CHAPTER 14
Brian sat on the deck overlooking the ocean that seemed a little wilder than normal tonight. Not that he really knew what normal was around here yet, he had only been here a little over a week. It was wilder than he had seen and matched his mood. He took a drink from the bottle of beer in his hand, wishing he were somewhere else right now. If he had kept his mouth shut he could be. All he wanted to do was kiss Skye goodnight, and he had to go and make a comment about the photo on the wall. It was Trevor, he had recognised him from his dreams, but his simple question had changed the mood between them, enough so that Brian thought it best he leave her to come to grips with her demons. He knew she was trying, but it didn’t help his mood right now.
Their first kiss had been everything he had thought it would be. His only wish was that it had been much longer. Interrupted by a horse, he thought to himself. How inopportune was that? He hadn’t wanted to overwhelm her with the type of kiss he longed to give her, but he had wanted it to be more than they had. He was sure she had liked it too, and then he went and upset her when back at home where he planned on another kiss. He grunted at himself in disgust and swallowed back the last bit of beer in the bottle. This was not going to help matters, he thought and decided he would try to get some sleep. Tomorrow would be another day, tomorrow he could repair the damage he had done.
He stood to turn and walk back inside when he thought he saw a dull light reflecting off the glass of the door. He looked again and there was nothing. A chill travelled up his spine and a cool breeze floated around him. He rubbed his arms to ward off the cold and hurried inside. It was unusual to be so cold anywhere at this time of the year, let alone here.
“You should have kissed her,” the voice of the old woman floating around Brian as he came inside. “She was upset, but you still should have kissed her.”
“I did kiss her.” Brian said triumphantly. “Didn’t you see us?”
“When did you kiss her? Skye was upset. Reminding her of Trevor was not very smart.”
“Don’t you think I know that?” Brian said sharply. He wasn’t in the mood right now to talk to his imaginary ghost.
“Well there is no need to take it out on me young man. You can fix things, all is not lost.” Brian shook his head. How long would this madness continue. He had had enough. “What do you mean you kissed her?” she prodded.
“You are supposed to know and see everything. Why didn’t you see us?” Brian asked, still annoyed at this questioning.
“Where did this happen?” The woman asked curiously, not at all perturbed by Brian’s bad mood.
“In the carriage, by the restaurant.” Brian answered without thought of keeping it to himself.
He heard clapping of hands and a cheer of glee. “You kissed her? Really? That is wonderful news.” She paused and thought for a moment. “You DID both like it didn’t you?”
“YES! We both liked it. What sort of silly question is that? I am not the kind of man who would kiss a girl against her wishes.”
She giggled again. If Brian could see her he was sure she would be dancing around in delight. “Oh this is so good. It is the first step to you both finding your happiness, your destiny together, and also the first step to our unfinished business finalising so we can leave for the ever after. Do you have any idea how happy that makes me?”
Brian couldn’t help himself, he had to smile at her enthusiasm. “So how come you didn’t see us?” he asked curiously, his mood lightening.
“Oh!” He imagined her waving her hand dismissively at her tone. “That’s a minor technicality.” She sniffed dramatically and Brian chuckled. “We are confined to the area of the house and immediate surrounding area. We cannot venture any further than that. Most annoying at times,” she huffed.
“Oh is that so?” Brian asked the empty space in front of him that the voice was coming from. That meant that any time he and Skye had away from the house they would be ‘alone’. “So how far can you go?” He wanted to be sure.
He could tell she was reluctant to reveal the piece of information, but she was trapped now. She had started the conversation about their bounds and now she had to finish it. Her voice lowered. “Just in the houses, and directly in front and behind them, including the beach. That’s all. As I said, most annoying.”
“It’s also good news for me,” Brian mumbled to himself.
“What was that sweetie?” She asked her curiosity piqued.
“Oh nothing. I am going to bed right now.” At least he knew if he took Skye away somewhere they were alone, no meddlesome ghosts watching them. He was feeling bold enough to imagine the time when they make love for the first time. He was sure neither one of them wanted an audience.
Making love to Skye. He prayed that one day they would have a solid relationship where they both wished to take that step. Heaven knows he had dreamt it often enough. He felt his body stirring just at the thought of the two of them together as he had dreamt. He really had to stop torturing himself like that.
But as he lay in bed trying to sleep, Skye’s honey eyes haunted him. He closed his eyes and prepared himself for another dream to take him into his fantasy world thinking of her smile, her mesmerising eyes, holding her hand, her soft lips………..
**********
Skye woke early the following morning feeling warm and relaxed. Another dream had filled her night and after the disappointing way the night before had ended she was pleased to have had a good night’s sleep, and dream. She had relived the simple kiss with Brian over and over, feeling his lips, knowing now what they felt like for real instead of just her imagination.
