“Feel okay?” Alec asks. He twitches the end of the plug, and I jump slightly.
It’s not a strong feeling. More just…a presence. A feeling of being packed full. I touch my belly, wriggling. “Yes. I like it.”
Another kiss on my back. “Tell me if you want it out, and we’ll stop and remove it. It shouldn’t ever feel uncomfortable.”
Yeah, I do not think that’s going to be a problem.
As if on cue, there’s a tap at the door. “Tea,” Cameron says. “Now.”
Alec draws me upright, giving me one last hard kiss. “Let’s get you dressed,” he says. “It’s cold out.”
“Out?” I say, a bit dazed.
“Mmm.” He taps the end of the plug again. “You should bundle up.”
FIFTY-THREE
SUMMER
When we get to the front door, Fraser and Cameron are already waiting.
“We’re eating outside?” I ask doubtfully. It’s still spring, and the air is cool.
“Aye, it’s a clear night,” Fraser says, as if that should mean something. He bundles me up in my new pink coat and grabs my hand to spin me. The skirt swirls around me like a bell. “You look like a wee princess.”
I can’t keep in my grin. I can’t believe the coat is mine. It’s the kind of piece I dreamed about as a teenager.
You look silly,my mum’s voice whispers in the back of my head.Do youwanteveryone to stare at you?
I shut it down, stroking the coat’s big buttons. For the first time in forever, it feels like my outside matches my inside.
Alec puts a hand on the small of my back, and I suddenly become aware of the plug nestled deep inside me. My cheeks warm. “Okay?” he murmurs in my ear. I nod, trying not to squirm.
“Let’s go,” Cameron says impatiently.
As soon as we step outside, I realise why the men want to eat outdoors. The stars are out. Every star in the universe,apparently. With no smog or light pollution, the sky shimmers unbelievably bright, like a spangling blanket has been draped over the hills. “Oh my God,” I say, spinning on the spot.
“Don’t get a sight like that in London, do you?” Fraser asks proudly. “We couldn’t let you leave without showing you one of the pure beauties of the Highlands.”
I’m led through the forest towards Fraser’s secret swimming spot. When we step out into the clearing by the loch, my feet stop moving.
Someone has set up a picnic. Several tartan blankets have been spread out over the moss on the bank. They’re covered with pillows and lanterns, and two heaters from the lambing shed are puffing out hot air. A basket full of dishes and Tupperware is tucked into one corner, and glass drink bottles are chilling in the loch a few metres away, lodged into the sandy bottom. The whole area is glowing golden with the light of several lanterns.
“What?” I whisper.
“Come on, sunshine.” Fraser pulls me down onto the blanket. “Let’s get you nice and comfy on one of these here pillows?—”
“She’ll sit here,” Alec says, kneeling opposite me and touching his knee. His grey eyes gleam in the low light. Slowly, I crawl across to him, allowing him to drag me onto his thigh. As he does, the edge of the plug just nestles deeper into me, making my breath catch. He covers us both with a blanket. Cameron starts unloading the basket.
“Seriously, guys,” I say. “What is all this?”
“It was Cam’s idea,” Fraser says cheerfully, pouring me some cider. “Wanted to end his date on a bang.”
Cameron glares at him. “Wasn’t a date,” he mutters, setting out dishes. There’s so much food—fresh-baked spiced bread with herby butter and homemade cheese, little flaky hand-made pastries, a canteen of soup, three different kinds of salad.
“Did you make all of this?” I ask in wonder.
“Prepped most of it before we went out. There’s strawberry cake for after.” He sinks down onto the pillow and stretches out his leg. “Eat.”
