Harkett's Haven

by Ally Forbes

  His warmth and strength broke a damn of deep emotion within her and she started to sob quietly and then tried to swipe the tears from her face, glancing in Esme’s direction, not wanting to alarm the girl. Since she had left Tom she hadn’t spoken to anyone about what had happened. She found it unnerving that she should feel the emotional barriers break down with this handsome stranger.

  Noting her concern about Esme, he released his hold on her and took her hand, leading her to the stairs.

  ‘Come upstairs. Esme’s fine just now. We can talk in peace.’

  Feeling fragile, wanting to confide in someone, she followed him up the stairs, glancing back at Esme to make sure she was still settled.

  He led her into his bedroom, a large airy room with the same floor to ceiling windows that graced all the rooms at the front of the house. The floors were dark wood, but everything else was white. Crisp white cotton sheets on the mahogany sleigh bed, cream rugs, white chaise. It was beautiful but there was nothing personal about it; no pictures, no ties or clothes on show.

  She let go of his hand and went to the window. The sun was almost too bright, reflecting off every surface of the room.

  The sea was sparking and jewel like.

  She jumped when she felt his arms around her and then started to sob again.

  ‘What did he do to you Rachel?’

  His intuition was so sharp it was almost eerie.

  ‘I left him the day before were to be married.’ She sobbed again and this time was glad to bury her head in his chest, the care of a stranger welcome, shockingly so. He stroked her long hair soothingly and kissed the top of her head. Feeling his growing hardness against her, she stepped back from him in shock, glancing down at him.

  ‘God Rachel, I’m so sorry. I ....I feel like a teenager when I’m around you....It’s totally inappropriate I know.’

  The embarrassment written all over his face made her smile and she wiped away the tears with her sleeve.

  He bent his head to kiss her and although taken aback, she responded to him returning his soft kiss.

  Pulling her close to him, he slipped his hand up the inside of her t-shirt, spreading his hands over the soft skin of her back. His breathing quickened.

  She let him kiss down the side of her neck, loving the gentle but firm feel of his hands and lips on her skin.

  He lifted her t-shirt, making her raise her hands over her head. He used the t-shirt to trap her arms and hold them behind her back.

  ‘Rachel..’ he whispered.

  He caught her nipple in his mouth, sucking hard at her, making her catch her breath.

  ‘Esme?’ she whispered urgently. This was happening so fast but it felt so right. She was drawn to him like a moth to light.

  Eric left her, went to the door and turned the lock. As he returned to her, his eyes devoured her breasts, his face intense, his whole being focussed on her.

  He bent his head to her breasts, pushing them together, sucking forcefully at her.

  She held his head, running her fingers through his hair.

  She felt guilty but exhilarated. She hadn’t wanted to get involved with anyone after she left Tom but she was certain that with Eric their lovemaking would be without ties; she had heard Eric’s conversation with Claire and even Eric had admitted that he was only seeking sex. For now, sex was the release that Rachel needed. Her body screamed for the intimacy of a man’s touch. It had been so long.

  His back was muscled and defined and she ran her fingers from his head down over his shoulders. Two long scars ran over his right shoulder blade and she traced the raised skin.

  Eric groaned his desire and then startled her by picking her up and taking her to his bed. He pulled her shorts from her swiftly, urgently and ran his hands up the inside of her thighs, pushing her legs apart.

  He stood up above her, his eyes fixed on her sex. He dropped his trousers quickly to reveal his huge penis, erect and powerful.

  Bending his head he opened the soft petals of her sex and placed his lips to the small nub of her clitoris and lapped gently. His tongue was knowing and skilled and Rachel moaned and tried to wriggle from him, the intensity of her excitement building too fast. She wanted to climax with him inside her, to feel the turgid heat of him filling her entirely. He held her thighs over his shoulders not letting her move, his mouth wet from her, his eyes closed and a trance-like expression on his face.

  ‘Please Eric, please .....’ she moaned, not sure how long she could hold back her climax.

