Chapter 13

Gertie chugged up the steep road to the house on top of the hill. The sky was a soft winter blue, and the crest of white foam on the breaking waves contrasted with the azure blue of the ocean. Surfers rode the long line of swells in to the shore, catching the waves before they broke. People walked on the beach in the warm winter sunshine and as he parked the car, the sound of children playing on the sand carried up the hill. Sol closed his eyes and let the serenity fill him; he could spend the rest of his life here. A study on the top floor of the house, he could research—

‘Are we going to sit here all day?’ Sally’s voice interrupted his daydreaming.

‘Ah, I was just enjoying the view.’ Sol gestured out the window to the ocean.

‘You had your eyes closed.’ Even though her voice was dry, it held amusement.

‘Caught out. I was thinking about that gorgeous house. You’re so lucky to live and work here.’

‘I know. I should appreciate it more. Like everything, you take things for granted after a while.

Sol parked the car on the road outside the house. There was no driveway. He guessed it had been built in the days before there was a need for driveways and garages to house a modern car.

Hmm… the history of architecture in Sydney. He wondered how much research had been done on that.

‘Um, are we going to sit here all day?” This time her voice definitely held a giggle, and it made him smile.’

‘No, we’re going go into that gorgeous house and I’m going to talk to you.’

***

Talk to me?

What was there to talk about?

When Sol had said that they were different, it had cut straight to Sally’s heart. Sonia had told her often enough over the past few years that she was boring, and Sol’s words had brought home to her how boring she was.

He was different. He’d studied, explored so many different avenues, and had interesting friends—if Dave was any indication. He’d also hinted about a family that was difficult, but that would make life even more interesting. A little bit of conflict spiced up life.

My life is dull.

And it was no one’s fault but her own. Blake could take a bit of the blame for starting it off, but she was the one who’d indulged in a pity party for too long.

Way too long.

She spent her days—and nights—in this house, with the occasional trip across town to her classes.  She didn’t really mix with anyone after her working day, and was—had been  anyway—quite happy with her own company, but since the Blake dumping, her self confidence had been shot.

Sally knew she had to remember what she’d promised herself on the way up to Peats Ridge yesterday.

From now on, life was going to be fun, and she’d make an all out effort to be a part of it again. She was going to loosen up and lighten her attitude.

She was going to write an affirmation and put it on the fridge door.

I will do something fun every day.

Sonia was about to get the biggest shock of her life.

Sally looked sideways at Sol as he lifted his bag from the car.

And if it meant that Sol might end up in her bed, she wasn’t going to complain.

She put the key in the door and it creaked open. Paws pounded on the stairs, and Muggins came flying along the hall, and spun out on the tiles.

‘Hey, baby.’Sally leaned down and picked him up. ‘Were you a lonely little pussy cat?’

His little motor purred as she snuggled him against her. She looked up at Sol, and he was standing there staring at her with the strangest look on his face.

‘Bring your bag in and I’ll sort out a room for you. Heaven knows there’s plenty to pick from.’ Sally put the kitten down. ‘I’ll just top up his food bowl and I’ll take you upstairs.’

She was surprised when Sol followed her through the kitchen and into the laundry. He looked around as they walked in. ‘Gosh, this house is amazing.’

Sally shrugged. ‘Again, because I’ve lived here so long, I’m used to it.’

‘It’s got so much character. You can feel the memories in it.’

There was a loud bang from upstairs. She turned and smiled at him after she poured the dry cat food into the bowl. ‘You can often hear them too.’

He shook his head. ‘I love it.’

‘Come on, we’ll get you a room sorted.’

‘Not yet.’ Sol reached out and gently took her hand as she turned for the door.

She looked down at their joined hands and her heart rate kicked up a notch. ‘Why, not yet.’

‘Because we need to talk.’

‘About the favour? I really do appreciate—’

‘No, about what you said in the car.’

