Chapter 10
TEN
Dylan and Jesse joined Cormac and Jenna for a quick lunch before heading back into the water.
Jenna had been right. She packed just enough food to feed Cormac and Dylan, along with a very hungry Jesse.
Smiling to herself, she watched the three scarfing down food like they hadn’t eaten in days.
Cormac had been most complimentary of her sandwich making skills.
He claimed to have never had a sandwich.
She humored him and went along with pretty much all of the crazy stuff he was spouting today.
Something about being at the beach felt very liberating to her.
She stopped analyzing everything he said and did, instead determined to just enjoy his company.
After the last of the sandwiches were gone, Jenna asked, “Cormac, would you like to go for a walk on the beach with me?”
“I’d be honored to accompany ye, Jenna.”
Jenna couldn’t help but notice the look of surprise on his face. “It’s just a walk, nothing else.”
“What else could a walk be, lass?” he quizzed her.
She stood up and grabbed two peaches to take along.
She put her other hand out to Cormac to help him up.
Who was she kidding? He didn’t need any help, she just wanted to hold his hand.
He took it and stood. He looked puzzled by her actions, but followed as she grabbed Chester’s leash, turned on her heels and headed towards the water’s edge.
They walked in a companionable silence for a while and then Cormac asked, “What are those that ye carry in yer hand, lass?”
“Peaches. It’s the end of the season for them. They’re my favorite fruit, but they’re only fresh and local in the summer. I brought one for you.” She handed him the peach and he rubbed the furry skin with his fingers.
“Thank ye. How does it taste?”
“Sweet and juicy.” Jenna took a bite out of hers and the juices ran down her chin.
Cormac stopped Jenna in her tracks and turning her to face him looked at her with such intensity her knees turned to jelly.
He reached out his hand and wiped the juices from her chin in a most seductive manner and then licked his fingers, never taking his eyes off of hers.
He smiled that amazing smile of his and Jenna self-consciously wiped at her chin and offered him a bite of her peach.
Cormac accepted and as the juices ran down his stubbly chin, Jenna found herself standing on tiptoes licking the peach juice from his face as he groaned low in his throat, letting her know he was completely turned on by what had just happened.
“You know, I have really got to stop doing that,” she said as she turned her face away from him, hoping he wouldn’t see how embarrassed she was.
“Why? Do ye make a habit of licking a man’s face?” he teased.
“No! I don’t,” she cried indignantly. “It’s your fault. I don’t seem to be able to control myself around you. I’m really not that kind of girl. I’ve never in my life been the one to initiate kissing and, and …” she waved her hand around in the air unable to complete her thought.
“I like it, lass. I like the way ye go after what you want. Dinna stop. I’m happy to let ye do what ye will with me,” he said, playfully.
Cormac had tipped his head to the side to get a better look at her face and he looked so sweet that Jenna had to fight with herself not to reach up and kiss him again.
Jenna, what are you doing? she said to herself.
I just want to jump his bones. I’ve got to get a grip.
He is a visitor to our country and he is only here for a few more days.
You know you can’t ever do anything part way and when he leaves you’ll be miserable.
So, don’t go there. Well, maybe just a little.
Cormac could see the indecision on Jenna’s face.
He truly wanted her to come to him because she wanted to and not because he pushed her, but one thing he was sure of was that the next time they kissed, he was going to be the one to start it.
He reached out to hold her hand and she let him lead her as they continued their walk down the beach.
Progress. She had been allowing him to hold her and to touch her all day.
He didn’t want to frighten her back into her shell, so he’d settle for the small successes he was having and not go any further while they were here at the beach.
The waves lapped at their shins and ankles and a few times a larger wave would crash against them, sending Jenna laughing into his arms. The sounds of the waves, the feel of the sea breeze and the smell of the salty air would all be burned into his memory.
This was a good day. He was glad he was here with her, but he wanted so much more.
More time with Jenna, more Jenna herself and the hope of a life together at Breaghacraig.
He wanted her to become part of his large extended family, his clan.
