Chapter Twenty-One
Monty
M onty lay on the beach, rolling strands of Iona’s hair through his fingertips. It must be late now as the sky was almost fully dark, and that didn’t happen until around eleven p.m. at this time of year. But he had no desire to move. Iona’s head rested on his chest, and he gazed up at the deep, velvety cloak spreading across the sky. Even now, enough light remained to make silhouettes on the landscape. Summer nights never equalled the utter blackness of winter.
A picnic rug below them and another heavier one on top was all that sheltered them from the light breeze. But the heat from their entwined bodies was more than enough. Monty had never tried sex on the beach as a cocktail, even though Sophie loved them. She’d often ordered them with a little smirk, like she was trying to make him blush. Just as well she couldn’t see him now. The real thing was so much more satisfying than any cocktail could ever be. He smiled at the deep contentment satiating his whole body.
For all Sophie’s assertions about him, she’d never do this. She liked fancy hotels and expensive clothes. Making love on a deserted beach in the Hebrides as darkness fell wasn’t something she’d ever consider. For Iona, however… Well, Iona was Iona. No one else would ever be Iona. Monty wouldn’t have entertained even the idea of doing this just last week, but Iona had changed everything. She made him bold. Or more like she let him be free. Sure, he’d still freaked that someone walking a dog might find them, but she assured him once darkness fell, and as long as they kept a cover over them, no one would see. The beach was completely deserted, though the constant thud of the waves was like an ever-present guardian.
Iona felt heavier in his arms than she had done a few moments ago, and her breathing was deeper. He kissed her brow, then her eyelids. ‘Sleep tight, beautiful Iona.’ He carried on stroking her hair, still staring up into the night. ‘I love you.’ The words barely left his lips, so if she was still awake and listening, she probably wouldn’t have heard anyway. But he’d wanted to say them every time they were together. Saying her name was almost enough. He wasn’t practising for Sophie anymore. Had he ever really been? He’d been making love to Iona because she was the one he loved.
He rolled a little, adjusting his position and bringing his arm more tightly around her. Should he wake her? Maybe they should go back to the farmhouse. She might have teaching to do the next day. Would this be enough sleep? But he couldn’t bring himself to do it. It was much more comfortable just to lie here, listening to the sea, watching the stars and feeling the beat of her heart against his.
When his eyes opened, his shoulder was dead and his spine achy.
‘Monty.’ Iona prodded him gently.
His feet were cold. In fact, everything was cold. The sky was brighter than when he closed his eyes, but not bright enough to be fully morning. ‘What is it?’ he squinted to see her.
‘It’s half three in the morning and I’m getting a bit cold.’
‘Let’s go back then.’
They wrapped themselves in the picnic blankets and headed back to the farm. The island may as well have been abandoned. They left the blankets in the container and pulled on a minimal amount of clothes. It felt like a long way back.
Iona yawned when they arrived. ‘I’m knackered, but I want to stay with you.’
‘Come to the annex then.’
She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. ‘Ok.’
Once they were inside, Monty felt heat returning to his body, but not enough. He went to the bathroom, not loving the cold floor on his bare feet.
Iona went in as soon as he came out and he discarded his clothes, finding a pair of night shorts to wear, more for warmth than anything else.
‘Cuddle me warm?’ Iona came up behind him and placed cold hands on his back. He jumped, not sure if she meant her words to be a question, but they sounded like one.
‘Of course.’ He pulled back the duvet, and together they got under, snuggling into each other, resuming their positions from the beach, only this time in a warmer and comfier place. But he missed the gentle lap of the sea.
He’d meant to ask Iona if she was working, and when she needed to get up, but he must have fallen asleep almost instantly. The next thing he knew, she was rubbing against him, kissing him like she was half dreaming. Maybe he was too, but if he was, it was a very good dream. He’d had more sex in the past few days than he had done in the past year, but he wasn’t complaining.
‘Look at me,’ Iona demanded, as she rode on top of him, her hips bucking fast. If her breasts weren’t so distracting, his gaze would have been on hers anyway. He snapped it up to meet her, giving her breasts the attention of his hands instead. Almost straight away, she squealed, moving even faster, then shuddering wildly. He loved this sight, watching her come undone, knowing she’d enjoyed being with him. That knowledge was power and made him strong and fearless. He let go. Maybe it was too soon, but he couldn’t wait.
‘Oh Iona. Iona…’ He breathed heavily, still connected to her soul through their eye contact. She beamed at him as he fell back to earth. ‘Sorry. I couldn’t hold on.’
‘You didn’t have to.’ She bent over and kissed him. ‘I know you like to take your time, but quickies are ok too. That was what we needed. And it was still good, wasn’t it?’
‘Good? That doesn’t begin to describe it.’
She moved off him and sat beside him, leaning on the headboard. ‘I can’t hang about. I’m teaching surf classes today, but I’ll see you again later, yeah?’
‘Sure.’ He rested on her shoulder, and she leaned her head on his.
‘Maybe we could climb Heaval tomorrow afternoon. I promised you we could, but I’ve not had time.’
‘Yeah, I’m up for that.’
‘I’m doing an eleven o’clock class tomorrow, but nothing in the afternoon, so we could do it then.’
‘Great.’
She ran her hand around his jaw, and he remembered he hadn’t shaved in days. What had happened to corporate banker Monty? A week and a half on a Scottish island and he’d gone feral. ‘I wish I could spend more time with you.’
‘It’s fine.’ He put his hand over hers, then took hold of it and kissed her wrist. Her eyes went dreamy again, but with what looked like a concerted effort, she pulled her hand away and got out of bed.
The hours without her would be torture, but they were good practise, because in a few short days’ time, he’d be leaving the island and who knew when he’d be back. If ever. His mind was clearer now. Sophie was gone, and he wasn’t going to go after her again. After this week, he’d learned enough about himself to realise there was nothing wrong with him. There was nothing wrong with her either. They just wanted different things and weren’t as compatible as he’d wanted to believe. On paper, they were perfect, but love didn’t happen on paper. Sophie could do as she pleased. Monty wouldn’t be darkening her doors again.
What exactly he was going to do was another matter. Getting Sophie back had been part of a larger life plan, one he didn’t want to discard completely. He was at an age and stage where he wanted to settle, but starting from scratch was so daunting.
He lifted his phone and scrolled aimlessly through social media. Iona had messaged him pictures she’d taken of him at the festival. He actually looked like he was enjoying himself. He posted them to his page, not for Sophie’s benefit this time, but for his own. A couple of friends and work colleagues had commented on his previous posts. As expected, they were mostly shocked.
I thought you hated water!
Bodyboarding? WTAF!! Who are you and what have you done with Monty?
‘I’m still here,’ he muttered. And this time next week, he’d be back in his office, suffocating under mountains of emails and paperwork. In a dream world, he’d pack it all in and stay with Iona, but he had a job to go back to. His life wasn’t here. And Iona had told him countless times that she was a free spirit. Settling down with her wasn’t the long-term option he was looking for.
This was a holiday fling, and he had to accept it as that. He’d prolong it to the last minute and enjoy every last second, but when he flew out of here on Friday, he’d have to leave it behind.