Before she could say a word, he swept the feet from under her and carried her to the end of the pier. ‘Oh, my god… Do not throw me in. I won’t let go if you do, I’ll pull you in with me.’
He laughed and swung her around, walking back towards the boat. ‘I wasn’t going to. Honestly, as if I would. I was just helping you onto the boat.’ With a grunt, he set her on her feet and helped her aboard. ‘There.’
Taylor shaded her eyes from the glinting reflection of the still sea.
Magnus leapt on board. For a few moments he stood quite still, then he placed the cool box on the deck with a clink.
‘I have something for you,’ he said.
Taylor moved closer. Without dropping her gaze, she took his hand. ‘And I have something for you.’
‘What?’ His pupils pierced hers.
She leaned in, stroked her fingertips over his rough cheek and gently raised her lips to him. ‘This.’ Her heart almost leapt from her chest, blood rushed to her head and surged through every part of her body as she tasted his lips, soft with Burt’s Beeswax. He slipped his hands around her waist and pulled her closer. The kiss deepened. He groaned and pushed her gently; she stumbled back against the wall of the boat. He pinned her fast, kissing her until she threw her head back.
He released her and lifted his neck to breathe. With his arm still rigid against the boat, he braced himself. ‘Thank you.’
The corners of her lips turned up. ‘You’re welcome.’
‘But…’
‘What? Not good enough?’ she said.
‘Definitely good enough, just not long enough.’ He leaned in again, and she lost herself in a world where only the two of them existed.
‘Magnus,’ she whispered, breaking away and catching her breath. ‘What were you going to give me?’
‘Oh. You distracted me.’ He fished in his pocket, withdrawing a little black box.
Taylor gaped at it, her heart hammering. ‘This is a bit sudden, isn’t it?’
He smiled, still holding out the box. ‘You better open it and find out.’
With a shaky hand, Taylor took the box and flipped it open. A silver bracelet twinkled and she tugged it gently. Set in the middle was a pink pebble, polished up and gleaming. ‘Is this the little pebble I found on the beach here?’
‘It sure is.’
Taylor slipped it onto her wrist. Magnus watched, smiling. The sun sparkled and reflected in his glossy irises.
‘It’s perfect,’ she said.
‘It doesn’t mean I don’t want other things,’ he said. ‘In the future, when we’re ready. I’m happy to go with you wherever you like. I’m in this for the long haul and…’ He stopped and took a breath. ‘I hope you’re with me.’
She flung her arms around his neck. ‘Of course I am. I’ll be with you as long as you want me.’
‘I don’t think there’ll ever be a day when I don’t.’ Magnus held her close and she closed her eyes, resting on his shoulder. After years of uncertainty, she finally had something for herself and she intended to make the most of every precious moment.
The End
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Margaret
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More Books by Margaret Amatt
Scottish Island Escapes – Season 1
A Winter Haven
A Spring Retreat
A Summer Sanctuary
An Autumn Hideaway
A Christmas Bluff
Scottish Island Escapes – Season 2
A Flight of Fancy
A Hidden Gem
A Striking Result
A Perfect Discovery
A Festive Surprise
For more information on locations in these books, please view the map here.
A Winter Haven
She was the one that got away… Now she’s back.
Career-driven Robyn Sherratt returns to her childhood home on the Scottish Isle of Mull, hoping to build bridges with her estranged family. She discovers her mother struggling to run the family hotel. When an old flame turns up, memories come back to bite, nibbling into Robyn’s fragile heart.
Carl Hansen, known as The Fixer, abandoned city life for peace and tranquillity. Swapping his office for a log cabin, he mends people’s broken treasures. He can fix anything, except himself. When forced to work on hotel renovations with Robyn, the girl he lost twelve years ago, his quiet life is sent spinning.
Carl would like nothing more than to piece together the shattered shards of Robyn’s heart. But can she trust him? What can a broken man like him offer a successful woman like her?
A Spring Retreat
She’s gritty, he’s determined. Who will back down first?
When spirited islander Beth McGregor learns of plans to build a road through the family farm, she sets out to stop it. But she’s thrown off course by the charming and handsome project manager. Sparks fly, sending Beth into a spiral of confusion. Guys are fine as friends. Nothing else.
Murray Henderson has finally found a place to retreat from the past with what seems like a straightforward job. But he hasn’t reckoned on the stubbornness of the locals, especially the hot-headed and attractive Beth.
As they battle together over the proposed road, attraction blooms. Murray strives to discover the real Beth; what secrets lie behind the tough façade? Can a regular farm girl like her measure up to Murray’s impeccable standards, and perhaps find something she didn’t know she was looking for?
A Summer Sanctuary
She’s about to discover the one place he wants to keep secret
Five years ago, Island girl Kirsten McGregor broke the company rules. Now, she has the keys to the Hidden Mull tour bus and is ready to take on the task of running the business. But another tour has arrived. The competition is bad enough but when she recognises the rival tour operator, her plans are upended.
Former jet pilot Fraser Bell has made his share of mistakes. What better place to hide and regroup than the place he grew to love as a boy? With great enthusiasm, he launches into his new tour business, until old-flame Kirsten shows up and sends his world plummeting.
Kirsten may know all the island’s secrets, but what she can’t work out is Fraser. With tension simmering, Kirsten and Fraser’s attraction increases. What if they both made a mistake before? Is one of them about to make an even bigger one now?
