They just looked into each other's lustful eyes in a daze, trying to catch their breath. His hot breath mingled with hers. Behr kissed Ellora’s forehead, both her eyelids, her nose, and lifted up one eyebrow when she lifted her waiting mouth to his, anticipating his next kiss. Needing another kiss. His eyes flickered with amusement as he laid several playful kisses on her waiting lips.
“If we keep on the way we ’ave, Miss Ellora, we will crash this boat into the rocks and have to swim home, love.”
Oh yeah... the boat... steering. Ooops!
Behr flashed Ellora a wicked looking smile. “This, is far and away the BEST tour I've ever been a part of!”
Ellora laughed heartily and pinched him lightly. “This BETTER be the best tour you've ever had! I'd hate to think what you've done with your other customers.” Ellora gave him one more good pinch. He batted her away and jogged back over to the control station.
Ellora followed him to the controls as he gripped the wheel, unable to stop herself from smiling like a giddy little girl on Christmas morning. Behr got the boat back on track, heading further north along the Skye coastline.
They came upon a high mountain ridge with jagged folds, pleats, and columns climbing the cliff sides.
“All right, love, you see that pleated cliffside there?” She smiled and nodded, still too tongue-tied -- no pun intended -- to speak after their steamy kiss. “That there is Kilt Rock. Legend tells us the story of two giants, Fingal and Fiona, which goes a little like this…
“There was once a giant and his wife who lived on the north coast of Scotland, and their names were Fingal and Fiona. They lived quite happily, and the love they had for each other was unbreakable. One day, while Fingal was out, Fiona had an unexpected visitor drop by. Fionn McCool, an Irish giant, was travelling through Scotland to meet some relatives, when he spotted Fingal and Fiona’s house. He stopped to ask for something to eat and drink. When he saw Fiona, Fionn became transfixed with her beauty, and made several passes at her.” Behr wiggled his eyebrows, eyeballing Ellora. “But Fiona refused his advances and demanded that he leave. Fionn left, but not before declaring that once his business was finished, he would be back to fight for her, swearing he’d bring her back to Ireland with him.” Behr locked Ellora in his arms and swung her around. She squealed at his antics.
“Upon her husband’s return, Fiona told Fingal all about her visitor. She warned him that the Irish giant was much bigger and a fearsome warrior.” Ellora shook her head as Behr lifted both his large arms and flexed. She appreciated this movement for a moment, as he, too, looked like a legendary folklore warrior chiseled out of rock. Ellora nodded in approval, making it obvious to him that she was studying his form.
“Fingal was insulted at the idea that he didn’t have a chance against Fionn, and Fiona feared for her loved one’s life. She swore to herself that she would protect him at any cost. Fiona had come up with a genius plan, and reluctantly, Fingal agreed to go along with it. During the next week, Fiona instructed her husband to build a giant cradle, and she began to knit a large blanket and a large baby bonnet.”
“A little over a week later, Fiona was sitting outside, hanging her laundry out to dry, when she saw Fionn McCool coming toward their home. She called, ‘Fingal, quick! Strip down to your underwear and wrap yourself in this blanket!’ Baffled, Fingal did as she asked.” Ellora laughed as Behr’s voice cracked trying to shriek like a woman.
“She told him, ‘Now, get into the cradle!’ Aghast at what Fiona was asking of him, Fingal protested and began to leave, but as he passed by a window, he caught a glimpse of Fionn marching toward their home. Far taller than Fingal and clearly a toughened warrior, the sight of Fionn scared Fingal witless. Fiona was adjusting the knitted baby’s bonnet on her husband’s head just as Fionn burst in.
“’Fiona, I’m here to take you away! Where’s that husband of yours? I’ll win you fair and square!’” Behr got a little too into the story as he wrapped his arms around Ellora and dipped her. She looked up at his face, seeing his eyes were alight with adoration. Ellora silently begged him for another kiss, but instead, he continued the story, enjoying the effect he had on her. “Fiona offered Fionn tea and calmly set about preparing some refreshments, telling Fionn that her husband was out but would be back quite soon. As the water boiled for the tea, Fiona excused herself to bring the wash in.
