Free Under Her Spell by Isabella Ashe Page B

with the shop."
    "Not that busy," she said. "Anyway, I think you should give Zach a chance. Seriously, now. You said you disagree about everything, but have you really shown him your side of things?"
    "What do you mean?"
    "Show him who you really are," Kasey said. "Don't let him get away with his assumptions. Make him care about the things you love."
    Bryony considered her friend's words for a moment, then nodded slowly. "I think you've got something there," she said, letting her lips curve into an impish smile. She'd just had a brilliant idea of her own. "That's actually good advice, for once."
    "Gee, thanks." Kasey pretended to hit Bryony with a jade throw pillow. "It's about time you listened to me. So what are you going to do?"
    "Wouldn't you like to know," Bryony said. She tore the list off the pad of paper, wadded it up, and stuffed it in her pocket. "Sorry, Kasey, but that's my little secret."
    "Not fair! You have to tell me."
    "My lips are sealed," Bryony said. "Goodbye, Kasey." Her best friend's wail of thwarted curiosity trailed her as she stepped out of the shop and closed the door firmly behind her.

CHAPTER FIVE
     
    "Go away!" Zach shouted, groaning and burrowing his head deeper into his pillow. "Leave me alone, damn you."
    The relentless pounding continued, drumming into his sleep-fogged brain. When he couldn't stand it any longer, Zach growled and sprang out of bed. He crossed the floor in three quick strides and flung open the door.
    Bryony stood there, fully dressed, with her hair in a jaunty ponytail and her face freshly scrubbed. Her cheeks glowed with health and a good night's sleep. She had already raised her fist to hammer on the door again. She lowered it as he leaned threateningly toward her. "What?" he snarled.
    "I've been knocking forever," she said, shaking her head. "You're obviously not a morning person,"
    "You call this morning?" he asked, glancing at the still-dark windows. "The sun isn't even up. What time is it, anyway?"
    "Time to go. We're running late already."
    "Late for what?" Zach rubbed his eyes, squinting down at her.
    "You'll see," Bryony said. "You'd, um, better put some clothes on."
    He wore nothing but a pair of silk boxer shorts. Her eyes widened as she took in his well-muscled chest and the way the boxers clung around his narrow hips. His body was athletic and perfectly proportioned, from his wide shoulders to his long, compact legs. She took her time sizing him up, deliciously aware that she was turning the tables on him.
    If he was embarrassed by her scrutiny, Zach didn't show it. He stood firmly in the doorway, hands on his hips, and let her look. The moment stretched into an eternity. Bryony's heart turned over as her gaze traveled boldly down to the coarse, dark hair that gathered in whorls on his lower belly.
    She forced her head up in time to see the arrogant set of his mouth and the teasing sparkle in his eyes. "See anything you like?" he asked.
    "I see a man who's about to miss a spectacular sunrise," she said. "I'll give you five minutes to dress, not an instant more."
    "Aye, aye, sir," he said, snapping her a mock salute and closing the door behind him. Bryony let out a sigh of relief. She'd been afraid he might balk and ruin her plans.
    She fetched the thermos of coffee she'd prepared earlier, slipping it into her canvas knapsack with the carefully wrapped slices of crumb cake and the binoculars. Then she stepped out onto the porch to wait. The night was turning to gray as the first rays of sun leaked over the eastern horizon. The ocean's muted roar pounded in her ears like her own pulse. Even the birds weren't awake yet.
    "So, where are we going?"
    Bryony jumped at the sound of Zach's voice, as if he'd touched her. "It's a surprise," she said. "Come on."
    He followed her to his car and followed her directions without a word of protest. Highway 1 was deserted, and the trip to the lagoon took only a few minutes. "Here," Bryony said, and Zach pulled off onto a dirt road