‘Yes.’ Magnus smirked, tinkling on. ‘I would sing it, but maybe another time.’
‘Are you a closet Lloyd Webber fan?’
‘Is that something I should be in the closet for?’ He finished and closed the lid. ‘He writes some first-rate music. I thought my little niece might like it and it’s the perfect excuse to unleash my inner musical lover.’
‘Aw man, you are funny… and cute.’
Magnus loosened his neckline and frowned. Skylar saying the cute word could be followed by any number of ill-timed scenarios. ‘Yeah, thanks. Look, I’m sorry about this, but it’s time to part ways. I have to make a move. You had any luck with those hotels?’
Skylar bit on her perfect lips with those amazingly straight teeth. Even without make-up, she was beautiful, in fact, maybe even more so than when she was caked in it. A light smattering of freckles gave her an elfin look. ‘I had another idea,’ she murmured.
‘What idea?’
‘How about I come with you? I could be your travel companion.’
‘My what? Oh… no. Seriously, Skylar, that is not a good idea. I told you, I’m going home. This isn’t just me out on a jolly.’ He jammed his hands in his pockets and turned away. If he looked at her now, he’d give in. What the hell had happened to his restraint – his good sense?
‘Yeah, I get it. I’m sorry.’ She fiddled with the cuff of her pink hoody. Magnus watched her reflection; her expression dropped. ‘I’ll call one of those hotels.’
Facing her again, he gave a stoic nod. That was exactly what she had to do. Her cheeks reddened and she avoided his eyes as she pulled out her phone. Her fingers scrabbled on the case. Maybe she was in more trouble than she’d let on.
‘Look, I don’t want to leave you stranded.’ What a stupid thing to say. What would she have done if he hadn’t bumped into her? She’d have got on with things and he’d have been none the wiser. He could leave her and let her do that again. Except he had bumped into her and that seemed to make her his concern. ‘The thing is, I don’t think you’ve grasped what kind of island I’m going to. It’s remote. There are no towns, just villages. It has no malls, no nightclubs, no amusements or anything that will interest you.’
‘Does it have any hotels?’
‘Hotels, yes. But not the kind of thing you like. It has country houses and seaside hotels, not your big chains or boutiques. In some places, you won’t get internet or mobile, you know, cell reception. It’s not a place for you.’
‘You’re right. Usually, I would agree but right now it sounds exactly what I need. I want to go somewhere out of the way. I need to get out of the limelight and lie low for a bit. Please, let me tag along.’
He arched his eyebrow. ‘Seriously? Are you on the run? Have you done something criminal?’
‘No. I swear.’ She held up her hands. ‘I just want to get away from my family.’
He sighed and ran his fingers over the back of his head. ‘I’m not sure.’
‘Think of all the things we can do on the way.’ The corners of her mouth quirked up.
‘Oh yeah? What you mean by that?’ This seemed more like her.
‘Not so long ago, you were up for anything.’
‘This is exactly the kind of thing I’m afraid of, Skylar.’ Magnus shook his finger at her.
A flicker of panic clouded her eyes. ‘Yeah, sorry.’
‘But come on.’
‘I can come?’
‘Only because I don’t have time to argue.’ He opened the main door and let her out. As they moved into the lift, he continued, ‘I want to make it clear though, that once you’re there, I’m taking no responsibility for you. This is your choice and on your head be it.’
‘That’s fine. I hear you, loud and clear.’
Her smile was inviting. There sat the opening. Was she expecting him to move in and kiss her? It wouldn’t be the first time he’d made a move like that. His love life was a shitstorm and he couldn’t even remember some of the women he’d been with. What kind of a bastard did that make him? But he was free; she was free – as far as he knew – and here they were alone. He’d always found her attractive, but the vulnerability added a new layer. A deep urge to protect her rose in him. Was she such a talented actress she could induce feelings like this? She’d done it before.
The lift pinged and the moment passed.
Magnus rammed his case into the tiny boot. Now Skylar’s was there too, the space was almost too small. ‘Get in,’ he growled.
‘Yes, sir.’
‘I’m talking to the case.’
Moments later, they were back in the car, nipping through the city along the Great Western Road.
