A Flight of Fancy (Scottish Island Escapes Book 6)

by Margaret Amatt

  Taylor glanced at Magnus still at the helm. He seemed resolute in looking forward and not taking part in their conversation. Jakob signalled to Livvi and she opened the door. He nipped up the stairs and flopped onto a seat, Polly fast asleep zipped into his jacket, resting her head on the crook of his neck – too adorable for words. Taylor started to understand how difficult this trip would have been for Magnus to make alone. She got to her feet and moved in behind him again, slipping both her arms around his neck and linking them at his chest. ‘You’re awesome,’ she whispered in his ear, rubbing her cheek against his stubble.

  ‘What’s brought this on?’

  ‘I just wanted you to know.’

  ‘Thanks.’

  She stayed stooped over, holding onto him until they were back at the jetty. ‘Have you taken over driving completely?’

  ‘Yeah. I think Carl wants to chill.’

  Taylor let go as Magnus manoeuvred the boat into place. Carl leapt out and tied her up.

  As Fenella was expecting them home for dinner, Taylor and Magnus said their farewells. Taylor wanted to talk to Magnus all the way home and words tumbled around her head, but none came out. He turned on some gentle music and Taylor’s eyelids grew heavy. Her forehead touched the window’s cool glass and the exhaustion from the past few days finally caught her.

  Chapter 14

  Magnus

  It seemed a shame to wake her. Magnus tapped the steering wheel, looking between the bungalow and Taylor. If he could carry her as gently and carefully as Jakob had done with little Polly, he would. But even with her Hollywood figure, he’d never get her out without waking her.

  ‘Hey.’ He ran the back of his hand down her cheek. ‘Taylor.’

  She stirred, closing her mouth and blinking slowly.

  ‘We’re back,’ he said.

  ‘Oh, god.’ She sat up and pressed her fingers to her forehead. ‘I didn’t mean to fall asleep.’

  ‘It’s ok, you’re allowed to.’

  ‘I know. I just… Oh, I’m sorry. I wanted to chat.’

  ‘You needed the rest more.’ He stroked her cheek again. ‘Are you ok to go in or do you want to sit for a minute?’

  ‘I’m ok.’ She yawned. ‘Would you listen to me? I think it must have been the sea air. What a great day. Your family are so cute. I love being part of this.’

  ‘Do you? Isn’t all this beneath you?’

  ‘Not at all. I swear.’

  Magnus flipped her a sceptical look, then undid his seatbelt. He hopped to the far side and helped her out; she wobbled. As they strolled to the bungalow door, he slung his arm around her shoulder. ‘This is a crazy thing we’re doing, but if we take out the fake stuff, I do like you being here with me.’

  Her eyebrows peaked in the middle and the corner of her lips turned up. ‘Thank you.’

  ‘On a human level, I want you to know that.’

  ‘I like you too.’ She leaned in. ‘And Magnus—’

  He clasped her face and kissed her before she could say anything else. Something was brewing and he wasn’t ready for it. He wanted to cling to this moment. Taking it long and slow, the way he liked best, he intensified the friction with teasing flicks of his tongue, peppering her lips, then sliding in to taste perfection.

  The bungalow door clicked. ‘Oh, there you are, sorry,’ said Fenella

  Magnus broke off and stared into the middle distance before turning to his mum. ‘Hi, Mum,’ he said.

  ‘Hey,’ said Taylor, glancing at her feet and brushing her palm on her thigh.

  ‘Come in, it’s so cold out here.’ As they passed, Fenella said to Taylor, ‘Sorry to butt in like that.’

  ‘It’s ok,’ said Taylor, her cheeks pink and flushed.

  ‘No, Mum, it isn’t,’ said Magnus.

  ‘How was I to know what you were up to? I didn’t want you getting cold.’

  I was quite warm enough. He clamped his mouth shut.

  ‘I think you’re an amazing mom and you’ve raised three great sons,’ said Taylor.

  ‘Aww, thank you.’ Fenella opened her arms and hugged her. Magnus smiled as he took off his jacket and hung it inside the hall cupboard.

  A long evening, which Magnus would have found tedious on his own, seemed to delight Taylor. She beamed, soaking up the family chat and joining in with the stories, though not telling any of her own. It was easy to forget none of this was real.

