Page 48 of The Castle in the Bay

Monty’s grip on Iona’s hips was firm. She clutched his cheeks, drinking in the taste of his lips, enjoying the prickle of his stubble. The wind picked up around them, whipping her hair into her face, but she barely noticed. All her focus was on the heat and urgency of their kiss, and the way Monty’s touch sent shivers through her.

He definitely wasn’t holding back this time. Was this how he kissed Sophie? If so, the woman was an idiot. This was far from boring. Intense passion filled it. Iona moaned. ‘Monty,’ she murmured against his lips, her breath hitching.

‘What?’ he said with a sharp exhale. ‘Is something wrong?’

‘No.’ She shook her head, smiling, her lips swollen and tender. ‘Why don’t we take these off?’ She tugged the leg of his glasses.

‘Oh, sure.’ He took them off and blinked.

‘I’d like to kiss Superman, not Clark Kent.’

He quirked a little smile and tilted his head. Leaning in, she met his lips again. He slipped his hands from her hips, up her back, and pulled her close, so she was wrapped in his embrace. The heat was glorious, and the raging wind wasn’t biting anymore. Their tongues met and Monty tensed under her. Iona ground against him, loving the friction and how into this he was. How much he wanted her… Or Sophie. Sure, he was pretending she was Sophie, but she’d take it, because while she enjoyed hooking up and the physical release that came with it, she missed the emotional connection. She had no faith in lasting relationships, but to experience something close to love was precious. If Monty loved Sophie, then Iona would take this moment and enjoy the love.

‘Remember,’ she panted in between kisses, linking her arms behind his neck. ‘How much you love Sophie. Show her. Don’t hold back.’

He made a funny little noise in his throat, almost like he was scoffing at the idea of loving Sophie, then he pulled her even closer, devouring her lips, until she thought she might pass out. She was on the verge of suggesting they threw caution – and their clothes – to the wind, when good sense kicked in. The only remaining piece in her love-drugged brain. This beach might be out of the way, but boats passed here, and she didn’t fancy getting caught indecently by a whole boatload of people.

He pulled back slightly, his breath short. ‘It’s getting a bit stormy. Maybe we should head back.’ He ran his fingertips around her forehead and down her cheek, whisking away several strands of hair that had broken free from her ponytail. ‘Not that I want to stop this, or let you go.’ His grip on her increased a little, and his cold fingertips lingered near her earlobe, the pad of his thumb gently caressing her cheek.

Iona melted from his touch. And his words. Had anyone ever said anything quite so romantic to her? She didn’t think so.He doesn’t want to let me go.And really, she didn’t want him to let her go either. This was far too nice.

‘Quite enjoying your fling now, aren’t you?’ She smirked at him.

‘I am, but I don’t like how windy it is out here.’

‘Yeah, we should go.’ She glanced at the sky, now darkening with heavy clouds. ‘Before we get caught in the rain again.’

‘But you like kissing in the rain, don’t you?’ He gave her a little smile.

She didn’t mind what she kissed him in – or on – at this moment. Rain, sun, whatever, wherever. She just didn’t want it to stop.

‘I do, but probably not so much on a tiny tidal island in a storm.’

‘Yeah, let’s get back.’ He shifted, and she climbed off him, scrambling to her feet. She grabbed the picnic bag, and he lifted the folded rug. They hurried back towards the slipway. Aggressive waves were tossing the little boat up and down. This would be a wild ride back, by the look of things. Thankfully, it was just across the harbour. She wouldn’t risk the open sea in wind like this.

‘Have you still got the wristbands on?’ Iona turned to Monty as they ran down the slipway.

He waggled his arm, showing her his wrist.

‘Cool. In we get.’ She hopped onboard, thrusting out her hand and helping Monty on. Instead of sitting at the back, he followed her to the front as he did up his buoyancy aid.

She started the engine. ‘This looks insane.’

‘I trust you… But should I be worried?’ His eyes met hers and so many unspoken thoughts passed between them.

‘We’ll be fine.’ She steered forward, her hands steady despite the twist in her stomach. Nothing to do with the weather – everything to do with Monty.

The sea was rough, the boat tossed by the waves, but Iona held the course. Monty clung on, his knuckles white but his eyes determined.

‘Hey. We’re good.’ She flashed him a quick smile. ‘I’ve done this a million times.’ Well, slight exaggeration, but as they approached the marina, the waves had already calmed.

‘I can see that. But you know me by now… Adventure isn’t my thing.’

‘We’ll see.’ She winked. ‘I think there’s more to you than meets the eye.’

They reached the jetty, and Iona brought the boat home. She tied it up, checking there were no sharp nails this time, and saw Monty taking off the bands and flexing his wrists.

‘They leave quite a dent, these things.’ He showed her the indents.

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