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With a resigned sigh she forced herself to walk after him. He’d only kissed her once, for goodness’ sake! What on earth was the matter with her? What was it about one kiss that had turned her into a gibbering, mooning wreck? Why was she behaving like some teenager with a giant crush?
Still trying to talk sense into herself, she followed him down the path, stifling a groan as she saw him swing the rucksack off his back and strip down to his swimming shorts.
Anyone would think he was doing it on purpose to torment her, she thought, gritting her teeth and averting her eyes. It was bad enough trying not to notice Mark’s incredible physique when he was fully clothed, but when he stripped off...
Despite her best efforts her eyes slid back to him and goose-bumps prickled her skin as she stared at his broad, muscular shoulders and strong legs. Muttering under her breath, she quickly dipped her head and dropped onto the grass, staring intently at the sea. The sea. Cold. Wet. Apparently full of basking sharks. Surely if she concentrated hard enough on the sea, she’d be able to forget about Mark’s body.
‘Coming for a swim?’
He strolled up to her and hunkered down in front of her, his very bare chest only inches away from her eyes. She suppressed a whimper. Great. So much for avoiding him. How could he be so relaxed with her? But, then, why shouldn’t he be relaxed? Mark thought she was immune to him...
‘A swim? In a minute maybe,’ she said weakly, turning aside and rummaging in the rucksack. ‘You go ahead. I need a drink.’ Preferably an alcoholic one to numb her senses.
Mark watched her closely and for a moment she thought she saw a flicker of amusement in those dark eyes, and then he gave a shrug of those broad shoulders and straightened before sprinting towards the sea, leaving her sitting on the grass in a state of total confusion.
* * *
It was late afternoon by the time they started back along the cliff path and by then Holly had her emotions well in hand again.
Just Mark, just Mark, just Mark, she recited steadily as she plodded back up the cliff behind him, her eyes fixed firmly on the rough ground.
As they reached the path above the rocky bay Holly noticed a small group of people gathering and pointing. She frowned and screwed up her eyes against the sun. There was something about the way they were standing, looking out to sea—something that wasn’t quite right—
‘Something’s wrong Mark—look!’ She put a hand on his arm, feeling the hard muscle under her fingers.
Mark glanced at the group of people and then out to the bay, swearing softly as he saw what they were looking at. ‘One of those boys is in the water. Damn it, I knew there was going to be trouble.’
He shook off her restraining hand and sprinted up to the group gathered
on the path.
‘What’s happening?’ He barked the question at the nearest man, who shook his head briefly.
‘Nothing good, mate. They’ve all been drinking—we’ve been watching them for most of the afternoon while we were having our picnic. They were larking around and then one of the lads dived in, fully clothed, and he hasn’t come up again. They’ve been trying to look for him but the tide’s coming in and the waves are too rough.’
Mark stared at him. ‘How long has he been in the water?’
‘About five minutes.’
Mark’s lips tightened. ‘Has anyone called the lifeboat?’
‘Lifeboat?’ The man shook his head again, looking helpless. ‘No, there’s no phone—one of us has run back to the village but it’s at least half an hour away.’
‘Holly, there’s a mobile in my rucksack,’ Mark’s voice was sharp. ‘Call the coastguard and an ambulance. Then get yourself down that path and wait on the rocks. I’m going to need your help.’
‘Mark, wait! You can’t—’
But Mark had gone and Holly bit her lip, watching as he sprinted up the path, away from the cove. She frowned slightly. Why was he going that way? What was he doing?
And then she saw it.
A lifebelt and a rope, attached to a post to one side of the path.
Mark grabbed both and returned, jerking his head towards two of the men. ‘I need someone to hold a rope.’
His intention was obvious and Holly felt a rush of panic.
‘Mark, no!’ Holly reached out to stop him but he shook her off easily, his eyes steely with determination.
