Lime Tree Hill (A Reluctant Kiss #1)

13. The Terms

13

THE TERMS

With the sale date looming and Chris Stone’s backup offer in the mix, Mitch wanted Tayla’s decision. Not that he blamed her for running hot and cold. That same sharp temperature change hit him every time he thought of the marriage. It was one thing to manipulate Norman’s wishes but another to feel comfortable about it. He picked up his phone, pushing those thoughts aside as he typed his message.

Mitch: Can we meet for lunch? The Spinnaker Cafe @ 12:30?

Tayla: Is that absolutely necessary?

Mitch: Yes. But hey, your call.

Mitch: And do me a favor. Ditch the attitude. I’m trying to enjoy my day here.

He admonished himself as he waited for her reply. There was no need to be rude. He imagined her at work, torturing her patients with those sexy hands of hers. Ever since she’d suggested looking at his knee, he couldn’t help wondering how good her massage technique might be. Maybe one day he’d find out .

Tayla: Fine. See you then.

When Mitch parked outside the café at the agreed time, Tayla was already seated, sipping a coffee and looking gorgeous. Her sunglasses firmly in place, she watched him mount the steps.

As they made small talk and perused the menu, the term ‘out of your league’ slammed into his thoughts. He wondered if she was about to change her mind again. If she did, was there any point trying to convince her when he wasn’t convinced himself?

He waited until the server took their order before asking, “So, what’s the verdict?”

“I have terms.”

Mitch leaned forward, his gaze drifting to the outline of her lacy bra underneath her blouse. Get a grip . He liked a girl with terms. It showed strength of character. “Of course you do.”

“Okay. That’s number one. Don’t try to marginalize me for having an opinion.”

Here we go. “Noted. Two?”

“I want to stay in my parents’ place. Alone.”

“Separate houses?” He huffed and shook his head. “Sorry, but if the deal goes through, I’ve already promised it to one of my managers.”

“Well, where do you suggest I live?”

“Let me see? With me at Lime Tree Hill? I’ll be away for a week or two in November. That should give you a bit of a breather.”

“November’s months away.”

Mitch shrugged. They probably wouldn’t last until mid-winter, let alone spring, but it was good to plan ahead.

“Is there a spare room in that shed of yours?”

Noticing the blush on her cheeks, Mitch suppressed a grin. She was stunning up close. Fresh and clean and sexy. The type of girl who could easily slip under his skin. But her fierce determination impressed him the most. With Barry unwell, the realities of packing up their family home, and her return to Clifton Falls, she had a lot on her plate. But she always handled herself with such dignity.

“What, no snuggling together under a crisp set of cotton sheets? That’s not much fun.” He laughed at her shocked expression. “Anyway, it’s a loft, not a shed. And yes, there’s a spare room. It even has a bed. Number three?”

“You’re a surfer, aren’t you?”

“I am.”

“I want you to teach me.”

Mitch leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed as he studied her, keeping his reaction low-key. “What, to surf? Are you a strong swimmer?”

“Not really. But I’ve been taking swimming lessons in Sydney. At the Icebergs Pool.”

“Do you have a board?”

“Not yet. Will you help me pick one?”

“Sure.” Learning to surf was the last thing he’d expected as a condition. He’d tried to teach Prue once, without success, but he wasn’t averse to teaching Tayla. It might even be fun. “Why surfing?”

He noticed her hesitation.

“Our family spent a lot of time at the beach in the summer when I was a kid, but I never enjoyed swimming in saltwater. The waves scared me. The day after my sixth birthday, we were at the beach with friends. Lisa and Ruby promised to look after me while the adults set up the picnic. Dad insisted we stay in the shallows. But everyone got distracted, and I suddenly found myself out of my depth. I got caught in a rip and nearly drowned. According to family legend, when Dad realized what was happening, he screamed my name at the top of his lungs and ran into the waves. A surfer helped him pull me ashore. They had to resuscitate me, and I spent a night in the hospital.”

“Shit.” He reached for her hand and squeezed it, the gesture so natural, he didn’t even think about it. “So how do you feel now when you’re in the surf?”