‘I am so excited about this. I’ve never been to Scotland before, and now I’m gonna see so much. It’s my own private tour.’
‘Which you could just have paid for.’
‘Yeah, but this way is better.’
Magnus stopped at the red light and swung his head around to consider her. She beamed back. ‘I better not end up getting arrested for abducting you.’
‘You won’t.’ She let out a shaky giggle, which didn’t calm his nerves.
He put his foot down and they drove through the tenement-filled suburbs towards the countryside. Skylar pinned her gaze to the window. The city sprawled behind, becoming gradually more open. Not wanting to bore her with stories or details of places, Magnus kept quiet at first, but it was no use. She threw question after question at him. ‘What’s that? Where are we now? Loch Lomond? Like the song? Why is it called that…?’ And so it went on.
‘Do you want a running commentary?’ He laughed and shook his head.
‘Actually, yes. This is fascinating. You give air commentaries, don’t you?’
‘Not exactly. I just talk about the weather and what conditions we can expect today.’
‘Well, that’ll do. I just like the sound of your voice. I could listen to your accent all day.’
‘Wouldn’t you rather put some music on or the radio?’
‘Not really. But speaking of music, tell me more about this musicals fetish of yours. I don’t mind doing a bit of technicolour dreaming.’
‘So I’ve heard,’ said Magnus with a rough laugh.
‘Meaning what?’
‘Yeah, like you don’t know.’
‘Ok, tell you what. Let’s try this.’
Magnus peered out the corner of his eye. Skylar was swiping through her iPhone. ‘Can I put this on Bluetooth?’
‘Sure. What is it?’
‘Wait and see.’ She fiddled about with the controls. The opening notes of “All I Ask of You” from The Phantom of the Opera flooded the car.
‘Seriously?’
‘Come on Lloyd Webber lover.’ Skylar grinned. Magnus shook his head. The music carried on without a vocalist. ‘You missed your cue,’ said Skylar, flicking it back.
‘You want me to sing it?’
‘Come on, I bet you can.’
The intro started again and this time he did it. Yup. Her mouth fell open. Yes, I can sing, and yes, I know the words.
When she came in with her part, his eyes popped. ‘So much for you needing software to enhance your voice. I think your producers need their hearing tested.’
She raised her hand to her lips as she sang, her mouth wide, displaying even white teeth and an expression of such beauty, Magnus almost forgot to look at the road. ‘Love me,’ she sang, ‘That’s all I ask…’
He poked his tongue into his mouth and shook his head. Was she using this as some kind of come on? Singing was something he’d always enjoyed but he hadn’t practised for a while. Still, the opportunity to duet with a Hollywood actress was a challenge he wasn’t backing down from, and his deep voice resonated around the car, shocking even himself with how powerful it sounded. Skylar equalled him, hitting the high notes with perfection.
‘Oh my god,’ squealed Skylar as the music wound up. ‘You’re utterly awesome.’
‘Hardly,’ he said.
> ‘Believe me, you are.’ She scrolled through her iPod. ‘Do you know Rodgers and Hammerstein?’
‘Not personally.’
‘You know what I mean.’ She gave him a playful prod. ‘Can I put on “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning”?’
‘Knock yourself out.’
‘I mean for you to sing. I can’t believe how good you are.’
‘I don’t know all the words to that. Can I la-la it.’
‘Sure. Or we can duet. I love duetting, I just don’t get the opportunity usually.’
‘Why? Is no one good enough for you? The guys wear the wrong colour boxers or something?’
‘Ha. Yeah. Something like that.’
Soon they were belting out classics from musicals. Magnus la-la-la-ed all the bits where he couldn’t remember the lyrics. The energy was almost better than flying, nearly as good as sex and completely mad. They laughed after every song.
Midway through “One Day More” from Les Misérables, where they were attempting multiple parts each, a queue of red lights brought them to a standstill.
‘What’s going on here?’ Magnus stopped singing, punched down the volume and tapped the steering wheel. ‘There aren’t any roadworks, I checked. And I didn’t see any warning signs.’
‘I could google it.’
‘Do it.’
