by Lucy Clark
How on earth was she supposed to survive?
The following morning, Megan was doing her best to avoid seeing Loughlin after Heather’s impromptu sleepover. What she hadn’t been able to avoid were the girl’s questions.
‘Why don’t you come and have breakfast with us? Da’ would love it.’
Megan had quickly declined. ‘I don’t think so, Heather.’
‘Why not? Da’ won’t mind. Not at all. You know he likes you,’ she teased in a sing-song way that had Megan’s cheeks tingeing with colour.
‘That’s beside the point. Actually, I have a lot to get done this morning.’ Megan tidied her already tidy kitchen, avoiding looking directly at Heather.
‘You told me last night that you like my da’.’
‘And I do. Everyone likes your father. He’s a very personable man.’ She shrugged and dried her hands on the tea-towel.
‘But you like-like him. I can tell. He like-likes you back. The real way.’ The girl’s grin was wide and she waggled her eyebrows up and down for effect, making Megan smile.
‘Let’s not go there.’
‘Why not? Why are you both too scared to be together? Honestly. I don’t understand grown-ups at all. You like him. He likes you. You both want to be together. Even a blind man could see that so I don’t have a clue why you’re planning to leave us.’
‘It’s not that I’m leaving you, Heather, it’s just that—’
She wasn’t able to finish her sentence as there was a brief knock at her front door and Loughlin called out, ‘Anybody home?’
‘Da’?’ Heather bounced from the kitchen, missing the colour draining from Megan’s face.
Megan closed her eyes and tried to pull herself together, knowing he’d be with her in a few seconds. She needed to keep it light. Keep it professional and neighbourly. Nothing more. So why did all of her good intentions slip away the instant he walked into her kitchen?
‘Morning, Megsy.’ His voice was rich and deep and so incredibly sexy that she instantly reached out a hand to the bench beside her for support. He gave her a quick visual caress, taking in the long flowing black skirt and bright blue top, which only served to highlight her amazing eyes. He swallowed, unable to look away. Her hair was loose, silky and shiny, and he itched to touch it, to have it sift through his fingers, the scent of whatever shampoo and conditioner she used driving him to distraction as he breathed it in. Honestly, the woman was becoming far too irresistible for her own good.
‘Hi.’ Her lips barely moved as she formed the word.
Then neither spoke and Loughlin knew they had to seriously figure out how to deal with this attraction a lot better than they were doing at present. The kitchen seemed to shrink in size, Loughlin filling it with his presence, Heather somewhere on the outskirts but momentarily forgotten as Megan drank in her fill of him.
He was dressed in that comfortable pair of denims he liked best, a striped shirt with a thin woollen jumper over the top, the shirt tails hanging out at both front and back. His feet had been shoved into a pair of casual boat shoes and his fingers had obviously been the only source for combing his spiky hair as it was all sticking up on end. The whole ensemble had no doubt been thrown on without a care in the world as he’d rushed over to see his daughter. Yet the effect was most definitely breathtaking.
‘Da’.’ It was Heather who broke the moment. ‘Megsy was saying she wanted to have breakfast with us.’
Loughlin raised his eyebrows at this. ‘Is that so?’
‘No. No. It’s fine,’ Megan said spluttering. ‘I’ve got lots of things to get done today. Don’t want to get held up.’
‘It’s breakfast, Megsy,’ Loughlin pointed out, deciding on the spur of the moment that perhaps they should. They needed another set of guidelines so they both knew how to behave when they ran into each other in circumstances such as these. At least, that was what he was telling himself when he knew the real reason he wanted to prolong this contact, the real reason why he’d jogged all the way to her place that morning, why he wanted to stand there gazing into her eyes, was because he loved her so completely that he wanted to be with her.
‘Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, remember?’ he continued, needing to persuade her. ‘Now, as a medical practitioner and also as a pillar of this community, I think it’s only right that you follow the prescription you would no doubt give to all of your patients, to start the day right.’
Why was it that when he spoke like that, when his lilting words were already creating havoc with her all her senses, he had to look at her lips? It was as though he was saying that kissing her lips would be the better way to start every day, and she knew her body was no doubt giving him the answer that he was correct.
