‘Sorry, there’s nothing worse than an overbearing drunk.’

  ‘Not at all. You were quite entertaining. All I can say is that whoever this Lauren is, she’s lucky to have someone who cares about her as much as you do. It’s her loss if she doesn’t realise it.’

  ‘Thanks. And thanks for . . . for not letting me do anything dumb last night,’ Rain said, managing a heartfelt smile.

  ‘Anytime,’ Clara replied with a wink. ‘Now, how about something to eat? I make a mean breakfast, if I do say so myself.’

  ‘Yeah,’ Rain said, smiling to herself. ‘Breakfast sounds pretty good right about now.’

  They headed to the kitchen, where Clara busied herself preparing food.

  ‘So,’ Clara said, glancing over her shoulder, ‘you said something about your sister last night. Fay, was it?’

  Rain looked up, surprised. ‘Did I?’

  Clara nodded, turning back to the pan. ‘You mentioned her a few times. Said she was missing.’

  Rain sighed. ‘Yeah. It’s been a couple of weeks. I’ve been trying to find her, but . . . no luck.’

  Clara slid a plate of food in front of her and sat down across the table.

  ‘That must be tough. I can’t even begin to imagine what that’s like.’

  Rain shrugged, picking up her fork. ‘It is what it is. I just . . . I feel like I should be doing more.’

  Clara took a bite of her toast, chewing thoughtfully. ‘Well, what have you done so far?’

  Rain poked at her food, suddenly not very hungry. ‘I’ve been asking around, trying to retrace her steps. That’s how I ended up working at the hotel Lauren’s family own.’

  ‘That’s the married woman you were talking about last night, right?’

  Rain felt her cheeks heat up. ‘Yeah. We . . . we have a thing.’

  ‘That can’t be easy, on top of everything else.’

  Rain shrugged again, blinking back the tears that suddenly welled in her eyes. ‘It’s my own fault, really. I knew what I was getting into.’

  ‘Hey,’ Clara said, her voice firm. ‘Don’t be so hard on yourself. You can’t help who you fall for.’

  Rain managed a weak smile. ‘I guess not. I just wish I’d been honest with her from the beginning about who I was. Then there’s this whole thing with a staff member dealing drugs at the hotel . . . I don’t know. It’s all such a mess.’

  Clara leaned back in her chair, studying Rain. ‘Okay, let me get this straight. Your sister’s missing, you’ve got feelings for a married woman, and there’s a drug dealer operating out of her hotel?’

  Rain let out a humourless laugh. ‘Pretty much, yeah.’

  Clara whistled. ‘Damn. And I thought my life was complicated.’

  ‘Yeah, well, welcome to the shitshow.’

  Clara grinned. ‘Hey, at least it’s not boring.’

  Rain picked up a piece of bacon, taking a big bite. ‘True. I just wish I knew what to do next.’

  Clara took a sip of her coffee, thinking. ‘Well, first things first. We need to find your sister. Everything else can wait.’

  Rain looked at her, surprised. ‘We?’

  Clara shrugged, smiling. ‘Sure. I mean, if you want my help. I’m pretty good at finding people who don’t want to be found.’

  Rain felt a flicker of hope. ‘You’d really do that? Help me?’

  ‘Of course,’ Clara said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. ‘What are friends for?’

  Friends. The word caught Rain off guard. She hadn’t had a real friend in . . . well, longer than she cared to admit.

  ‘I . . . thank you,’ she said, her voice thick with emotion. ‘That means a lot.’

  Clara waved a hand dismissively. ‘Don’t mention it. Now, eat up. We’ve got a lot of work to do.’

  Rain dug into her food, suddenly ravenous. As she ate, she stole glances at Clara, wondering what she’d done to deserve this kind of kindness from a virtual stranger.

  Maybe, just maybe, things were starting to look up. After the past few days she’d had, Rain figured she was due for a little bit of good fortune.

  And if that good fortune came in the form of a kind-hearted woman who made a killer full English breakfast, Rain wasn’t about to complain.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Lauren glanced at her watch for what felt like the hundredth time that morning, her anticipation building with each passing minute. She’d memorised Rain’s schedule, knowing precisely when she’d arrive. Ten o’clock. Just five more minutes to wait.

  If I time it right and leave now, I can catch her before her shift starts, she thought, a flutter of excitement in her chest.

