The Next Season (novella) by Rachael Johns

Author:Rachael Johns
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises, Australia Pty Ltd

Seven

Standing on the doorstep, trying not to drool over the sight of Shaun in nothing but a fluffy white towel, Zoe struggled to recall why she’d thought visiting him was a good idea. Judging by the glower on his face, telling him it was because he’d looked like he needed a shoulder to cry on might not go down well. She felt the cool glass of the Crown Lagers pressing against her arm and decided to go with the mates sharing a drink angle.

Summoning a smile and trying to ignore the magnetic pull that seemed to draw her eyes to just below his waist, she said, ‘I needed someone to share my grog with.’

His lips twitched ever so slightly at the edges. ‘I thought you were broke. Did you break into the bottle shop or something?’

She laughed. ‘Your sister had a very successful day today, and it appears the good people of Wildwood Point are rather generous tippers. Hannah shared the tips between the lot of us to say thanks.’

When he didn’t reply, Zoe realised he might be thinking of seeing Melissa earlier and added, ‘We don’t have to talk if you don’t want. We could just hang out…’

Still he said nothing. ‘Or I could leave these beers here to say thanks for the petrol and getting me the job and I could go home?’

Except that now she was here, she found she really wanted to stay. Maybe it had something to do with his bare, well-muscled chest on display right before her eyes. She was only human after all.

Standing beside her like an ally, Eeyore pressed his big wrinkly face against her leg and she absentmindedly stroked his head with her free hand as she waited for Shaun’s reply. It felt like an age coming but eventually he said, ‘I’d kill for a beer but I need to have a shower first. Why don’t you make yourself at home?’

Before she could reply that yes please, she would love to do exactly that, he stepped back slightly, pressing himself against the door as he opened it wider to let her in. Eeyore charged past them both and dashed ahead down the corridor.

Zoe laughed and Shaun shook his head, a definite smile visible now. Maybe the night wasn’t going to be a complete disaster after all.

‘Don’t be deceived by that cute face,’ he said. ‘He’s gone ahead to get the best seat before you can.’

‘Clever dog.’

‘That’s not always a good thing.’ His smile looking more relaxed now, Shaun closed the front door behind them. ‘Shall I put the extra beers in the fridge?’

She nodded and handed the pack to him. ‘Thanks.’

He tore open the cardboard, extracted two bottles and handed them back to her. Then, before she could prepare herself, he pressed his palm into the small of her back, encouraging her down the corridor. ‘Take the door at the end on the right, I’ll be back in a moment.’

Somehow, despite the heat that had spread like wildfire from her lower back to her extremities and other more tender parts, her legs got the message to move forward.

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