Page 59 of Stars Shine In Your Eyes

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While Josie and Mari remained in the bookshop to have a meeting about the upcoming retreat, Malcolm and Owen went upstairs to the flat above the shop and sat in the comfortable armchairs by the window.

“A proper relationship, is it?” Owen said. “I’m as pleased as can be, but you’re hard on women.”

Malcolm nodded, trying not to be defensive. Of course he understood why his brother would have doubts when Malcolm had been anything but a relationship man before now. “She’s different. She’s special.”

Owen nodded. “I agree with both of those things. The question is—is that enough for you?”

Malcolm’s jaw tightened. “Of course.”

Owen said nothing for a few long moments. “I hope so. I think she’s good for you. Really good. We all think that, as you know. I would just hate to see things turn sour.”

“I’m not going to let our relationship affect her working relationship with Mari, if that’s what you’re concerned about,” Malcolm stated.

Owen shook his head. “No, you take business a lot more seriously than that. I’m sure you’ll go out of your way to make sure that nothing you do, or don’t do, negatively affects either Josie or Mari. And I can’t tell you how much Mari appreciates the help that you’ve given on the cottages. You’ve been a lifesaver for her. Both of you have.” He paused again, for just a moment. “This has happened pretty fast, that’s all. I want to make sure you’ve thought it through.”

Malcolm worked to keep his expression and body at ease. “Things were fast with you and Mari too. And it’s not like you didn’t have any issues or damage going in.”

“You’re right, it was quick. But I knew it was right, from the start.”

“Then you get it,” Malcolm said. “It’s how I feel as well.”

“Good,” his brother said, looking relieved. “If you need anything, want to talk anything through, anytime, I’m always here.”

“Thanks,” Malcolm said, a little gruffly as he was hit with a swell of emotion. He knew his brother wasn’t just looking out for what might happen to Josie if he ended up changing his mind about having a “proper relationship.” Owen was also concerned about him. They were all close, he and Owen especially, as they were the oldest and so close in age. They’d banded together so many times over the years. And yet, he’d never spoken to his brother, or any of his family, not even his mother, about finding his father in the black pit of emotional despair all those years ago.

A part of him considered bringing it up now. But that was water under the bridge. Long-past history. And he was completely over it. Getting together with Josie was just more proof that he’d healed from the trauma of finding his father, the man who’d always seemed like a rock, shaking and crying, drinking whiskey straight from the bottle. That had shattered something in the teenage Malcolm, some sense that he could trust another human being fully.

The two women came back, and Owen poured them all refills. The celebrations continued with takeout Chinese. It was another hour before Josie and Malcolm headed back to the houseboat. He wanted to prove to her, prove to Owen, prove to all of them, that he was making the right decision. And that he wasn’t going to let anyone down. Yet again, he found he didn’t have the words.

But he could always show Josie how he felt with his lips and his body and pleasure.

CHAPTER TWENTY

As they walked hand in hand back to the houseboat, everything felt different somehow. They weren’t just playing around anymore. This was real. No longer a temporary fling, but something that might last forever. Even thinking the word stopped Malcolm in his tracks, and though he tried to cover it, Josie noticed.

“Everything okay?”

He resumed his normal stride. “Yes, everything’s great.” Her expression seemed a little strained. “What about you?” he asked. “How are you doing? It’s been a hell of a day, huh?”

She smiled, and that ray of sunshine never failed to make his heart beat a little faster. “I’m good. Really good. Everything is just so amazing. So many things I didn’t see coming have happened. Moving here. Making new friends so quickly. And… you.”

His brother’s words still lingered in Malcolm’s mind as he leaned over to kiss her. “You won’t regret taking a chance on Elderflower Island. And the new job. And me.” He kissed her again. “Especially me.”

She gave him another smile. “I hope so.” Her light reticence made him want even more to prove his feelings for her.

They walked past the handful of other houseboats, and he unlocked his door. As he closed it behind them, it felt like they were in their own private, special world. A world made just for the two of them. One where nothing could come between them. A world with no room for any doubts. Any fears.

“Nearly every time we’ve walked in this door, I’ve ripped your clothes off and pounced on you,” he said. “But I want you for so much more than just sex. You know that, don’t you?”

He had never cared whether a woman knew that he was emotionally invested before. This was the first time.

“I do know it.” And then she closed the gap between them. “And you don’t have to worry—you can always rip my clothes off the moment we’re behind closed doors. I love that about you. How you don’t hold back your passion.”

But he always had, before her. Held his passion in check. On all fronts. It was only now, only because of her, that he was finally letting those passions run free.

“You’re special to me, Josie. So damned special.”

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