  The lift dinged, and the doors slid open, revealing Sydney already inside.

  ‘Going somewhere?’ Sydney asked, stepping out, an eyebrow raised in curiosity. ‘I was just coming to see you.’

  ‘Can it wait?’

  ‘Sure. Where are you off to in such a hurry?’ Sydney laughed. ‘Oh, let me guess . . .’

  ‘I’ll catch up with you later,’ Lauren said, brushing past her and into the lift, jabbing the button for the basement.

  ‘All this star-crossed lover’s stuff is soooo cute,’ Sydney said, laughing just as the doors closed.

  By the time Lauren made it to the storeroom, Rain was already there, methodically checking the products on her cleaning trolley. Even from a short distance, Lauren could see a weariness etched on her face.

  ‘Hey, you okay?’ Lauren said as she neared.

  Rain looked up, surprise flickering across her features. ‘Yeah, I’m good,’ she replied, but the tiredness in her voice betrayed her.

  ‘You don’t look it.’

  ‘Honestly, I’m fine.’ Rain looked at her sheepishly. ‘Listen, about yesterday, I shouldn’t have just shown up like that.’

  Lauren shook her head, quick to reassure her. ‘It’s all right—’

  ‘No, it’s not. I could’ve caused trouble for you—’

  ‘Rain, seriously, it’s fine. You didn’t do anything wrong.’

  ‘You sure?’

  ‘Positive.’ Lauren paused, a sudden idea taking root in her mind. ‘You know how I said I’m not impulsive?’

  ‘Yeah?’ Rain said, looking confused.

  ‘I lied.’

  Before Rain could respond, Lauren grabbed the cleaning trolley and pushed it back into the storeroom, her heart racing with the thrill of spontaneity.

  ‘Hey, what are you doing?’

  ‘Being impulsive. Come on, let’s get out of here.’

  ‘What? I can’t just leave.’

  ‘Yes, you can. Don’t worry, I’ll let Mr Larkins know you’re with me.’

  Lauren grabbed Rain’s hand, leading her to the underground car park. Once they were inside her car, Rain turned to her.

  ‘So, where are we going?’

  ‘Somewhere we can both relax.’

  Lauren started the car, pulling out of the garage, her mind already at their destination. It was her go-to place when she needed to unwind and forget about the stress and complications of her life.

  When they finally pulled up outside the Treetop spa, Rain turned to her, laughing. ‘Okay, I wasn’t expecting this.’

  ‘What were you expecting?’

  ‘I don’t know, a walk in the park to feed the ducks or something.’

  Lauren laughed. ‘Disappointed?’

  ‘Not at all. I’d be happy anywhere with you.’

  Lauren grinned. ‘Smooth talker.’

  They climbed out of the car and went inside, the scent of essential oils and the soft, soothing music enveloping them like a warm embrace. After paying, they were handed robes and towels, the attendant directing them towards the changing rooms.

  Lauren tried to focus on getting undressed, but it was impossible to ignore Rain’s presence, to block out the fact that she was right there, so close.

  As Lauren slipped out of her blouse, she couldn’t resist sneaking a peek at Rain. Her breath hitched at the sight of Rain’s smooth skin being revealed inch by tantalising inch.

  Forcing herself to look away, Lauren unzipped her skirt, letting it fall to the floor. She reached back to unclasp her bra, her fingers shaking slightly. As her bra fell away, Lauren felt a blush creep up her cheeks, a flutter of vulnerability in her stomach. She was exposed, laid bare in more ways than one, and the knowledge sent a thrill racing through her.

  Unable to resist any longer, Lauren turned to look at Rain. Their eyes locked, and the air between them practically sizzled with electricity, with the unspoken acknowledgement of the desire that flowed between them.

  Rain’s eyes were dark, smouldering with a heat that made Lauren’s knees weak. They roamed over Lauren’s body, drinking in every inch of her.

  Slowly, hesitantly, Rain stepped closer, closing the distance between them. Her hand reached out, hovering in the air for a moment before settling on Lauren’s waist. The touch was electric, sending sparks skittering across Lauren’s skin, igniting a fire deep inside her.

  ‘Lauren,’ Rain whispered, her voice low and husky, filled with the same yearning Lauren felt.

  ‘Rain, I . . .’

