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And then she was off, like a dolphin, swi effortlessly in her shorts and top She could certainly swirown up in the inner city, but she’dout of the water, she stood dripping wet in front of hied, and the top so worn, he doubted even she knehat colour they had been originally He thought he’d never seen anyone more beautiful

This was really getting out of hand ‘We should go,’ he said, bringing the high jinks to an abrupt end by turning his back on her

He felt her disappointment follow him across the beach, and kneithout doubt that he wanted her Which wasnonsense of his agenda for the day

Appointments could be postponed, he reasoned He was under no pressure to leave the island right away He could send for his people and have them come to him It would be better for his team to see the island for themselves He would set up his headquarters at the hacienda It made perfect sense

Soin the sea? Co like a contestant in a wet T-shirt contest with a see-through top clinging to her breasts? What rong with her? Was she crazy?

Xavier had kept his gaze confined to her face, but that sot the upper hand She guessed he hadn’t duirlfriends in the sea—not that she was a girlfriend, or even close At best, she was an irritation So maybe the island had infected theuessed he wasn’t used to

When they got back to the house she had to ad on the front door, and the timber around the as rotten She supposed she should thank hi her eyes before the entire house fell on her head

‘After you,’ he said, holding the front door open for her

‘Coffee?’ she asked on iet away?’

‘You still have the documents to read’

Trust him to remember But she would take a look He’d started to open up and so had she It was the least she could do

‘But I’d love a coffee,’ he added with a sh

Was it too much to hope this ease between theround that would enable theood of the island? When they brushed against each other as they walked into the kitchen, it was just the lightest touch, but itbolt to her overly responsive body It was a reminder of how it had felt when he closed his ar A lot

She made the coffee, and picked up the documents ‘I need to look at these alone,’ she explained Life and fantasy were becoled She’d lived on hope for most of her life, and was determined to be realistic now she had responsibilities ‘I’ll call you when I’m ready Why don’t you take your coffee into the library?’ she suggested ‘You’ll be more comfortable in there’