  With a huge grin, she allowed Fenella to fix her a bath. ‘I have these wonderful bath bombs,’ said Fenella. ‘Choose whichever one you like. I get them from the island soap shop and they’re truly amazing.’ Winking at Magnus, Taylor disappeared into the bathroom and Fenella said, ‘Take your time, just relax. Make the most of your break.’ She emerged, drying her hands, and closed the door. ‘Are you going in with her?’ she asked Magnus.

  ‘No, Mum,’ he said defensively.

  Fenella chuckled and patted him on the arm. ‘Come and get a cuppa.’ Bypassing the living room, Magnus glimpsed his father watching the TV and Aunt Jean lost behind a ball of wool, knitting pins clacking manically together.

  ‘Taylor’s a lovely girl,’ said Fenella as they reached the kitchen and she set the kettle to boil.

  ‘Yeah, isn’t she?’

  ‘She told me about her family yesterday.’

  ‘Did she?’ Magnus shuffled his feet. Had she fabricated some story to tug at Fenella’s heartstrings? ‘What did she say?’

  Fenella opened the cupboard and pulled out two mugs. ‘About her parents being public figures in America and how she grew up in the spotlight. I think it’s been hard for her, she’s always been in their shadow. And I think her sister is big in the dance world. Taylor’s been pushed out of sight and had very little confidence until recently. It’s been a steep learning curve. She’s still young.’

  ‘I know, and don’t start getting at me about that.’ He frowned at the half-truths blending with Taylor’s fiction and wished he could lessen Fenella’s sympathy without sounding callous.

  ‘I don’t mind. Age is just a number, as Jean keeps reminding me. But it does worry me.’

  ‘Why? I’m not taking advantage of her.’ No. This had been her idea and everything they’d done was perfectly consensual.

  ‘I’m glad to hear it. I didn’t raise my boys to behave like that, but she’s young enough to be impressionable. Your relationship has worked well for her. She told me…’ Fenella lowered her voice ‘… she’s never felt so strongly about anyone. And I can see how much she means to you. I’d hate for her to get hurt.’

  Magnus shook his head and leant back on the work surface. ‘Look, she’s a bigger girl than you think.’ Shit, double shit and bloody hell. His mum had fallen hook, line and sinker for the act. He’d have to leave it several months before he dropped the ‘we’ve split up’ bomb. Otherwise, she’d think he was a cold-hearted monster who’d dumped a woman who truly loved him. Of course, when this woman was a seasoned actress, she could pull off that trick without any bother.

  Fenella put her hands on her hips. ‘Magnus.’ Her voice was stern. ‘Why do you do that?’

  ‘Do what?’

  ‘Act as if nothing will come of it. You were the same with Julie, and in some ways that turned out for the best. She has a mean streak and she can be difficult. But it was your lack of commitment that drove her away.’

  Magnus poured himself a cup of tea. ‘Look, she wanted impossible things from me. She’s committed to living here; I’m not and I never was. She wanted to house hunt with a view to me settling back here, but that wasn’t what I wanted. Sometimes, she changed it to wanting a holiday house, but that was to appease me. She had no intention of leaving and I had no intention of giving up my job. It wasn’t because of commitment fears.’

  ‘Wasn’t it?’ Fenella looked askance.

  ‘Even if it was, you said it yourself, I was right in that instance.’

  ‘Well, I hope you’ll at least give Taylor a chance. I’d hate to think she’s put in all this e
ffort only for you to dump her in a few months.’

  ‘What effort are we talking about?’ He frowned. Was it that obvious she was putting on a show?

  ‘She’s flown all the way from America to share your brother’s wedding with you. That’s a pretty grand gesture and it tells me she cares a lot about you.’

  ‘Hmm, yeah.’ He cradled his mug, not looking at his mum.

  ‘It’s plain to see, Magnus. Maybe this time, instead of thinking you’re in it for the short term, why not flip your mindset and imagine what things might be like long term. If you would let them.’

  ‘Yeah, we’ll see.’

  ‘Promise me you’ll try, for both your sakes.’

  He nodded but didn’t promise. How could he? Because he and Taylor were as incompatible as ever. Come the end of the week, she’d be back in Hollywood, starring in films, and Magnus Hansen, the man from the island, would be a tiny dot in the multi-coloured painting that was the life of Skylar Rousse.

