Rules of Harte (Harte Series #1) (23 page)

             
Eva finally decided to answer the call. She prepared to spin something about already being home tucked up in bed and hope Shelly would buy it. She rummaged in her bag but was surprised to see Julian’s number waiting on her screen. Her fingers shook as she scrolled down to read his text. She tucked herself against the drawn shutter of a hat boutique and closed her eyes. She took several deep breaths before opening them again to read.

Dun Laoghaire Pier @ 9.30PM

              Eva pressed the heel of her hand just above her nose, easing some of the pressure from her burning headache. She was angry…no, frustrated …no, upset. She didn’t know what the hell she was feeling but whatever it was, it was possibly alcohol related, and it was bloody horrendous. She was furious with Julian for not respecting her decision. Eva realised there was a fine line between furious and relieved as she punched a short reply into her phone and hit send.

             
She was hoping for Julian’s swift reply but the vibration of her phone in her clenched fist startled her, none the less.

You already said that.

Eva smiled. Suspecting he was, as always, flirting. She decided to rise to the challenge.

And I’m saying it again. I can’t see you anymore.

              It started to rain. Large drops of chilly water trickled down Eva’s face. Her mint green dress turned emerald as the downpour showed no mercy. She shivered. She was freezing. A crisp breeze had piggy-backed on the fall of dusk, and she could no longer feel the fire of Whisky in her belly. But she shivered most of all because long minutes had passed and Julian hadn’t replied. Maybe he was giving her what she asked for.

             
She wiped a large rain drop off the screen of her phone with the edge of her cardigan, and her heart raced as she noticed the waiting image. Cool blue waves sparkled under a golden setting sun. She read the message that followed, over and over, as her heart beat attempted to break the sound barrier.

You can’t see me anymore? Then close your eyes. But you’ll miss this view. 9.30pm Ms Andrews.

              Eva glanced at her watch; it was a couple of minutes shy of nine o’clock. She shook her head, brushed down her damp dress and marched towards the nearest DART station. It was impulsive, and possibly a decision she would learn to regret, but in that moment she didn’t care. Just one last time, she told herself. One. Last. Time.

The train’s wheels clattered against the tracks like an allegro metronome. Its symphonic rhythm soothed Eva’s nerves. It passed across low bridges over city centre traffic and whizzed through dark tunnels. Eva listened intently to the announcement of every station, terrified she would miss her stop. She lived a thirty minute bus journey in the opposite direction; this side of the city was all new and somewhat intimidating to her. She liked the familiarity of her daily commute and stepping outside that comfort zone, even if it was for Julian, made her want to turn back.

‘
The next station is Dun Laoghaire. Please mind the gap.’

Eva stood up and waited as almost all passengers disembarked. She was happy to let them pass and follow
ed their lead. She took a deep breath as she stepped onto the platform and fresh, sea-air filled her lungs. Brief memories of happy summers on Jersey shore, with her family, made her smile, before the pain of the years that followed rushed into her mind. She pushed all thoughts of her past life aside and followed her nose towards the sea.

             
A tall, cream and red lighthouse stood at the end of the comma shaped pier, like a sparkling diamante. Eva was drawn towards its blinking light. She folded her arms tight across her chest, trying to protect herself from the rough wind and began walking. She passed a pretty bandstand with lovers kissing in the corner. A teenage busker leaned with one foot against a weathered bench and played impressive rifts on his guitar. And an elderly couple held hands as they walked their dog along the pier in front of her.

             
She stopped just before the lighthouse and stared out to sea. The pier was free from railings and she didn’t dare venture too close. She hadn’t been near water in ten years and if it wasn’t for her overwhelming desire to see Julian, she would never go near it again. She stared at the waves below, free from the entrapment of her own memories, for a moment - just a moment.

             
Eva didn’t flinch as she felt his hands slip around her waist and his warm lips press against her neck. She closed her eyes and savoured his smell. His body sheltered her from the wind as his tall frame towered behind her.

             
‘Breath-taking, isn’t it?’ he whispered.

She nodded. It was so beautiful
; it was beyond any words she could imagine.

‘I grew up here,’ he said, his finger pointing towards a winding road in the distance. ‘Well for a while anyway.’

Eva wondered how anyone could have such sadness in their voice when talking about such an amazing place. It must have been what people heard when she spoke about New Jersey, she thought.

             
‘You came,’ he said, actively changing the subject. ‘I knew you would.’

Eva smiled. He was so certain and she admired his confident charm.

‘Shall we?’ he said, placing his arm around her waist and guiding her back to stand alongside him. He led her slowly back the way she had just come. They walked in silence as Eva looked all around. Dusk was giving way to night and a red hue hung behind scattered clouds, like burnt orchids splashed across the sky. Julian stopped, stood still and waited for Eva to catch her breath. She met his gaze and smiled. Christ, he was beautiful and she felt beautiful just for being next to him. He signalled with his eyes to look behind her. She double blinked as she took in the view of uneven concrete steps leading down to boats of all shapes and sizes. Some were old and worn. Some were new and shiny. And they all were wonderfully pretty.

             
Julian dropped onto the first step with one knee bent and still on the pier. He held his open palm out to her and tilted his head towards a tiny dingy bobbing beside him.

‘Are you ready?’

Eva’s eyes widened and she shook her head. ‘No. I can’t, Julian. I can’t swim.’

Julian laughed. ‘We’re not going to get wet. Well maybe you are, but it won’t be from sea water. Come on, you’ll like this.’

