Read Online Cherry Blossoms by Patricia Keyson - Free Book Online Page A

gave her a thought. All his thoughts were about this lively young woman who looked so serious at this moment. Then there was the hotel.
    “ What is it, Oliver? You’re looking thoughtful,” Cherry said.
    “ Just thinking how quickly things do change. I was working in the City when my mother died, leaving me the hotel. It was only four months ago. I didn’t know what to do at first. I had a good life there and enjoyed my job. Lots of friends, a good social life. It was a difficult decision to make, but I thought if I didn’t come and try to make a go of the hotel I’d regret it for the rest of my life.”
    Cherry reached for a wrap. “Any regrets about coming here?”
    “ None at all,” he said solemnly as he gazed at her.
    “ I’m sorry about your mother.”
    Cherry looked away and hoped by changing the subject she wouldn’t say anything she’d regret. Sitting on the gently rocking boat with Oliver just an arm’s reach away was almost more than she could bear. “I can’t really say I ever got to know her, she was quite distant with her employees, from what I’ve heard.”
    “ We weren’t close. She was a rather distant mother, too, but I do miss her.” There was a catch in his voice.
    Cherry reac hed forward and took his hand. She squeezed it gently and was going to pull her hand away when Oliver grasped it firmly. She’d definitely made the right decision leaving Jay behind. Oliver pulled her towards him and gently kissed her. She felt an overwhelming wave of desire as he gazed into her eyes.
    “ Cherry, I just want to say . . .”
    But the moment was lost as Cherry leapt up , almost overturning the boat. “Look we’ve drifted from the bank,” she shouted, “and I’ve left the oars there.”
    “ Sit down, Cherry, you’re making me seasick. This is ridiculous.” Oliver grinned.
    Ch erry sat back down, hot and bothered. “You’ll think me such a fool, not keeping the oars in the boat. We should have brought Jay, he’s got more sense than me.” Hearing Oliver laugh, she saw the funny side of their situation, too, and pulling the cushion out from behind her, threw it at Oliver, almost knocking him off balance.
    “ I won’t hold this against you as long as you’re prepared to do the swimming,” Oliver said.
    Cherry tested the water with her hand. “Way too cold for me. Anyway, it’s your outing. I’m prepared to meet you halfway, I’ll apologise for not being much good at tying ropes to trees.”
    Oliver hadn’t enjoyed himself so much for months and was quite happy to dive into the water. All that troubled him was the question of how much clothing to keep dry. He slipped his shirt off and, after a moment’s hesitation, stripped down to his boxers. Jumping in, he rocked the boat and heard Cherry clapping and shouting encouragement. Bobbing up, he pulled the boat back to the bank. Once on dry land he secured the boat and watched as Cherry leapt out clutching his clothes.
    “ Here we are, Oliver, slip these back on,” she said holding them out for him. She couldn’t fail to notice his toned, masculine body. Being with him was becoming more and more difficult, especially as she’d told herself she must regard him as her employer and nothing more. Oliver was shivering and reached out for her.
    “ Warm me up, Cherry, that water’s freezing.”
    It took all Cherry’s willpower to resist. She turned and stepped back to the boat. “Come on, Oliver, let’s get back in so that I can row us back to the yard. Then we can drive home with the heating on. It might be sunny, but it’s a cold day for May and we don’t want you going down with anything.”
    “ This always happens to me,” Oliver said miserably. “I’m always the one who gets wet.”
    Oliver didn’t say much on the drive back to the hotel and Cherry didn’t know whether to chat or keep quiet. They pulled into the staff car park and Oliver slammed on the brakes. “Do you see that?” he said, angrily.
    Cherry couldn’t