Page 48 of Priceless
We both knew he wasn't really asking about the country or the castles, or the monster that never showed up. He was careful to keep his eyes on the road. I was careful not to tease him any further.
"It’s…so much more charming than I ever could have imagined."
His smile was slow and warm, his glance brief. "I'm glad."
"And I'm really glad my friend suggested I try your pub for lunch." I shook my head in wonder. "Was that really only yesterday?"
"Feels like I’ve known ye forever.”
I knew exactly what he meant.
Jacob had one more stop planned. “Beauly Forth,” he announced, and turned off the highway. There was a little spot for parking and a narrow path that took us down to the shore. We stood facing the water, listening to fast little waves lappingtwenty feet away, watching lights appear on the opposite shore, miles and miles away.
He checked his watch a few times, like he was waiting for someone to join us. If he had a surprise planned, I didn’t want to ruin it by asking.
“That’s the Kessock Bridge” He pointed to the thin arch in the distance, spanning the wide bay. The cables that kept it suspended didn’t look like much, but as I watched, I realized why he’d brought me here.
The lights started popping on, shining brighter and brighter as the sky slipped on its dark nightgown. And those lights, along with their reflections on the moving water, looked like a parade of dancing stars.
More Scotland magic. And I was beginning to think that Jacob MacKinney was the official magician of Inverness.
He squeezed my hand, and I smiled back at him, to say that I understood. His hand was deliciously warm in the cooling air, and I had no intention of letting go.
“It’s the perfect time, ye ken? If there was something ye meant to ask me…"
My heart sped up. It was hard to take a deep breath, then impossible to breathe at all when he stepped around to face me. He released me, then slid his large hands along my sides and under my arms, so he could pull me against him. His eyes were hidden in shadow. His lips were smiling, only barely.
“Okay,” I whispered.
This is it!
"So, ye're askin’?"
"I’m askin’."
He leaned down and found my mouth on the first try, despite the darkness. His whiskered face was warm against mine, showing how chilled I’d become. Before I had a chance to respond, it was over.
"How was that, then?"
"Too short to tell," I said, trying not to sound like a pouty child. I suspected he’d kept it short to tease me. But two could play that game. So, I took a step back and turned for the car, steady but in no hurry, like I’d just checked another castle off my list and was ready to move on.
Jacob caught up in a rush and caught me against the back corner of the Land Rover. I had never wanted to squeal so badly in my life, but I fought it. He pinned me against the car with his lips while his hands came to either side of my face. Then he kissed me again. Longer this time. Deeper. He told me without words that he’d been anxious to kiss me for a long time.
Like maybe forever.
I melted against him, no longer able to control how my body responded. I forgot where I was, who I was. I knew only his warmth, his lips, the mix of whisky and Jacob on my tongue. His hands in my hair, holding my mouth up to his.
A lack of oxygen…
His lips abandoned me. His forehead pressed against mine. "How was that?" he asked again, his voice gruff now.
I looked up at him—at his rumpled hair, the half-smile, his attention still on my lips. He was putty in my hands.
"Ineffable," I said.
His jaw fell, then recovered. “Did ye…did ye just sayeffable?”
I laughed. “I didnot. I saidineffable.”
