Page 11 of Note to Self
I didn’t expect to share so much. Still, the reason I’m in this place is more important than any of what I’ve just told him.
“I can see you as a teacher,” Merlin says. “I bet the kids love you. What subject do you teach?”
“Science.”
Merlin looks at me for a few long seconds. “Not just a pretty face, then.”
Heat creeps up my neck and cheeks. They must be bright red. “Hardly.”
“Oh, Trent, love. You have to know how gorgeous you are. You got the whole understated, easy-going, take-me-as-I-am vibe going on. Add the blond hair, the sparkling blue eyes, and you’ve got it all.”
I snort, shaking my head. “Says the rugby god. You’ve got exactly what you’ve just said about me. Without the blond hair.” I bury my head in the menu. Hopefully, the compliment loop can stop.
After we give our orders, we move on to other topics, and I relax, perfectly happy to hear about his plans for the new nursery and building a new house. It’s fascinating.
“Will you take me to see it?”
Merlin’s eyes light up. “I’d love to. Are you free tomorrow?”
I chuckle. “I’m on holiday. I can be yours any day.”
Merlin flicks his gaze down to my mouth, then back to my eyes. “I’ll have to remember that.”
Before I can reply, our food arrives, and any chance of another innuendo is lost.
“What did you do before coming here? You said you were in an office, didn’t you?” I ask. What did he find boring enough to take such a huge decision?
“Nothing interesting. I was in recruitment, specialising in engineering positions in the aviation industry. So I spent most of my time searching for the right person in a niche industry. It got very monotonous. I’m not putting down the job, mind. It just stopped being the one for me.”
“I can see you being very persuasive. I doubt you ever failed.”
“Not true. Sometimes it just didn’t happen, or another agency would get the placement first. But a healthy commission made me work very hard.” He takes a sip of his wine. “I’m much happier now. Even in winter, with the cold and wet weather, I prefer to be outside.”
I shiver. “I don’t do wet and cold. I’m a summer person. The only thing that’s good about winter is being inside with a roaring fire and the curtains closed.”
“That’s a good point.” Merlin chuckles a little.
“I can’t believe I ate all that.” Merlin pats his stomach, his flat and muscled stomach, as we walk out of the restaurant.
“It’s great food, but if I eat there regularly, I’ll have to run even farther every day. I’ll save it for a special occasion.”
“My work is my only sort of exercise at the moment. I’ve never been much of a runner. At least not outside. I use the treadmill in the gym, but it’s not my favourite thing to do.”
“Let me guess. You and your mates rule the weights area.” I nudge him with my elbow. His quick reaction results inmy hand in his much larger one. He proves how strong he is by pulling me against him and wrapping me in his arms.
“Maybe you like my muscles. I’m more than happy to show them to you.” His voice is growly, rough, and god, it makes me shiver.
I take the opportunity to slide my hands around his waist and up his back, the muscles rippling under my touch. “I’d like that.”
“Let’s go.” He kisses me far too briefly, his lips firm and smooth.
I take his hand, and we walk back in the direction of my cottage. “Where do you live?”
“I rent a little house on the edge of town. It has enough garden space for my heavy equipment. I’m thinking of getting a static caravan for the new land. I’d like to be on-site when all the building work starts on the new house.”
“Are you building it yourself? Are there no ends to your many talents?” I wouldn’t mind spending my days watching him flex his muscles.
“I wish I had that skill. No, Drew is the main contractor in the town, and he’s going to be doing it. I hope to help, though. I like the idea of being part of making my own home.”