“She came in and began unraveling a large wet table cloth. Once unraveled, Fiona walked past Fionn and out the door, shaking out and hanging the giant cloth over the cliff’s edge to dry. Fionn asked her what she was doing, and Fionna told him she was drying her husband’s kilt.
“’His kilt?’ Fionn asked, alarmed at the massive size of the cloth. Fingal, who was hiding in the cradle, peeked out at Fionn, making the cradle creak. “What’s that?” Fiona told him, ’my wee baby boy. You can hold him if you’d like.’ So Fionn walked over to the cradle and stared at the gigantic, ugly baby sleeping inside.”
Ellora burst out laughing, picturing an oversized ugly giant wrapped up in a blanket and bonnet, portraying a baby. Behr laughed along with her then continued.
“’How old is he?” Fionn asked, panic rising in him. If the baby was this big, the father must be massive. ’Oh! My wee boy is just a year old, and still growing,’ Fiona added with a small smile. Fionn nodded and excused himself. Fiona watched from her window as Fionn McCool ran from the house and back toward Ireland, destroying the bridge connecting Scotland and Ireland as he went, to prevent a jealous husband of undetermined size from coming after him.”
Ellora sat back, enjoying the story. Behr was so funny; he changed his voice to a higher pitch when speaking as Fiona, and very low when speaking as Fingal and Fionn. He even used sound effects! Behr was the BEST storyteller.
“Now, it is said that Kilt Rock got its pleated column shape by the giant, heavy, wet wash Fiona left on the cliffside, leaving behind the deep impressions.” Behr lifted up his eyebrows, clearly amused with this story.
Ellora laughed and clapped her hands animatedly at the conclusion to the story.
“I have to say, Behr, these legends are pretty romantic and funny. I love hearing them.”
“Ah, yes, Miss Ellora, ours is a romantic history! I'm very happy you're enjoying them! I know the perfect spot up ahead to drop anchor and have a scenic lunch. What'd ya say, Lor...? You up for a bite?”
“That sounds great, Behr. I am pretty hungry.”
Behr turned the boat around, avoiding touring all the way around the Isle. “Aren't you going to take me on a tour all the way around Skye?”
Behr slowly shook his head, now looking past her to the horizon. “I don't go all the way ’round, not anymore.”
Ellora lifted her brow in confusion, wanting to know why but feeling it wasn't her place to question him why. Without hesitation, Behr slung his arm over her shoulder and kissed her forehead affectionately as he started to explain.
“My father was a Captain, a very successful and well known fisherman in Portree. He used to fish and trap all over these parts.” Extending his arm, Behr lazily pointed all around them.
“Well, the life of a sea man was a rough one for him. His health started to fail him in my teen years. So, naturally, he started training me to take over the family business that has been handed down for generations. However, I have never wanted any part of the lifestyle. Sailing far out to sea from the mainland, rough seas, and long seasons were not my idea of a good life. I remember seeing my mother cry every night, and I used to think that was normal. She was so lonely and worried all the time. Aye, their marriage suffered from it. I knew I would never let myself become the sort of man who left his wife and child alone to fend for themselves.”
Ellora nodded, listening intently to his confession. She could definitely see that it wasn’t a life suited for him. He cared about too many people to just pick up and leave everyone behind.
“I guess you can say I'm a bit of a homebody. I never wanted to stray far from Portree.
Time passed by, as it always does, and my father put more and more pressure on me to take over the legacy. Aye, n’ I almost did just that until Gavin's da came across a used ferry boat in need of a small restoration, some freshening up, and TLC. Sympathetic to my plight, he offered to sell it to me for crumbs, as long as I helped with the tourists once she was up and running. It was going to be a great income for me.”
“In hearing the very disappointing news, my father flew into a fit of rage. I was accused of dishonoring a long family history. He gave me an ultimatum, and I chose my new life. He disowned me, stressing how ashamed of me he was and what a huge disappointment I was in his eyes. My mother, whether she agreed with him or not, went along with his decision like she always did. Soon after, they picked up and moved on the other side of the island, leaving me here. I moved in with Gavin's family, until the money rolled in and I was able to get on my feet, grateful for their kindness. When I tried to go after them to make peace, he said I wasn't a part of the family anymore. He declared my younger cousin his next in line. We agreed not to step on each other’s toes. He stays on his side, and I stay on mine, which is fine. I'm happy with what I'm doing now. I wouldn't change it for the world. I would've never met you had I left with them anyway, and I can't have that!” He winked at Ellora and kissed the tip of her nose.
