Page 46 of New Dreams for the Village Nurse
‘You’re gorgeous – can I help myself?’
Laughing, she ran a hand through her hair. ‘I’ve done sauna, plunge pool and massage, and you think I look gorgeous? I must look as if I’ve been dragged through a hedge by my legs.’
‘You do. I wouldn’t say it if it wasn’t true.’
‘Yes, you would.’
‘Maybe.’ He grinned. ‘But I mean it.’
Ottilie leaned in to kiss him. She’d never been a public kissing type of woman, but just this once, she didn’t care who was watching. Pressing his lips to hers, he took her breath away, and she had to agree that it was a good thing they didn’t have a suite reserved because they’d have been in it, and there wouldn’t have been much relaxing going on.
‘Want to swim?’ he asked, pulling away, his eyes still locked onto hers.
‘I suppose I could fit in a length before lunch.’
‘I told you we don’t have a room booked…’
Ottilie let out a saucy giggle. ‘I don’t even know what to say to that!’
‘Sorry, I couldn’t resist it. Seriously, though, we could have a quick dip and then see about getting some food. I’m feeling peckish.’
‘Me too. I haven’t looked at the menu yet. Have you?’
‘No, but I hope they have the salmon on. It’s really good.’
Ottilie’s forehead creased into a vague frown. ‘I didn’t realise you’d eaten here before.’
‘Oh, yeah…’
Heath shifted on his lounger, and something in his expression was suddenly guilty. Or was that in Ottilie’s imagination? Why would he be feeling guilty? Weren’t they having the loveliest day? Hadn’t they both been fancying the pants off each other, only moments before?
‘Oh…’ Ottilie paused, struggling to piece something together that made no sense. ‘So you’ve been here before? I thought this was your first time too.’
He nodded slowly. ‘Yeah. Ages ago.’ He rose from the lounger, shed his robe and walked towards the pool. ‘Coming?’
The crease in her forehead etched a little deeper as she watched him get into the water. He’d never told her he hadn’t been here before, but at the same time, when he’d booked it, if he had, surely he would have said so? It was a natural thing to do. If it had been the other way round she’d have told him before they arrived. There was no reason not to. Unless…
She followed him to the steps and got into the water. He was already swimming towards the deep end, and she struck out after him. He got to the end and turned to face her, ready to go again, but she held out a hand to stop him.
‘When did you come here?’ she asked.
‘A few years ago, I think. Does it matter?’
‘No, I just think it’s weird you didn’t mention it earlier.’
‘I didn’t think it made any difference. We’re still having a nice day, aren’t we? I knew we would because I knew it was nice. I wouldn’t have brought you if I hadn’t known that.’
‘You might have done. It’s never stopped you before – we try new restaurants neither of us have been to all the time.’
‘I never thought it was an issue. I don’t know why it is – why are you suddenly so hung up about it?’
‘I’m not. It feels like you are.’
‘I’m not either.’
Ottilie didn’t want to ask the next question, but it seemed to have a life of its own, because it came out anyway. As soon as it had, she wished she’d been able to stop it.
‘Did you bring Mila here?’
