“How could anyone not like yer mother?” Mac questioned, scrubbing his whiskered chin with his hand.
Nicky shrugged. “I don’t know. My parents didn’t really hit it off with Eric either, so that compounded the problem. And when my wedding business took off, and we started spending less and less time together, I knew it was the beginning of the end. But the real kicker was how he broke things off.”
“How’d he do it?” Mac asked, his brow furrowed with unease.
“Text message,” she spat, the very thought leaving her nauseous.
“Crivvens,” he gasped.
Scowling, she tried to explain. “Apparently, he was offered some big-wig job in Manhattan – never even told me about the interview. I woke up one morning to a text saying it was over and he was gone, just like that.”
“How gash. I’m so sorry for ye—”
“Don’t be,” she interrupted. Turning away, she tilted her head toward the cloudy sky and squinted. “It’s his loss. To begin with, I should’ve known better than to get involved with a blatant liar.”
“Liar?” Mac’s tone turned softer, and she was aware he had scooted closer to her on the blanket.
“Yes. I had a suspicion Eric was seeing another girl in the city. But I was so busy with my business, I didn’t see the signs. Looking back, I totally blame myself. It was totally my fault…”
“Nae!” Mac palmed her cheek, turning her head to where she faced him, directly peering into his stormy blue eyes. “Ye’re a bonny woman. A truly confident man can be honest with his heart about anything. Ye deserve that.”
Nicky blinked back at him, the familiar ache of her painful breakup briefly rising up and catching in her throat. Swallowing hard, she willed those feelings back into the compartments she vowed never to open again. Being in the business of happily-ever-after intensified her feelings at times, and she wondered if true love would ever be in the cards.
“Come here.” Mac pulled her forward, wrapping her in a bear hug, his breath skating over the shell of her ear. “Ye need to be loved by a man who appreciates everything about ye. Ye’re right, it’s his loss. He wasn’t the one. Good riddance.” The ‘r’ rolled off his tongue in his native accent as she buried her nose into his neck and sighed. A rumble of thunder echoed in the distance and heightened her senses, making her disengage from their embrace. Scanning the horizon, her heart fell to her feet.
“We have to go,” she mumbled, fumbling away from him as the breeze picked up.
Mac reached for her and clutched her hands, bringing one of them up to his lips, lightly pressing a kiss on her knuckles. Thankful in the moment for his soft candor, her hesitation was brief for only a few seconds more as she dared to lean into him and trace the auburn whiskers around his mouth. The fire in her belly was constant since she’d found him sitting at the kitchen table with her mother earlier in the morning. Eric would never have done that. Reid Macpherson was laid-back and easy to be around. In fact, it was effortless being in his presence – their banter, deep conversations, quiet moments, and palpable chemistry something she coveted the more she got to know him. She so wanted to get closer to the famous Scot, but knew their time together was coming to an end – just like the beautiful summer day turning on a dime, the pop-up thunderstorm getting closer by the minute.
As the air swirled the wisps of hair around her face, she urged herself forward, surprised when she boldly pressed her mouth to his. His lemony essence tingled her senses as they both surrendered to the kiss. His arms snaked around her waist and rested on her backside, squeezing with the rhythm of his tongue sweeping her mouth. The kiss was lengthy and profound – the thunder edging louder and louder, syncing with the pounding of her heart.
“Nicky!” A man’s voice cut through the air, startling them both.
Pulling back from Mac, she immediately stood and searched the overgrown entrance to the trail. There stood Russell Ingram, one of the island caretakers. Dressed in his khaki uniform and hiking boots, he held a walkie-talkie in his hand, the static voice on the other end announcing the last tour boat departing the dock leaving the island in the all-clear. “Roger that,” Russell spoke into the device, stomping across the faded grass toward them with an exaggerated scowl on his nerdy face. When he got within a couple of feet of their windblown picnic area, Nicky stood tall with her chin jutted out.
“What in the heck are you doing up here, Nicky? You know you’re not supposed to go off the marked trails. One wrong step and you could get yourself killed falling over this ledge.” Russell motioned with his walkie-talkie toward the rocky edge, nostrils flaring.