Skylar lifted her phone and woke it, turning it to face away from him as she dismissed notifications. Blue lights whizzed past and Magnus jumped. An ambulance screeched by, hot on the heels of a police car. ‘I hate seeing that,’ he said. ‘I guess there’s an accident. This is a terrible road.’
Up ahead, some people got out of their car, stretched and glanced around.
‘I can’t find anything on Google.’ Skylar scrolled down the page.
‘Try Traffic Scotland. I’m going to see if these people know anything.’ Magnus unclipped his belt and got out. The wind nipped his cheeks as he approached the couple standing outside their car. ‘Hey,’ he said. ‘Do you know what’s happened?’
‘Looks like an accident.’
‘That’s what I thought.’ Magnus slung his hands into the back pocket of his jeans. ‘This road is notorious.’
‘If it’s serious, the road’ll be shut.’
‘Yeah.’ Magnus checked his watch, feeling like a heel. He was late, but so what? It paled into insignificance if someone was seriously injured, or worse. ‘Jeez. I hope everyone’s ok.’ A gentle pressure on his arm caught his attention. Before he could make sense of it, he looked down to see Skylar. Ah! Those eyes, asking impossible things.
‘It is an accident, according to that website,’ she said. ‘This road’s now shut. I hope everyone’s ok.’ She sucked her lip, her face full of concern. The trees at the roadside swayed in the breeze and she shivered.
Magnus put his arm about her shoulder. The contact stung and soothed him equally; neither was unpleasant. ‘Hey. Go back to the car. You’re frozen.’
She slipped under him and wrapped her arm around his waist. He edged back a little, stopped by the people’s car. Skylar hadn’t backed off physical contact before, but this was more tender than her original move, which had been no more subtle than to stick her tongue down his throat. She stared into the middle distance and Magnus increased the pressure on her shoulder. How good did this feel? Like really good. Nothing like that fake balcony kiss. Here was a connection he wanted to explore at leisure, but this wasn’t the right time or place – or person! He couldn’t go fooling around with a Hollywood movie star. That world was in the past for him. He’d done with the glitz and spangles.
Blinking, she glanced at him with the vague imprint of a smile.
‘Let’s get back to the car. Thanks, guys.’ He waved to the other travellers. ‘What’s up with you?’ he asked, keeping Skylar under his wing. ‘Why this burst of affection?’
‘I don’t like the idea someone might have died. It brings it a bit close to home.’
‘Yeah, I feel the same.’ He let out a sigh, then pulled her into a brief hug. ‘Let’s hope they’re ok and it’s only the cars that are wrecked.’
‘What do we do now?’ Skylar peeked up at him and he released her.
‘I’ll have to turn around and go back.’
‘Back to your apartment?’
He ducked into the car. ‘I’d rather not do that,’ he said.
Skylar banged her door shut and raised her eyebrows. ‘Aren’t there other options?’
‘There’s another road, but it’s a major detour and I doubt we’ll make it to the ferry in time.’ He fingered the keys in the ignition. ‘I’m not sure what to do.’
‘What would you do if I weren’t here?’
‘Go on, try to get there, and if I didn’t make it, check in to a hotel, I guess.’
‘Let’s do that then. I don’t want to hold you back. Just follow your plans and act like I’m not here.’
He started the engine and manoeuvred the car round a twenty-point turn in the narrow road, then zoomed back in the other direction. ‘Yeah, I don’t think there’s any chance we’ll make it tonight. This road isn’t much longer in distance, but it’s twisty and there’s no way of going fast.’
‘That’s fine by me. I’ll kick back and watch the view.’ She rested her head, her gaze fixed on him.
‘Then why are you looking at me?’
She gave another nervous giggle. ‘Well…’ She shrugged. ‘You always were a handsome guy.’
‘Seriously? That’s cheesy even for you.’ He shook his head but his ego was touched. ‘Listen, if there’s reception here, I should call my mum. If she hears there’s been an accident, she’ll panic. If there’s any kind of air accident, she messages me to ask if I’m alive.’
‘Get calling then. She sounds like an awesome mom.’
‘Yeah.’ Flicking through the handsfree, Magnus punched the call button. ‘It’s ringing. That’s good because once we get past Arrochar, there’s no chance of reception.’
Skylar raised her shoulders and put out her palms. ‘If you say so.’
