Kate Hoffmann - Danny

She grabbed the bag of dog treats she’d purchased in the village that afternoon and headed out to the temporary smithy. Finny and Mogue were asleep in the doorway and she called to them, then tossed a treat up in the air. To her surprise, Finny leapt and caught it in mid-flight. When she tossed one Mogue’s way, Finny cut the smaller dog off and grabbed a second bite. “Don’t be so greedy,” she cried. “You’ve already had one.”

“You’re spoiling them,” Danny called from the doorway.

Jordan glanced up, then straightened. Every time she saw him, a tiny thrill raced through her. She wondered when they’d kiss again. “I like them,” she said. “We always had dogs when I was young. Golden retrievers, mostly.”

“Why not get one now?”

“With my schedule? I wouldn’t have time to spend with a pet. It wouldn’t be fair.”

“Well, you can have these two for as long as I stay. If you keep feeding them treats, they won’t listen to me anyway.”

She closed the bag. “So, how are things going?”

“I’m ready to start. Iron and steel stock is coming tomorrow. I’ve finished patterns for the hinges and I should be able to start work on those as soon as I get materials. Here, let me show you.”

She followed him inside to a scarred wooden table he’d found in the stable. “I’ve looked at the doors and they weigh a ton. I’d recommend that you use modern-day hinges for strength. They’ll last longer, they’ll operate more smoothly and I can make dummy straps, so they’ll look like the originals.”

“If you think that’s best,” she said. “I’ll trust your judgment.”

“I think that’s best,” he said. “And it will save you some money.”

“Good. I like that.” Her gaze scanned his naked torso. “Are you finished for the day?”

He nodded. “I was just going to take a quick shower.”

“Come with me. I want to show you something.”

“It’s past five,” he said. “I’m knackered.”

She reached out and grabbed his hand. “This isn’t work. You’ll like it. I promise.”

She pulled him outside, reveling in the feel of his fingers laced through hers. Just the simple act of touching him was enough to send a surge of need through her. She wondered what it might be like to be able to touch him at will, to have the complete freedom to explore his body.

They walked through the house and then down a narrow hallway behind the butler’s pantry. Jordan opened a door and flipped on a light switch before leading him down a short flight of stairs. The air was moist and a familiar scent teased at her nose.

She flipped another switch and the lights illuminated a huge room with an arched ceiling. Set below them was a swimming pool, the underwater lights creating strange shadows on the walls.

Danny gasped. “Jaysus, has this been here all along?”

Jordan nodded. “The water was drained, of course, and it was full of musty old wicker furniture when I got here. And all the plumbing was rusted, but it’s all functioning now.” She stared up at the ceiling. “The tiles were hand-painted by an artist in Belfast. And they were installed by workmen who worked on the Titanic. Luckily, they were in perfect condition. Replacing them would have been ridiculously expensive.”

Danny stared up at the ceiling. “Half-naked fairies must have been pretty racy for the turn of the century.”

“I’m sure they were,” Jordan said. “There are mermaids beneath the water.”

“You shouldn’t have brought me here,” Danny said, shifting his gaze to the water. “It’s like holding out a bottle of water to a man dying of thirst.”

“You want to swim? Go ahead. It took forever to fill. Nearly a week, but the new heater is working and it’s warm enough to use now.”

“Really?” Danny didn’t wait for her answer. He tugged off his T-shirt as he kicked off his shoes and socks. But when he reached for the button on his jeans, Jordan sucked in a sharp breath. Danny glanced up and she quickly tried to compose herself. “Sorry. I figured boxers were just as good as a bathing suit.”

“Oh, no,” she said, “that’s fine. Go right ahead.”

“Turn around,” he said, twirling his finger in the air. “I wouldn’t want to make you blush. Unless, that was your plan all along in bringing me here. Getting me starkers.”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking of,” Jordan said. “Go ahead, what are you waiting for? I’m looking forward to the superhero underwear.”

He glanced down then winced. “To tell the truth, I seem to have forgotten my underwear this morning,” he replied.

She quickly covered her eyes and a moment later, she heard him jump into the shallow end of the pool. When she looked again he was submerged and swimming to the deep end, his naked form visible beneath the wavering water. As he came closer to the surface, she turned back around.

“All right,” he called. “You can look now.”

She peered through her fingers. Danny bobbed at the far end of the pool, his arms stretched out along the tile deck. “Are you going to come in? The water’s beautiful. Warm enough to be comfortable, cool enough to be refreshing.”

“You’re naked,” she said.

“I promise, I’ll stay on this end. And if you’re shy, just leave your clothes on.”

“I’m not going to jump in with my clothes on.”

“Then take your clothes off. I won’t look.” Danny watched her face as she considered her options. “Oh, I can see those wheels turning. Should I cast aside my inhibitions and give it a go? Or should I pretend like I’m a good girl? I know you’re not a good girl, Jordan. There’s a wild woman under that proper dress and cardie.”

“Don’t presume to know what I’m thinking,” she warned.

“We’re both adults,” he said.

“I’m your boss, you’re my employee.”

“I’m your artist, you’re my muse,” he countered.

“More like I’m a canary and you’re a hungry cat,” she said.

“All right, don’t come in.” He pushed off the side and submerged, kicking and stroking beneath the water before he came up in the middle of the pool. “This is incredible. The perfect way to relax after a long day at work. A bloke could get used to living like this. In the lap of luxury.”

“Money doesn’t always buy happiness,” Jordan said.

“Who says that? And who even believes that’s true?”

“I do,” she said. Jordan kicked off her shoes and pulled up her skirt, then sat down on the edge of the pool, dangling her feet in the water. “My father has all the money in the world and he’s never really been happy. He always seems to need more. When is it finally enough? When can you sit back and enjoy what you have?”

“I don’t know,” Danny said. “I never really thought about it.”

“I do,” she said. “All the time.”

“Are you happy?” he asked. “I mean, right now, at this moment.” She thought about her answer for a long moment, a frown wrinkling her brow. “It’s not a trick question.”

“It’s not the money. That’s not why I want a place at Kencor. I’d work for free if it were challenging work. I love my job.”

He swam across the pool and stood in front of her, the water lapping at his waist. Droplets streamed over his skin and clung to his lashes. “You don’t convince me,” he said softly. “I want to know what makes you smile.”

“Watching silly animal videos on YouTube,” she said. “Eating a whole pint of chocolate ice cream at three in the morning. Getting the hiccups from drinking too much champagne.”

“Do I make you smile?” he asked. Danny wrapped his arms around her legs and gently pulled her closer to the edge. “When I touch you?” He smoothed his hand along her thigh, beneath her skirt. “Would you smile if I dragged you in?”