44. Malcolm
Malcolm
“You know, this feels more date-like than going home together,” Makenna says as we walk up the porch steps at my parent’s place.
“Aye, I can see that. Although, it’s a bit funny to me to drop a date off at my parent’s house.”
“I imagine so.” She gives a small chuckle. “Are you gonna come in?”
“I’m thinking I should kiss you goodnight right here. Really play into this date drop-off thing we have going.”
“You’re not afraid your parents will come out?”
“That just makes it feel dangerous. Like we’re living on the edge.”
Makenna throws her beautiful head back and laughs. “Yes, very much on the edge.”
I chuckle, wrap my arms around her waist and pull her to me. “They're more the type to flash the porch light over and over, anyway. Just ask my sisters.”
She slides her hands up my chest and around my neck. “I’ll do that.”
“You were amazing tonight. I’ve never been happier to be on the stage. I’ve always enjoyed the gigs. But you made it something else entirely.”
“Did I? Because it really required some bravery on my part,” she says, a crooked smile on her face. There’s mischief sparkling in her eyes. I don’t know what it’s about, but I’m soaking in every ounce of it.
“Aye, ya did. And I appreciate your bravery.”
“It seems like you owe me,” Makenna teases, running her fingernails up and down in the hair at the nape of my neck.
I’d laugh if I weren’t so entranced.
“I owe you, do I?”
Makenna nuzzles into my neck. “Mmmhmm.”
This is a new and interesting side of Makenna. “Well, then. I’ll take care of my debt right now, if that’s okay. I don’t like to let things like this linger.”
“That’s smart because it’s the interest that—”
My lips are on hers and I do my best to pay my debt, plus interest. And ensure her dreams are of me.
The next day, our last day, I spend so much time finding reasons to touch Makenna, before I realize I don’t need a reason. She wants my touch. She lights up every time I take her hand. Or give her even the smallest kiss. And she especially seems to like it when I touch her hair.
I like it too. I like it all.
Despite spending much of the day together, Makenna is now inside my parent’s house, where she’s waiting for me to pick her up for the hospital gala.
I knock on the door and wait.
Mam opens the door, looking fit to burst with happiness.
“Good evening, Mrs. Robertson, I’m here to pick up Makenna.”
Mam chuckles. “Malcolm!” She smiles and takes me in. “You look so handsome.”
“Thanks, Mam.”
My dad walks into the room carrying a box of empty honey jars. “Malcolm. Lookin’ sharp, son.”
“I wanted to impress ya, Da.”
“We’ll not be the only ones impressed,” Mam says.
“Definitely not.” The sound of Makenna’s voice draws all our attention as she steps into the room.
She is stunning. A pure vision in dark green silk. The fabric flows around her curves like a waterfall, and I desperately want to run my hands along it to see if it’s as soft as it appears.
My eyes are glued to Makenna when my mam says, “You kids have fun,” and pulls my da from the room.
I’ve seen many versions of Makenna. The strong hiker. The mermaid. The rain-soaked. The one made up for date night, and the one in pajamas, settled in for the night. I’ve been very much attracted to all these versions, but tonight she’s knocked the wind from my lungs.
“Oh, lass. I’ve never been happier to have perfect eyesight.
Though had I been born blind, something tells me I’d find other ways to appreciate you in this dress.
” I step closer. Keeping her just out of reach for now.
“You’re always bonnie, but tonight … tonight I have no words for what you’re doing to me. ”
Her blush shows up especially well against the green of her dress, and I notice that it also makes her eyes appear more green than blue.
Oh, I love her eyes. The air between us is thick with electricity as I watch her eyes slowly move down my body.
Pausing at my dress kilt, she smiles, then finishes her perusal.
Meanwhile, I feel like a cobra ready to strike, but hypnotized by a charmer.
“You’re the most handsome man I’ve ever seen, and I love your kilt. You look … like a dream.”
“I was having very similar feelings, lass. Thank you.” I pull a long, blue velvet jewelry box from my inner suit pocket. “I have something for you.”
Makenna’s eyes widen. “You shouldn’t have gotten me anything. You already bought the dress and shoes.”
“You’re doing me a favour by coming with me to the gala.” I put the box into her hands.
“This hardly feels like a favor.” She looks down at the box, then smiles back at me. “This is exciting, even if you shouldn’t have.”
“I’m glad, and I should have. Go ahead.”
She looks down once more and opens the box. Her sudden intake of breath tells me she probably likes it. It’s a small gold chain with a deep purple amethyst stone pendant.
“I chose it, then checked with Fiona to make sure it would go with your dress.”
“It’s perfect. I can’t believe how beautiful it is.”
I remove the necklace from the box as Makenna holds it. I step behind her and fasten the necklace around her exposed neck. Her long hair has been curled and pinned up, reminding me of the styles you’d see in a Jane-Austen-type movie.
I slide my hands around her waist and pull her to me, then place a slow kiss to the side of her neck. “I’m gonna have a very hard time socializing tonight having you within arm’s reach.”
Makenna lays her head back on my shoulder. “So you’re saying I should find some people to talk with across the room?”
I pull her tighter. “That is not what I’m saying.”
“Alright, you just let me know if you change your mind.”
“I definitely won’t.” I let her go and come to her side. “Ready to go?”
She angles toward me. “Yep. But before we go, I have a very serious question.” Her tone is somewhere between seductive and teasing, and I know I’m gonna like whatever this is.
“Oh, aye?”
Her beautiful eyes are absolutely sparkling. “Aye.”
That’s it. I want to pick her up, forgo the gala and run to anywhere that isn’t my parents’ living room.
“Can I take those socks with me when I leave?”
I’m so shocked at this being the serious question that I throw my head back and laugh. I glance down at my dark green kilt hose, then back at Makenna.
“Anything you want, sweetheart. You can have anything you want.”