“Thanks.” Kelly headed for the door, doing an awkward walk-run. She didn’t want to seem too anxious to flee. Her boss had just offered her a promotion, for goodness sake.

Crap.

Kelly stopped in the doorway. “By the way, boss.”

“Yes.” Jennifer closed the lid on her briefcase.

“I accept your offer.”

They smiled, a silent acknowledgement of mutual respect passing between them.

With nothing more to be said, Kelly bolted down the stairs, jumped on her bike, and gunned it for home. She grinned the entire way.

The minute she got inside, she sent out a group text to Steve, Nicole, Ashleigh, Jo, and her mum to inform them of her job promotion.

She couldn’t wait to share the news with Lucy, in person.

Chapter 23

Sunday morning, Kelly awoke to the sun streaming through a gap in her curtains, the back of a soft body moulded to her front. Relaxed and content, she breathed in Lucy’s scent and kissed the back of her head.

Lucy stirred, mumbled something incoherent, and burrowed into her pillow.

Reluctant to move, but also excited about the day ahead, Kelly flipped the covers back. The sight of Lucy’s baby doll negligee bunched around her waist made Kelly’s breath hitch. The tantalizing image was almost enough to make her reconsider their plans.

“What time is it?” Lucy grumbled, pulling the sheet back up.

“Time to hit the road.” Kelly rolled out of bed and yanked the blankets off.

“Oh shoot, yeah.” Lucy shot up in bed, rubbing sleep from her eyes. “I almost forgot. You short-circuited my brain last night.” She flashed Kelly a wicked grin.

The memory of making love into the wee hours of the morning sparked a flame in Kelly’s belly.

Shower, she needed a cool shower.

Stark naked, happy for the first time in a long time that Nicole had abandoned her on a Saturday night, Kelly gathered up some clean clothes and tossed Lucy her overnight bag.

“You can join me in the bathroom or take a few minutes to wake up properly and have second dibs. Come to think of it,” Kelly said, “That might be a better idea, or we’ll never get out of here.”

A knowing smile lit up Lucy’s features.

On impulse, Kelly bounded across the room, cupped the back of her head, and planted a chaste kiss on Lucy’s lips.

“See you in the kitchen after you’ve showered. I’ll have coffee and toast waiting.”

“Aye, aye, captain.” Lucy saluted.

As strong as the pull was to pin Lucy to the bed, Kelly walked away. “You’ll keep.”

*

An hour later, the sign to Himatangi Beach came into view. Lucy pulled to a stop at the T intersection, checked for traffic and turned left.

“I love the beach,” Kelly said.

Keeping her eyes on the road, Lucy flicked down her sun-visor. “Oh, really? When was the last time you were there?”