“Hmm. New Zealand does sound nice. But I think it might be a tad ambitious.”
“I’ll help you back to the boat.” He swims closer, seemingly intent on getting me into an armpit tow.
“Thank you. But I’m quite a capable swimmer.” And because I can’t help myself, I add, “Race you.”
Before he has time to process my words, I’m off, swimming quickly towards the far-off boat. After a moment, I can hear his steady strokes as he starts after me, but by then, I’m already metres away.
Of course, Nick is a much more powerful swimmer than I am, but I’m fast and had a good head start. We reach the boat at the same time, both grabbing for the bottom rail of the stairs someone has dropped over the side for us. I can’t help but grin at his look of grudging admiration.
“You’re fast,” he gasps, a little out of breath.
“My dad used to call me dolphin girl. He says I was a fish in a previous life.” Maybe it’s a trick of the light or the water, but I almost imagine his eyes are twinkling. “I wish we’d made a wager.”
“And what would you have bet?”
Neither of us makes a move to climb the ladder. We hold the bottom rung and tread water. A boat full of people is at the top of the short ladder, but here in the water it feels private. Intimate. We’re both breathing fast from our swim. Our hands slide towards each other on the ladder, fingers touching. Our legs begin to tangle and, despite the cold water, I can feel my body heating as we float closer together.
“Hmm. That’s a tough one. Perhaps carte blanche on your office?”
Nick throws his head back, showing off his perfect white teeth, and his laugh sounds more like a bark. “Never gonna happen, Ms MacLeod.” But his expression is warmer than I’ve ever seen, and his frown not quite as deep. The swell of the water washes us still closer, and my breasts brush his muscled chest, nipples tight from the cold water. Or maybe it’s the contact with his chest. I couldn’t tear my eyes from his if my life depended on it.
“Lulu,” he starts, and I think it might be the first time he’s called me by my first name. “I wanted to say …”
Suddenly, Will’s head pops over the side of the boat. “Lunch is ready. Need a hand there, Lulu?” Shaking the hair out of my face, I smile up at Will.
“No. Thank you. I’m good.”
As I hoist myself out of the water onto the ladder, I can feel Nick’s stare burn a trail from my shoulders down my back to my arse, causing the simmering heat of a moment ago to burst into a scorching throb deep in my belly. I can’t let myself wonder what he had been going to say. I have to keep a lid on these feelings.
When he follows me up the ladder and stands dripping on the deck, I realise that even though we’ve had sex, I’ve never really looked at him naked. His shoulders are broad and tanned, his chest lightly covered in dark hair, tapering to a narrow trail that disappears beneath the low waist of his wet board shorts, which are clinging to his package and his thighs, leaving nothing to the imagination. Holy hell, it’s impressive. He’s impressive. It’s lucky I can convince myself my nipples are hard because of the cold water. Otherwise, I might be in a bit of a pickle.
Lunch is as delicious as I expected, although the company is patchy at best. Most of the partners are older and pretty buttoned up, and many of their executive assistants are, too. But Stella, Harry and Will are all fantastic company, and I adore Mandy, who has a dry wit and takes no prisoners.
I watch Nick surreptitiously as he loads up a plate and takes it over to where Edith is settled in a comfy chair.
“Thank you, sweet boy,” she says, smiling and patting his hand as he puts the plate and a fresh glass of wine in front of her. Even under his tan, I can see a blush creep up his cheeks.
“Is this okay? Is there anything else you would like?” he asks. The sun has moved, and he adjusts Edith’s seat so she’s in the shade again. As he looks down at her, I can see the warmth and affection on his face, despite his sunglasses. An affection reflected in Edith’s smile.
“No, that’s lovely, Nick. You go and have your lunch now. I’m fine here with my wine and nibbles.”
“Okay, but let me know if you need anything else.” Taking me completely by surprise, he lifts her thin, age-spotted hand from his arm and kisses it before placing it gently on the table next to her glass.
Only then does Nick return to the buffet and load up a plate for himself, coming to sit beside Stella, Harry, Will and me. I can’t help but remember the woman in the restaurant. There’s a sweet and caring side to Nick that’s as appealing as it is surprising.
“Did you know Will and Nick are keen sailors, Lulu?” Harry asks as we finish off the meal with a decadent fruit and cheese platter.
“No, I didn’t. At least not until I saw how they handled the boat today.”
“We sailed her in the Sydney to Coffs Harbour race the year after we finished uni. Came in third and had a brilliant time,” Will adds. “Nick takes her out for the weekend all the time, don’t you, Nick?”
“Yes, as often as I can,” is the short reply, although his tone is relaxed and almost friendly.
“Do you like to sail, Lulu?” Will tops up my drink.
“This is my first time, actually. But I love the water. When I was a kid, I was in Nippers and we were always at the beach. I love the feeling of salt dried on your skin and sand between your toes.”
“Nick was in Nippers too, weren’t you, Nick?” Harry jabs Nick in the ribs with his elbow, obviously trying to get him to contribute a little more to the conversation.
