reyes walks across the room towards me once Josh has gone. ‘Youarein love.’

‘What makes you say that?’ I ask.

‘You are kissing like this, and saying you cannot wait to see Josh. This is so much love.’

‘Sorry to disappoint you.’ I raise an eyebrow at her. ‘I meant I can’t wait to beat him at pool later. We’re playing our decider game tonight.’

‘I see.’ Reyes looks mildly disappointed, then perks up. ‘So, you are competing tonight. For all chicas, I am hoping that you will win.’

‘Me too,’ I say. ‘Otherwise I’ll never hear the end of it.’

‘Ready?’

It’s three and a half hours later, and Josh has just swung by to announce that it’s game time.

‘I’m ready.’ I plonk a Negroni and a Tom Collins on a tray for a waiting Amir, and make my way out from behind the bar.

‘Buena suerte! Good luck!’ Reyes calls from the other end of the bar. ‘Do not let the chicas down.’

‘Thanks, I don’t intend to,’ I call back, as I head towards the door to the main hotel with Josh.

As soon as we’re in the staff corridor at the back of the hotel, Josh steals a little kiss and takes my hand, threading his fingers through mine. While it feels wonderful, and in any other place I’d be more than happy with this attention, I’m still uncomfortable with the idea of being seen by other staff. Particularly by Aaron, whose reaction I couldn’t even begin to anticipate. With these thoughts circling my mind, I walk close to Josh so that if anyone comes, I can hide the fact we’re holding hands.

‘How’s your shift been so far?’ he asks me.

‘Good.’ I smile up at him. ‘Every shift has been good since Clara left.’

‘I bet.’ He chuckles. ‘It might seem a bit selfish, but I’m so glad she’s gone. On top of her being a pain in the arse, it would have made it much harder to snare you with her evil eye on you all the time.’

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