Despite the fact that it was past seven o’clock, the beach was still crowded with families and Anna jogged slowly down to the water’s edge and then lengthened her stride, enjoying the cool breeze blowing off the sea.
This was a popular surfing beach and the water was still crowded with teenagers determined to make the most of the waves.
By the time she returned to the McKennas’ house she was panting and uncomfortably hot. She ripped off her running gear and stepped straight under a cold shower, moaning with relief as the water cooled her heated flesh. Bliss. She was tempted to stay under the water all evening but her stomach was rumbling and she knew she had to eat something after such a long run.
She slipped on a short linen dress, padded down to the kitchen and opened the fridge.
‘I cooked last night so I guess tonight has to be your turn.’ Sam lounged in the doorway, a beer in his hand, watching her.
Anna turned. ‘Has anyone ever told you that you look more like a beach bum than a doctor?’
His hair was slightly too long, his jaw rough with stubble and he wore a pair of long surf shorts and a loose T-shirt that clung to the powerful muscles of his shoulders.
He gave her a lopsided grin that made her heart kick uncomfortably against her chest. ‘You want me to wear a suit and tie?’
‘I don’t care what you wear.’ She yawned and turned back to the fridge. ‘It isn’t looking promising. The only thing I can cook is omelette and we’re right out of eggs.’
Sam strolled over to her and peered over her shoulder. ‘So you’d better buy me dinner.’
She wrinkled her nose and slammed the fridge shut, forcing him to step backwards or risk injury. ‘Why should I buy you dinner?’
‘Women fight to buy me dinner, Riggs.’ He hooked his thumbs in the waistband of his shorts, his blue eyes mocking. ‘This could be your lucky night. I’m making you an offer you shouldn’t be able to refuse.’
Her heart kicked against her ribs and she wished he’d move away slightly. He was standing far too close.
‘I have no trouble refusing.’ But then her stomach rumbled and she remembered how hungry she was. And how empty the fridge was. ‘On the other hand, I’m starving. What exactly did you have in mind?’
‘That new place on the beach? Plates of seafood. Lashings of garlic butter. Chilled white wine.’
Anna felt her taste buds react with enthusiasm. ‘I’ve heard good things about that place.’ She tilted her head to one side and considered. ‘And the only price is being civil to you for the duration?’
‘Who said anything about being civil?’ He lifted the bottle to his lips and drained the beer. ‘Just be yourself.’
She glared at him. ‘I’m civil with most people, McKenna. It’s just you that drives me nuts.’
‘And why is that, I wonder?’ He put the bottle on the table and surveyed her, his eyes gleaming with speculation. ‘Perhaps you’re harbouring secret fantasies.’
‘The heat must have gone to your brain.’
He lounged against the table, broad-shouldered and unreasonably handsome. ‘Face it, Riggs. You have trouble resisting me. And that really annoys you.’
‘You’re the one who annoys me. And it’s worse when I’m hungry. So let’s get going before I commit bodily harm. You won’t look so handsome with a black eye and no teeth.’
He reached for his car keys. ‘In the interests of personal safety, I’ll drive.’
She followed him to the curving gravel driveway and paused, a frown on her face as she looked at his sleek black car. ‘You expect me to sit beside you in that sex machine?’
‘Well, it’s that or the boot, honey, because there’s no room in the back. This is definitely a two-seater.’
She sighed and slid into the car, too hungry to argue. ‘OK, but only because my stomach is more important to me than my reputation at this particular moment in time.’
She was starving.
He turned the key, started the engine and smiled. ‘Don’t you just love that sound?’
‘It’s an engine.’
He shot her a pitying look. ‘No appreciation for the finer things in life, that’s your problem.’ He hit the accelerator, sending gravel flying. ‘And what does sitting in my car have to do with your reputation?’