  Sensing her desperation, he stopped licking her, knelt in front of her and inserted a finger into her, then two. Withdrawing his wet fingers, he rubbed his cock with her juices and inserted himself slowly into her. She propped herself up on her elbow and watched him push into her inch by inch. She moaned, his size forcing her apart uncomfortably to begin with.

  She wriggled again and he started to move slowly in her and the initial pain was replaced by the fire of his size, filling her completely. He put his finger in his mouth, licked them and fingered her clitoris as he moved slowly in her.

  Rachel threw back her head and gasped. He was a considerate lover, determined to bring her to orgasm, skilled and adept at his lovemaking.

  Unable to contain her climax any longer, she callonter, sheed his name softly and shuddered, rippling around him.

  He moved on to her, spurting into her, stopping his movements as she climaxed, waiting for her surge to subside before finishing himself off by moving slowly in her.

  He remained in her and held her close, kissing her, pressing her close to him, joined as one.

  ‘I’m sorry that was rushed Rachel..... I would’ve liked to have taken my time,’ He smiled at her and kissed her jawline, placing his hand over her breast.

  ‘I needed that Eric.....you can’t know how much I needed that,’ Rachel sighed contentedly and rolled over to kiss him, ‘but I have to go now.’

  ‘Stay.’

  ‘I can’t Eric. I’ve stayed here far longer than I should’ve......Could I borrow a pair of joggers or something please?’ She pulled the sheet over her body and stood up, emphasizing her intention to leave.

  ‘Only if you promise to see me again.’ He smiled his charming smile and Rachel was almost tempted to say OK.

  ‘I’m sorry Eric. This was a......a..... moment of weakness....I’m sorry....... and as great as it was, it was a one-off. For a whole lot of reasons, I can’t see you again.’ She turned from him.

  He sat on the edge of the bed and took a deep breath, staring determinedly out the window.

  ‘What if I said I can’t leave this....you.?’

  ‘I’ve gone as far as I want to go Eric. This was.... wonderful for me but I don’t want anything more.’ She found herself disturbed by the brittleness in her voice. ‘Look please Eric. I have to get home. Please can I borrow some clothes?’

  He didn’t say a word but stood up and crossed to the bank of built in wardrobes on the wall opposite, opened up a door and pulled a pair of joggers and a t-shirt for her from the shelves. He put them on the bed, took a robe, put it on and left the room.

  Rachel sighed miserably. Eric was charming and handsome. His daughter was a delight and he and Esme, like her, had been through some personal trauma. She didn’t mean to treat him like a meaningless one-off fuck but in the end, that’s what he was. As Claire and others before her had been to Eric. She didn’t want it to be anything else. Maybe if she had met him some other time things could’ve been different....

  She pulled on the clothes, baggy and oversized as they were and checked her reflection in the mirror.

  She had that after-sex glow, her hair slightly dishevelled and her face flushed. She left her hair down, took a deep breath, opened the bedroom door and headed down the stairs.

  Esme was playing with Jack in front of the TV still and hadn’t seemed to notice their absence.

  ‘Hey Esme.’

  ‘Hi Rachel.’

  Rachel sat down on the huge cream linen covered
sofas. Esme scurried up to sit beside her, nestling into the crook of her arm, head against her chest.

  ‘Are those my dad’s trousers?’

  The girl looked quizzically at her.

  ‘Yes. I had to borrow some clothes from your dad; mine need a wash, dry and a mend after our adventure yesterday.’

  Esme smiled at her.

  ‘I’m so glad you’re staying.’

  Rachel sighed softly.

  ‘Oh Esme... I’m sorry. I’m just about to leave.’

  The little girl turned her head away but Rachel could see her eyes glisten.

  ‘Listen. I’ve a job to do and I need to get back home to do it. As much as I’ve enjoyed being here with you and your Dad..... I just can’t stay any longer.’

  ‘What’s your job?’

  ‘I’m a marine biologist and I think it’s just about the best job in the world.’

  Esme brightened up, interested.

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Well...a marine biologist studies life in the oceans. Plants and animals. My job is to come here and write a report on intertidal organisms. Do you know what that means?’

  Esme shook her head, hanging on Rachel’s every word.

