He moved from chopping the chicken, to shredding the cabbage and carrots, all the while feeling her gaze on him. He might be a prince, but he’d learned to fend for himself over the years. He wasn’t above throwing some ingredients together. And somehow he liked being under her appreciative gaze.
She nodded towards the sesame oil next to the wok and smiled. ‘Better get started.’ It was as if her gaze was dancing across his skin, leaving tension in the air between them, and he’d never liked it so much.
He shook his head and poured some oil into the already smoking wok, watching while it spat instantly. He added the chicken, the vegetables and some of the baby bok choy, chilli paste, garlic, soy sauce and finally some hokkien noodles. Last thing he wanted to do was mess up dinner.
‘Wait!’ Arissa smiled. ‘You’ve forgotten my favourites.’
She grabbed a packet of peanuts and sprinkled them over the dish.
He gave a little frown. ‘Are you sure these are a good match?’
She raised her eyebrows knowingly as she put out two place settings. ‘These are my secret ingredient.’
He dished out the stir-fry into the two white bowls she’d set next to him and carried them over to the table. ‘Do I get to drink my wine now?’
She nodded as he sat down opposite her and he lifted his glass to hers. ‘To friends,’ he said. ‘You’ve made this holiday a whole lot more...’ he wasn’t quite sure what word to add—what word would be entirely appropriate ‘...special,’ he finished with a broad smile.
She clinked her glass against his. ‘Special,’ she repeated as her gaze connected with his. ‘To think I could have spent two weeks entirely on my own.’ She took a slow breath, as she held his gaze. ‘I’m glad you’re here.’
‘Me too.’
They ate as the sun set on the horizon sending streaks of orange and red across the sky. When they finished they carried their glasses outside and sat on the cooling sand on the beach.
‘Last time around you didn’t tell me you owned a whole beach,’ he joked.
‘Last time around I didn’t know you that well,’ she replied. ‘And I don’t own the whole beach.’ She drew a little square in the sand between them. ‘Maybe just, this much.’
He didn’t hesitate, he closed his hand over hers, guiding a finger to draw a wider square. ‘Or maybe you own a little more. This much?’
She laughed and lay back on the sand. ‘Heard of snow angels? How about some sand angels?’ She was still smiling; she started swishing her arms and legs over the sand. ‘Maybe it’s this much.’
He moved over slightly, lying back too and copying her actions. ‘Or maybe it’s this much!’
She kept laughing as she watched him. He finally stopped and turned around onto his side, putting his head on one hand.
‘We have a whole beach to ourselves,’ he said conspiratorially. ‘Any ideas what to do next?’
She turned to face him, putting her head on her hand too and shaking some sand from her hair as he eyed the rippling ocean.
‘No way,’ she said firmly.
‘Why not?’ He couldn’t hide the gleam in his eyes and sat up straight. ‘Come on.’ He pulled his shirt over his head.
She burst out laughing and he looked down and held out his hands. ‘What? Too much paunch?’ He knew he looked fine; his almost washboard abs had been gained through long hours at work, not long hours in the gym.
She shook her head. ‘There’s no paunch—’ she wagged her finger ‘—but don’t go any further.’
‘Why not?’ He was being wicked and he knew it. He unfastened his jeans and laughed as she put one hand up to her face and looked away. ‘Somehow as a doc, I think you’ve seen it all before.’
He kicked his jeans off and held out his hand towards her. ‘You’re telling me, in all the years you’ve stayed here, you’ve never gone skinny-dipping in the ocean?’
Her eyes widened. ‘Not with anyone watching. Anyhow—’ she sat up onto her knees ‘—I normally use a bathing suit—don’t most people?’