Page 3 of Sunny Skies and Summer Kisses

Anoushka pushed her arms into the sleeves of her khaki utility jacket as she raced down the garden path, her long, slender legs making short work of it. She flung the gate open to see Damon in the driver’s seat of his new car, its glossy red bodywork gleaming in the spring sunshine. His face was set and he was drumming his fingers impatiently on the steering wheel.Ughh!Her heart sank; punctuality was an obsession of his – one of many, she’d come to learn to her detriment. She’d had enough experience to know this didn’t bode well. The thought that it hardly mattered with the news she was about to deliver as soon as they got away from the village flitted through her mind, triggering a squeeze of anxiety in her stomach.

‘Hi there, Noushka,’ said a soft voice in a familiar Southern Irish accent that could melt chocolate.

She turned quickly, flicking her plait from the collar of her jacket, to see the very man Kitty had just mentioned: Gabe Dublin. Her heart leapt, her worries momentarily skittering away. He was looking achingly handsome in his faded jeans and denim jacket, his white t-shirt setting off the tan he’d acquired from a recent trip to sunny climes. He was smiling in his familiar easy manner, his chocolate-brown eyes crinkling at the corners. In his hand was a red dog lead, at the end of which a lanky black Labrador with rather large paws and a swishing tail was pulling towards Anoushka.

‘Oh, hi, Gabe,’ she said, aware of Damon’s eyes boring into her like a couple of laser beams. The young Labrador sniffed at the legs of her skinny jeans with great interest, no doubt intrigued by the scent of Ethel and Mabel.

‘Off somewhere nice?’ Gabe asked, his lopsided smile widening and making mischief with her insides, adding to the cocktail of emotions already whirling round her stomach.

‘Er, no … I mean, I’m just going for a drive with Damon.’ She hooked her bag over her shoulder. The timing couldn’t have been worse.

‘Right.’ He nodded, his smile briefly falling. ‘Well, I’m just taking this wee rascal for a walk and popping into the village shop to grab some essentials.’ His velvety accent had a way of making even the most mundane of sentences sound delicious to her ears.

‘It’s a good day for a walk on the moors; we don’t get many like this in March.’ She smiled, conscious of Damon watching her every expression. She felt torn between not wanting to appear rude to Gabe but not wanting Damon to be able to accuse her of being too friendly – or worse, flirting, which was his latest obsession – and keeping him waiting, adding to the already difficult situation she was heading into.

‘You’re right there.’ Gabe’s eyes twinkled and she felt the warmth of a blush colour her cheeks.

‘And who is this gorgeous rascal then?’ In a bid to hide her embarrassment, she bent to the Labrador who was looking up at her with friendly eyes. She offered her hand for him to sniff, which he did excitedly, swiping his tongue over her fingers.

‘Ah, let me introduce you to the very naughty Bob. I’ve only had him for a few days; got him from a rescue centre over by Middleton-le-Moors. I’m told he found himself there because of his mischievous ways and fondness for chewing shoes, but I took one look at him and “boom” that was it, I just had to bring him home with me.’

‘Well, hello, Very Naughty Bob.’ She scratched between the young Labrador’s ears and he wagged his tail appreciatively. ‘I can see why your dad here couldn’t resist you, but you don’t look naughty to me, you look adorable.’

‘And doesn’t he know it?’ Gabe beamed at her. ‘And I should add I use the word “naughty” jokingly; he’s just full of high spirits, that’s all. Not unlike a teenage boy actually. And, so far, I’m pleased to report I’m still in possession of all my footwear,’ he said, making Anoushka giggle.

‘That’s good to hear.’

He bent to pat Bob, his head inches away from hers, treating her to a waft of his fresh, spicy cologne. She inhaled deeply, the fragrance releasing a flurry of butterflies in her stomach, making her blushes deepen; she was heading into dangerous territory.

Anoushka pulled herself up, Gabe following her lead. Though she was an athletic five-feet-ten, being a broad-shouldered six-feet, and built like a barn door, made him seem so much bigger than her. ‘Will you be in the pub tonight?’ he asked, his eyes locking on hers.

‘Oh, well, I’m not sure.’ That would very much depend on how her talk with Damon panned out. She gave a small smile, the butterflies dispersing and anxiety taking their place. From the corner of her eye she’d seen Damon wind his window down; she hoped he hadn’t caught any of the conversation, she knew he’d jump on the opportunity to twist and distort her words. ‘Right, well, I’d best head off,’ she said with an apologetic shrug. ‘See you later.’

‘Oh, okay.’ Gabe’s smile faltered. ‘Maybe see you at the Sunne.’

‘Mayb—’ The peace of the village was shattered by another long blast of a car horn. Both Anoushka and Gabe started. Bob barked, looking about him in alarm.

‘Jaysus, what the—?’ Gabe said, puffing out his cheeks. ‘Who does that around here?’ His eyes slid over to the car. ‘Ah. Your man does that.’

Anoushka felt her face burn with embarrassment once more. ‘Yeah, it’s… erm, it’s Damon.’

‘So I see. Didn’t recognise the car at first.’

‘It’s new.’ She paused. ‘He doesn’t like to be kept waiting.’ She gave a small roll of her eyes. ‘I’m late.’

Gabe hitched up his eyebrows. ‘Right.’ He leaned in closer, lowering his voice. ‘Not sure it warranted that little display of impatience.’

‘Sorry.’ She winced, her voice barely above a whisper. She wished the ground would open up and swallow her.

‘Hey, no need for you to apologise. Tell him from me you’re worth waiting for,’ he said softly, holding her gaze as he went to walk away, pulling gently on Bob’s lead. ‘Catch you later, Noushka.’

‘Yeah, see you later.’ She drew in a deep breath, releasing it slowly, and made her way over to Damon’s car, her heart racing with trepidation.Oh my days! Did Gabe really just say I’m worth waiting for?But now wasn’t the time to dwell on that.Did Damon hear him say it? Oh, bugger!

‘Hi,’ she said as she settled into the passenger seat, taking in the aroma of newly valeted car, the vehicle immaculate as ever. Tension bloomed in the air, and her breathing became shallow as she braced herself for the onslaught. She risked a sideways look at him as she fastened her seatbelt. He was staring straight ahead, his jaw clenched, a muscled twitching at his temple. There were no two ways about it, he was seething. Anoushka groaned inwardly.

Everything about Damon was precise, from the way he dressed – always in the same order every day: neatly folded and ironed boxer-shorts, socks (neatly folded too), shirt, then trousers – to the way he styled his hair – no more than three weeks between trips to the barbers’ – to the way he ran his life. He was the antithesis of Gabe who was laid-back and easy-going, and didn’t seem to mind having scuff marks on his trainers or holes in his jeans. And, judging from the way his hair sometimes curled on his collar, going an extra month before getting his hair cut was no big deal as far as he was concerned.

‘I see you’re happy to keep me waiting again.’ Damon turned slowly, his dark hair slicked back and groomed to perfection. He pinned her with his gaze, impatience oozing from every pore. ‘I told you I’d be here at two-thirty on the dot, which I was.’

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