  ‘It means that I get to go down to the beach every day to look in the rock pools. I get paid for doing that. Can you believe it?’ Rachel laughed.

  ‘That’s so cool!’ said Esme.

  ‘I think it’s really cool too. I love my job.’

  There was a quiet pause in their conversation.

  ‘I still wish you could stay longer.’

  Rachel put her arms round her again.

  ‘You can come and visit if your Dad’s OK with that.’

  ‘Dad’s OK with that,’ came the reply. Eric was standing by the door, listening to their conversation.

  He looked relaxed now, the tension after their post-coital conversation now gone. His hair was slightly ruffled and he had changed into a blue shirt and cream trousers. He was very handsome, athletic and elegant. She was dismayed to feel that her attraction to him had intensified if anything after their lovemaking.

  She chastised herself for not being able to resist him. Their relationship, whether she liked it or not, now had an added level of complication. With Esme involved she couldn’t simply cut relations. This little girl had formed some kind of attachment to her and she couldn’t just an nn’t jbandon her. She felt it was only right to let Esme work this out of her system in her own time. She was sure that after a few visits, her interest and affection towards Rachel would diminish.

  ‘Esme, come and get ready. We’re driving Rachel home.’

  ‘No Eric. I need to walk....you know..get some fresh air. My house isn’t far from here. Thanks anyway,’ she interjected quickly.

  ‘You’ve a bad cut to your arm and the weather’s closing in again. We’ll run you home.’ She could tell by his tone that he wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

  Esme jumped to her feet, shouting for Jack to follow her, ‘I’ll get my jacket.’

  Rachel rose to her feet. Eric continued to watch her from the doorway.

  ‘I’m not going to let you walk out of my life Rachel..... I don’t know what’s happened in your past but I want you to know that I’m not that man.’

  Frustrated she sighed, ‘I ...I ....don’t want any ties Eric.’

  Their conversation was halted as Esme bounded into the room, ran up to Rachel and threw her arms round her.

  Eric joined her and held both of them together, kissing Rachel on her forehead.

  For a brief moment, Rachel had a sense of belonging and it felt warm and welcome.

  Eric broke their embrace and linked his arm through Rachel’s.

  ‘I’ll take you to the car.’ He winked at her and led her through a door leading from the kitchen, straight into a garage.

  A large Audi 4x4 was parked there and Eric opened the passenger door for her, helping her climb into the seat. Esme bounded into the back seat with Jack following her closely.

  ‘Where’s home Rachel?’

  He pressed a button on the dashboard and the garage door slowly opened. He drove the car through and into the sunshine. Rachel could see dark storm clouds were gathering on the horizon.

  ‘Drive up the coast to Larig Beach. I’ve got the cottage at the north side of the bay.’

  ‘I know exactly where you are. It’s a beautiful place. Fantastic views of that little island if I remember’

  Rachel turned to Esme in the back seat, ‘The island’s called Ersay. When you come and visit, I’ll show you the amazing creatures that live on the beach, maybe take you out to Ersay.’

  ‘I’d love that. When can I come?’

  ‘I’ll leave you my number and you can give me a call when you’ve some free time. I’m guessing you’ll be back to school tomorrow?’

  She nodded and wrinkled her nose in disgust.

  ‘Are you back at the surgery tomorrow?’ she turned to look at Eric.

  ‘I think I’ll ask Jon to cover tomorrow...< tomorr.’

  ‘Ahh Dad,’ Esme protested, ‘you didn’t tell me you were taking an extra day off. Can I take a day off too?’

  ‘School tomorrow Esme. I’ve got things I need to sort out tomorrow.’ He took his eyes off the road and held Rachel’s gaze.

  ‘So how long’ve you been on the Peninsula Rachel?’ he changed the subject quickly

  ‘About six months.’

  ‘And before that?’

  ‘America... then Sweden.’

  ‘Super cool!’ Esme chipped in, ‘Where in America?’

  ‘The east coast, Connecticut.’

  Rachel felt uneasy speaking about her life before she came here. She knew the man she had left and the lengths he would go to find her. She knew that the less she told anyone here, the less chance, remote as it was, that Tom would find her.