‘Hello!’ A cheerful voice filled the car and Magnus put his finger to his lips. Skylar drew her fingers across her mouth, miming zipping it shut. ‘How are you, darling? Are you nearly here?’
‘No, sorry. There’s a road closed at Loch Lomond. We’re going round via Inverary, but I don’t think we’ll make the last ferry.’
‘Oh, darling. I’m sorry about that, but will you be able to stay somewhere?’
‘We’ll get a hotel in Oban. There’s always something.’
‘Oh, it’s so nice to hear your voice. And how’s your new girlfriend? Is she looking forward to coming?’
Skylar whipped her head around and stared. ‘What new girlfriend?’ she mouthed. ‘You said you were single.’
Magnus coughed. ‘Mum, about that…’
‘Oh, sorry. How silly of me. Is your phone on speaker? She’s listening, isn’t she? Oh, goodness, I am a silly mum. Hello, new girlfriend.’
Magnus glared at the handsfree and silently bashed the wheel.
‘Hey,’ said Skylar.
‘Nooo!’ Magnus whisper-shouted so only Skylar could hear. She grinned as his mum continued.
‘I hope you’re well. Magnus hasn’t even told us your name yet.’
He shook his head wildly and waggled his index finger, warning her not to reply. ‘Right, Mum, I should go. We’ll talk about this tomorrow.’
‘Of course, darling, see you both tomorrow. Love you.’
‘Love you, Mum.’ He hit the end call button. ‘But you won’t be seeing both of us. Why did you reply to her?’
‘She was saying hi to me.’
‘Eh, no. She was saying hi to my girlfriend, and in case you haven’t noticed, that isn’t you.’
‘You said you didn’t have a girlfriend.’
‘No, I said I was going to the wedding alone, which isn’t the same.’
‘Oh, ok.’ She shuffled in her seat. ‘Sorry.’
‘Look,
we split, ok. I haven’t told Mum yet. And none of this is your business.’ He started muttering to himself. Why had he used the bloody royal we? Having Skylar in the car had thrown him. But it didn’t matter. ‘Tomorrow, you’re going wherever you’re going and I’m going to tell my mum my lovely new girlfriend gets seasick and couldn’t bring herself to get on the boat.’
‘Why not tell her the truth?’
‘Because… No, seriously, it’s none of your business.’ Cranking the gears, he sped on, keeping his eyes on the road, determined not to be distracted by his passenger – for the next few minutes anyway. Because it was a losing battle. Something about her appealed on a raw level and he didn’t have the willpower to say no. What harm could come of it though? A brief hook-up with Skylar Rousse wasn’t something he felt the need to pass on.
Chapter 7
Taylor
Warm fuzziness and Taylor’s life didn’t usually go hand in hand. But right now, she tingled with it. Her smile almost hurt as it pushed her cheeks wide. It wasn’t her business to pry into Magnus’s past, but sharing his present was good enough.
This guy cared about his family, he’d hugged her in her moment of worry, they’d sung together and made beautiful music. Even when he was ignoring her, she was certain he wouldn’t abandon her. She felt safe with him, like she could tackle anything. Words from the songs buzzed around her head. The duets she’d chosen were all about love and warmth. Hearing words like that and responding, even when it was just an act, felt so good.
‘Why don’t you get on your phone and start looking for hotels in Oban?’ he muttered.
‘For me? For you…? Or for both of us?’ Her gaze landed on his furrowed brow and she smirked. Skylar wouldn’t waste a chance like this.
‘Both of us?’
‘Well, you need somewhere too, don’t you? I could find us both somewhere.’
‘Right. But not together.’
‘No?’ she said, willing him to glance back. ‘You don’t fancy sharing?’ Her heart fluttered. Skylar would do this. She had the last time. But Taylor’s experience with men wasn’t as widespread as Skylar’s. Still, this trip had no endgame, so why should she care? She was on this ride just for the ride. She could hop off any time, or he could shove her off. None of it mattered. Her teeth brushed against her lip and she sucked it in, barely considering the impact of her words. ‘I thought you might like to pick up where we left off.’
A Flight of Fancy (Scottish Island Escapes Book 6) Page 5