  Had Taylor fallen asleep in the bath? Ages passed. Magnus got himself ready for bed and brushed his teeth in the tiny cloakroom near the door, using his travel toothbrush.

  As he passed the bathroom door, he heard water splashing and a thud as feet hit the floor. He returned to his room and switched on the bedside light before perching on the edge of the bed, rubbing the soft hairs on his thighs. He grabbed the control for the electric blanket and lowered it a notch. The heat was too much.

  The door opened with a slight creak and Taylor slipped in wearing her skimpy nightwear.

  ‘What kept you?’ he said. ‘Did you fall asleep?’

  ‘No. I was just thinking.’

  ‘Oh.’ He ran his hand over his forehead. ‘Can I turn off the blanket? It’s too hot for me.’

  ‘Sure.’ She deposited her clothes and hopped into the bed. ‘I thought it was you who was too hot for me.’

  ‘Yeah. Funny.’ He clicked off the blanket and shuffled under the covers. ‘But I will keep you warm if you like.’

  ‘Ok. But I might start thinking you only love me for my body.’

  ‘Who said I loved you at all?’

  ‘Well, you’re my boyfriend, so you’re supposed to at least pretend, aren’t you?’

  Leaning out the bed, he turned off the light, rolled over and found Taylor. She nuzzled in close. ‘Yeah, I guess.’

  ‘How about we tell each other some things we love about each other…’ Taylor ran her fingertips along his cheekbone.

  ‘But—’

  ‘Shh. Let me start. I love your hair and how soft it is on top.’ Her fingertips slipped into his curls. ‘And I love your eyes, they’re so bright. And I love your arms.’

  ‘My arms?’ He huffed but tightened his grip.

  ‘Because they’re strong, and I love the way they hold me and make me feel safe.’

  ‘Right.’ What was she doing? This was like some kind of kinky talk, but lust wasn’t the only thing rushing through his veins. Whatever it was, it strengthened him.

  ‘And I love your voice; your Scottish accent is so charming. And your laugh, and your wit. I love your family and the way you value them and respect them.’

  ‘Ok, Taylor.’ He stroked her hair and kissed her forehead. ‘You’re making me blush. This is all lovely but—’

  ‘Shh. Don’t spoil it. I love the way you make me feel like me. I love how you kiss me and how you make love.’

  ‘Taylor—’

  ‘I mean it.’ She slipped her fingers under his shirt and ran them over his back. ‘Now, it’s your turn.’ Magnus closed his eyes. ‘Tell me,’ she whispered.

  ‘This is just you acting, right?’

  ‘Tell me.’

  ‘I love…’ The word choked him for a second. ‘I love… how we share the same taste in music.’

  Her laugh fell as a breath on his neck and he twitched.

  ‘And I love it when we sing together; it’s exhilarating. I love your talent. Not just the singing but the way you’re making all this feel a lot more real than it should.’ Why was he playing along? Now he’d started he couldn’t stop. He gently stroked her back as he whispered, ‘I love how wanted you make me feel, and how you’re doing this not just for your own benefit but also for mine. It’s helping me so much. I love how natural you are. None of this feels forced, and the way you’ve adapted to everything here is amazing.’

  Taylor sniffed and Magnus smoothed his hands over her face before anchoring his fingers in her hair.

  ‘Taylor, what is it?’ The damp edges of her eyes betrayed her.

  ‘I don’t want this week to end. I can see it being the best and worst week of my life.’

  ‘Let’s just ride it out and see what happens.’

  ‘But what happens after that?’

  ‘I don’t know, Taylor.’ He placed another lingering kiss on her forehead. ‘I guess you go back to Hollywood and I go back to the air.’

  ‘Yeah, that’s what I thought.’

  Well, that was the deal after all, wasn’t it?

  Chapter 15

  Taylor

  Taylor woke early, dazed by the memory of the words that had passed between her and Magnus. Acting or not, those words had a powerful impact on her soul. She’d discovered what being loved felt like. Pale yellow light crept through the slight crack in the curtain, casting a dim glow around the room. Where was Magnus? Had she scared him off?

  She sat up. No. Had she blown it completely? Somewhere in the house came the sound of a toilet flushing and moments later the door creaked open.

