“Or perusing how you’re going to murder Lennox. That’s always something to consider.”
His eyes darken and he looks back up at me.
“Not funny, Blair. That’s my job.”
“It was a joke. And it’s not your job – he has his own army of security. What are your plans? Where’s the day taking you?” I try to act nonchalant and not like this is the first time we’ve properly spoken alone since we were in the glen.
“By the pool. Maybe in the ocean if you decide to go for another swim.”
His eyes are on my body, watching the water as it trickled down, the salt starting to dry on my skin. He doesn’t try to hide what he’s doing and that makes it all the more dangerous.
However many years have passed, whatever has happened, he still looks at me as if he wants to keep me in a gilt cage.
“I don’t do anything stupid.” He can be as pretty as he likes; I’ll still be annoyed at his idea I take stupid risks.
“I’m not saying you do, but there are people out there who would. Do you swim every morning, this early?”
“This was the first time. I need to shower.” The salt was starting to irritate. “And have coffee.”
He’s smiling now, having given up the fight. “I smelled the coffee before I left.”
“How long were you here for?”
“A while.”
I think about that as we walk. Here on duty or here because he wanted to watch.
I wanted him to watch.
“Nice day for watching the sea.”
“What walked out of it was more interesting.”
I smile, look at the sand. “Did some fabled sea creature turn up on the sand?”
“Think it was a siren. Calling me into temptation. Making me think stuff I shouldn’t be thinking.”
“I do plenty of thinking, Ben.”
He says nothing but I know he’s understanding what I’m referring to.
“I shouldn’t have kissed you the other day.”
“Why?” I stop walking and turn to face him, grabbing his arm to make him stop. “I wanted you to kiss me, and I’m pretty sure you wanted that too. In fact, I wanted more than a fucking kiss.” My words are hissed. Fierce.
“Because you’re my boss.”
“I don’t sign off your wages.”
He doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t try to move his arm away, but he doesn’t try to touch me either.
“Blair…”
He’s fighting.
I let go of his arm. “Then we’ll both be miserable.”
I head off to get coffee.
