He nodded and then closed the distance between us. For a moment I thought he might kiss me, but he simply drew me into a hug. My body stilled and then relaxed in his warm, comforting embrace. I couldn’t remember the last time someone held me like this, and it felt so good. Not awkward. Not suggestive. Just really, really good.

When Dan pulled back, the smile he gave me no longer held so much anguish. ‘Come on … I’ll walk you home.’

‘You don’t have to. It’s not like Ragged Point’s the crime capital of the world or the shack is far.’

He cocked his head to the side. ‘Do you want me to have any more of a sleepless night than I already will?’

‘Of course not.’

‘Then stop objecting and let’s get walking. Charlie will be wondering where you are.’

‘Okay.’ Seeing I wasn’t going to win this battle, and secretly quite happy for his company, I gave Lion a quick pat goodbye and then Dan and I stepped out into the night.

After all the words we’d exchanged over the last few hours, our walk was strangely silent but not at all uncomfortable. The night breeze had a chill to it, but I didn’t feel cold next to Dan, and when we arrived at the shack, I couldn’t help feeling disappointed the evening had come to an end. We paused at the bottom of the porch steps and I had a ridiculous urge to ask him in for coffee.

‘Thanks for walking me home,’ I said, looking up into his face, only partially visible due to a sliver of moonlight.

He smiled down at me. ‘You’re absolutely welcome. Thanks for a great night.’

And then, he stooped and kissed me chastely on the cheek, before turning and striding back along the sand towards his place. Heat spread from that one spot right through my body and I palmed my hand against my cheek as I watched his dark silhouette grow smaller.

How different the evening could have ended if I was another kind of person. Just because I didn’t think getting into a relationship with someone new was a good idea right now didn’t mean I couldn’t have fun. Did it? Someone like Hayley, or maybe even Jedda, would have dragged Dan into the shack and had their wicked way. I shivered at the thought but told myself it was safer this way.

I wasn’t a coward, I was sensible. Sex complicated things.

Only as I was giving Charlie hello cuddles did I realise we hadn’t spoken about the fundraiser at all. Whoops.

Chapter 42

42

‘I thought you said this place was nice,’ Saxon said the moment he stepped inside the shack. ‘Looks like a total dump to me.’