‘I wasn’t,’ she laughed. ‘I was hateful. I was plump, had crooked teeth, and so many freckles it was hard to see where one ended and another began.’
His gaze ran over her appreciatively in her lemon slacks and black vest-top. ‘Looking at you now I would never believe it.’
She blushed in confusion, realising she had invited that compliment. ‘Oh, I should believe it, Jake, the hateful little girl underneath hasn’t changed very much.’
‘Is that a warning?’
‘If you like.’
He laughed softly. ‘I like a challenge too. No man has ever liked to win a woman too easily, just as he doesn’t like to be the pursued instead of the pursuer.’
‘You think you’re going to win with me?’
‘I’m hoping so.’
She gave a pitying smile. ‘I wish you luck.’
‘I don’t like the sound of that.’
‘You weren’t meant to.’
They were nearing the harbour now, the gleaming boats bobbing at their moorings. Jake parked the car, apparently knowing which boat belonged to Martin Payne. He carried the picnic basket over to a white gleaming boat, its sleek lines beautifully reflected in the still water.
‘I didn’t expect anything like this.’ She looked about the luxurious interior, coming back up on deck to sit on one of the plush leather seats.
Jake stowed the picnic basket down in the galley, unpacking a bottle of wine to put it in the small refrigerator provided. He came back up into the sunshine. ‘Just what did you expect?’
She shrugged. ‘I’m not really sure.’
He grinned. ‘But certainly not this. I do know how to work it, you know.’
Stacy looked at him, squinting in the bright sunshine. ‘I never for a moment doubted it.’
He laughed softly. ‘Are you ready to leave?’
‘Mm,’ she took a deep breath of the sea air. ‘I’m going to like this.’
‘I hope so.’ He quickly untied their moorings, guiding the boat out of the quiet harbour before increasing the speed.
Stacy threw back her head, laughing as the wind blew through her hair. ‘Mm,’ she sighed, laying back on the seat that stretched across the back of the boat, ‘this is relaxing.’
Jake turned briefly to look at her, his sunglasses shielding his eyes. ‘Did you bring any suntan oil with you? We’re very lucky to be having such warm weather for this time of year, and although it may seem quite breezy out here the reflection of the sun on the water will burn your skin.’
She sat up, delving into the recesses of her shoulder-bag. She held up the tube of oil with a smile. ‘I thought I had some.’
‘Would you like me to rub it on for you?’ he asked softly.
Stacy blushed, imagining those long tapered fingers moving slowly over her body. ‘No, thank you,’ she said primly.
He grinned at her. ‘I somehow thought you would say that. Did you bring a costume with you?’
‘I have it on under my clothes.’ Thank goodness she had thought to take this precaution! She wouldn’t have relished the idea of getting into her bikini with this man so near.
‘Why don’t you strip off and try to get a tan?’
‘Er—no. I think I’ll wait until we reach the cove.’
He shrugged. ‘Please yourself. Take the helm for a while so I can get out of these hot clothes.’