Sand Jewels (The Wishes Series) Read Free

time I went near her I blew up like a balloon. It wasn’t a good look for me.”
    I giggled at his daft comment.
    “Do you have a dog?” he asked, glancing around the room.
    “I might consider getting one if you continue with your run of silliness.”
    “Silliness?” he teased.
    I felt the familiar burn of embarrassment again. “If you’re going to keep teasing me – ”
    “I don’t mean to tease you, Gabrielle, really,” he assured, stepping closer to me again. “I think your words are lovely. I think you’re lovely, but you know that.”
    I wondered where this was headed. We were adults – two sensible, consenting adults. I was over cocky, egotistical men but it didn’t mean I couldn’t have a bit of fun with one.
    “Where do you see this going, Alex?”
    “Do you need a five year plan?” he asked, looking slightly worried. “I’m not big on five year plans. In fact, two month plans stress me out.”
    I shook my head. “What about a one night plan? Do you have any problems making a one night plan?”
    “Are you offering me a one night plan, Gabrielle?” His low voice sent a rush of desire through me.
    “Not yet,” I replied, surprising myself. “For now, I’m offering you dinner.”
    ***
    Coq au vin wasn’t a dish that Alex was familiar with. He told me it was the best chicken stew he’d ever had. I could overlook his backward compliment because the rest of the conversation was wonderful.
    He wasn’t the one-dimensional beach bum I’d expected him to be. He was witty, funny and charming. And I was in big trouble because of it.
    I stood up and began to clear the table, mainly to stop myself looking at him. Alex followed me into the kitchen.
    Obviously he wasn’t as enamoured as I was. His focus was on my kitchen cupboards. “Why is that door crooked?” he asked, stooping down to open it.
    I placed the dishes on the edge of the sink. “It’s always been broken,” I replied.
    Just as he stood up, I turned around. Bumping into him wasn’t intentional – but not moving out of the way was. Alex Blake was officially driving me crazy. I could feel my whole body seizing up.
    “Do you have a screwdriver?” he mumbled, focusing on my mouth.
    “Somewhere,” I stuttered.
    A slow smile crept across his face. “Do you want to get it for me?” he asked quietly. “I’ll fix it.”
    “I think you should leave it until the morning.”
    I’d left him with two choices. He could either make a run for the door or read between the lines. I held my breath while he deliberated.
    “What if I want an extension on the one night plan?” he asked, leaning in so close that I felt his words.
    “I’m not renowned for giving extensions,” I whispered.
    “At least give me the opportunity to change your mind.”
    I didn’t ask how. I let him to show me. When he pushed the shoulder strap of my dress aside and pressed his warm lips against my décolletage, my legs began to fail me. I was now in really big trouble – and didn’t care one bit. I craned my neck as he kissed a long slow line toward my mouth.
    “Ah, this probably isn’t appropriate behaviour considering we’re in a kitchen,” I mumbled.
    “Has anyone ever told you that you talk too much?” He hummed the words against my throat, sending a lovely shudder through me.
    “A few people,” I breathed. “I don’t usually take any notice.”
    He let out a low laugh. “Shut up, Gabrielle.”
    “Make me shut up, Alex.”
    Accepting the challenge, he silenced me with a long kiss, wandering hands and his magnificent body.

    4. FUNNY WAYS
    Waking up alone wasn’t a good sign. In fact, it was devastating. One-night stands weren’t usually my style, which probably explained why I felt so wretched. I hadn’t even heard him leave. I tried hard not to picture Alex creeping out of my bed at dawn, grateful for the escape. I had no right to be upset. The terms of our agreement had been very clear. It was a one-night deal.
    I went to the café later