Stranger at the beach house by L J Dee Read Free Book Online Page A

track, pulling the car across the drive and as close as I could to the side
door to make unpacking as easy as possible. This would take a while and the sky
had turned from blue to grey as storm clouds threatened in the distance. The
car was full to bursting with everything I needed to settle in, including
cleaning products. That was a task I wasn’t relishing. The old place may not
hold a candle to Sam’s but I loved her anyway, and the very least she deserved
was to be cleaned, polished and looking her best. A bit like me, I thought.
    Maybe Joy was right. I had vowed
to myself to take things slowly in matters of the heart since the whole Daniel
thing. I had jumped in head first then and just look how that had ended. Being totally
upfront was more Joy’s style than mine but it couldn’t hurt to make a bit of an
effort, could it? Bringing the bags through to the kitchen I separated the
shopping into my own pile and the supplies for tonight, filling the cupboards.
I didn’t see the note on the side until I had finished unpacking.
    Come at 5.30. My kitchen is looking forward to you christening it and
so am I. Sam
      So I wasn’t the only one looking forward to it
I mused thoughtfully, ignoring the fluttering in my stomach. How had he got in?
I could swear I locked the door. I packed the food for dinner into a large bag,
taking care with the wine and placing the ridiculously large bakery box on the
top. That was an awful lot of chocolate for two people, perhaps I had got a
little carried away. There was less than an hour to get ready and I wasn’t sure
what to wear. OK, so it was hardly a date but I was still trying for a good
impression. I sent a quick text to Joy, doubtful that she’d ever receive it;
    Debating the wardrobe – stylish or understated sexy?
    Somehow she did and the unhelpful reply came quickly, making
me smile.
    Neither. All out hooker.   Leave nothing to chance or there will be a
poster for naked beach yoga going up in the Post Office!  
    I showered and changed, deciding
on a casual dress which flattered my thighs and showed a little, but not too
much leg above the knee. As much as I would have loved to take Joy’s advice, I
needed to be careful. Yes he was gorgeous, most women would think so, and yes I
had wanted him to pin me down in that bedroom this morning for the fucking of
my life but I was determined not to make an idiot of myself.
    I certainly felt an attraction
and I thought there was something in his gaze, but there was nothing concrete
to suggest it wasn’t all in my head and any more than wishful thinking on my
part. The last thing I needed right now was any awkwardness between me and my
neighbour. There was a lot more I needed to know and I was certainly looking
forward to finding out.
    The rain began to drum on the
window as I finished my hair and make-up and glanced at the clock. 5.40. Shit.
I was already late. Picking the bag up from the kitchen surface I made my way
quickly across the front of the house, utilising the shelter of the porch to
stay as dry as I could against the rain which was beginning to drive down hard,
running to the side door which led to Sam’s kitchen, the wine bottles clinking
angrily together in the bottom of the bag.
    He didn’t answer on my first
knock so I let myself in, smoothing my hair and my now damp dress and put the
bag on the side, unpacking it carefully. First was the slightly wet and crushed
bakery box, then the ingredients for the meal and lastly, the wine. I felt him
before I saw him and my breath caught as I turned to find him leaning casually
against the door frame raking his gaze down my body. “You’re late,” he smiled,
confidently striding over and bending to plant a firm, lush kiss on my cheek.
Oh Jesus, he smelled utterly delicious.
      “So what are we having then?” he asked, his
long fingers sifting through the shopping I had scattered on the counter,
raising his eyebrows and catching my eye as he spotted the asparagus. He