Page 30 of Teasing Her Grumpy Boss

She opened her eyes at that. ‘Are you forbidding me to go there?’

He nodded. ‘If you set foot in that bar in the next twenty-four hours I’m sacking you.’

‘You can’t do that.’

‘I’m the boss.’

She closed her eyes again. ‘Fine. I won’t go. Now leave me alone.’

‘No. I’ll stand here and annoy you until you get out of bed and spend the day in fresh air like a normal person.’

‘Daniel.’

‘Would you rather I got in there with you?’

She sat up immediately, clutching the sheet to her chest.

He grinned. ‘Thought that idea might get you moving.’ He strolled to her door. ‘I’ll give you five minutes. If you’re not dressed and in the lounge by then I’ll be back in here and dressing you myself.’

She lay down again after he left and debated whether or not to stay there.

No. She pushed back the covers and looked out from the curtains, amazed to see the sun high in the sky. She quickly slipped on a top. Then she heard his voice. ‘Put your swimsuit on.’

That would be the bikini—the only swimsuit she had. She really must go shopping for an all-covering granny special soon. She pulled the top off and put the bikini on underneath. Her heart’s tempo picked up. She shouldn’t. Shouldn’t, shouldn’t, shouldn’t.

Lucy had always struggled withshouldn’t. It was the red rag and she was the bull.

* * *

They walked along the bay and found a warm spot on the crowded beach. He had a blanket.

‘Your tan is fading.’ He ran light fingers down her arm. She shut her eyes with the agony of it and hoped he couldn’t see her reaction flare behind her Jackie O sunglasses.

‘Why are we here, Daniel?’

‘My case starts next week. This is my last chance to relax for a while. And you need a break.’

‘What’s your case about?’

He stared into the sea. ‘The last thing I want to think about right now is that case.’

‘What do you want to think about?’

‘Nothing. No thoughts. No analysis.’

No regrets.He blinked and turned to look at her.

‘Let’s go for that swim.’ She raised her brow, wanting to shatter the sudden stillness. ‘Race you to the pontoon.’ She’d ripped off her glasses and dress and was running to the water before she’d finished the sentence. She heard his growl of laughter, and knew her head start would only be a split-second advantage.

The water was freezing but she struck out and pulled her arms through the water furiously. Ten seconds into it and she was fighting a stitch-like pain in her side. How could she have lost fitness in just a few days? Breathless, she finally got there and tried really hard not to be completely peeved as she saw his face already bobbing by the wood.

‘Your technique’s not bad really,’ he said. ‘You could do with a bit of practice.’

‘You think?’ She puffed out the words.

A party of keen teenagers splashed out, swamping the pontoon with wet bodies. Lucy sank a little in the crowd. Daniel frowned as he saw her face. He reached out an arm and pulled her to him. He gripped the pontoon and supported her with his other arm. ‘You okay?’

‘Sure.’ Her breath wouldn’t return. If anything she felt more puffed. And cold. She wanted his other arm around her. His legs brushed against hers as he trod the water.

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