Page 9 of Note to Self
Mum: Your father has been to your house several times, and you’re not there. This silly behaviour has gone on long enough.
With a roll of my eyes, I shove my phone back into my pocket. Good thing she doesn’t know where I am. I pick up my empty glass and head back to the bar. I decide on the pie and order another pint. While I wait, someone steps up next to me. They’re close enough to be in my personal space, even though there’s plenty of room along the glossy, polished dark wood bar top.
“Hello again, Trent.” His voice is as smooth as melted chocolate and makes my skin tingle and the hairs on my arms stand up. Is his face going to live up to my drawings of him? Have I exaggerated his good looks? I turn to him. Nope, if anything, he’s better-looking.
“Oh, Merlin, hi,” I say coolly. He doesn’t deserve a warm reaction. He hasn’t bothered to be in touch the way he’d impliedlast week. He probably does this to any holidaymaker who catches his eye. I don’t need to be another notch in his bedpost. The barman hands me my change, and I turn to go back to my table.
Merlin gives me another smile. “See you soon, Trent.”
“Yeah, maybe.” I give myself a pat on the back for not sounding too disappointed.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch. It turned into a really busy week for me.” Okay, he has a reason, but he’s annoyed me regardless, and while I know that’s not very fair, I’m still bristling. He’s just as much a player as Marc. But god, he’s so hot. He presses every one of my buttons.
For the remainder of the evening, I feel his eyes on me, but he doesn’t approach me again. When I’ve finished my pint and the excellent pie, I head for the exit. I have to pass their table. Merlin leans in to Drew and says something to him, but he has his eyes fixed on me. Drew shakes his head and gives me a wave.
I’m back on the road to the cottage, enjoying the silence after the loud beer garden. Footsteps follow me, and then someone calls my name.
I stop and turn around. Merlin is rushing towards me. I wait for him to catch up.
“Trent, look, I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch. I had to go back home and sort some things out. Can I make it up to you?” His expression is one of genuine regret. “Maybe go for something to eat tomorrow?”
Do I want to? He can’t be really into me, can he? He’s just a flirt.
“So, would you like to?” He raises his eyebrow. “You’re killing me here, Trent. If the answer’s no, I’ll leave you alone and won’t ask again.”
“No.” His face falls. “I mean, yes, I’d like to go out for something to eat, and no, you don’t need to leave me alone.” Oh crap, did that sound too eager?
But Merlin smiles, a gorgeous, wide smile that shows off perfect teeth. “You do? That’s great. How does seven thirty sound? I’ll come to you.” Merlin says.
“Yes, okay, that would work. Yeah, seven thirty.” Oh god, please don’t make me sound so needy.
Just the look of happiness on his face is enough for any resolve I’ve had this evening of playing it cool to disappear. We stare at each other. It seems we both don’t know how to say goodnight. He takes a step closer. The air crackles between us. Merlin’s eyes darken. He’s feeling it too.
As our mouths clash, my hands are in his hair as his find my waist and grip me tightly. When I part my lips, he shoves his tongue inside. I moan, shamelessly, hungrily, desperately. I have never kissed or been kissed like this before. It’s like I’ve been practising all these years. Every kiss has been building up for this moment, for this man.
We break apart. His eyes shine, sparkling, lit by the nearby lamppost, and his lips glisten. I immediately miss them on mine.
“Who are you?” I ask.
He licks over his bottom lip, then bites down on it. My gaze is fixed on the action. “You’ll have to find that out for yourself. I’m not going anywhere.”
“That sounds like a challenge.” I narrow my eyes. Is this another game, or is he serious?
“Maybe. It’s up to you.” With a smile and a wink, he walks back to the pub.
What the hell just happened?
Trent gives us a wide berth as he leaves the pub. Is he annoyed with me for not being in touch? I couldn’t blame him if he is. I promised to call him, but I didn’t. Sure, I’ve been busier than I’d expected, but that’s not an excuse. I’ll have to make it up to him. I pick up my glass and finish the last inch of beer. “Right, I’m off.”
“You like him, don’t you?” Drew says. “Be careful, Merlin. He’s important to Merrick. Don’t play games.”
“I’ve had the talk from Merrick already.” I chuckle, but it comes out a little strangled. “You’re saying this to the wrong person. He’s the one who will be leaving.”
I give him a nod and leave. All I want to do is catch up with Trent. I’m not even sure why. I just want to speak to him.
The fact that he’s Merrick’s brother-in-law shouldn’t enter into any of this. It has nothing to do with him. I need to make up for not contacting him, to make him realise how much I like him.
But now, as we stare at each other, some weird static sizzles in the air. As if a magnetic pull draws me to him, I grip his waist and kiss him, or he kisses me. I don’t know, and I don’t care. All I know is I never want this to stop. As our tongues stroke, caressing each other in a dance that feels familiar, the best feeling courses through me like lava. I feel like I’ve foundthe person I’m meant to be with. But I have to be careful. Something tells me that he’s been hurt not so long ago. If I say anything like that to him, he’s going to run a mile.
