Half Moon Bay Read Online Free PDF

he felt his anger dissipate, replaced by the adrenalin rush of bodysurfing.
    Half an hour later, hair sticking on end and board shorts low on his hips, he dragged a long-sleeve tee down over his chest, feeling invigorated.
    No more delaying action. It was time. He glanced at his watch. Maybe Tom would cook him breakfast. The man knew how to fry eggs and bacon almost as well as an army cook. And Nick had brought coffee with him, dark rich New Guinea Gold that brewed like treacle.
    He parked the car by the gate and slung his backpack over his shoulder. Apprehension slithered across his abdomen. It was no certainty that Tom would welcome him. The situation last time had been a little different.

4
    Ellie opened the French doors wide and stepped out onto the verandah to find Shadow leaning in rapturous ecstasy against a pair of long legs, eyes shut from the joy of an ear scratch. The newspaper photo hadn’t done Nicholas Lawson justice, she decided with a quick frown. And a suit was not his natural habitat. It seemed boardies and T-shirts were.
    ‘Can I help you?’ Ellie kept her tone neutral.
    ‘Good morning, what a lovely spot.’ His voice suited him. Deep, relaxed, assured. ‘The view’s amazing.’ The flash of alarm in his eyes was gone before she could be certain she wasn’t imagining it.
    ‘It is.’ That she couldn’t deny.
    ‘Sorry to intrude at this hour.’
    She tilted her head to one side. ‘A little early for uninvited social visits.’
    He smiled, easy, comfortable, ignoring the edge in her voice. ‘Never too early to admire a good view.’ He pushed his sunglasses onto his head and she found herself pinned by a pair of very dark eyes. A flush fled across her cheeks. Embarrassed at her body’s quick response, Ellie retreated into misplaced anger.
    ‘It’s private property.’
    He didn’t bite, just held out his hand, long fingers, broad palm, as he walked up the couple of steps. ‘Nicholas, Nicholas Lawson.’ The sleeve was pushed up his wrist far enough to reveal the glint of an expensive watch. Even as she ignored his outstretched hand she registered that the face of the watch was turned inwards on his wrist, facing his body. Where had she seen that before?
    ‘Really?’ She drew out the two syllables. ‘So are you trying to sell me something this morning? Real estate, life insurance?’ Her eyes narrowed. ‘Salvation?’
    She savoured the small satisfaction of watching his hand drop to his side, but the flash of humour in his face unsettled her. His lips twitched as if they held tightly to a secret. He was looking directly into her eyes, even though he was below her on the steps.
    ‘You don’t look like you need saving.’ His grin was disarming. ‘I was actually looking for Tom. Is he home?’
    ‘No.’
    ‘So, do you know when he will be?’
    ‘Nope.’
    ‘Some time this morning, perhaps?’
    Her voice had a triumphant edge. ‘Not that I’m expecting.’
    He managed to avoid any signs of exasperation. ‘Can I leave a message, then?’
    ‘Sure. I’ll pass it on next time I’m talking to him. Though knowing Tom, I doubt he’ll return your call.’
    He lifted a dark eyebrow, a sardonic gleam in his eyes. ‘Really? And you are?’
    ‘That’s not important, Nicholas Lawson.’ She couldn’t stop her smile this time. ‘But I will pass your message on, really . . .’ She was not going to cooperate with the enemy, but it was hard work staying angry with him.
    Those forbidding eyebrows lowered, emphasising the angular shape of his face. This was not a man used to having his orders ignored by anyone, Ellie suspected. She could feel her amusement rising at his reluctance to leave. She certainly hadn’t been subtle. He got full marks for tenacity.
    ‘Good-looking dog.’ Lawson bent down to pat the black head nudging him.
    Ellie snapped her fingers at Shadow, who ambled across to her side. ‘He’s a guard dog. A necessity, it seems, since I have to live with the risk of