An Autumn Hideaway
She went looking for someone, but it wasn’t him.
After a string of disappointments for chirpy city girl Autumn, discovering her notoriously unstable mother has run off again is the last straw. When Autumn learns her mother’s last known whereabouts was a remote Scottish Island, she makes the rash decision to go searching for her.
Taciturn islander Richard has his reasons for choosing the remote Isle of Mull as home. He’s on a deadline and doesn’t need any complications or company. But everything changes after a chance encounter with Autumn.
Autumn chips away at Richard’s reserve until his carefully constructed walls start to crumble. But Autumn’s just a passing visitor and Richard has no plans to leave. Will they realise, before it’s too late, that what they’ve been searching for isn’t necessarily what’s missing?
A Christmas Bluff
She’s about to trespass all over his Christmas.
Artist and photographer Georgia Rose has spent two carefree years on the Isle of Mull and is looking forward to a quiet Christmas... Until she discovers her family is about to descend upon her, along with her past.
Aloof aristocrat Archie Crichton-Leith has let out his island mansion to a large party from the mainland. They’re expecting a castle for Christmas, not an outdated old pile, and he’s in trouble.
/> When Georgia turns up with an irresistible smile and an offer he can’t refuse, he’s wary, but he needs her help.
As Georgia weaves her festive charms around the house, they start to work on Archie too. And the spell extends both ways. But falling in love was never part of the deal. Can the magic outlast Christmas when he’s been conned before and she has a secret that could ruin everything?
A Flight of Fancy
She’s masquerading as her twin, pretending to be his girlfriend, while really just being herself.
After years of being cooped up by her movie star family, Taylor Rousse is desperate to escape. Having a Hollywood actress as a twin is about all Taylor can say for herself, but when she’s let down by her sister for the umpteenth time, she decides now is the time for action.
Pilot Magnus Hansen is heading back to his family home on the Isle of Mull for his brother’s wedding and he’s not looking forward to showing up single. The eldest of three brothers shouldn’t be the last married – no matter how often he tells himself he’s not the marrying type.
On his way, Magnus crashes into a former fling. She’s a Hollywood star looking for an escape and they strike a deal: he’s her ticket to a week of peace; she’s his new date. Except Taylor isn’t who he thinks she is. When she and Magnus start to fall for each other, their double deception threatens to blow up in their faces and shatter everything that might have been.
A Hidden Gem
She has a secret past. He has an uncertain future. Together, can they unlock them both?
After being framed for embezzlement by her ex, career-driven Rebekah needs a break to nurse her broken heart and wounded soul. When her grandmother dies, leaving her a precious necklace and a mysterious note, she sets out to unravel a family secret that’s been hidden for over sixty years.
Blair has lived all his life on the Isle of Mull. He’s everybody’s friend – with or without the benefits – but at night he goes home alone. When Rebekah arrives, he’s instantly attracted to her, but she’s way out of his league. He needs to keep a stopper on his feelings or risk losing her friendship.
As Rebekah’s quest continues, she’s rocked by unexpected feelings for her new friend. Can she trust her heart as much as she trusts Blair? And can he be more than just a friend? Perhaps the truth isn’t the only thing waiting to be found.
About the author
I’m a writer, mummy, wife and chocolate eater (in any order you care to choose). I live in highland Perthshire in a little house close to the woods where I often see red squirrels, deer and other such tremendously Scottish wildlife… Though not normally haggises or even men in kilts!
It’s my absolute pleasure to be able to bring the Scottish Island Escapes series to you and I hope you love reading the stories as much as I enjoy writing them. Writing is an escapist joy for me and I adore disappearing into my imagination and returning with a new story to tell.
If you want to keep up with what’s coming next or learn more about any of the books or the series, then be sure to visit me on the following platforms! I look forward to seeing you there.
www.margaretamatt.com
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Acknowledgements
Thanks goes to my adorable husband for supporting my dreams and putting up with my writing talk 24/7. Also to my son, whose interest in my writing always makes me smile. It’s precious to know I’ve passed the bug to him – he’s currently writing his own fantasy novel and instruction books on how to build Lego!
Throughout the writing process, I have gleaned help from many sources and met some fabulous people. I’d like to give a special mention to Stéphanie Ronckier, my beta reader extraordinaire’. Stéphanie’s continued support with my writing is invaluable and I love the fact that I need someone French to correct my grammar! Stéphanie, you rock. To my lovely friend, Lyn Williamson, thank you for your continued support and encouragement with all my projects. And to my fellow authors, Evie Alexander and Lyndsey Gallagher – you girls are the best! I love it that you always have my back and are there to help when I need you. Thank you also to Mandi Blake for reading this book and checking I got all the Americanisms correct! Much appreciated.
Also, a huge thanks to my editor, Aimee Walker, at Aimee Walker Editorial Services for her excellent work on my novels and for answering all my mad questions. Thank you so much, Aimee!
Free Hugs & Old-Fashioned Kisses.
A short story only available to newsletter subscribers
Do you ever get one of those days when you just fancy snuggling up? Then this captivating short story is for you. And what’s more, it’s free when you sign up to my newsletter. Time to get cosy and indulge in some Free Hugs & Old-Fashioned Kisses
Meet Livvi, a girl who just needs a hug. And Jakob, a guy who doesn’t go about hugging random strangers. But what if he makes an exception, just this once?
A Flight of Fancy (Scottish Island Escapes Book 6) Page 22