Ethan watched her go his thoughts in a turmoil as his guilt over her pain warred with his attraction to her body, the feel of her supple skin still lingering on his fingers. A plea from his daughter to finally play submarine saved him from his groin joining in on the debate.
Cathie found Darlene pottering around the kitchen not realizing that her actions had no real purpose other than to cover the fact that the inquisitive housekeeper had actually been watching the interaction between her beloved employer and the lady she most heartily approved of. Darlene hid her knowing smile in a cupboard.
'Darlene? I'm just going to change then you can point me in the direction of the kettle, coffee and plunger. I'll make a big pot of coffee for afternoon tea.' She ruefully smiled at the contradiction. 'Or do you think that Ethan would prefer Tea?'
Looking at the clock 'I think cocktails would be more appropriate, with some nibbles.'
Darlene was gathering a selection of nuts and fruits to make a platter and the cocktail ingredients when Cathie reentered the room in a matching t-shirt and shorts.
'What can I do to help?'
While Darlene whipped up 3 mudslides - one non-alcoholic of course - she set Cathie to chop and arrange the food. If, as she secretly hoped, this girl was one day to become the mistress of the house then it would be sensible to encourage her willingness to pitch in with the odd homely duty. After all she wasn't getting any younger.
Pity she'd changed out of that bikini. Within minutes Cathie was carrying a tray laden with pistachios, crackers, sweet chili dip and strawberries out to the pool followed by Darlene bearing the drinks. Darlene almost ran into the back of Cathie, the whispered 'Oh…My!' explaining the sudden stop. Looking around the girls shoulder Darlene hastily averted her gaze berating herself that while Cathie could she couldn't. He was her boss and only a few years older than her son for heavens sake!
A gentle prod in her back reminded Cathie of the tray, and her place.
Oh, why did Ethan choose that moment to not only leave the pool but also take off the vest? She had thought yesterday the view from her bedroom had been exceptional. Now at close range it was awesome. Cathie felt her breath catch in her throat and her nipples harden painfully as she carefully placed the tray on the outdoor setting under the umbrella.
It was becoming somewhat of an occupational hazard this reaction every time she so much as looked at Ethan - the heat spreading deep in her body and pooling between her legs, a dragging sensation in her core that had her quivering.