“Come on, Russ. You and I both know I’ve been up here a thousand times. It’s no biggie,” she grated, rolling her eyes, irritated he made her look foolish in front of Mac. The two men looked on as she picked up the remnants of the picnic and shoved them back in the basket.
“Who are you?” Russell’s hands were on his hips in a commanding gesture, and he threw a quick nod Mac’s way.
“Me?” Mac pointed to himself. “Oh, I’m a friend of Nicky’s. She wanted to show me this amazing view. It must be incredible coming here every day to work on an island so enchanting.” Nicky had to stifle a giggle when she noticed the over-accentuated grin Mac offered the caretaker.
Russell glowered and turned his attention to Nicky, motioning with his thumb toward Mac. “Is this guy for real?”
“Yup,” Nicky muttered, whipping the blanket into the breeze before balling it up. Hoisting the basket over her arm, she grabbed Mac’s tattooed bicep and pulled him forward. “Don’t get your khakis in a wad, Russ. We were just leaving. See ya around.”
Darting into the thick brush, the two navigated the rocky terrain as another roll of thunder resonated in the humid air. “We better hurry,” she yelled over her shoulder. “The storm is coming in pretty fast.” Back on the cleared trail, she started to jog as Mac hurried beside her, taking the basket from her arm.
“Is Russ always a crabby?” he joked, keeping up with her stride.
“Unfortunately, yes. He’s a local like me. We actually went to public school together. The man has always been a staunch rule follower. I’ve gotten under his skin more than a few times, not following the island's regulations. Don’t worry, he’s a big goofball. I promise, he’ll get over it.”
By the time they reached the rocky shoreline, there’s was the only boat left tied to the shore. The red vessel bobbed up and down in the choppy water, the wind causing rolling waves to come ashore. Nicky didn’t hesitate and tossed the blanket into the hull before she started to untie the rope.
“Maybe we should wait out the gale before we try to row back,” Mac shouted, his auburn hair flailing in the bluster.
“No, we can make it. Come on!”
The two splashed into the shallow water and climbed aboard. Nicky started to take the oars and was surprised when Mac grabbed them from her hands. “Ye can navigate!” he shouted into the wind. Nodding, she pointed straight ahead, the dark water a churning river with no other vessels in sight.
Using brute strength, he got the rowboat going in a fast row with the surge of the waterway. The air held a distinct smell of earth and pine, the impending storm about to dump a deluge on them if they didn’t hurry. Nicky internally scolded herself for miscalculating the time. She’d been caught up in getting to know Mac, fascinated with his road to success. And then she’d gone down a rabbit trail with her own lame story. The real kicker was that kiss – damn, she was infatuated for sure.
“Put on yer life vest. This water is unstable. I’m afraid we’re going to get caught in the storm,” Mac yelled, his muscles bulging with each thrust of the oars into the rough water. Nodding, she reached under the seat and pulled out two vests, tossing one to Mac and slipping the other over her shoulders. When she was zipped up, she couldn’t help but feel safer, thankful for his concern.
A big fat raindrop landed with a splat against her cheek, and she looked up into the sky with her mouth agape. A
million other raindrops followed in quick succession, making her blink rapidly in the sudden torrent. Mac veered the canoe into a small enclave along the shoreline, sheltered by low hanging limbs from the thick forest.
“The blanket!” he hollered, steering the craft against a craggy rock and tying it off onto a substantial root sticking out of the crevices.
Nicky pulled the rolled-up blanket from the hull and clambered over the middle bench seat to be closer to him. When he lowered himself onto the bottom of the boat, he opened his arms wide. They managed to drape the blanket around themselves like a tent, bobbing up and down in the small boat as the storm peaked. Sheets of rain fell sideways, and soon the blanket was nothing but a sopping heap of fabric dripping over their heads.
When Mac started to chuckle, Nicky couldn’t help but giggle in reply. They were both soaked to the bone and sitting in a substantial puddle in the hull of the boat. The warmth from his body enveloped her in their rain-soaked cocoon, and she snuggled to get closer. Tossing the blanket behind them, he gripped her by the chin and lifted her face to where they stared into each other’s eyes through the waterfall of rain. Fat drops of rainwater clung to his beard and eyelashes as a warm breath escaped his rosy lips in a pant.