  But the words died on her tongue as Rain’s thumb started moving, tracing small circles on her hip. Lauren’s eyes fluttered shut, a shuddering breath escaping her lips at the sensation.

  When she opened her eyes again, Rain was closer, so close Lauren could feel the heat radiating off her body.

  ‘Tell me to stop,’ Rain murmured, her breath warm on Lauren’s lips, making them tingle with the desire to be kissed. ‘Tell me you don’t want this, and I’ll walk away right now.’

  Lauren’s heart stuttered, seized with a sudden, irrational fear that Rain might actually do it, might actually leave. The thought was unbearable, unthinkable, and Lauren knew in that moment she would do anything, risk anything, to keep Rain here with her, to hold onto this perfect moment.

  ‘No . . . don’t stop,’ she said, her hands coming up to grip Rain’s shoulders.

  Something flashed in Rain’s eyes, a flare of heat, of triumph, of pure, unbridled desire. Her lips curved in a slow, sensual smile that made Lauren’s heart race. And then, at last, Rain stepped closer and captured Lauren’s lips in a passionate kiss.

  Lauren melted into the embrace. Rain’s lips were soft yet demanding, coaxing Lauren’s mouth open to deepen the kiss. Her tongue swept inside, stroking, teasing.

  Lauren’s hands slid into Rain’s hair, pulling her near, moulding their bodies together until it was impossible to tell where one ended and the other began.

  They kissed like they were drowning, like they were each other’s air, each other’s salvation. In that moment, in Rain’s arms, Lauren felt more alive, more complete than she ever had before.

  The sound of voices entering the changing room burst their bubble, forcing them back to reality. They broke apart, grinning like a couple of mischievous teenagers as they threw on their robes.

  ‘You know what I want more than anything?’

  ‘Tell me.’

  ‘To spend the night with you.’

  Lauren smiled. ‘I think that can be arranged.’

  Rain’s eyes widened. ‘Really?’

  ‘Yes, really. I need to get Ben settled, then I’m all yours.’

  ‘You have no idea how good that sounds. Waiting until tonight is going to be torture,’ Rain said, her eyes still heavy with desire.

  Lauren leaned in and kissed her briefly on the lips. ‘It’ll be worth it.’

  As they left the changing room, Lauren’s mind raced with thoughts of what she was getting herself into. She knew this was more than just a fling, more than a momentary escape from her crumbling marriage.

  She was ready to take the leap, to follow her heart and see where this adventure would lead. And no matter what happened, she knew she would never regret choosing love over fear.

  They both entered the spa’s treatment room, with two massage beds side by side. The dim lighting bathed the space in a soft, sensual glow. Flickering candles danced across Lauren and Rain’s skin as they shed their robes and lay on the beds next to each other.

  Lauren inhaled the calming scents of lavender and chamomile, attempting to slow her thundering pulse. But her gaze kept straying to the shape of Rain’s body. Her arms dangling either side. She pictured Rain’s hands gliding over her bare back, thumbs digging into tense muscles.

  Rain turned her head, emerald eyes locking with Lauren’s in a seductive stare that made warmth pool low in her belly. As the massage therapist’s deft hands worked hot, fragrant oil into the muscles of Lauren’s back, she let her lids flutter closed, lips parting on a soft moan.

  In her mind’s eye, it was Rain’s strong yet gentle fingers caressing her bare skin.

  A shiver traced its way down Lauren’s arched back as she imagined the Rain’s fingertips grazing along the curve of her lower back, dipping teasingly just beneath the towel draped across her hips. Her breath hitched at the phantom sensation of Rain’s palms sweeping firmly up her sides, thumbs kneading into the silky skin just below her ribcage.

  Lauren could almost feel the heat of Rain’s body moving closer, the whisper of her warm breath fanning across the nape of her neck as dexterous fingers dug into the muscles of her shoulders. A full-body flush crept across Lauren’s skin as her fantasy version of Rain leaned in closer, the soft swell of her breasts pressing against Lauren’s back.

  Unconsciously, Lauren’s back arched further, silently pleading for the intimate caress she so desperately craved from the woman who constantly occupied her thoughts. A breathy whimper escaped parted lips as phantom hands slick with oil dragged torturously up her neck, fingertips skimming along her jawline before departing entirely.