At that moment, she thought about how lucky she was to have had loving, supportive parents. Yes, they were taken from her far too quickly, but the time she did have, she wouldn’t change for the world. Behr’s parents, on the other hand, showed no love or support, and had abandoned him for the choices he made regarding his own future.
Wrapping her arms around his waist, Ellora squeezed him in tight to her. Laying her head on his chest, Ellora did her best to console him without making him feel pitied. “I’m sorry that happened to you, Behr. But I’m very happy you stayed. My time here wouldn’t mean as much, or be as interesting to look at, without you.” Ellora laughed when his eyebrows flew up in shock at her unexpected statement.
“So what you’re tellin’ me, Miss Sutherland, is that I’m your personal man candy in-charge of keeping your view acceptably delightful? Is that the way of it?”
“Yup! You pretty much summed up your role. There will be weekly checks to make sure you stay on point, so don’t disappoint me or I will get myself some new eye candy!”
Behr swept Ellora up into his arms, lifting her off the ground. His laugh rumbled deep in his chest. Giving her a playful bite on the neck, he played along. “I won’t let you down, boss lady. I look forward to your next inspection! Will that be a full body inspection?”
“Ha!! We shall see. If you play your cards right, then maybe.” Ellora wiggled her eyebrows as she looked over his impressive body suggestively.
Just up ahead, past the last curved and pleated cliff column was a breathtaking waterfall. Ellora’s jaw dropped. This island was absolutely magical, and it was the perfect spot to enjoy their lunch.
Behr killed the engine, dropped anchor, and went down below deck. He came back up with a cooler and a plaid wool blanket, then strolled over to where he left the object of his affection. Tucking the blanket under the arm he was holding the cooler with, Behr wrapped his free arm around Ellora’s waist, pulling her in close to him.
They walked past the captain’s cabin toward the back of the ferry to a wide open cargo section. Behr walked them right to the center of it, facing the waterfall, and placed the cooler down. He shook out the blanket and placed it down on the deck. Then he reached over, grasping her porcelain hand, and helped her get seated before plopping down right beside her.
“I brought a variety of things to eat. I wasn't sure what you'd like, love. I hope its a’right.” Ellora thought Behr looked so cute as he searched through the food he brought. He really wanted to impress her. It was incredibly hot.
“I'm sure I will love whatever it is you brought. I brought my hunger, so I'm ready to dig in.” Ellora rubbed her stomach as it growled right on cue.
Sitting back, she watched Behr as he put together a beautiful picnic, and just took him in. All of him. He was so thoughtful and considerate by nature, and she could tell he’d taken the time to think of every detail on their outing.
She watched as he quietly took out two soup thermoses, some warm herb crusted bread, and several varieties of cheeses. Next came out a small seafood platter of a mixture of local cold sea food appetizers and dips. He then retrieved two small glasses and a bottle of red wine. Once at the bottom of the basket, Behr pulled out a wedge of chocolate cheesecake, and looked up at her through his eyelashes and wiggled his eyebrows.
“A proper date is not a date at all without dessert, eh, love?”
He searched over her peaceful face, taking in all her expressions as she lit up at the thought of chocolate.
“You got that right, oh captain my captain.” Laughing, she saluted him. Ellora started to feel a little giddy nervousness creep up inside her at his mention of ‘date’.
“Sooooo, this IS a real date then?” She half smiled and lifted her brows in question. “Not just a friendly date between two, um, friends? Right?”
Behr leaned into her, cupping her soft cheeks with his big hands. Before he even answered, Ellora was already certain of what it would be. His ice blue eyes told her all she wanted to know. He stroked her cheek with his thumb, a small smile and a caring gentleness shining in his eyes. He looked over every inch of her face longingly, committing it to memory.
