I grinned to myself as I shoved a spoonful of granola into my mouth. That was another plan sorted.
All I had to do was get him alone in the kitchen for some recipe testing—which was simple, we could do that any day—flirt, and, if he didn’t run screaming, suggest we hook up for the rest of the summer so he could work his stress out through orgasms.
Simple.
Chapter Five
Darcy
The only reasonI had dragged myself out of bed this morning for my run was because I wanted to see Owen in his wetsuit again.
Was that a terrible form of motivation? Absolutely. But it wasn’t like I had to admit it to anyone. Plus, it was helping me get up and go running, which was a positive, so did it really matterwhyI was doing it?
I kept telling myself I wasn’t supposed to be looking at Owen in anything more than a friendly, work-based capacity, but every time I tried, the little voice in the back of my head whispered it was fine as long as nobody noticed. And so far, touch wood, I didn’t think anyone had.
Owen certainly hadn’t said anything, which was good, because the last thing I wanted was to be accused of sexually harassing my employee.
Alfie and Milo hadn’t said anything either, which was another good sign because Milo definitely would’ve had opinions if he’d figured it out. Alfie would too, but at least he’d attemptto be subtle about mentioning it to me, instead of marching into the kitchen and announcing it to the world, which would be Milo’s tactic.
Ellie, who was our part-time front of house member of staff, spent all her time behind the counter, so it was easy to avoid staring at Owen if she ever ducked into the kitchen to fetch something or take her break. I didn’t think she’d be the sort to say anything to me, but she might to Milo, so I still had to be careful.
In my mind, at least, I had figured out how to stare at Owen subtly and inconspicuously.
But apparently, that wasn’t enough for my brain, because it wanted more than Owen in a T-shirt and shorts. It wanted wet, glistening, just-out-of-the-ocean Owen. And I was happy to oblige.
I jogged through the quiet streets of town and towards the front, the sea breeze ruffling my hair. The sky was overcast, the thick, rolling grey clouds threatening rain, which I hoped we’d get to break up the soupy, humid heaviness of the air. I loved a good summer storm, and although it would likely mean a few quieter days at the shop, I’d take it for the chance to breathe something which didn’t feel like hot, salty water.
As I reached the front, I automatically glanced out across the beach, looking for Owen’s toned, broad form in the grey-blue water. The sea was choppier than usual, feathery waves breaking on the shore with more urgency. I paused for a second and frowned, my heart sinking as I realised there was a good chance he wouldn’t be here. Owen wasn’t foolish, and if he thought the water was unsafe, he wouldn’t get in.
That was something which had been drilled into everyone I knew growing up: it didn’t matter how good or strong a swimmer you thought you were, the sea took no prisoners and it was better to miss out than drown.
“Mornin’!” Owen’s cheerful voice drew my attention back to the beach and I saw him waving at me from in front of one of the beach huts, towel in hand. Water clung to his skin, his soft curls plastered to his scalp, and his wetsuit reminding meexactlywhy I’d wanted to see him in it again. He must have gotten out just before I arrived.
“Morning,” I said as he walked towards me, trying really fucking hard not to stare as he stopped below me. God dammit, why had I ever thought I’d be able to pull this off? I swallowed and tried to look at a spot on the sand somewhere over his shoulder. “How was your swim? It looks like it might be getting rough out there.”
“Yeah, it feels worse than it looks. Although, it’s starting to pick up now,” Owen said with a nod, half turning back to the water and holy fuck did his arse look good in that wetsuit. It was like it had been sculpted. I was beyond fucked.
Owen was saying something else and I had no clue what it was.
“Sorry?” I asked, my face flushing as I snapped back to attention.
“You’re fine. Did you zone out there?”
“Yeah, er, just… lost in watching the waves.” It was a piss-poor excuse and I was pretty sure Owen knew it judging by the curl of his lip. Well done Darcy, super subtle.
“Don’t worry, they’re pretty mesmerizing,” Owen said as he stepped a little closer, leaning on the edge of the concrete barrier to my left and looking straight up at me with a smile that was far more hypnotic than any waves.
“Y-Yeah, they are.”
Owen’s eyes sparkled and I couldn’t stop myself from watching a drop of water run down his cheek. “By the way, I asked how your run was going. Have you got more to do?”
“Er, it’s… it’s fine. I found a new route I like so, er, I’m pretty much done by the time I get down here. Nice to run along something flat when I’m near the end and out of breath.”
“Awesome! But if you’ve still got more to do then don’t let me keep you.”
“Oh no, you’re not. I, um, I…” I trailed off, suddenly struggling to find anything to say. Maybe it was because I was trying to stop myself from doing too many things and my brain had simply decided to shut down completely.
“Well, if you don’t have to rush off, can I buy you a drink?”
