Rebel Anagram

Chapter Five

‘OH … WOW!’ Lissa’s whole being seemed to light up.

‘We’ll need it in writing,’ Blake said, sharper than he intended, remembering the boat 􀀨asco, which still needed discussing. After his father’s

betrayal, never again would he trust another as easily. No matter who it was. No matter how attracted he was.

‘Of course.’ Linking her 􀀨ngers above her head, she laughed with surprising abandon, spinning a circle in the middle of the kitchen. ‘I’ll get

right on it.’

She all but danced across the kitchen, reached up on tiptoe and 􀀯ung her arms around his neck. ‘Thank you.’ Her breasts, 􀀨rm and full and

not constrained by a bra, grazed his torso, sending a spurt of lust straight to his groin.

Before he could respond in any way, she came to an abrupt halt. Her eyes widened, her cheeks coloured and she backed away fast. ‘I … I’m

going to go take a look at the room now and write up some ideas before you change your mind.’ Then she turned and hurried from the room.

Lissa clutched her neck with both hands and willed the hot rush of heat to subside as she raced upstairs to her room. She’d got carried away

and practically climbed up his chest. Oh, God. And he’d looked positively shocked. She went straight to the en-suite, splashed herself with cool

water. She did not look at her reflection.

Sucking in calming breaths, she sat on her bed and took a few minutes to take stock and absorb the conversation. His generous o􀀳er. The

offer that was conditional on whether or not he liked her work.

When she could breathe normally again, she walked downstairs to the living room and straight to her supplies stacked against one wall. To

her relief, Blake was nowhere around.

She 􀀯ipped her sketch pad open to a new page and sketched the room’s layout. This was a tropical coastal town, so a beach or watery

theme. Elegance. Simplicity. The furniture had to go. She glanced up. The exploding crystal orb of light stayed.

‘Ideas?’

She heard Blake behind her but didn’t turn. No distractions. ‘Blues. Ocean theme. I’m thinking dull turquoise. It has both warm and cool

undertones so it’s compatible with almost any colour. It works well with charcoal—that slate wall’s ideal. A lift with lime green or even red.

Or if we go with a darker version of the turquoise, gold can look very dramatic, which could lend itself well to the honeyed wood …’ She

pulled out her big blue paint samples, chose two. She glanced over to him. ‘Can you visualise your walls this shade, or is it too dark for you?’

‘I’m leaving it up to your professional judgement.’

‘But can you live with that colour?’ She walked to the wall and held both samples up high, against the slate.

‘I won’t be here.’

Blake wasn’t looking at the samples. He was looking at the strip of enticing 􀀯esh between her jeans and T-shirt. And all he could think of

was how she’d felt pressed against him for those few seconds in the kitchen.

All he knew was he wanted that feeling again. He found himself standing behind her, breathing in the fragrance of her hair. His pulse

drummed in his ears. ‘The darker one. More full-toned.’