Free Jessie Slaymaker's Rules of Engagement (The Jessie Slaymaker Series Book 2) by Jo Iles

beach—this one was practically empty—not far from the fishing village of Tai O. As she lay sunbathing, soothed by the rhythm of the waves, Jessie felt humbled. She had so much, and complicated her life with needless worries that the people in Tai O would probably have laughed at. She suddenly felt guilty and ashamed for having felt downbeat about the size of her serviced apartment and the fact it didn’t have a view. She knew that in the grand scheme of things that she was extraordinarily lucky, but she hadn’t really thought about just how extremely lucky she was to be in the position she was in. She had a good education, a good job, savings, and a few investments to fall back on. Really, she had no right to complain at her lot in life. Especially not about the square footage of her living space or the fact that she couldn’t see the sea from her window.
    ‘You’re quiet,’ Jack observed as they lay side by side under a shady tree. The sun was beginning to set behind a nearby mountain and the light was gradually growing dimmer. ‘Everything alright?’
    ‘Oh yes,’ Jessie said as she stretched out like a sleepy cat. ‘I’m just counting my blessings and thinking how lucky I am to come from where I do, and have money and a job. And you,’ she added, smiling at him. ‘I know I’m lucky to have you.’
    ‘Yes you are.’ Jack beamed.
    ‘You’re so modest,’ Jessie retorted sarcastically. ‘This is the bit where you’re supposed to say something nice to me, you know.’
    ‘Oh in that case, then I suppose I’m a lucky guy too,’ he replied with a sigh.
    ‘Just so long as you realise it, then we’ll have no problems,’ she said good-naturedly.
    There it was again. Another perfect moment when they could have just been open and honest and told each other how they really felt. But neither of them had felt brave enough to step up to the plate. It was ridiculous, Jessie thought to herself. They weren’t kids. They were grown adults in their thirties who should be emotionally mature enough to express themselves properly.
    ‘I do,’ Jack said as he shuffled closer and nuzzled her neck, whilst simultaneously playing with the string on her bikini bottoms.
    ‘Oh no you don’t,’ Jessie said, laying a hand on Jack’s bare chest. ‘We are not having sex on a public beach,’ she added more forcefully as she sat up and shook sand out of her hair.
    ‘But it’s getting dark,’ Jack protested childishly.
    ‘No way,’ Jessie snapped. ‘I do not want to end up in some British tabloid for getting arrested for gross indecency, thank you very much.’
    ‘Spoilsport,’ he said, smiling as he pulled her back towards him for a hug.
    ‘I really love it here,’ Jessie sighed in his arms, putting extra emphasis on the word love .
    ‘Me too,’ he said simply, clearly not catching her drift.

Chapter 14
    Jessie’s free time disappeared within the blink of an eye. They tried to do something each day, whether it had been visiting markets, temples, or museums or trying out different beaches. Jessie had especially liked the beaches. She felt so relaxed out of the constant buzz and activity of the city. Plus, it was always a pleasure to see Jack strutting around in nothing but his swim shorts for most of the day.
    Although she didn’t want to think of it that way, they had reached Jessie’s final weekend of freedom. She had to work on Monday and be all properly behaved and intelligent again. The thought scared her after her relaxed fortnight of bliss with Jack, when she’d barely even read the front page of a newspaper, never mind reached the financial news. She felt totally out of the loop, and that was a daunting feeling as she mentally tried to prepare herself to get out of holiday mode and into work mode.
    Her growing anxiety wasn’t aided by the fact that they’d both drunk more wine than they should have at dinner. Jessie and headaches were not a match made in heaven. She’d woken up early on the