  ‘Why did you come here?,’ Esme’s question was filled with amazement that she could have left ‘super-cool’ America.

  ‘I had a chance to do a great job and...well....I’m from Scotland and I wanted to come back here.’

  ‘It always rains and it’s quiet and ...and’

  ‘Yeah, I guess there are some drawbacks.’ She laughed. ‘So where did you live before you came to Ariskaig?’

  Eric answered quickly, ‘We used to live in London.’

  ‘We came here after Mum died. Dad was a surgeon.’

  Eric shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Rachel changed the subject quickly and started to point out various things of interest along the coast and for the next few minutes they travelled making easy conversation.

  They had reached Larig and Rachel could see her house silhouetted on the skyline. Large drops of rain had started to fall on the windscreen as the dark clouds caught up with and spilled over them.

  ‘It seems like I’ve been gone for ages.’ Rachel pointed to her house for Eric. ‘That’s home.....there.’

  They travelled the short distance from one end of the bay to the other in silence, the intermittent patter of raindrops becoming a steady thrum.

  The cottage was a small, whitewashed, traditional crofter’s cottage, a world away from the large, luxury modern home that Eric and Esme lived in. It had just two rooms; an open plan kitchen and living room which took up the whole of the ground floor. The bedroom was in the loft, reached by a short ladder staircase. It was modest and cosy and the views of the sea and the beach rivalled that of Eric’s house. It was a place of retreat for Rachel. Somewhere she had found some peace and been able to heal emotionally.

  The car climbed the e wclimbedgentle gradient to get to the cottage and Eric pulled the car up the short gravelled road as close to the stout wooden door of the cottage as he could.

  ‘Well, thanks for the lift.’ Rachel felt awkward. She didn’t particularly want to ask them in to her house, to invade her private space but when she turned to say goodbye she saw Esme’s expectant face. She didn’t have the heart to walk out the car without offering to as
k them both in.

  ‘Would you like to pop in for a quick cup of....?’

  ‘Yes please!’ Esme had answered before she had finished her question.

  ‘What can I say....?’ Eric shrugged and smiled, ‘I’d love a drink.’

  They ran from the car, the rain drenched them on the few steps it took them to reach the front door, the wind throwing everything it could at them. Rachel fished her spare key from under a plant pot at the door and let them in. After losing her bag on the beach, she was glad she had kept her spare key hidden at the cottage door for times like this. In a place as remote as Ariskaig, leaving a spare key somewhere around the home was simply practical.

  She crossed the room to the stove in the fireplace and lit a match, watching the dry kindling catch with a pleasing whoosh. She moved round the room, switching on the light on the bookcase and the floor light, the reading lamp and the kitchen under lighters.

  Esme and Eric stood by the door watching her.

  ‘Sorry..sorry. Please come in and make yourself comfortable although I’d advise keeping your coats on ‘til the stove gets going. Doesn’t take long for the place to warm up.’ She smiled apologetically.

  ‘I love your house Rachel.’ Esme was the first to break the silence.

  ‘Thanks Esme. I love it too.’ Rachel smiled at her.

  The walls of the cottage were at least two feet thick, the interior whitewashed, like the outside. The kitchen consisted of various stand-alone pieces of oak furniture; a large old table, which doubled as a food preparation area, wall shelves covered with pots and jars and plates and cups; a cream Smeg fridge and a big old ceramic Belfast sink. A cream Aga took centre stage in the gable wall. Rachel added some wood to the oven fire.

  ‘I normally keep the Aga running...it acts like central heating for a place this size. There’s still some life left in it. Just needs a bit of a help.... .’

  She filled the kettle and popped it on the stove.

  Eric stood at her bookshelf, browsing her small library. Esme and Jack had bounced onto her old vintage brown leather sofa which was brimming with cushions, throws, newspapers and magazines. She watched Jack make himself at home, jumping off the sofa, first sitting on the large rug beside the stove, grooming himself and stretching out then yawning and lying out with his head between his front paws. Esme had her head deep in a copy of the National Geographic.