“I want to kiss ye in the rain,” his voice rumbled, the rolling ‘r’ sending shivers down her spine.
A shy smile crossed his features, and her insides blistered with heat, her voice warbling with the anticipation of melding her lips with his again. “Aye, aye, Captain.”
A flash of lightning crisscrossed the muddled sky as the kiss of a Scotsman rendered her helpless in his arms. They were a tangle of soggy clothes, slick skin, and heat. The clap of thunder rolled through her, the buzzing electricity of their close proximity adding fuel to their fire. When he finally disengaged from her mouth, he tenderly swept the soaking strands of hair pressed against her cheek over her ear. Nicky blinked rapidly as she tried to read him, the expression on his masculine face full of sureness and complexity.
“I should like to take ye back to my hotel if ye’d consider it. Ye’re soaked to the bone.” His smile was immediate as he traced her jawline and lips with his fingertips.
Nicky stared back at him with propensity, the boat rolling up and down in the waves. Licking her lips, she felt her insides flutter and was about to respond when another thought tumbled out of his mouth.
“The hotel has complimentary robes.”
Chapter Ten
The storm passed as quickly as it came, leaving behind a glorious rainbow in a refraction of light and color decorating the sky. Nicky sat on the bench seat in front of Mac and stared at him with a perpetual smile on her face. His rowing slowed as he stared back at her, his eyes like blue flames intensifying the fire between them. When the boat finally glided next to the dock, they were greeted by the enthusiastic teen deckhand, Drew, who ran eagerly across the saturated, weathered boards toward them.
“Oh, man! It looks like you guys got caught in the downpour. You okay?” The boy grinned from ear to ear, his red shirt spotted with water droplets. The entire pier seemed deserted, large puddles of water, errant twigs, and scattered leaves the only aftermath from the storm.
“Aye, we are fine. Just a wee bit wet,” Mac chuckled, helping Drew tie the nylon rope off to a metal cleat bolted to the dock. When the line was secure, he retrieved the soaked blanket and picnic basket Nicky held out for him before offering his hand to hoist her up onto the solid surface.
“Here, let me get that for you,” Drew insisted, grabbing the basket and holding the bulky blanket awkwardly in front of his chest.
“Thank you,” Nicky smiled. When she turned to look at Mac, her green gaze held playfulness as she reached for him. Entwining his fingers through hers, he could feel a burst of joy erupt in his heart, rivaling the rainbow they’d witnessed earlier. The two squished and squeaked in their soggy shoes as they ambled to Nicky’s parked car.
Opening the back liftgate, Drew loaded their stuff inside and turned to them with a mega-watt smile, his shirt plastered to his chest in a giant wet circle where the blanket had pressed against his body. “Thanks again for coming out today. Sorry, the weather wasn’t more cooperative.” The boy reached into his pocket and started to hand Mac a business card. “If you’re ever in this area again and need a boat, please, look me up. And I, uh, also wrote down my email on the back.” As if nervous, he chewed on his bottom lip.
Mac nodded, tucking the card into his front pocket and grinned. “Ye did a great job. I’ll be sure to have my tour manager sends ye some tickets. Now, where’s yer phone. I promised ye a picture with me, too, aye?”
“Yes, sir!” Drew eagerly replied, reaching into his shorts to retrieve his phone. He handed it off to Nicky. “Do you mind?” His face flushed with excitement like a kid in the proverbial candy store.
“Not at all.” Taking the phone from his hands, she stepped back a few paces and held the camera up to look at the screen. Mac rested his arm across Drew’s shoulder, and they flashed cheesy grins as she snapped a few pictures, the two of them looking more like old chums than a musician with an adoring fan.
“Okay, one more,” she requested. This time, Drew pointed his index fingers at Mac and made a face with his mouth open wide as if he couldn’t believe he was standing next to the famous Scot.
Mac patted the kid on the back. “Don’t be posting anything until tomorrow like I asked. We made a deal, remember?”
