34. Malcolm
Malcolm
When we made it back to Fort William, we ate dinner in town, then made our way back to our temporary forest home. I changed quickly into my trunks and got out of Makenna’s way. Now I’m sitting in the hot tub, waiting for the woman who’s throwing my life for the most fantastic loop.
I should have jumped in the hot tub when I woke up this morning to get my muscles going after my night on the couch.
But as it is, it’s feeling good to them right now.
It’s like our personal forest spa out here.
It’s peaceful and quiet, apart from the occasional birdsong and the gentle hum of the hot tub.
I’m so grateful this place was still available.
I hear the door to the treehouse close and lift my head.
Beautiful, long, and strong legs come down the spiral staircase, and as quickly as I can—which isn’t terribly quick—I avert my eyes.
I get the feeling she’s a bit uncomfortable with her body, and likely wouldn’t appreciate me staring.
My eyes are on a patch of moss underneath a pine when a thought hits.
What if me looking would give her the confidence she needs?
Because I know I wouldn’t be able to keep a favorable reaction off my face.
By the time I turn back to her, she’s nearly at the hot tub.
My eyes travel quickly, but not too quickly, from her feet to her face.
She looks unsure, but I smile, hold her eyes, and watch her relax.
It’s bonkers, but she reminds me of a mermaid.
Something about the length of her body and her wavy black hair spilling around her shoulders.
She’s stunning. Her curves call out for me to jump out of the water and pull her in here.
I remain seated, however, and continue to try to put her at ease.
“Get on in here, lass. The water feels great.”
She grins, and it feels like a little victory. “I love a hot tub!”
“Well, good. I’m glad we figured out a way for you to use it.
” I watch Makenna take her first careful step into the hot tub.
“Do the bandages seem like they’re going to work?
” I can’t see them underneath her dark purple one-piece, so I have to ask.
My first priority is making sure she stays healthy.
“I think so. It probably helps that my suit is pressing them in. Though, I should probably refrain from doing any cannonballs or complicated synchronized swimming moves.”
I look around the small hot tub. “There are multiple reasons you might not want to do a cannonball, but I think we could manage some synchronized swimming. I was looking forward to that.”
Makenna grins and sits on the stone bench in the water. “It would have to be awfully close proximity synchronized swimming.”
“Aye. I said I was looking forward to it.”
She laughs her adorable awkward laugh.
“You’re cute when you feel awkward,” I say, leaning in a wee bit.
She gives a surprised laugh and shakes her head. “I must be cute more often than I realize.”
“Aye, if it’s anything less than always, I’d say so.”
“Are you saying I’m always awkward?”
“Definitely not saying that.”
“Oh.” She goes silent for a moment, and I hope she’s digesting the fact that I think she’s beautiful.
I didn’t want to go all in with that fact too quickly, but I hope she’s beginning to understand.
She moves into the centre of the hot tub, immersing herself to her neck.
Her hand brushes my thigh, and her eyes fly wide. “I’m so sorry.”
“Relax, Makenna. I’m not at all worried about you touching me.”
“Okay, good. I mean, it’s not like we’re strangers at this point.” She leans her head back and closes her eyes, relaxing into the water. With her this close, I really have to keep myself from reaching out, sliding my hands up her neck to cup the sides of her head, and bring my mouth to hers.
She has no idea the temptation she causes.
“I wish the water was hotter,” she says, despite how she seems to be enjoying the water.
“Oh, aye? It feels just right to me.”
“I prefer it really hot, but this is nice.”
I’d tell her that I find this whole situation a bit more than nice, but I still want to hold back a bit. “We wouldn’t want the adhesive on your bandages melting, so maybe this is just right for today.”
She opens her eyes and is clearly a bit surprised to find my eyes already on her. “Do you think it’s melting at this temperature?”
“We probably shouldn’t stay in here too long.”
Makenna stands and turns to find her seat again.
She’s pulled her hair to the side, squeezing it out, and I’m treated to a brief view of her back.
My eyes trace up the line of her spine until they are pulled to the right by what, at first, I think is a freckle.
It’s a tiny, solid black, heart-shaped tattoo.
“That’s a bonnie wee tattoo.”
She turns and her mouth forms a perfect circle as she says, “Oh.” Then she laughs. “I forget it’s there.”
“You forget you have a tattoo?”
“Well, I wanted one, but I didn’t want to risk getting one I would come to hate, so I chose something simple that surely I would never hate, and I put it in a place I would never see just in case I came to hate it anyway.”
I laugh. “I like it.” And right now, I want to put a slow, gentle kiss on it. “And I like you’re thought process. It seems very you.”
“Indecisive, and prone to worry?” She grins, teasing me with that dimple. “Thank you for noticing.”
I laugh. “No. You’re thoughtful. It’s a good thing.”
“Sometimes I think too much.”
“I’d argue that’s better than not thinking enough.” I grin, and she matches me, playfully splashing a little water in my direction.
“I think you’ve got a point.”
She laughs at her terrible joke, and I wish I could pull her into my lap and show her how much I like her and her jokes.
I slightly regret how hard I fought Makenna on taking the couch again. I’m lying here, exhausted, feeling like I’ve been twisting and turning like a tornado for hours. I glance toward the dim clock in the corner and realize it’s only been forty-five minutes.
This is going to be a long night. At least I can hear Makenna’s soft breathing, and occasional sleep noises. Last night, she said something in her sleep that I couldn’t make out. It only added to the ever-growing list of reasons I want to be near her.
I hear Makenna whip her covers to the side and get up. I can just make out her stumbling form in the darkness as she turns toward me, instead of going to the loo like I’d assumed.
She stops near my waist and holds out her hand. I look at it, then up at her barely open eyes.
“Come on,” her groggy voice pleads. “You’re miserable, and you’re keeping me up with all the tossing and turning.”
“I’m sorry, lass,” I whisper.
“As you should be. Do this for me.”
I place my hand in hers, and she gently tugs. I stand and follow behind her through the darkness.
“Are you not worri—”
“Uh uh,” she grunts out in response.
“But what if I’m—”
She makes a deep sleepy groan, pulls the covers back, points, and drops my hand, then heads back to the side she’d previously been burrowed into.
“Are you a little grumpy when you’re tired?”
“You use too many words in the night, Malcolm.” She’s in bed with her back to me, covers to her neck, before I move to obey her.
“Goodnight, lass,” I whisper.
She reaches blindly behind her and pats me on the ribs, then curls up again. Before long, she’s undeniably asleep, and I’m wondering if I’d stand a better chance of sleeping on the couch. Makenna’s sounds and sweet smell are happily overwhelming this close to her.
I’m lost in thought for a while. How could things work for us? Would I like Georgia? What about my medical license? What would I have to do to be able to work there? How does Makenna feel? I just need to talk with her.
I’m finally on the cusp of sleep when the precious woman beside me stirs.
She turns and ends up snuggled into my side, her hand resting lightly on my abdomen.
A small sigh escapes her followed by a word that despite being little more than a breath, causes my heart to stop and restart at a furious pace.
“Malcolm.”
I’ve never been more awake.