“I told you once before, Ellora, that when something I want is in my sights, I go after it. Nothing in this world can stop me from going after you, love.”
Ellora looked down, feeling a growing blush stain her cheeks with his very forward and honest comment. She’d only expected flirtatious banter. He took hold of her chin and lifted it so she was looking him square on.
“Ellora, I don’t want to dance around the subject anymore. You know that I have feelings for you. From the moment I laid eyes on you, I’ve wanted you to be mine. I'm in no rush to push this on you either if you are not yet ready. We have all the time in the world to let this thing we have between us grow. You must know, I do not play around with a woman's heart. I do not like games. I am just a man looking for a good woman to stand by his side. From the very beginning, I have felt very strongly for you, Ellora. You are always on my mind.” He motioned his hands back and forth between them. “And I know you feel this, too, love, just as intensely as I.”
Her chest grew tight at his confession, and her heart swelled even more for him. She nodded.
“Yes, I do,” is all she could respond with a soft whisper, and she meant it, too.
Behr beamed back at her, obviously very pleased with her admission, and nodded his head in approval at her quiet answer. While pouring her a glass of wine, he watched her perfectly plump lips as she took an appreciative sip. She sighed her approval before he drank from his own.
One would think Behr was an introvert when first meeting him, with his quiet reserved demeanor. Ellora definitely had. When in reality, he just sat back and observed, listening to what was going on around him. Behr made his decisions, then slowly let those around him into his life if he so chose. He rarely made any rash or sudden judgements without giving it some serious thought first. He expressed himself honestly and to the point, rarely saying something he didn't mean. Behr was a man who cared deeply for those lucky enough to be in his life, and wouldn't think twice about giving them the shirt right off his back. Ellora felt fortunate that he included her as one of the people he cared so much about.
They finished up their delicious lunch. Ellora slurped down her Cullen Skink, a traditional hearty fish and potato soup. It was delicious, and she was practically licking the remaining drops leftover from the thermos.
Behr shot cloth napkins at the beautiful slob in front of him, playfully saying she was a “disgrace to ladies everywhere,” so she slurped louder. Behr laughed loudly, shaking his head, declaring that he was embarrassed to be seen w
ith her. Ellora purposely let it dribble down her chin. He laughed long and loud, the deep tone echoing off the rocky cliffs. She leaned into him with soup dripping down her chin and neck, teasing him. She faked hurt confusion.
“Mr. Behr Buchanan, are you saying that my terrible manners embarrass you so much that you wouldn't make out with me looking like this?” She sucked in her cheeks, making the fishy face, and puckered her lips at him. As she lunged at him, she wiped her soupy face on his cheek. The shocked look on his face was priceless. Ellora laughed hysterically when he fell back, trying to avoid the inevitable soup dribble attack. She enjoyed her goofy antics, feeling carefree, young, and happy.
Behr roared out in-between his gasping laughs. Turning the tables, he stalked toward her on all fours. “Ooooh, you're going to pay dearly for that, my little American she-devil!”
He leapt on Ellora as she was backing away, crawling like a crab. Squealing in surprise, she tried to kick and buck him off as he pounced on her playfully. He easily wrestled her down to the ground and straddled her.
“Aaaah, we've got ourselves a scrapper now, don't we? I know just how to deal with a wild woman...”
Ellora was out of breath from laughing so hard, and tried at no avail to fight off this solid muscle that was Behr. He carefully pinned her down with his legs overtop of hers, and after grabbing both her wrists, pinned them over her head. She giggled as he zeroed in on her from the above her, looking to the navel that peeked out of her lifted shirt and smiling a menacing, devilish grin. Her stretched out form was completely vulnerable to him.
“Now, Ellora, you asked for this!” He brought his other hand down and started his attack.
“Aaaaaaaah!!!!!!” Ellora screeched out as Behr relentlessly tickled her ribs.
Tickling. Worst torture ever! She squealed, screeched, bucked, and wiggled all over the place. She must’ve even unconsciously bit the arm that held her down, because he let up a little, allowing Ellora to pull her right hand out of his strong hold and roll to her side.
Forever Marked (Marked Series Book 1) Page 17
