Chapter 62
They slept peacefully, entangled together as night became morning. Waking suddenly, Nic looked at his watch and wished there was fresh water on hand. His restlessness woke Aria, who declared she had a twisted ankle after stumbling to the compost loo in the dark.
‘Good call,’ he said, popping outside. He walked back in to be greeted once more by Aria’s gorgeous smile and body. She was a goddess. ‘We can check on Tiger and pick up some breakfast afterwards,’ he said. ‘But first, there’s something I want to show you.’
‘You already did that, but yes, please, I’d like you to show me again,’ she replied, reaching out.
He laughed, realising she wasn’t grasping for his hand.
‘Well, if you insist, I am willing to take one for the team,’ he joked, lifting the cover of the makeshift bed, climbing in next to her.
He lay back, welcoming her lips on his. Her hands explored his body until she reached the destination she was looking for.
Teasing him through his clothes, she smiled, satisfied as he hardened and lengthened in response to her touch.
‘It’s going to be over quickly, if you carry on like this,’ he grunted, as she straddled his legs and pulled at his shorts.
He groaned in appreciation – taking one for the team wasn’t a huge hardship, after all.
He’d do it again in a heartbeat, or as soon as she was ready.
***
After they’d had breakfast and Aria had paid the bill for Tiger, they returned to the lake and took the dog for a walk.
Nic told her the show home was on the market again.
‘Theo thought I’d lost the plot when I decided to hang on to it.
’ He nodded at the kit house. ‘I’ve come to the conclusion that’s more my thing. ’
Aria looked shocked. ‘You? Live in a place like that? But it’s—’
‘Simple and charming. And part of my new grand plan.’
‘What grand plan?’
‘To stay in the Lakes,’ he shrugged. ‘To make a home here permanently.’
‘But your life is in London.’
‘I want to shake things up. I have fresh goals for this site, as I outlined to Felicity just about every time I rang to try and speak to you. I also have an idea for us, if you’re up for a new partnership.
A real one this time that we work on together.
’ He led her to the jetty he’d soon be demolishing, where a wooden canoe lay tied up. ‘Oh, and by the way, that’s for you.’
She laughed. ‘You bought me a boat?’
‘No,’ he said proudly. ‘I made you one. Out of the timber from your hut.’
‘Wait. What?’
‘There’s more. Motors are banned from this site as of now.
Only rowing boats, canoes, kayaks and crafts without engines can be launched from here.
Jet skis are especially unwelcome. The marina will be built, with a restaurant, but with some amendments to the blueprints.
’ He nodded towards the big house. ‘I’m pretty sure the show home will sell when the right buyer comes along and we will build a couple of other bigger properties on the site, but the Castle Enterprises’ carbon footprint will be rebalanced a little by the kit houses.
The restaurant will serve locally sourced, organic food and Theo is on standby to advise us on water activities for the disabled.
I’m quite excited about it all and would love to bore you with the details.
’ Aria was still looking at him like he was crazy.
‘You don’t realise yet that this will all make perfect sense,’ he said, wrapping her in a hug. ‘But it will. Trust me.’
‘I do. Shall we take the boat out on the lake now?’
His face clouded. ‘Not possible, I’m afraid. I haven’t made any oars.’