  ‘There you are,’ she said, relief washing over her.

  ‘Bathroom break,’ he muttered, rubbing his eyes. ‘That’s all.’

  ‘Actually…’ Taylor, suddenly aware of her own need, leapt up.

  ‘Are you ok?’ he asked.

  ‘Bursting.’

  The bed was blissfully warm when she returned. And super hot when Magnus rolled closer. ‘Are you naked?’ she whispered, her hands finding the answer before he spoke.

  ‘And ready,’ he said, kissing her. ‘Let’s risk it.’

  ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘After your talk last night, I hardly slept.’

  ‘I meant it.’ With every fragment of her soul.

  He ran his finger over his cheek. ‘I’m not so good at talking about stuff like that. Let me show you.’

  His words were good enough for her but she wasn’t going to pass up an opportunity. She sat up and pulled off her top. ‘Ok.’

  With a broad grin, he lowered her to the mattress the moment she was in the bed and sealed his mouth on hers. She kissed him with more force than she intended. Her hips ground against him, the soft fabric of her pyjama shorts adding friction, making her ache. Magnus rolled his palms over her, softly but powerfully. Taylor arched into him as his lips found her sensitive spots and drowned them in his attention. When she was satisfied and drunk on pleasure, Magnus positioned himself between her thighs, and Taylor let out a sigh as they became one again, as they were meant to be.

  ‘Is this ok?’

  She loved the way he always asked. No other man had ever cared. ‘Sure,’ she replied. She’d always be ok when they were together – when he was hers and no one else’s.

  She brought her hands to his chest, down his abs and slipped them under his arms, digging her nails into his back and savouring every second. The mattress was wonderfully soft and not at all creaky.

  Taylor’s eyelids dropped as she concentrated on the charge building inside. Magnus’s heavy breathing filled the room and she guessed he was trying not to make a sound.

  ‘Jesus, Taylor,’ he whisper-growled in her ear.

  Her eyes rolled back and she let go, holding back nothing except the cry she wanted to let rip. She gripped his shoulders and together they held their breath until everything calmed. He flopped onto her, panting.

  As he rolled over, he took her with him. She rested her cheek on his warm shoulder and her fingers touched his skin above his racing heart. All the wee
k’s happiness flowed through her: the family love, the warmth, the acceptance and this. A tear pricked and she rubbed against his neck to push it away.

  ‘Holy mother,’ whispered Magnus. ‘We should get an Oscar for this.’ His chest rose and fell. Taylor moved with it. ‘The best silent performance for a century.’

  ‘Yeah,’ said Taylor, tracing a circle on his pecs and making him twitch. She let out a faint moan and Magnus gently rolled his palm over her back, causing her to melt into a pool of perfect nothingness. The warmth sent her into a stupor and she closed her eyes, drifting off for an unknown length of time and only waking when the covers moved above her. Magnus was up and tucking her in.

  ‘You sleep for a bit. I should shower and get ready, I’m leaving soon.’

  ‘Ok.’ Taylor nuzzled into the pillow but still watched out the corner of her eye as he pulled his pyjama bottoms back on.

  He was due off on a secret stag event that day, and Taylor was going to help Fenella, but she grudged the time away from Magnus.

  Before he left, he tucked away a strand of her hair and kissed her goodbye. ‘I hope it goes ok today. I’ll miss you.’

  ‘I’ll miss you too.’ She slipped her arm around his neck and kissed him full on. He responded but when they broke apart, he looked a little uncertain. She wanted to repeat the words of the night before in daylight. I love you. But something stopped her; the timing wasn’t quite right.

  ‘I better go.’

  Loneliness and emptiness rolled over her again – back to the default state, where no one saw her or knew she existed. He’d flipped her world. The way he looked at her, the words he said, how he made love to her, and the warmth they’d shared all belonged to her. Whatever lust he’d had for Skylar for a few minutes was nothing compared to this. Would it be the same if he knew who I was though? Maybe his feelings developed because Skylar was who he wanted.

  After she’d fully woken, she showered and traipsed into the kitchen to fix herself a coffee. Someone touched her shoulder. Taylor turned round. Fenella placed her arm around her. ‘You look lost. Are you ok?’

  ‘Yes, just… You know.’

  ‘Missing Magnus?’

  ‘It’s strange without him.’