Trystan asked Mirren if she was coming home too, but she said she’d stay for another drink with Kit. After a round of goodbyes, they moved to the door, then stopped when Seren called out to them, telling them to wait a second. She disappeared through a door behind the bar, then re-emerged almost immediately and flung a blue hoodie at Keira. “It absolutely doesn’t go with your dress, but at least you won’t freeze on the way home.”
“Thank you,” Keira said in reply.
Noah thanked her too, pleased that Seren was making an effort with Keira. He’d had a niggling worry that things between the two of them could be awkward, but it seemed as though they might get on well.
Chapter Thirteen
To say Keira had been surprised when Seren lent her the hoodie would be something of an understatement. Briefly, she’d had the uncharitable thought that it was a case of keeping your friends close and your enemies closer but shook the unhelpful notion aside. Regardless of the motive, she was grateful for the gesture when she stepped outside. It was more fresh than outright cold, but she was shivering in no time. Even with the hoodie on she snuggled into Noah for the drive and enjoyed the weight of his arm around her shoulders.
“I don’t know how you can see where you’re going,” she remarked as Trystan expertly navigated the narrow lanes with the light from the headlamps only reaching a couple of metres ahead.
“It’s pretty easy when you’ve known the roads for your whole life. And I’d take this over driving through London any time.”
“That’s a good point.”
She’d lost all sense of direction when they rolled to a stop outside of the cottage. Once Trystan had called goodbye and driven away along the lane, the piercing silence was disturbed only by the sound of the waves washing onto the beach.
“I’ll be so glad to get these shoes off,” Keira said, then immediately stumbled in the darkness and shot a hand out to catch herself. She laughed loudly and the sound echoed around the bay.
“Come here,” Noah said, sweeping her into his arms to carry her effortlessly along the path. She considered resisting, but instead slung her arms around his neck and savoured the physical contact.
At the door, he gently set her upright, but kept his arms tightly around her and bowed his head to kiss her with an intensity that made her think he’d been waiting all evening for it.
She felt slightly breathless when he released her to open the door but was left even more so when she looked around in the darkness. Her gasp made Noah look at her in concern.
“Oh,” he said when he realised what had got her attention. “The stars are pretty spectacular here, aren’t they?”
“They’re amazing.” Using Noah as support, she pulled her shoes off and flung them inside the door. Stargazing felt too precarious in those things, but without them she craned her neck to take in the expanse of dazzling stars.
“I love seeing this place through your eyes,” Noah said, standing behind her and circling his arms around her waist. “I take a lot of it for granted, but watching you seeing everything for the first time reminds me how special it is.”
“It’s such a beautiful place. Even the darkness is stunning.”
He kissed her cheek and led the way inside.
“Is it really okay for us to stay until Monday?” she asked, taking a seat on the couch. She’d sensed some hesitation from him in the pub but may have been imagining it. “Will you be able to change the flights?”
“It shouldn’t be a problem. If you’re sure you want to stay longer?”
She nodded and scooted closer to him when he sat down. “I’d love to stay longer.”
“My family didn’t scare you off then?”
“No. They’re all so lovely. I had a great night.” She trailed her fingers over the back of his hand. “How come you never mentioned Lowen to me?”
He shrugged. “It wasn’t intentional.”
“I take it you’re not close?”
“Not in the same way I am with Kit and Trystan.” He gave her a look that made her think he didn’t want to talk about it.
“What about your other brother, the one in America. You never mentioned him either. How old is he? What’s his name again?”
“Jago.” He pursed his lips. “He’s between Lowen and Trystan. He must be thirty-four or thirty-five.”
“It must be hard to keep track. I can’t imagine having such a big family.”
“I like it. Most of the time.”