He took her hand, laced his fingers through hers and gave her a tug. ‘Come on, we should head in and dry off. We’ll be in big trouble if we’re late for dinner.’
‘Really?’ Rebecca laughed as if she thought he was teasing.
‘I’m serious.’ He nodded. ‘Family dinner is sacrosanct. No one messes with my mother on that front. Half-past eight every day, except Sunday, and all the household attends unless someone has already givenMãenotice that they won’t be there.’ He smiled, thinking of his mother. ‘But it’s never a problem to bring an extra mouth to the table.’
‘What happens on Sunday?’ asked Rebecca as they waded out of the water towards their towels. ‘Do you all starve? And why so strict?’
He paused in the shallows and kissed the corner of her mouth because he rather liked this English girl and thecontrast between her competitive, fun side and the suddenly serious side.
‘No. On Sunday, we all eat together at lunchtime. My sisters and their husbands and children join us or we might go out to a restaurant.Mãeis a little more flexible about dinner then.’
She huffed out a reluctant laugh, shaking her head. ‘That would never have worked in our house when I lived at home.’ Her nose scrunched up. ‘Everyone’s schedules were so different. My brothers’ rugby practice a couple of times a week, football games to watch…’ There was a twist to her mouth. ‘We rarely ate together. Most of the time, everyone just grabbed something out of the freezer.’
Still holding one of her hands, he put his hands over his ears, pretending to block out her words. ‘Don’t tellMãe, whatever you do. She’d be hopping on a plane to teach your family the error of their ways.’
She pulled her hand away as if only just realising he was still holding it. She stepped sideways as if to put distance between them and went to gather up her dress and trainers from near the water’s edge before following him to where they’d abandoned their towels.
Not looking at him, she towelled herself off, turning her back to yank off her bikini top before pulling on the dress. There were very few people on this part of the beach.
He smiled to himself, wondering if she was suddenly feeling shy about that kiss. He’d happily repeat it. ‘Would you like to go out to dinner tomorrow evening?’
She looked round and a mixture of emotions crossed her face.
‘And what would dinner involve?’ she asked, raising that wry eyebrow again.
‘Food, wine, conversation and… who knows. We could have some more fun together, see where things go. I like you.’
Her mouth pressed together in a line. ‘You don’t know me.’
‘Rebecca,’ he admonished. ‘How can I get to know you if you don’t come out to dinner? Except that we’ve met twice already and you still think you can beat me at swimming.’
‘That’s because I have beaten you both times,’ she protested with a spluttering laugh.
‘I want a rematch in the pool tomorrow morning.’
‘Sure,’ she said. ‘Prepare to have your arse kicked… again.’
‘You think?’ he said, stepping forward into her space, his eyes glinting. She stepped forward, toe to toe with him.
‘I know,’ she said in a low, sultry tone.
‘You do, do you?’ he murmured, taking her chin in his hand, their noses just touching.
‘Are you trying to distract me?’ she asked in a low voice.
‘Is it working?’ he asked, his lips a bare inch from hers.
‘Mmm,’ she replied, and his mouth caught hers in a long, slow kiss that left his heart hammering in his chest.
She placed both hands on his shoulders but didn’t push him away. She kissed him back, warm and vital, and he could feel her cold nipples were hard through the thin cotton of her dress. Her skin was still chilly but she tasted of sea air and smelled fresh and outdoorsy.
‘Should we be doing this?’ she asked. ‘What would Inês say? She’s my boss and you’re her brother. Maybe this isn’t a good idea.’
‘One, my sister is not my keeper. And two, it seems like a good idea to me. Although I should give you fair warning. I’m not looking for anything serious. I’m not cut out for that. Let’s just enjoy ourselves while you’re here.’
‘Suits me. I’m in love with someone else.’
‘Oh.’ Felipe took a step back. ‘I’m sorry.’