              Eva’s eyes drifted to the large ferry making its way towards the port. Her tummy began to somersault and her knees quivered. Oh shit, she was going to throw up. Not now, she begged her stomach, suddenly sorry for that last rushed mouthful of Scotch. It was over ten years since the incident but standing at the shore brought all the memories back.

             
‘Julian, please. I…I…can’t.

Eva pulled away
, falling backwards onto the hard concrete behind her. She scampered to distance herself from the edge. Julian watched her calmly edging forward just a fraction. He pulled himself to his full height and straightened his arm and his palm. ‘Just take my hand, Eva. I promise I’ll keep you safe.’

              Eva’s teeth chattered as she explored his face. She could never read Julian but in that moment, for the first time, she knew his intention. He truly did want to keep her safe. And she wanted to trust him. No one had ever made it their job to protect her before. No one. The truth in Julian’s eyes was offering her something she never had but she desperately wanted. She wanted to conquer her fear. To not let the memories surface and control her. And she wanted more than anything for Julian to be the one keeping her safe.

             
She slowly edged forwards and grasped his hand so tight, her fingers whitened. Julian stayed one step ahead of her as he led the way to the small, waiting dingy. It was old and the once dark timber was faded and weather beaten.

‘Good girl,’ he said
, kissing her forehead when she stepped down beside him. ‘I have you. I promise.’

Eva looked up to find a stunning white yacht anchored in the deeper water. Her nervousness didn’t fade but a buzz of excitement fought for some room in her tummy too.

‘Don’t look so concerned, Evangeline. It’s safe.’

Eva wasn’t convinced and gripped Julian’s hand even tighter.

‘It’s just our ride. How else do you suggest we get out to that? Julian pointed to a magnificent white yacht floating in the distance.…’You said you can’t swim.’

             
Eva and Julian sat facing each other, their legs cramped and fighting for room. Eva’s bare calves brushed against the leg of Julian’s trousers. He wore the same glacier blue shirt he had on earlier in the shop, but his tie was absent now and his top button open. His sleeves were rolled just enough to reveal his firm, lower arms as he rowed powerfully. His broad shoulders made his swift back and forth action look effortless. Eva’s head told her to keep an eye on the shore and panic about not having a lifejacket on, but her eyes wouldn’t move from staring at his body powering them forward.

             
The rickety dingy was dwarfed beyond compare as it floated alongside the enormous yacht.

‘Ladies first
,’ Julian said.

‘Me?’

‘Well unless there’s some other beautiful woman hiding on board.’ Julian began to look all around jokingly.

Eva’s hands grabbed each side of the small dingy as it swayed with the weight of Julian’s moving body. He stilled suddenly and a mischievous twinkle sparkled in his ey
es. The water around them calmed and the dingy was almost motionless. Eva ran the flat of her palms up and down her calves a couple of times, closed her eyes and counted to three. Now, she told herself. Now was the time to cop on to herself, shake off the boring drip she had become and start living her life.
Now
.

             
‘Okay, I’ll go first,’ Eva said.

She managed to pull herself up the waiting ladder surprisingly easily. She was about to smile and applaud her own efforts when a large gust of wind swept by and drew her skirt into the air, revealing her silky black knickers. Mortified, she began to blush but she couldn’t help smiling as she looked down at Julian’s approving expression.
His grin left her with no doubt that he planned to see those knickers again that evening.

‘Thank you,’ he said
, saluting the sky.

              Julian jumped on board effortlessly. And Eva’s attempt suddenly seemed clumsy in comparison. She wasn’t surprised. Everything he did was sexy, why would climbing on to a boat be any different?

‘Welcome aboard, Ms Andrew
s.’

‘Thank you.’

              Julian stepped close to Eva, his broad chest stopping just inches in front of her, the heat of his body competing with the night air to sooth her skin. He slipped one arm around her waist. The other reached gently behind her head and his fingers spread through her wind swept hair. He pulled her closer still and kissed her. His open mouth tasted like expensive champagne, and she almost gasped as the rough side of his tongue swept under the softness of hers. The hunger of his kiss eased and he closed his mouth but his lips remained pressed against hers for a moment longer. She didn’t dare move. He lowered his head and slowly moved his lips down her neck to continue his fragile touch. His fingers meandered through her hair, massaging her aching scalp. He chased her collarbone with the tip of his tongue and his hand dropped from her waist, lower, under her skirt and grabbed her ass tightly.

             
A dry cough sounded behind them and a man’s voice followed. ‘Is it okay to set sail now, Sir?’

Eva stood rigid; shocked that they weren’t alone and overly aware that Julian’s grip on her bottom didn’t ease. She knew he had no intention of letting go. She was so grateful that her skirt covered his hands.

‘Yes. Do, please,’ Julian said. ‘There won’t be any more delays.’

Eva shrieked quickly as
Julian slapped her cheek, but her attempt to protest was silenced by the warmth of his lips against hers once more.

              The yacht jerked and white foam sprayed from the back. They were moving heading towards the horizon and Eva’s heart raced frantically. Although she hadn’t forgotten they were on a boat, and boats sail - obviously, it just stupidly hadn’t come into her head that boarding Julian’s yacht meant they would head out to sea. She couldn’t do this, she didn’t want to. She’d have to explain. She’d have to confess.

             
‘This way,’ Julian said, his sexy smile sending a shiver down Eva’s spine. He took her hand and slowly led the way down mahogany steps to the lower deck. Eva didn’t protest. She was afraid if she uttered a single word, he might let go.

Julian positioned himself behind the glossy, ebony bar and waited for Eva’s eyes to finish exploring the room before he spoke. Her innocent excitement was beautiful. A summer evening exploring the marina was the norm for him but he could appreciate for Eva, it was something very new.