Bel eyed the coffee maker on the kitchen bench and felt her mouth start to water. She wanted a coffee so bad, but she had the feeling that even if she could figure out how to work this monstrosity of an appliance, it would be loud enough to wake the dead—or, in this case, the hunk of spunk up the hallway.
There was nothing else for it; she’d have to go out. It was still early. She could nip out, buy a coffee and then duck back before Tate even knew she was gone. She looked at the clock. He’d told her once that he liked to sleep in when he wasn’t working. With a final frustrated glance at the coffee machine, she left the kitchen.
She tiptoed back into the bedroom and quietly rifled through her suitcase until she found what she needed, then stealthily withdrew once more. As she dressed, she considered that if she got desperate for a job, she could maybe try her hand at becoming a cat burglar. Or a secret agent. She found the key in the beautiful handblown glass dish on the hall table where Tate had dropped it last night and slid it into the pocket of her jeans, along with her phone, then softly eased the front door shut behind her.
Armed with directions for a cafe from the young man at the front desk, Bel headed outside. There were more people around than she’d expected for the hour, plenty of dog walkers and joggers, and she paused to tilt her head back and breathe in the crisp morning air. The city felt alive.
She located the cafe, noting it was, like most things in this part of town, very fancy. The display cabinet had obscenely decadent pastries and other delicious offerings and it would have taken a will of steel to resist. Bel added a croissant to her order and enjoyed the heady smell of calories that floated around her while she waited.
She had planned to take her coffee straight back up to the apartment, but she decided to take a quick walk first. She walked to Barrack Square and then across to the jetty, leaning against the railing as she listened to the gentle slap of the water against the luxurious yachts.You certainly don’t get this in Wessex. This was like a whole other world.
Tipping her cup up, she was surprised to find she’d finished her coffee. She pulled out her phone, starting at the time. She’d been away longer than she’d intended.
When she opened the door to the apartment, she found Tate standing at the kitchen bench, waiting.
‘Where have you been?’ he asked. His tone was off; not angry, but definitely short.
‘Sorry, I ducked out to grab a coffee and lost track of time. It’s so beautiful out there.’
‘I thought we planned to go sightseeing together?’
‘We did. We are. I only went down to the wharf. I didn’t want to disturb you while you were sleeping.’
‘I thought you’d take advantage of the fact you didn’t have to get up and go to work to sleep in too.’
Bel gave a wry smile. ‘My body clock didn’t get the memo.’
‘I got up to cook you breakfast.’
‘Oh. Great. I can help,’ she said brightly, until she saw him shrug and straighten.
‘Let’s just go out for breakfast,’ he said with a huff.
‘Okay,’ Bel said. ‘If that’s what you want to do.’
‘I don’t feel like cooking now. I’m going to jump in the shower. Will you be ready to leave after that?’
‘Of course,’ Bel said, sending him a smile that he barely saw as he headed for the bedroom. It faded slowly. What had happened to change his mood?
By the time they were both ready to leave the apartment, things seemed to have righted themselves and he was back to his usual, charming self. He took her to a cafe not far from his apartment and they sat outside where they could see the water and watch the growing crowds. ‘Two of the big breakfasts, thanks,’ Tate said, smiling at the waitress after they’d been seated and she’d returned to take their orders.
‘Oh, I don’t usually have too much for breakfast,’ Bel said, startled that he’d ordered for her.
‘It’s the best thing on the menu. Besides, you’ll need it, I’ve got a big day planned.’ He nodded firmly at the waitress, and she scurried off to place their order.
She wasn’t sure how she felt about him taking charge like that—but a take-charge guy was kind of sexy. After all, Jax was that kind of man—confident and decisive.But not once had he ever decided what his date should be eating, a little voice pointed out. Which was also true. She let it go though, hewas probably just excited about showing her all the things he enjoyed about where he lived.
Bel was glad for her big breakfast once they started their day. They walked for miles, taking in the parks and the art on the Promenade, then wandering across the Elizabeth Quay Bridge before taking a sunset river cruise and eating dinner down near the jetty.
‘So, what do you think?’ Tate said as they sat on his balcony afterwards and looked out over the river and the lights of the city beyond.
‘Of what in particular?’
‘Of this place. Is it as great as I told you it would be?’
‘It’s amazing,’ she said, absolutely meaning it.
‘Are you glad you decided to come?’