Heat flooded into her cheeks. ‘Oh don’t worry about me. I was a bit tired and cranky.’

He put his other hand on the side of Sally’s neck and pulled her closer to him.

‘No. Your feelings were hurt, but you misunderstood what I meant. You made assumptions. Hell Sally, if anyone is the boring person in this relationship—’

‘Relationship?

‘We do have a relationship. I don’t know what it is yet, but we have one. It could be friendship, it could be business, but it could simply be this.’

Her eyes widened as he let go of her fingers and lifted his hand to cup her other cheek. Both his hands were warm on her face as he held it gently and lowered his head.

‘I’m not very good at this, but all I know is that I’ve wanted to do it since you answered the door like a little spitfire the other night.’

Sally widened her eyes as the light was blocked by his head and her mouth opened as surprise flooded through her.

Surprise that flew out the window as his lips gently brushed against hers.

‘Sol,’ she murmured.

He raised his head. ‘You’re not different and you’re not boring.’

Her heart kicked again and it had a lot to do with those butterflies that were beating their wings harder. ‘I am, but I’m going to do something about it. I decided that on the way up to Dave’s farm yesterday. I’ve been wallowing in self pity for way too long. I’ve made up my mind. There’s going to be a much more exciting Sally Smith from now on.’

His lips brushed against hers again. ‘What if I said I’m interested in the one I met?’

‘Um, I don’t know. There’s really not a lot to be interested in.’

He shook his head, but kept his lips hovering above hers. ‘Oh yes, there is.’

She found it hard to take a breath, and the room spun a little bit as she looked up at him. She hadn’t felt like this for a long time.

If ever.

The emotion was so sudden her cheeks burned when his lips took hers. Sensation flooded through her as she was swept into the moment. Her hands went around his neck and she clung to him as his lips burned against hers.

Hot and hungry.

A sensual shaft of desire speared through her as his hands went beneath her T-shirt. ‘Let’s take this out of the laundry,’ she said he she managed to get her breath back.

He chuckled and lifted his head. ‘Not the most romantic setting. Where will we go?’ His voice was low and deep.

‘Maybe I could show you the different bedrooms and you can choose which one you’d like to stay in.’ She looked up at him and shyness flooded though her. ‘The beds are all comfortable. It’s one thing Aunt Aggie insisted on.’

‘More comfortable than the one I slept in last night? I’ll swear I could feel the board under it.’

‘You told me you slept well!’ Sally turned away from him but Sol held her hand as they walked down the hall towards the sweeping staircase that led up to the bedrooms.

‘How could a man sleep after you’d trailed your fingers over him for an hour? And all I could think about was you asleep in the room close by.’

She laughed. ‘I didn’t get a wink either. All I could think about was you in the next room.’ She paused at the bottom of the stairs. ‘Do you want to bring your bag up?

‘Not yet.’ He held her gaze and she tried not to react too obviously as she stared into his dark eyes. Warm shivers ignited a fire in her lower belly as his hand settled in the small of her back.

 ‘Let’s check out these rooms,’ he said.

‘Follow me.’

They reached the top of the stairs and Sally stood back. She gestured to the spare rooms up the hall from hers. ‘Sir, you have a selection.’

Sol smiled. A slow, lazy smile that curled her toes. ‘A single or a double? What would your recommend?’

‘Depends on what sir wants,’ she said with a giggle.

His eyes were dancing as Sol held his arms open. ‘Definitely a double.’

His arms came around her and he lowered his lips to hers again. Sally closed her eyes as his soft groan matched hers.

‘Are you happy to share?’

‘I am. It’s about time I tried a new bedroom.’  She giggled. ‘Another way to show Sonia I’m not boring anymore.’

‘Oh sweetheart, boring is the last word I’d ever apply to you.’ His words vibrated against her lips and for a moment she forgot everything else as Sol explored her mouth. She sighed when he moved down to kissing the soft skin of her neck, and his hands explored the bare skin under her T-shirt.