Before she’d kissed Lochie, she’d only been able to wonder and speculate, which had been fine for her. Dreaming about what it would be like to be held in his arms, to have him hold her body close, to feel that sweet pressure, that sensual taste that was totally him…she’d been content to simply dream.
But then he had kissed her. He had held her close. He had shown her what she was missing and she had responded by loving him. Oh, how she desperately wanted him to kiss her now. Couldn’t he see that? Couldn’t he feel it? Didn’t he want it too?
‘Er…Heather.’ Without taking his eyes off Megan, he spoke to his daughter. ‘Why don’t you go and call Paula and book us a table for breakfast? Megsy won’t mind if you use her phone.’
‘Go ahead,’ Megan heard herself respond, her eyes still locked with Loughlin’s, her body trembling at the need she saw reflected in the man before her.
‘The three of us?’ Heather asked, oblivious to the silent conversation passing between the two adults.
‘Yes.’ Loughlin heard Heather’s squeal of excitement as she ran off to use Megan’s phone to make the call but his attention was focused solely on the woman before him. ‘Megsy.’ His voice was soft, his gaze flicking between her eyes and her mouth, causing her breathing rate to increase. She parted her lips to allow the pent-up air to escape and Loughlin almost groaned with longing.
He’d realised last night as he’d assisted with the miracle of birth that he desperately wanted more children. He wanted a loving mother and wife to be by his side and the woman who stood before him was exactly who he’d pictured. She loved his daughter completely and that had only served to enhance his own love for her.
Earlier that morning, when he hadn’t been able to sleep because his thoughts had been filled with a multitude of different scenarios about exactly what he should do with regard to his feelings for Megan, Loughlin had realised that if he didn’t do something he might just miss his opportunity. He knew she’d leave. That she would go to England and get on with her life unless he did something.
As those thoughts had entered his mind, he’d started to realise that he wouldn’t be able to see her every day. He wouldn’t be able to talk to her, to make her laugh, to see that sparkle in her eyes when she teased him, to have her addictive scent wash over him. To have none of that had left him feeling even more hollow than he’d felt after his divorce.
He needed her…so he needed to take some chances. Big chances. Big steps into the unknown. He knew he’d regret it if he didn’t and he wasn’t going to live on regrets any more.
‘Megsy,’ he said again. ‘There’s something on my mind.’
‘What’s that?’ Her words were but a breathless whisper as she realised he’d somehow closed the distance between them, although she hadn’t been aware of him moving.
‘This.’
With a gasp of delight and relief Megan found herself caught up in his arms, his mouth pressed to hers in one swift movement. She sighed into his arms, her lips accepting his in welcome, and her heart conveyed all the love she held for him.
His mouth moved over hers in a slow and meticulous fashion, much as he’d done that very first time he’d kissed her out in his car. Back then he’d been intent on helping her to create a happy memory
but now this kiss had nothing to do with happy memories but highly sensual ones…sensual ones she wanted to not only keep but to follow through with.
His arms tightened, their bodies pressed as close as they possibly could, and where she’d thought the hunger and passion he obviously felt for her would come bursting forth, he continued to exhibit immense control yet at the same time his exploration of her mouth, of her senses, of her heart, was deep and thorough. Rich and warm. Mind-blowing and exhilarating.
As he pulled back, he left her swooning, her head spinning with thoughts of him and the beauty they somehow managed to create together. Her eyes were still closed, her lips plump and gently parted, her breathing as erratic as his own. She was a vision of loveliness and he wondered what she’d do if he declared his love for her.
Would she run and hide? Would she stand her ground? Would she simply drag his head back to her own? He hoped it was the last. He opened his mouth to speak but stopped when she sighed and murmured against him, her head coming to rest on his shoulder.
‘Mmm. Lochie.’ Her eyes opened and he looked down into her drowsy bedroom eyes. ‘I just want you to know that you can speak your mind…any…time. That’s fine by me, laddie.’
