Page 33 of The Castle in the Bay

‘Am I wild?’

‘As wild as I’m strange,’ he said.

‘Very wild then.’

He huffed out a little laugh.

A few drops of rain started to fall, splattering on the sand and the rug. Monty glanced away from Iona and peered heavenward. ‘Do you think we should go?’

Iona shook her head. ‘Not unless you especially want to. I actually enjoy the rain on the beach. It’s kind of… soothing.’

‘I guess.’ He stared out to sea and started to gently hum again. Iona felt like a sleepy snake being charmed out of its basket. The rain fell around them in a gentle patter on the sand, blending with the sound of the waves, and Monty’s singing. When she awoke fully, she’d strike, but not in anger. No. That wasn’t what her insides were burning for. She desired to wrap herself around him and place her lips on his. Where were these thoughts coming from? She wasn’t even sure. She’d had her share of hookups with guys who came to the surf school, but not guys like Monty. And even if she wanted to – which if she was honest, she probably did – she knew he wouldn’t.

He wanted to get back with his ex. He’d told her so.

‘What’s your ex’s name?’ she asked.

‘What?’ Monty stopped singing and turned to face her.

‘The woman you want to get back together with. What’s her name?’

‘Sophie.’

‘And she’s adventurous, is she?’

‘She’s definitely more outgoing than me.’

Iona weighed up his words with a little sway of her head. ‘And did you and Sophie ever go bodyboarding or swim in the sea?’

‘No. She liked beaches but only in hot places and for sunbathing on.’

Iona raised an eyebrow. ‘Nothing else?’

‘Meaning what?’

‘Well, did she enjoy, you know…’

‘On the beach? Are you serious? The kind of beaches she liked usually had several hundred other people on them. She didn’t do anything like what you’re thinking… And neither would I.’

Iona giggled at the indignant look on his face. ‘So, you never even kissed on the beach?’

‘I…’ Monty frowned and rubbed his forehead. ‘I don’t think so. Why are you asking me stuff like this?’

‘I’m curious. And you’ve missed out.’

‘Have I?’

‘Sure you have. Everyone knows kissing on a beach is very romantic…’

‘Yeah, well… I’m not very romantic.’

‘Yesterday, you weren’t very adventurous but look at you now. Perhaps you should try kissing on a beach in the rain. That’s romantic and adventurous.’

‘When you say I should try it, do you mean now… As in, with you?’

‘God no.’ She flicked her jeans as though it was the most abhorrent idea ever. But that was a lie.

‘Good. Glad we cleared that up.’

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