A car screeched to a halt at thekerb. Two burly police officers hurried up the path and onto theporch. Todd got up to greet them, gave them a basic update andhelped them pull Paul to his feet. He began to regainconsciousness, struggling as they cuffed him.
“That’s assault. I’mgonna sue you for that. You won’t get away with it. I have myrights,” Paul yelled at Todd and the police. “Get your hands offme!” One officer marched him off to the waiting police car, and hecontinued hurling abuse all the way down the path. The otherofficer took Todd and Chloe’s preliminary statement, and asked themto call into the station to provide more details on Mondaymorning.
Todd closed the door and leanthis back against it, happy to see them off the premises. Chloewrapped her arms around his waist, and they held each other for afew minutes. “I don’t know about you, but I’m still hungry. I leftthe the food in the car. I’ll be right back.”
Todd jogged to the car. Heretrieved the package and held them at arm’s length until he hadreached the kitchen. “Better open a few windows. This curry isgoing to blow your socks off.” The smell of Indian curry and spicygarlic vegetables permeated the air.
“How can you be hungrynow? Explain to me how men can eat, no matter what’s going onaround them.” Chloe stood in the middle of the room, with her handson her hips. She wore a perplexed expression.
“I guess it’s a caveman thing. I just saved you from a nasty predator and now I need tobeat my chest, and eat meat … so let’s sit down and enjoy thiscurry, okay, babe?”
“Babe? You never callme babe? What’s going on?”
“Just trying tolighten the mood. Come and have something to eat.”
“I don’t think so. Mystomach is in knots. I think I’ll just sit here and watch you.”Chloe pulled out a chair at the table, sat opposite and mavelled atthe ease in which Todd tucked into the takeaway meal.
“Are you sure I can’ttempt you with some curry? Not even vegetables andrice?”
“No thanks. I shouldgo and get dressed.”
“And here I wasthinking of dessert.” He smiled mischievously, his eyes wanderingdown to her cleavage.
“You really are a caveman. Or maybe just a typical man. Your belly is full and now youare thinking of satisfying other urges.”
“So that’s a nothen?”
She propped her elbows up on thetable, clasped her hands under her chin and assessed him. “Hmm. Letme think about it.”
“Or we could watch amovie.” He licked his lips.
Little butterfliesdanced in her stomach as she watched him, the tension slowlydisappearing. The way his mouth and jaw moved as he chewed.Such beautiful lips. Theway he rolled his shirt up to the elbows. Strong tanned forearms have always been a weak spot.The way his eyes twinkled at her as he wiped hislips with the napkin. Why do men have suchsilky long eyelashes? She squirmed in thechair as all those thoughts collided into want and a need of herown. Does he know what he’s doing tome? She got up and moved around the tableto stand behind him.
“Are you finished?”She slipped her arms over his shoulder, aware his powerful shouldermuscles tensed, and slid her palms down over his chest. Her nipplespeaked under her robe. “I’ve changed my mind. I think I will havedessert.”
Todd turned and swiftly pulledher onto his lap. “You women are so typical. One minute it’s ‘I’mnot hungry’, the next minute it’s ‘I’m starving’. Just as well I’msuch a nice accomodating guy.”
“You’re all heart.Better hurry up before I change my …”
His kiss, as quick aslightning, and as passionate as she could have wished for,concluded her sentence and drove all other thoughts from hermind. Oh my. Therush of heat and longing took her by surprise. He picked her upwith ease, not breaking the kiss and marched towards the stairs,flicking off the lights from memory as they passed by.
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
Todd and Chloe arrived at themarina at precisely 9 am and were escorted through the securitygate. It appeared Samantha and Malcolm had arrived just ahead ofthem and were already walking up the pontoon to greet theirhosts.
Chloe spotted Patrick’s carpulling into a carpark adjacent to theirs, with an attractiveredhead in the pasenger seat. Patrick hopped out and held the dooropen for the young woman while she gathered her belongings. Toddraised his hand in greeting to his brother, and they continuedwalking towards the yacht.
“Looks like Patrickbrought a date. Do you know her?” Chloe glanced back again,curiosity getting the better of her.
“Yeah. I met her a fewmonths ago. Nice girl. Sharon.”
“It should be funtoday, with your brother and his date, and Sam and Malcolm on theboat.”
“Better not let Marionhear you use the word ‘boat’.”
“Sorry. I had betterbe careful or she might throw me overboard.”
“No chance. You’lllike Marion. She loves the ballet and the arts.
“Oh. TheSea Mistress is such abeautiful yacht. I’m really looking forward to this.” Chloe hookedher arm through his and squeezed his bicep with her free hand.Theyapproached the berth. He eased her forwards ahead of him, his handon her lower back to steady her as she walked up thegangway. Always thegentleman. Chloe had worn soft canvas deckshoes and comfortable white cotton pants. She had decided to wearthe navy and white striped tank top as it gave her a nautical look,so apt for a day on the ocean. Funnily enough, Todd had chosen navypants and a white shirt. Greatminds. She noticed everyone had broughtlarge totes or beach bags, carrying swimsuits and towels,presumably hoping for a dip in the bay if the weatherheld.
Marion and Phil Donovan stood ondeck, ready to greet them. Marion appeared to be the epitome of awell-dressed member of the “ladies who lunch” brigade. They couldhave been yachting on the Cote D’Azure from the way the Donovanswere dressed.
Marion stepped forward and huggedTodd with gusto. She only came up to his chest. “I am so happy youcould join us today. It has been an age.”
“Marion. You look