He couldn’t help the grin that touched his lips, or the hope that filled his heart. ‘I might just do that.’ He pressed a firm but sound kiss to her lips.
‘I thought this wouldn’t ever happen again.’
‘Me, too.’
‘I know we’ve said goodbye, that we’ve decided that we shouldn’t pursue this thing between us, but, Loughlin…’ She stopped and closed her eyes, tears starting to gather. ‘I’ve missed you.’
‘Och, Megsy, I’ve missed you, too.’ He kissed her once again, needing to show her just how much he’d missed her, gathering her as close to him as he possibly could. This time when he pulled back and looked down into her eyes, he shook his head. ‘And I’d ask you to stop looking at me like that, especially when my daughter is in the next room.’
‘Looking at you?
‘With those rich come-hither eyes. Between them and your soft pouty lips, it’s difficult enough for me to even think.’
‘That’s good.’
‘It is? Then let us hope that an emergency doesn’t come in.’
‘Let someone else deal with the emergencies.’ She shook her head slowly and sighed. ‘I want to stay right where I am. Right here.’ She snuggled her head against his chest again and breathed in deeply, the scent that was now synonymous with him filling her senses. How could she even think of leaving? Think of moving to the other side of the world when everything that was important to her was in this house? Loughlin and Heather. She loved them both so intensely, her heart was bubbling over with the emotion.
‘Is that so?’ He stroked her hair.
‘Aye.’
He could hear the laughter in her throat. ‘Are you teasing me?’
‘Aye,’ she repeated, but didn’t move from where she was. She probably figured he wouldn’t retaliate if he was holding her close in his arms and she was right. Holding her close like this was something he’d been dreaming about on such a regular basis of late it wasn’t funny.
‘You already know the penalty for teasing a Scotsman and still you’re willing to do it?’
‘Och, aye.’ Now she did pull back to look at him, a delighted smile on her face, a meaningful look in her eyes. ‘And I’m looking forward to paying the price.’ She rolled her r’s as she spoke and winked at him. Loughlin’s eyes widened with absolute pleasure.
‘Megan Iris! Where’s the reserved, prickly woman I encountered on my first day at work?’
She shrugged a delicate shoulder. ‘Do you care?’
‘Megsy, of course I care.’ He was serious now. She eased back a little more just to be sure. Yes. His brow was furrowed, his lips were in a thin line and his eyes were serious and intent. ‘I care very much about you. In fact…’ He swallowed, unsure if he was about to make a terrible mistake or not. Even if he was, at that moment he didn’t care. He needed to tell her. He felt the timing was right. He just hoped her response would be the one he’d been dreaming about. ‘I’m…er…I’m in love with you, Megan Iris Edwards.’
At his words, Megan felt as though her heart had stopped beating. She blinked, one long steadying blink, and looked at him again. Had he said what she’d just thought he’d said? He l-loved her? No. It couldn’t be true. He couldn’t…could he?
‘It’s all right if you don’t feel the same way,’ he rushed on. ‘I didn’t mean to push you into anything or to scare you off, for that matter. Hmm. Didn’t really think this through did I but, nevertheless, there it is. I’m totally in love with you.’ He shook his head and chuckled. ‘Can’t seem to stop saying it now.’
Megan still looked up at him, watching him, seeing his pleasure in the words he was speaking to her. This wasn’t a man who was feeding her a line. Neither was he a man who was saying these words for any work or social gain. He’d been through a bad marriage, had raised a daughter on his own, and now he was telling her that he loved her.
He was an amazing man and she wanted to tell him how she felt, to let him know she accepted this declaration, that she wanted him to hold her in his arms for ever…but no words appeared to be forming on her tongue. Her emotions were so overpowering, so overwhelming that she found it impossible to speak.
Doing the only thing she could think of to do under the circumstances, she grabbed his head and pulled it down so their lips could meet once again. This time, as she kissed him, she put everything she could into the kiss, to let him know how much she loved him in return, to show him just how much he meant to her. She loved him so much more simply because he’d taken a chance, had put himself out on that precipice of love and declared his true feelings.
‘Don’t go to England,’ he whispered against her lips.