She pressed her fingers to her lips, and smiled. She wanted to feel them again. She was sure if she had not freaked out at Brian’s query about Trevor that he would have kissed her goodnight. But Brian had sensed her sadness at his question and had backed away, leaving her time to think. Once Brian had gone, she had cried. Cried because she knew she was letting go of Trevor finally and moving on. She had taken one step that afternoon by taking her ring off her finger and now she had taken that next step by actually kissing another man, and enjoying it more than she could ever remember before.
Had Brian not pointed out the photo of Trevor she had on the cabinet, she wouldn’t have given it too much thought. She was moving on, she knew it, but the reminders were harder to contend with. She would have to tell Brian about Trevor at some point. How and when would be the hard part. But they could not move on until she had done so.
Pulling the blankets up around her to snuggle back in, Skye smiled while thinking of her dream. It had been different from all the others that had previously left her confused and of course now she also knew much more about Brian and also saw more than only his eyes and smile in her dream. She closed her eyes to see his face again. It was a most handsome face, one she now knew well.
“Hey sleepy head, more dreams last night?” Skye heard Jay say from hiding under her blankets.
“Yes,” she mumbled. “But different this time.”
“Different how?”
“I don’t know. It was more real this time. Maybe because I actually know him.”
“So how was the date?” Jay asked dismissing the dream as quickly as she had brought it up. She would be far more interested in hearing about the date.
“It was nice. We got on really well,” Skye smiled at her. “We had dinner at The Valentine and talked throughout, getting to know each other. Then we went for a buggy ride in the moonlight where I pointed out all the local highlights.”
“But did he kiss you?”
Skye’s eyes turned dreamy as she replied. “Yes he kissed me, briefly, but it was so nice.”
“He kissed you?” she heard a male voice ask and her eyes cleared as she looked for the person who spoke. Then she realised it was her grandfather. The joy in his voice was plain to hear and for a moment she thought she saw a shadow in the direction the voice had come from. She squinted in the direction but saw nothing and sighed.
“Skye? You don’t look pleased that he kissed you,” Jay said. “I mean you did first and now you look confused.”
“Sorry Jay, I thought I heard something,” she answered then heard a chuckle coming from the direction. And shook her head in exasperation. She would need to have a word with her grandfather.
“So, he kissed you. Tell me everything.”
“There’s not really a lot to tell,” she laughed. “We were in a horse drawn carriage, as I said, and we were laughing together about something. Then we started telling one another that we had had a lovely time together and the mood changed. I knew he was going to kiss me and I just waited, wanting it so badly.” She told Jay, forgetting her grandfather was listening. “He kissed me oh so briefly and moved away, making sure it was okay with me. He is such a gentleman.”
“And did you let him know it was okay?” Jay asked looking like she was about to jump out of her skin. She so badly wanted this relationship to go right for Skye. She deserved it after the sad times she had faced in her life.
Skye smiled coyly. “Well, I didn’t say yes or no. I guess he could just tell by the look in my eye, because I sure did want it.”
“And he did?”
“Yes. He licked his bottom lip and I thought I would die,” she laughed nervously. Sharing stuff like this was not something she was used to doing. “Then he leaned down and kissed me again. Only this time the horse came to a stop and we jumped apart.”
“Oh damn horse.” Jay grumbled and Skye laughed, knowing she had thought the same thing. “What about when he dropped you home. Did he kiss you then?”
Skye’s eyes darkened sadly and she uttered an unhappy “no”
“He didn’t? Why, what happened,” she asked coming closer for comfort if needed. She sensed immediately it would be.
She sighed dramatically. “He saw a photo of Trevor and asked about it. I dunno, I was immediately racked with guilt or something. He apologised for upsetting me and felt it best he leave which was probably a good thing at the time.”
Jay’s arms went around Skye in a hug. “You have nothing to feel guilty about. Nothing at all you hear. If things with Brian go ahead, and the two of you build a relationship, you can’t go feeling guilty at every pleasure you share. There are always going to be reminders of Trevor in your life and you have to accept that. I wish I could take that pain away, but only you can get over it. You have to if you and Brian are going to have a chance.”
No tears threatened this time, which Jay noticed and thought it was a good sign. “I know that Jay. I wanted to kiss Brian goodnight, and more than the brief kisses we had shared. They were sweet romantic little get to know you kisses, but I wanted so much more. Once he was gone I was so mad with myself. He must have been so mad at me too. I’ll try harder, it will get easier. Heck it has been a little easier every day, but I know there will be times I can’t jump the hurdle and Brian will need to realise that too. But it was inexcusable last night. Our first date and I did that to him.” Skye stopped to think about what she had just said. “I need to go and apologise to him.”
Jay nodded. “Maybe, but don’t be so hard on yourself. I am sure he will be understanding. Tell him about Trevor. Let him understand what you are going through and I am sure he will try and help.”
Skye nodded and jumped out of bed. “Thanks Jay, what would I do without you,” she said hugging her close. “You are the best friend.”
“You’re welcome, now go!” she said as Skye headed towards the bathroom to shower.
In the corner a ghostly figure sat contemplating all he had heard. Something needed to be done.
Chapter 15
Index
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