Page 25 of Sailing Free at Loch Tunnagan (Loch Tunnagan #1)

With the additional help from Angus, they finally made it up to the room. Jess unlocked the door and they manoeuvred their way through.

“Where are we headed?” asked Angus.

“To the couch,” replied Cal.

“No way,” Jess cut in, “you are taking the bed.”

“I’m not taking your bed,” stated Cal.

“Cal, I’m afraid you don’t have a choice. You can’t move independently so we are taking you to the bed whether you like it or not.”

“Angus, can you talk some sense into her?” asked Cal.

“I’m with Jess on this one. Listen to the lady,” cautioned Angus.

Cal rolled his eyes skywards, “Fine.”

They lowered Cal down to a sitting position on the bed. Angus knelt down on one knee to help tug Cal’s boots off while Jess went to fetch MacTavish from the car. Angus met her in the hall as MacTavish was leading the way back to the room.

“That’s me off dear. Remember, I’m just downstairs. Come and get me if you need anything.”

Jess gave his hand a quick squeeze, “Thanks for all the help, Angus.”

She spent a few minutes sorting food and water for MacTavish then filled a glass and grabbed some ibuprofen from her bag. She knocked lightly on the bedroom door.

A moment of silence went by and Jess assumed Cal had fallen asleep. She was about to turn back into the living room when she heard a muffled commotion coming from within.

“Cal, is everything ok?"

“Come on in,” Cal replied dejectedly.

Jess peered around the door and bit down on her lip in an attempt to stifle the giggle that had erupted from her.

Cal’s arms were trapped above his head. His face and upper limbs were all ensconced within his t-shirt.

“I heard that laugh,” mumbled Cal.

“How did you manage to get yourself into this situation?” asked Jess.

“After Angus took my boots off he scarpered pretty quickly. I don’t think his remit covers removing the boss’s clothes. I thought I could manage myself but apparently phase one - T-shirt removal proved too much.”

“Right, okay let me help,” replied Jess, speaking to the chiselled torso in front of her.

She moved closer and instinctively inhaled the warm woody smell that emanated from the material. It held notes of citrus and she absent mindedly wondered if that came from the wood he worked with or if it was from an aftershave.

Her hands gently grasped the soft fabric and she moved it over his arms. His body felt hard.

The power behind the muscles in his arms seemed to pulse with potential energy.

She stretched the collar over his jaw line and the rough stubble scratched lightly on her fingers.

For a second, only his lips were exposed and she fought the urge to dip her head and press her mouth up to his.

Finally, she pulled the rest of the fabric back over his head and away from his face.

Her hands fell behind his neck, still wrapped within his T-shirt.

Neither of them spoke. The electricity between them fizzed as they looked silently on at each other.

Cal swallowed, his Adam's apple moved in his throat as he spoke,

“Thanks,” he whispered softly.

“No problem,” she cleared her throat and slowly made her way towards the door.

“Wait.” He spoke gently, “I was really rude to you earlier in the office.”

“It’s ok. You already apologised.”

Cal continued. He spoke slowly and carefully, “When Lainey died, I was engulfed in darkness. Sometimes that darkness comes back.”

He paused, staring at awful memories Jess couldn’t begin to fathom.

“When I’m in that dark place I can barely muster the energy to think let alone speak. You caught me in a moment like that and I’m sorry.” He looked up at her, those deep brown eyes burning into her.

“I’m so sorry you had to experience what you did,” whispered Jess.

The sound of a message binged on Jess’ phone. Her mind cleared as if from a trance.

“It’s late for anyone to be texting,” said Cal.” You’d better check it.”

She pulled her phone from her back pocket.

“It’s Dawn. She says you still aren’t answering any calls. She wants to know what’s going on.”

“I forgot, I still have my phone on silent,” replied Cal twisting painfully to pull his phone from the bedside cabinet.

“You need to get better at answering your phone,” Jess scolded playfully.

“I’ll give her a call.” He held his phone up to his ear as Jess handed him the ibuprofen and water.

“Thanks,” he mouthed.

She took the glass from him once he had swallowed the pills then mouthed, “Night” as she gathered up her pyjamas and made her way to get changed in the other room.

He flashed her a smile that sent her heart skyrocketing again as she left.

Jess’ eyes were still adjusting to the dark as she lay on the sofa.

“Jess,” she heard Cal’s loud whisper come from the bedroom.

“ Huh huh?” she called back softly.

“Are you still awake?”

“Yes.”

“Will you come through?”

Jess moved the covers back and padded through to the bedroom.

“I lied,” he said.

“What?”

“I lied when I told you that the sofa was comfortable.”

“It’s not that bad,” replied Jess with a chuckle.

“You’ve been on it for less than two minutes,” said Cal dryly. “Believe me you will not have the same attitude in the morning.”

Jess had to admit that the springs had been protruding into areas she’d rather not mention.

“Come and sleep in here,” suggested Cal. “We can create a dividing wall with cushions down the middle. I can wholeheartedly promise that I will not encroach on your territory as I literally can’t move.”

Jess smiled, “Okay. Thank you.”

She slipped into the soft comfort of the bed and pulled the covers up over her shoulders. The warmth of Cal’s body heat radiated from his side of the bed.

They lay silently in the dark for a few moments. She listened to his breathing and could tell that he was still awake,

“Cal, she whispered.”

“Hmhm,” he replied softly.

“I’m sorry if the sheets smell like me. They won’t have changed them today.”

He gave a deep chuckle, “That’s alright…… In fact, I like it,” he whispered before he fell silent again and they both eventually gave in to sleep.