“Oh, yes, sir. I won’t post till tomorrow. I appreciate it very much. My friends aren’t going to believe this.” His eyes were wide as he babbled with exhilaration, thumbing through the shots.
Having heard this kind of response before when he did meet and greets, Mac nodded knowingly and slapped the boy on the back one last time. “Ye take care of yerself. Make good choices.”
Drew stood on the gravel and waved as Nicky navigated the vehicle through the empty parking lot to the main road. Mac thrust his arm out the window and bid the kid one last wave. Slipping off his shoes, he peeled off his wet socks and wiggled his toes, thankful to be free of the slosh. When he looked over at Nicky, the wispy hair around her face blew back in the wind, and she smiled.
“What?” Mac asked, a grin of his own erupting across his lips.
“That was a very nice thing you did back there. You made Drew’s entire day with those photos, and the promise of tickets to your show.”
Mac tipped his head to glance out the window, relishing the warm breeze drying his hair. “I wouldn’t be where I am today if not for the fans. A few pictures and some tickets are no big deal.”
Nicky briefly turned to eye him, orbs of light highlighting her gorgeous, beaming face. She didn’t say another word, only smiled back at him. Mac’s heart raced, knowing they were heading back to his hotel room. Pinching his lips together with his fingers, he rested his arm on the open window and watched the trees lining the road whiz by in a flash of green hues. When he stole a glance at her again, his eyes traced her figure, and he couldn’t help but imagine her in one of the complimentary white fluffy robes hanging in his hotel room closet. His cock twitched in his rain-soaked jeans, and he breathed heavily. They drove in silence, keeping to themselves, the air in the vehicle crackling with possibilities. Mac wondered what she was thinking but didn’t dare ask, not ready to divulge exactly what was on his mind – he wanted this woman with every tartan fiber of his being.
As Nicky parked the car, Mac pulled his ball cap and sunglasses on to obscure his identity. “It’s probably better if ye wait here for a few. I’ll run in and make sure the coast is clear. I’m in room 410 overlooking the Hudson. In the mood for some champagne? I could order some room service, too.” He was babbling, his nervous energy evident in his sentences coming out in short, breathy bursts.
Her instant grin nearly had him coming undone. “That’d be nice. I’ll wait right here and come up soon.”
Nodding, Mac got out of the car and retrieved his wet shoes and socks from the floorboard
before jogging up the front steps of the historic hotel. His pale feet seemed to glow underneath him as he quickly entered the deserted lobby and made his way into the empty elevator, pressing the number to his floor. When the doors opened wide, he padded down the hallway in a walk-run of sorts until he got to his room. Fumbling in his pocket for his key card, he swiped it through the lock and entered. The place was untouched, the bed perfectly made, and the draperies tied back to reveal the incredible view of the river and the mountain range beyond.
Mac gripped his damp shirt by the edge and swiftly brought it up and over his head, tossing it onto the bathroom tile. Emptying his pockets on the dresser, he peeled off his jeans, grabbed a towel, and rubbed it over his naked body before shrugging on one of the complimentary hotel robes. The terry cloth fabric was comforting and soft, and he couldn’t help but smirk, knowing he and Nicky would be matching in a matter of minutes.
He picked up the hotel phone, dialed room service, and ordered a bottle of champagne and a small charcuterie for an afternoon nibble. As he hung up, there was a soft knock on the door, immediately revving his heart to warp speed. Sprinting across the thick carpet of the suite, he opened the door with a flourish with his hand out, welcoming her in. “Come in, come in!”
Nicky’s cheeks colored as she entered and stopped, looking him up and down. “Nice robe,” she teased.
“Thanks. There’s an extra one for ye too if ye’d like. It’d be much better than sloshing around in yer wet clothes.” Opening the closet door, he grabbed the hanger the robe was on and held it up for her to see. He watched as she pressed her top teeth into her bottom lip to prevent a smile. When she started to stroll toward him, he couldn’t help but stand up a little taller, unsure what to expect.
I'll See You Again: A Scottish rock star, standalone opposites-attract romance (Reigning Hearts Book 4) Page 7