He didn’t dwell on how he could make that happen, for now he just wanted to enjoy this moment, the light shining in her eyes as she gazed into his, the feel of her hand holding tightly to his own and the way she seemed to be allowing him to take care of her for this little while.
They had walked for what seemed simultaneously like many hours and not enough hours.
In fact, it had only been a little less than an hour.
They stopped occasionally to watch a pod of dolphins playing just off shore.
Seals, sea otters and pelicans also made appearances to the evident delight of Jenna, who was practically jumping up and down at the sight of them.
It did Cormac’s heart good to see Jenna so happy.
He had doubted it was possible the first day he met her, and yet here she was holding his hand, smiling, laughing and seemingly very happy to be with him.
He wasn’t sure what had brought about this change in her, but he would accept it and be grateful.
The sun was dipping lower in the sky, as its light played softly across the surface of the water.
Chester had been loping along beside them, barking and biting at the waves.
“We should probably head back,” Jenna sighed.
“Aye. We’ve walked a long way.”
“I wish we could stay here forever. It’s so peaceful and beautiful,” she replied.
“Then we should stay,” Cormac replied matter of factly.
“Unfortunately, we can’t. Dylan is probably wondering where we are by now.
Come on, let’s go,” Jenna reluctantly said as she headed back the other way.
Cormac followed along with Chester, who was completely soaked from the waves.
“Chester, look at you,” Jenna observed. “You are going to need a bath when we get home.”
Cormac chuckled as he watched Chester continuing to enjoy himself in the water. This really had been a perfect day. He wondered what the evening would hold in store for him. He was hopeful it would turn out to be as lovely as the day had been.
***
Jenna was walking backwards, looking up at Cormac.
He gave her one of his bone meltingly beautiful smiles, showing a row of nearly perfect teeth.
He was perfection as far as she could see and she drank in the sight of him.
She turned forward and proceeded to run through the waves breaking on the shore, hoping that Cormac would join her.
She peaked back to see him in hot pursuit.
She didn’t get far before he picked her up in his arms and began to carry her back to their blanket.
She threw her arms around his neck and enjoyed the moment; something she didn’t allow herself to do very often.
She set skeptical, untrusting Jenna aside and went with her gut, which told her Cormac was not going to hurt her and it was okay to let herself enjoy her time with him.
So what if he wasn’t going to be here very long, maybe they could keep in touch via e-mail after he left.
She could even take a trip to Scotland to see him and while she was there maybe she could find her friend Ashley.
If only she could remember what she did with the name of that inn Ashley had told her about.
She made a mental note to look for it when she had a chance.
All too soon they were at their blanket.
Cormac didn’t seem to want to put her down and stood holding her as her cousin Dylan ran up from the water with his surfboard.
“Hey, you two, I was wondering where you were.”
Jenna wriggled out of Cormac’s arms, “Time to head home?”
“I hate to leave, but the sun will be setting before long and we should get back, I’ve got a hot date tonight,” Dylan boasted.
“They’re all hot, Dylan.” Jenna rolled her eyes. “Well, let’s get packed up then.”
They gathered together the blanket, towels, cooler and chairs and headed back up to the truck.
“Jenna, would you mind driving? I’m beat,” Dylan asked.
“Sure, give me the keys.” Jenna took the keys from Dylan’s hand and unlocked the doors. They stowed most everything in the bed of the truck and Dylan once again got his surfboard in place for the long drive home.
“I’d like to try driving,” Cormac stated.
“Have you got a driver’s license?” Jenna asked, knowing the answer.
“A driver’s license?” Cormac looked baffled.
“I’ll take that as a no.” Jenna laughed. “You can’t drive unless you have a license.”
“And how do I get one?” he asked.
“It’s a long process, especially if you have no experience driving at all. Do you drive back in Scotland?”
“Och, nay,” he answered like she should have known that. “Me horse gets me where I need to go.”
“Well, maybe if you were staying longer I could teach you, but you’re going to be leaving soon, so we wouldn’t have enough time.” She secretly hoped that he wanted to learn so much that he’d give up his plan of leaving in a few days. She poked him in the ribs, “Get in.”
Dylan had already settled in the back seat with Chester and looked like he was going to be asleep before they hit the freeway.