Page 37 of A Scottish Island Summer

Logan retrieved my discarded clothing. ‘Lean against this rock and I’ll give you a hand.’

I was aware I was still standing there in my black panties and saturated top, but Logan didn’t refer to my attire or allow his attention to drift in that direction.

I realised with a sudden jolt, that a part of me was irritated. What was wrong with me?

‘What are you doing?’ I asked, as he knelt down on the starched, dry shore.

‘Well, I’m not proposing marriage.’ Logan winked up at me as he held out my pyjama bottoms.

My cheeks flared with colour and I hastily snatched them and put them on. ‘Good,’ I snapped. ‘That’s a relief.’

He grinned. ‘Here, let me help you get your socks and boots back on.’

Feeling self-conscious, I fixed my attention on the squiggly waves on the horizon, while Logan helped me into my socks. I could feel his fingers brushing against my damp legs and tried to suppress the shiver that ran through me. A shiver that had nothing to do with the cold.

‘Thank you,’ I murmured, still aware I was like a drowned ragdoll, slumped against the rock.

Noticing my shivering, Logan thrust both arms above his head and tugged off the old cream jumper he was wearing, handing it to me.

‘Here. Put this on to keep you warm till we get back to the tents.’

I looked down at his hand, at his jumper bunched in it. He waggled it. ‘Go on. Take it.’

‘Oh. Right. Thank you. So, where were you anyway?’ I asked, trying to distract myself from his sculpted chest, which was now on display.

‘Collecting logs for the campfire. You good to go?’

‘Yes.’ I shivered. ‘Thanks, Logan. For the jumper. And for your help with the dolphin.’

‘No worries.’

We strode back to our tents under the dawning sky in silence and I sneaked a brief look at him. Were all guys like him on Skye? Gallant and kind?

‘What you just did was pretty stupid,’ said Logan, giving me a side-eye and killing the moment. ‘But very brave and kind of you too.’

‘What was? Letting you put my socks and boots back on?’

‘Yes, very funny. I’m talking about your one-woman attempt at a dolphin rescue.’

I blushed fuchsia pink. ‘I couldn’t just stand there and watch the poor thing fighting for its life. It’s what any decent person would’ve done.’ I flicked my stream of loose, wet hair behind me.

Logan fixed me with a look. ‘Learn to take a compliment, Darcie.’

I jutted my chin out. ‘I don’t know what you mean.’

He eyed me. ‘Yes, you do.’

I marched further ahead, wanting to put some much-needed space between us. He had this knack for making me feel unsettled, self-conscious and not in control. He was an absolute pain in the arse, but a very handsome one.

I threw him a long look over my shoulder as we approached our tents.

I did appreciate him coming to my and Flipper’s rescue.

Very much.