‘No.’ She kissed him again.
‘Oi. What’s going on in here?’ Heather asked as she came back into the kitchen, a beaming smile on her face. ‘I go and make one little phone call and the next thing I know you two are playing a game of sucky face.’
‘Aye,’ her father answered, taking his time in releasing Megan, one arm still placed firmly about her waist. ‘And such a good game it is, too.’ As though realising his words, he quickly turned and looked at Heather, pointing a finger. ‘But not for you to play. Not yet. You’re too young. You hear your da’?’
Heather giggled and embraced them both. ‘I hear ya, Da’, and I couldn’t be happier. I think it’s totally grand that you two are together. You little beauty.’ She spoke the last three words with a perfect Australian accent and both Megan and Loughlin laughed.
‘So what now?’ she asked, all agitated with excited energy. ‘Are you going to get married?’ Her big brown eyes were filled with pleading. ‘Do I get to be bridesmaid?’
‘Whoa, there.’ Both adults spoke in unison and Megan released her hold on Loughlin, needing a bit of space. Things were moving way too fast for her and when she chanced a glance at Loughlin, she could see he felt the same way. Although he’d declared his love for her, that didn’t mean they were about to do a Strathspey reel down the aisle.
‘Usually people try dating first,’ Loughlin answered. ‘See how well they get along together.’
Heather waved his words away as though they meant nothing. ‘We all know you two get along well. The whole town knows it.’
‘Well…the whole town is just going to have to wait for us to sort things out in our own time, in our own way, and preferably by ourselves.’ Loughlin’s words were clear and direct and as he spoke, he saw Megan visibly relax. He took her hand in his and gave it a little squeeze. ‘First on the menu, though, is a lovely, healthy breakfast where we can relax and enjoy each other’s company. Sound good, Megsy?’
Megan nodded her head slowly, looking from father to daughter and back again. Had Loughlin just implied that they were now dating? Did that mean he was going to be demonstrative of
his newly confessed love in public? Could she deal with that?
‘Go and get ready to leave, hen,’ Loughlin instructed Heather, and when the child had left the room he turned and took Megan’s other hand in his. ‘Relax. We’ll take this as slowly as you like. As slowly as both of us need. Yes?’
‘Yes.’ She nodded for emphasis. The last thing she wanted him to think was that she wasn’t interested in dating him. She was. Utterly and completely.
‘So…we’ll date?’
‘Yes.’
‘We’re dating.’ It was as though he needed to convince himself of it as well and as he said the words he let go of one of her hands and pushed his fingers through his hair. ‘We’re dating! I’m dating someone. I’m dating you. Megan Iris. We’re dating!’
‘Lochie?’ Megan put her hand to his cheek. ‘Is this what you want?’
Was it? He loved her. He’d told her he loved her and whilst she hadn’t confessed reciprocal feelings, she had kissed him. She wanted to date him. Surely that was a sign that she wasn’t going to snatch and jerk his heart all around the wide brown countryside. He knew his own reservations came from the fact that Bonnie had messed him around so badly before, had abused his love for her, using it as leverage whenever she needed it. And he’d let her.
But he’d changed now. It had been nine years since he’d filed for divorce and even though Bonnie had continued to flit in and out of his life, he’d at least taken charge of the situation and done what was best for himself and Heather.
He’d brought his daughter halfway around the world, having no idea he’d find such terrifying happiness. He hadn’t expected it. He hadn’t asked for it yet he wanted to be with Megan more than he’d wanted anything else in the world. Still…what if she hurt him?
When he looked at her, it was to find concern in her dazzling blue eyes, to find desire and…Was that love? Could it be possible that she did feel the same way? Did she love him? He desperately wished for it to be so. ‘Do I want to date you?’ He leaned into her hand, loving the way it felt to be touched in such a caring way. It was these sorts of little things, the small things in a relationship, that made all the difference and it was these small things that he’d missed the most over the years. Now the woman standing before him, gazing up at him with happiness reflected in her eyes, was offering to fill that void. Why on earth would he be fool enough to knock it back? ‘Och, aye, Megsy. I do.’