Free Operation Valentine by Loretta Hill Page A

her and a long-fingered, tanned hand began to wipe down the bench.
    â€˜So, do you need me to rescue you again? I can if you want. Just say the word.’ Owen’s husky voice dripped over her shoulder like honey from a ladle, before he manoeuvred his body into view.
    She quickly dropped her hand from her mouth and sat up straighter. ‘Rescue me? Why would I need you to rescue me?’
    He lifted the salt and pepper shakers to wipe beneath them, looking up to eyeball her briefly. His eyes literally danced with mirth.
    â€˜I don’t know. You just looked a little rattled, that’s all.’
    â€˜Rattled?’ she repeated self-consciously and then firmly squared her shoulders as she felt her initial shock receding. ‘He’s just threw me a curve ball that’s all. Nothing I can’t handle.’
    He grinned at her again. ‘Really? What sort of curve ball?’
    She glared at him.
    â€˜Okay, okay,’ He straightened. ‘Leaving now. You know where to find me if you need any help.’ With a sublime smile he sauntered off.
    She quickly averted her eyes from his perfectly proportioned arse and focused on Damien, who was setting her glass in front her, something she actually found a little disconcerting given his eyes were directly at boob level. Luckily, after putting his own drink down, he hopped back into his seat and she was able to relax a little because his size wasn’t such a distraction.
    â€˜So,’ she sipped her cocktail, ‘I read on your profile that you have a big –’ she choked, ‘I mean, many members in your family?’
    â€˜That’s right.’ He nodded. ‘I have three brothers.’
    â€˜Do you all get along?’
    He smiled. ‘Very well. It was actually really fun growing up, having heaps of other kids to play with. What about your family?’
    â€˜I have just one brother, actually, and I don’t see him much because he lives in Melbourne.’
    â€˜I was born in Melbourne. Lived there till I was twelve. But I love Perth. It’s just such a pretty city. I don’t know if I’d ever leave.’
    She felt her nerves loosen. ‘Me neither.’
    They talked effortlessly for another half an hour about inconsequential subjects and she began to really enjoy herself. There were no awkward silences. The conversation seemed to ebb and flow with a relaxing rhythm. The truth was, he seemed like a lovely guy. Certainly really easy to talk to. She was happy that she hadn’t let Owen’s teasing get to her.
    Maybe it was time to step this date up a notch. She lifted her hand, fingering the diamond stud hanging off one ear as she waited for a lull in his description of his next landscaping project.
    â€˜Er, Damien,’ she smiled as invitingly as she could. ‘I’m really enjoying your company and I was wondering if you’d like to order dinner here with me tonight?’
    His eyes flicked first to her and then lowered to the stem of his wine glass. He sucked in a breath between his teeth like he was trying to find a diplomatic way to express whatever he had to say.
    Uh oh. Did I say something wrong?
    He looked up. ‘Sarah, I’m really sorry. I just don’t think I can do this.’
    She blinked. ‘Sorry?’
    â€˜I just feel that you and I aren’t compatible.’
    She blinked again. ‘But we’re having such a nice conversation. I love it that you have a big family and that you own your own gardening business and that you play the guitar.’
    â€˜Yes, and I’m sure you’re a lovely girl. But what is that?’
    â€˜What’s what?’
    â€˜That.’ He lifted a finger and pointed to her hand, which was still holding her earring.
    â€˜Er, a diamond drop.’
    â€˜No, I mean your earlobes. They don’t seem right. Actually, you don’t seem to have much of an earlobe at all.’
    â€˜Oh.’ She laughed, glancing at