‘Oh, wow!’ This was such a surprise. And a wonderful surprise at that.
‘Okay, it doesn’t technically mean I have to live there, but I wanted to show you that I’m committed to you, to life with you in Oz. And this was the best way I could think of right now.’
‘Oh, Niall. I’m really proud of you. My wee Aussie bloke.’
He laughed. ‘Well, how about Scottish-Aussie. Like you. And less of the wee. There’s something else in there for you, by the way.’
‘It’s like a lucky dip.’ Carli dipped into the sporran again and retrieved a small band of leather.
‘Oh.’ Tears sprung into her eyes when she saw not only what this was, but that Niall was still wearing the one he’d put on before they made love in the romance library.
‘I know you made that for me,’ he said. ‘But, until I can get you something a wee bit more permanent, I thought you could wear it. To remind you of us.’
A tear slid down Carli’s cheek. ‘Like I need reminding of us, but, yes.’ She held out her wrist and Niall took the bracelet and slipped it on. Their eyes met and a surge of understanding passed between them.
The band of leather on her wrist, Carli sank into Niall, her big-hearted Scottish man, who was anything but wee. ‘Thank you, Noo Noo,’ she said.
‘I’ve told you about calling me that.’ Playfully he slapped her bum.
‘Sorry, not sorry. Listen, there’s something I have to tell you.’
‘Oh aye?’
‘Yes. This is all so thoughtful of you, Niall, but I don’t need you to prove anymore that you’re committed to me. It’s me who has to prove it to you. Why can’t we live together in Scotland? It’s not going to kill me, is it? Today, I visited the oxygen centre in Oban. They run sessions all the time and they’re free. I could bring Glen over and we could live in Kinshore. You can be here for your family, have their support, run your surf lessons for the kids, and I can teach yoga classes somewhere.’
Niall gripped the dresser behind him so hard it nearly came away from the wall it was nailed to. ‘Are you serious?’
‘Yes, I am. I need to move out of my comfort zone and realise I won’t fall apart. If anything is worth doing that for, it’s you.’
Suddenly her face was in Niall’s hands and his lips were pressing against hers and his breath was hot on her face as he was mumbling, ‘Thank you, Cass, I love you so much.’ Carli knew then that she’d made the right decision as his gratitude weighed on every word.
He pulled back and pierced her with eyes overspilling with love.
‘You’ve no idea how happy that makes me,’ he said. ‘It doesn’t need to be forever, but right now it would make such a difference.’ Cupping her waist, he pulled her to him. ‘I want to thank you properly. They don’t do bedtime cabin checks, do they? Bring you a hot chocolate made of silk or something?’
‘They don’t, although that sounds like it should be on the menu.’
‘Great, so…’ Niall kissed her forehead, running his nose down hers and working his way to kissing her again.
‘There is one part of me you need to take extra care of,’ she warned.
‘Oh aye?’ Niall was already stripping off her pyjama top. ‘Where’s that then?’
‘You’ll see.’
‘All I can see is a fantastic pair of tits.’ He took them in his palms and Carli almost forgot about the tenderness at the bottom of her back. Roved her gaze over the kilt and the shirt and the broad chest inside the waistcoat. It was hard to know whether to ask him to strip off or keep it all on.
She prised his hands from her breasts, causing him to eye her with puzzlement, until she moved them to her waistband of her pyjamas.
‘Take these off and you’ll find out.’ She quirked an eyebrow at him.
Niall inhaled sharply. ‘No invitation needed.’
‘Be gentle.’ She held his arms as he carefully pulled the elastic of the pyjama pants from her skin and tugged them down over her hips.
The fabric dropping to her ankles, Carli stepped out of the pyjamas.
‘I mean, you look fucking incredible,’ Niall rubbed at his stubbled jaw,’ but I don’t see anything different.’
