He tilts his head, smiling. “I promise I won’t peek at the top-secret contents.”
I roll my eyes but hand it over before I overthink it again. “It’s just my robe, towel, and things.”
“Understood,” he says, slinging it easily over one shoulder. “Classified material.”
I can’t help smiling at that. “Exactly.”
He pushes open the door and holds it for me, the cool night air rushing in.
“Spa’s a little outside the village,” he says as we step out into the dark. “About ten minutes by car.”
I nod, hugging my coat tighter around me as we cross the gravel drive. The village looks different at night, quieter, the cottages glowing softly behind their curtains. The rain’s stopped, but the air still smells damp and clean.
His car is parked near the gate—a dark grey 4x4 that looks like it could drive through a flood without noticing. He unlocks it and walks around to open the passenger door for me.
I hesitate for a moment. It’s been years since I’ve gone anywhere with a man I barely know, let alone at night, let alone while secretly wearing swimwear under my clothes. Then again, if Aaron meant me harm, he probably wouldn’t have spent the afternoon sharing apple crumble with me.
“Thank you,” I say, climbing in. The seat is warm, the interior faintly smelling of cedar and rain.
He shuts my door gently and circles to the driver’s side. “Comfy?”
“Very,” I say, buckling in as he starts the engine.
The headlights slice through the dark as we pull out of the village, the tyres crunching softly on the wet road. For a while, neither of us speaks. I’m oddly aware of the quiet rumble of the engine, the rhythm of the wipers, and the way he drives—unhurried, steady, like everything about him.
“So,” he says eventually, glancing my way with a small smile, “still convinced this was a terrible idea?”
I bite back a laugh. “The jury’s out.”
He nods as if that’s fair. “I’ll take that. You might even enjoy yourself.”
“I doubt that,” I say, smiling despite myself.
“Good. Keeps expectations low.”
I shake my head, pretending not to notice the flicker of amusement in his eyes as the car winds its way up the narrow road, the lights of St Claire fading behind us.
Chapter 7
Eve
When we pull intothe spa’s gravel car park, the building glows like a lantern against the hillside, all glass and warm light.
Inside, a woman in her fifties greets us with a practised smile. “You must be Aaron,” she says, shaking his hand. “And you’re Eve? I’m Petra.”
She’s efficient but friendly, leading us through the quiet corridors that smell faintly of eucalyptus and chlorine. “You’ve got two hours’ private access to the pool area,” she says. “I’ve left the sauna on too, in case you fancy it.”
Aaron glances at me as Petra looks expectantly in our direction. “What do you think?”
“Oh, I’m fine with just the pool,” I say quickly. “And maybe the hot tub.”
Petra smiles knowingly. “That’s what most people say. It’s through here. You’ll find the changing rooms on either side. I’ll leave you to it.”
She disappears down the hall, her shoes clicking softly on the tiles.
Aaron turns to me, his expression unreadable but amused. “Two hours of peace. That might be the best deal I’ve ever been part of.”
I smile awkwardly, unsure what to do with my hands.