“Nervous on a good day, terrified the rest of the time.”

He frowned. “But you swim in the river?”

Color rushed to her cheeks as she pulled her hand back. He had seen her that day and she knew it. “Only by the grapefruit trees, where the current evens out. I can wet my hair, but not my face.”

“So why do you want to learn to surf if you’re afraid of the open water?”

She hesitated. “When I was in high school, being a surfer chick was a prerequisite for membership in the popular club. I was never that girl. It’s not that I want to relive those teenage years, but sometimes, when everything else seems impossible, focusing on one goal gets you through. Do you know what I mean?”

“Sure. I get that.”

“When I lived in Bondi, I walked along the beach most days. No matter the weather, surfers were always out, some of them for hours. I’d sit in the sand and watch, wishing I had the guts to join them. And despite what happened when I was a child, waves have always fascinated me.”

“Yeah, me too. I’m happy to teach you, but we should wait until summer. It’s no fun learning in the cold. Anything else?”

She took a deep breath. He was fairly certain she wanted to add another condition, but if she did, she wasn’t ready to voice it. “Not right now.”

“Are you sure?”

She pressed her lips together and gave a tight nod.

“Right. Where should we have the ceremony? There’s a small chapel twenty minutes’ drive from here. It’s off the Eastern Pacific Highway just past Petrie Bay?—”

“I’d prefer not to do it in a chapel.” Tayla’s expression saddened as she looked at Mitch across the table.

To him, this marriage was a way to honor the deal he’d made with Barry. Tayla had much more at stake. Her family would be adversely affected if Cherry Grove didn’t sell, and he was mindful of that fact. If she’d received a decent offer from a third party, Mitch would have forfeited his deposit. But until now, he’d thought Ken might see reason and release the funds so the sale could proceed. He now realized that unless he married, the money would never be his.

“Okay. Where do you suggest?”

“On the beach…just before sunset. Petrie Bay’s fine. I love it there. What about Sunday of next week if we can arrange it?”

“Sure, suits me. I’ll pay for your gown. Just let me know how much.”

“You mean we have to get dressed up?”

Her playful smile took him by surprise. “My sisters would disown me if we eloped with no pictures to show for it. Also, we need a license three days before and two witnesses. Luka will be mine.”

“The guy from touch rugby?”

“That’s him. What about you?” Mitch wondered if she had many friends in Clifton Falls, then remembered how close she’d seemed to Tim the night of the game.

“I’ll ask Tim. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind doubling as the photographer.”

“Good. I have a friend who’s a jeweler. Text me your ring size, and I’ll take care of the wedding bands. Any preference in gold color?”

“Doesn’t really matter as long as it’s fine.”

“Okay. And what day do you want to move in?”

She held his gaze, a flicker of trepidation in her expression. And in that moment, he wanted to reach out and tell her she didn’t have to take the fall for everyone else’s mistakes. That she’d be safe with him.

“After the wedding works best for me.”

“After the wedding it is.”

When Tayla entered her family home later that afternoon, there was a feeling of despondency about it. Like it knew it would be empty soon, knew it was time for her to pack. She stood in the large walk-in pantry and looked around at the many jars of preserves, small cake tins piled high, and packets of pasta and rice and baking goods. She was just about to grab a box and make a start when her text alert chimed.

Tim: Do I have to take my best suit to the cleaners?

Tayla: Yes. Wedding is Sunday next week, subject to celebrant availability. I’ll need you from 3:30 on.

Tim: What? Thanks for the notice.

Tayla: You love spontaneity.

Tim: I do. And remember to have a practice.

Tayla: Practice?

Tim: A smooch rehearsal. You don’t want to share your first kiss in public, do you?

Tayla: Oh. I hadn’t thought of that.

Tim: Go on. You know you want to!!!

Tayla: As if.

Her phone still in her hand, Tayla left the pantry and flopped down on the sofa. Tim had a point. Kissing Mitch for the first time in front of Luka, the celebrant, and Tim would be awkward. But asking for a practice kiss—absolutely humiliating .

Tayla: I’m chewing my lip…

Tim: Ha-ha. I would be too if I was about to marry Mitch.