Harkett's Haven by Ally Forbes Read Free Book Online Page B

him and went to grab her bra and short from the pile of clothes scattered around them.
    ‘I’ve cancelled my appointments tomorrow and I’ll be past to see you once Esme’s off to school.’
    Pulling her top on over her head she shook her head.
    ‘Believe it or not I’ve got a full work schedule too. I can’t just take days off....as much as I would like to..,’ she winked at him playfully.
    ‘Take me with you. Show me what you do..... I have no idea what a marine biologist does. I want to know. I want to know everything about you Rachel.’
    ‘Some other time maybe Eric,’ she said dismissively and smiled. She stood up and went to open the bathroom door.
    ‘No. Tomorrow. One day will make little difference Rachel. I’ll see you tomorrow.’
    He had pulled on his shirt too and his tone was decisive. Standing up beside her now he towered over her and bent to kiss her again. Hi s black eyes danced and she knew that there was little point in arguing. His lips were inviting and he pressed her body close to him. She could feel his growing hardness pressing into her stomach.
    She broke away from his embrace, shook her head and whispered ‘Esme. Come and see your little girl.’
    Slowly she opened the bathroom door and peeked out but there was no sign of Esme.
    She took Eric’s hand and led him to the ladder and climbed silently. She pushed the roof hatch open gently and signalled for Eric to follow her.
    ‘Watch your head when you get up here,’ she whispered to him .
    She could see immediately that Esme was still asleep so she made her way to the bed and sat gently on it.
    Esme was beautiful, her sleep peaceful and deep, even with the cacophony of wind and rain that still pelted at the roof and skylights.
    Her long , dark hair fanned across the pillow, her skin china white and flawless.
    Eric sat gently beside Rachel on the bed and stroked Esme’s hair gently bending to kiss her softly. Esme stirred and her eyes flickered open.
    ‘Dad,’ she sighed, her delight at his presence obvious in her sleepy face.
    She stretched out and a brief moment of confusion swept over her face as she looked around her , wondering where she was.
    She saw Rachel and smiled wider, remembering now where she was.
    ‘Well, sleeping beauty, I think it’s time I got you home,’ Eric’s voice was soft and low, the love for his daughter obvious in every word he spoke.
    ‘OK Dad but I want to come back and see Rachel again.’ Her eyes searched her father’s face for dissent.
    ‘You can come back here any time Esme. Just promise you’ll ask your Dad first. Hey, how are you feeling now?’
    ‘A lot better after a sleep,’ she smiled and yawned again
    ‘There’s not much that doesn’t seem better after a sleep.’ Rachel took her small hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
    Eric pulled the covers from Esme and held her hand, guiding her back to the hatch in the floor and helping her climb down the first few rungs of the ladder.
    ‘This is such a cool place to stay,’ Esme said as she took a last glance round Rachel’s attic bedroom as she descended.
    When Rachel got down to her living room, Eric was pulling Esme’s jacket round her, pulling her hat on.
    He crossed to Rachel as she stood watching them prepare to brave the weathe r,
    He kissed her and hugged her close.
    ‘Thanks Rachel. I meant what I said about tomorrow. I’ll be past here first thing.’
    Rachel was surprised that Eric was so open with her in front of Esme; they had known each other for such a short time and she thought it would have been more appropriate to keep their situation quiet until, and if, things developed further. Their short time together had all the hallmarks of a one night stand, a brief fling perhaps but it felt so much more than that. There was a connection between them, something elemental. Rachel was not one to believe in fate but there was something about the way they met, their intense attraction to each other, which led her to feel this