Page 10 of Her Dom's Secret Past

He nodded as he managed to pick up the mug and take a sip.

“Should you be marching through the water?”

Duh! Shit!

I face-palmed in my head. I’d just given myself away.

He grinned, likely knowing I’d been watching as he said, “I actually thought it would be a great idea. My physiotherapists said wading was good and they’d had me doing it before I came here.”

“I’m guessing that was in a pool and for a few minutes?”

With a wry expression he said, “True.”

“When you finish your tea, why don’t you go sit in my Jacuzzi? That should help, shouldn’t it?”

He nodded slightly, glanced down at his mug, and then lifted his head. “I don’t want to impose, Anabelle, you’ve been amazing.”

“Hey, it’s no trouble. I’m sure it would help your aches and pains, and then maybe you could make it back to your place. Because I have the distinct impression you couldn’t make it past that first tree,” I said, pointing to the tree in question.

“You’re right, I wouldn’t. But it seems like I’m taking advantage of your good nature.”

“Nonsense.”

We finished our tea in silence with me cheering inside. I wanted to keep him close to me, I wanted to learn all I could about him. He put his mug down and rummaged in his top pocket. After pulling out a USB stick, he held it out to me.

“Here’s the photos I promised.”

“Oh wow, thanks. I couldn’t believe how close that seal was. My feet actually touched him as he waddled passed.”

“It was pretty amazing.”

I put the USB on the tray. About ten minutes later, I stood. “Want a hand up, or can you make it?”

“I’m okay.”

I bit my lip and clenched my fists, determined not to rush and help as he struggled in obvious pain to his feet. Together, we slowly walked to the pool.

“I’ll get a towel for you.”

“You’re going to join me, I hope?”

Be still my heart.

“If you don’t mind the company.”

“I’d love it.”

I left John to get into the Jacuzzi while I changed into my most flattering swimsuit—black with a rainbow of stripes, and grabbed a couple of towels. Trying to appear casual, I dropped the towels near the stairs and stepped down into the Jacuzzi. John had taken off his shirt. My, that man was fine, but I could see the nasty raw wound on his shoulder. He glanced up as I sat down.

“I’m obliged to you, Anabelle. Thank you.”

I shrugged. Seeing all that fine-looking flesh was making me a little tongue-tied, and that wasn’t all. I was definitely a little hot and was fortunate he spoke.

“I saw some kangaroos yesterday evening. They came close to my villa. They’ve been around since I arrived.”

“I had a visit from some the other morning. One of them, a big male, came up onto the patio and stole my toast after checking me out.”

“Oh, I wished I’d seen it. I’ve never seen one in the flesh before. They’re bigger than I thought.”