Chapter Five
It’s been a week since I saw Merlin, and he hasn’t been in touch, so I guess I was right, and he was just flirting.
Merrick and I have had lunch a couple of times, but nothing more.
He’s a busy man, with the gallery and taking care of Willow.
Not that I’ve been bothered about being alone.
I’ve enjoyed the peace and quiet. Not having to listen to my parents pulling apart people they are supposed to be friends with or trying to get me married and providing grandbabies.
Instead, I explore the town, the beach, and the hiking trails.
I’ve spent my evening sketching. There have been way too many of Merlin.
I’m a fool to myself. Two interactions with him and I’m already hooked.
It’s going to be Marc all over again, a relationship where I’m the only one invested in it.
After gathering up my pencils and putting the sheets of paper away in a large art folder I’ve had since high school, I lock the cottage door and walk down the narrow road to the town, more specifically, the pub.
I fancy a couple of pints and something to eat.
And looking at a different set of walls.
The pub is busy, but not suffocatingly so. I make my way through the smell of suntan lotion and perfume to the beer garden. Young men and women here on holiday chatter and laugh while they scan the crowd for someone who takes their fancy.
I squeeze myself through the crowd into a much less packed bar. After grabbing my pint and a menu, I glance around the room for a place to sit. Luck is by my side as I spy an empty small two-seater table.
As I beeline towards it, I catch the end of a sentence. “To Merlin and his new venture.” I can’t see who said it. There are too many people to be able to search for him.
I sit down with my back to the wall, take a long drink of my beer, and peruse the menu. It’s good pub grub, not fancy or gastropub food. But there are plenty of establishments in the town to provide those kinds of meals. It’s a toss-up between the steak and ale pie, or a steak.
I’m finishing my pint when my phone vibrates in my back pocket. I fish it out of my pocket. My mother. My mood plummets.
Mum: WHERE ARE YOU?
Mum: Your father has been to your house several times, and you’re not there. This silly behaviour has gone on long enough.
With a roll of my eyes, I shove my phone back into my pocket.
Good thing she doesn’t know where I am. I pick up my empty glass and head back to the bar.
I decide on the pie and order another pint.
While I wait, someone steps up next to me.
They’re close enough to be in my personal space, even though there’s plenty of room along the glossy, polished dark wood bar top.
“Hello again, Trent.” His voice is as smooth as melted chocolate and makes my skin tingle and the hairs on my arms stand up. Is his face going to live up to my drawings of him? Have I exaggerated his good looks? I turn to him. Nope, if anything, he’s better-looking.
“Oh, Merlin, hi,” I say coolly. He doesn’t deserve a warm reaction.
He hasn’t bothered to be in touch the way he’d implied last week.
He probably does this to any holidaymaker who catches his eye.
I don’t need to be another notch in his bedpost. The barman hands me my change, and I turn to go back to my table.
Merlin gives me another smile. “See you soon, Trent.”
“Yeah, maybe.” I give myself a pat on the back for not sounding too disappointed.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch. It turned into a really busy week for me.” Okay, he has a reason, but he’s annoyed me regardless, and while I know that’s not very fair, I’m still bristling. He’s just as much a player as Marc. But god, he’s so hot. He presses every one of my buttons.
For the remainder of the evening, I feel his eyes on me, but he doesn’t approach me again.
When I’ve finished my pint and the excellent pie, I head for the exit.
I have to pass their table. Merlin leans in to Drew and says something to him, but he has his eyes fixed on me.
Drew shakes his head and gives me a wave.
I’m back on the road to the cottage, enjoying the silence after the loud beer garden. Footsteps follow me, and then someone calls my name.
I stop and turn around. Merlin is rushing towards me. I wait for him to catch up.
“Trent, look, I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch. I had to go back home and sort some things out. Can I make it up to you?” His expression is one of genuine regret. “Maybe go for something to eat tomorrow?”
Do I want to? He can’t be really into me, can he? He’s just a flirt.
“So, would you like to?” He raises his eyebrow. “You’re killing me here, Trent. If the answer’s no, I’ll leave you alone and won’t ask again.”
“No.” His face falls. “I mean, yes, I’d like to go out for something to eat, and no, you don’t need to leave me alone.” Oh crap, did that sound too eager?
But Merlin smiles, a gorgeous, wide smile that shows off perfect teeth. “You do? That’s great. How does seven thirty sound? I’ll come to you.” Merlin says.
“Yes, okay, that would work. Yeah, seven thirty.” Oh god, please don’t make me sound so needy.
Just the look of happiness on his face is enough for any resolve I’ve had this evening of playing it cool to disappear. We stare at each other. It seems we both don’t know how to say goodnight. He takes a step closer. The air crackles between us. Merlin’s eyes darken. He’s feeling it too.
As our mouths clash, my hands are in his hair as his find my waist and grip me tightly.
When I part my lips, he shoves his tongue inside.
I moan, shamelessly, hungrily, desperately.
I have never kissed or been kissed like this before.
It’s like I’ve been practising all these years.
Every kiss has been building up for this moment, for this man.
We break apart. His eyes shine, sparkling, lit by the nearby lamppost, and his lips glisten. I immediately miss them on mine.
“Who are you?” I ask.
He licks over his bottom lip, then bites down on it. My gaze is fixed on the action. “You’ll have to find that out for yourself. I’m not going anywhere.”
“That sounds like a challenge.” I narrow my eyes. Is this another game, or is he serious?
“Maybe. It’s up to you.” With a smile and a wink, he walks back to the pub.
What the hell just happened?