  Lost in the depths of her vivid daydream, Lauren had to stifle a whimper of protest at the loss of Rain’s imagined touch. As the massage therapist continued working out the knots, Lauren let her mind wander, picturing what else those hands could do once she finally allowed herself to have Rain in the way she desperately craved.

  ‘Ready for the sauna?’ Rain’s voice pulled Lauren from her heated reverie.

  Lauren’s eyes snapped open, cheeks flushing as she returned to reality with a subtle jolt. ‘Oh sorry, I must have dozed off,’ she murmured, hoping Rain didn’t notice the dreamy, unfocused look in her hooded gaze.

  But of course, Rain noticed. An amused smirk played over her full lips.

  ‘Whatever you were dreaming about must have been good,’ she said, arching one sculpted brow. ‘Was I in it?’

  Caught off guard, Lauren’s blush deepened. She was grateful for the dim, flickering lighting that concealed her burning cheeks. ‘Maybe,’ she said coyly, avoiding Rain’s penetrating stare.

  Without waiting for a response, Rain gracefully slid off the massage table and allowed her towel to puddle at her feet. Lauren’s breath hitched as she drank in the flawless lines of Rain’s nude form – the gentle swell of her breasts, the defined curves of her hips and thighs, the tight planes of her abdomen.

  Enraptured by the uninhibited confidence with which Rain bared herself, Lauren found herself unable to look away. Even after Rain retrieved her robe, then turned and sauntered towards the door, Lauren’s hungry gaze clung to the sway of her hips.

  ‘You coming?’ Rain tossed the invitation over her shoulder.

  Snapping out of her daze, Lauren hurriedly pulled on her own robe and joined Rain in the sauna before her will could crumble entirely.

  Alone in the wood-panelled room filled with dry, intense heat, Rain allowed her robe to drop, again revealing her breasts, rivulets of sweat winding their way between them. Lauren followed suit, their sides brushing together in the intimate space, sending electric sensations through Lauren’s nerve-endings.

  Breaking the stillness as they sat down on the wooden bench, Rain slowly inched closer until their thighs brushed together. ‘So, tell me …’ she said, her fingers trailing up Lauren’s arm. ‘What was I doing in this dream of yours?’

  Meeting Rain’s stare, she decided there was no use denying her deepest cravings any longer. Slowly, deliberately, she trailed her hands up the sweat-soaked expanse of Rain’s abdomen until they cupped the soft, curves of her breasts.

  ‘This,’ Lauren said, holding Rain’s gaze as she drew teasing circles around peaked nipples with the tips of her thumbs. A low groan escaped Rain’s parted lips, her eyes fluttering closed.

  Emboldened, Lauren leaned in, mouth hovering inches from Rain’s. ‘And this …’ She closed the distance, pulling Rain in for a smouldering kiss.

  Rain’s hands buried into Lauren’s damp hair, angling her closer as their kiss deepened with unrestrained passion. Their slick bodies undulated together, their breasts crushed against one another. When the need for air became too great, they broke apart, chests heaving.

  Rain leaned in again, trailing open-mouthed kisses along Lauren’s neck as her fingers traced patterns down her arched spine. A low, moan rumbled up from Lauren’s core as Rain’s free hand drifted between her parted thighs.

  ‘Is this what you were dreaming about?’ Rain whispered in Lauren’s ear. She didn’t wait for affirmation before her fingers began stroking through Lauren’s slick, velvet folds.

  As Rain’s fingers worked her into a frenzy, Lauren could only cling to her, nails scoring burning paths down Rain’s glistening back.

  When Lauren finally reached her peak, her back arched as she let out a soft cry, her entire body trembling with release. Rain held her tight, refusing to let even an inch of space come between them.

  ‘I want to make that a reality every night,’ Rain said, as Lauren’s breathing slowed.

  Rain tenderly brushed a damp lock of hair from Lauren’s flushed cheek, gazing at her with open adoration. ‘As much as I’m enjoying this moment with you, I think we should get out of here. The sooner you do what you need to do, the sooner we can be alone at my place.’

  Lauren felt a fresh surge of desire at the prospect and nodded in agreement.

  With one last lingering kiss, they reluctantly pulled their robes back on and stepped out of the sauna. Lauren knew the sooner the day’s demands were met, the sooner they could pick up where they left off, finally able to explore their connection without restraint behind closed doors.