HIS By Design -Coveting Claire by Helen Karol Read Free Book Online

practically year
round.
    Petunias of almost every shade imaginable
coupled with nasturtiums growing in the shaded areas, allowing
their colors to reach a greater vividness than in the sun.
 Beautiful, but poisonous oleander shrubs grew beside
jacarandas not yet in full bloom.  Opening the window, she
inhaled the delightful scent of lilacs, their purple and white
flowers perfect foils for the vibrant red and orange of the
bougainvillea climbing the trellised garden seats that flanked
either side of the window.
    Winter indeed!
    The direction of her thoughts reminded Claire
she wanted to go for a swim and all thoughts of returning to bed
left her.  Julian might think her crazy to venture into the
cold waters at this time of year, but they wouldn't be much colder
than the Atlantic of New England in summer and the idea of an early
morning swim appealed to her.
    Searching her suitcase, she found her bikini.
 Towel in hand, she moved quietly through the house, not
wishing to disturb Julian's sleep.  Reaching the shore, she
lay down allowing the waves to wash over her, acclimatizing her to
the temperature of the water.
     Phew, it was certainly refreshing.
    As her body temperature lowered, she ran
diving into the waves then stood allowing them to batter her
around.  Catching one large wave, she rode it back to shore.
Lying face down she let the calming effect of the ocean wash over
her.  She’d missed the surf.  She contemplated future fun
with a boogie board, maybe she’d even take up surfing again.
    "Come in and have some coffee before you turn
blue."
    Julian's voice startled her and she
discovered she was becoming chilled.  Draping the towel around
her, she followed his figure across the beach through the glass
doors leading into the kitchen from the deck.  The mug felt
warm to her cold hands and she took a sip before appraising her
benefactor.
    He was dressed casually in a red,
open-necked, knit shirt and jeans that seemed molded to his lower
half.  Assessing him, she tried to decide whether she liked
him better dressed this way or in the more formal manner of the
night before.  Both had their merits.
     This way she’d a better view of his
attractions.  The form-fitting shirt showed off the muscles of
his well-developed upper body; no doubt from playing tennis and
racquetball and, of course, swimming.  She’d participated in
those sports with him often in the past and had come a cropper
against his powerful backhand many times.  Idly, she wondered
who partnered him now, hoping it was another man.
    Collecting her thoughts before they digressed
too much, she continued her mental debate over his dressing habits.
 Viewing him as he turned to refill his coffee mug, she
decided the jeans definitely flattered his back view better than
formal pants.  But dressed formally, he was also attractive.
 He’d excellent taste and his suits were classy rather than
stuffy. Somehow they spoke of a latent virility that was really
quite exciting now that she thought about it. Taking one final
inspection, she decided he was just plain sexy no matter how he
dressed.  Her decision must have shown in her face because
Julian spoke to her in dryly-amused tones.
    "If you've finished your appraisal and I’ve
finally met with your approval, perhaps you could go and
change."
    Claire smiled saucily and climbed up on one
of the stools at the breakfast bar.  "Why?  Don't I meet
with your approval in my present mode of dress?"
    Obviously deciding to play her at her own
game, he reached across the wood that separated them and brushed
the back of his hand across her bikini top. "It's wet. You could
catch cold."
    Claire inhaled her breath, mentally conceding
him a point.  But in her eyes, the game was far from over.
 She bent her elbow on the counter, cupping her chin in her
hand. "I thought you didn't want me warmed up."
    Laughing, he rested his arms on his side of
the bar.  "Don't you think it's time we called a truce?"
    "Okay," she