Chapter 36
Lettie didn’t know where her courage had come from, nor did she care. She saw Brodie’s dripping outstretched hand and took it, stepping into the shower to join him. She had no idea what had possessed her to ask him such a question and right now, as she looked at his handsome face, his sandy hair falling over his forehead, a look of longing in his dark eyes, and rivulets of water coursing down his muscular body, she didn’t much care.
Brodie didn’t speak, but took her into his arms and held her against him so that any doubts she might have about whether he was attracted to her vanished instantly. He kissed her. She was the breathless one now, she thought, in no doubt about him wanting her as her hands moved over his body and reached around behind him, one resting on his muscular back, the other on his rounded buttock.
She felt his hand on her bottom pushing all further thoughts aside as he began kissing her neck.
‘Well, today didn’t turn out remotely as I imagined it would,’ Brodie said as they cuddled in front of the fire in her living room a couple of hours later. He kissed her again. ‘I still can’t get over what happened earlier.’
Confused and hoping he wasn’t referring to her joining him in the shower, Lettie clasped her hands together. ‘Sorry?’
He gave her an amused smile. ‘I mean about the fire in the barn.’
She elbowed him, aware he had intended her to get the wrong end of the stick. ‘I shouldn’t have done that,’ she said kissing his shoulder. ‘Not when you’ve been such a hero.’
‘I presume we’re still referring to the fire now?’
She laughed. ‘We are.’
‘That’s a shame.’
Brodie turned to her again. ‘Do you know I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed a shower as much as that one.’
Delighted to hear him say so but determined to mistake his meaning, Lettie took her time before replying. ‘Why, because of the excellent water pressure we have at this house?’
‘Exactly that.’ He laughed. ‘No. The water pressure needs some work. My shower companion, on the other hand…’
‘Yes?’ She wondered what he might say next. ‘What about her?’
He took her into his arms slowly, and lowered himself back onto the sofa. ‘I was thinking that maybe we could see how well we fit together without water being involved.’
She liked that idea. Very much.
He put his arms behind his head. ‘So, what do you say?’
She lay on top of him, relishing their closeness and kissed him. ‘Is that the answer you were looking for?’
‘Almost.’
The following morning Lettie opened her eyes to see Brodie resting his head on an elbow as he lay facing her. ‘Have you been watching me for long?’
‘Only a little while.’ He kissed her nose. ‘Good morning. Did you sleep well?’
She didn’t bother hiding her self-satisfied smile. ‘I certainly did. You?’
‘Yup.’
She pushed herself up to lean back against the headboard and peered at her alarm clock. Six thirty. ‘I should get up.’
‘Me, too.’
‘Shall I make us breakfast?’
Brodie took his glasses from the bedside table and slipped them on. ‘I can go and fetch some eggs from the barn while you shower, if you like.’
‘Sounds like a good plan.’
She watched him as he ate, unable to recall when she had ever been happier. Brodie looked up and, seeing her watching him, smiled. ‘You not eating?’
‘I am.’
‘What are you thinking?’
She wondered if he loved her as much as she now realised she loved him. ‘I was thinking how cute you look in your spectacles.’
He pulled a face. ‘Spectacles? That’s such an old-fashioned word, but I’m glad you think so. My sister always teased me that they made me look like an eccentric professor.’
‘I’m not sure I’ve ever had a teacher who looks as cute as you do.’
‘I’m pleased to hear it.’
She sighed happily and continued eating her scrambled eggs.
‘I hope you’re not going to try and do too much heavy stuff today, in the damaged barn I mean.’
She shook her head. ‘No. Joe mentioned I should call my insurance company and leave everything until an inspector has been to visit.’
‘Good idea. I’ve been thinking…’
About her, she hoped. ‘About?’
‘Maybe you could fetch seaweed instead.’
‘Vraic, you mean?’
His fork stopped halfway to his mouth. ‘Sorry, did you say vrak?’
Lettie giggled. ‘I said vraic. Vraic is what my dad calls seaweed. You grew up here, didn’t you ever hear it called that?’
He thought for a moment then shook his head. ‘No, but probably because my dad is a dentist from Kent and not a farmer from Jersey, so we never spoke Jersey French.’
‘It’s called Jèrriais.’ She wanted to know why he was thinking of seaweed. ‘Why did you mention seaweed though?’
‘I was remembering my uncle telling me how there’s often a lot of seaweed washed up onto the beach after a big storm. Maybe it’s something your father collects for his fields?’
‘It could be but I’ve never seen him do it.’ She wondered if she had simply never taken enough notice and felt guilty to think that might have been the case.
‘I thought you might be able to gather some for your fields.’
‘You weren’t thinking about anything romantic then?’ She narrowed her eyes.
He pulled an apologetic expression. ‘You don’t find talking about seaweed romantic?’
‘Not really.’ She finished the last mouthful of her food. ‘Were you thinking about helping me collect it?’
‘I wish I could, but I know I have patients already booked in for first thing and I’m not sure when high tide is. You’re going to have to get whatever you need to off the beach before it’s either gathered by any other farmers, or washed out to sea again. Hopefully, I’ll be able to help you when I have a break but I can’t guarantee it.’
She liked the idea of gathering seaweed and that he was thinking about how to help her. ‘It’s fine. I’m happy to get it myself. If you finish your work while I’m still there, then feel free to offer a hand.’
‘I’ll do that.’
Lettie fetched her phone and checked the time high tide was due that day. ‘Bugger, I only have about three hours before it’ll get too high on the beach. I’m going to have to leave as soon as I’ve checked on the animals.’
‘I’d better get Derek home and change into clothes that fit me a bit better than these.’ He took their plates and cutlery to the sink.
She looked down at his bare ankles and laughed. ‘Yes, I think you should. You don’t want any of your staff or patients seeing you doing your walk of shame home.’
He washed and dried his hands and walked back to her, kissing her. ‘I’m not ashamed of anything we’ve done together,’ he whispered kissing her again.
Neither was she.