Runway

Chapter 2

2

“HEY,” FIANNA CALLED out, pointing at him. “What are you doing? You can’t throw trash in the ocean. What was that? It better not be a cigarette.”

Niall swung toward her. The wind whipped his white shirt and moonlight lit his face. “And what are you, lassie, the shore patrol?”

“Don’t lassie me. Littering the beach is against the law.”

“Well then, you caught me. Guilty as charged.” He held out a fist as if to taunt her.

She put her hands on her hips. “Open it.”

With a slow grin, he unfurled his long, slender fingers to reveal a trio of smooth stones. “You mean to tell me that skipping stones is illegal in California?”

She smirked at him. “You could’ve told me.”

“You didn’t give me a chance. You attacked first.”

“You’re probably going to tell me it’s because of my fiery red hair, that I’m a passionate woman, aren’t you?”

“Actually, no.”

“What then?” Fianna couldn’t help herself. What was she doing? She’d come to thank the man, and instead, she’d verbally attacked him.

His eyes crinkled at the corners, and he looked bemused. “If you really want to know what I think, have a walk with me.”

“Aren’t you waiting for Kaitlin?”

“Sure, but my sister always takes forever to get dressed.”

“She’s your sister?”

Niall lifted an eyebrow. “What did you think?”

“Well, most men who hang around backstage are just there to, well, you know what they want, what they are.”

“Ah, you thought I was a modelizer.” When she made a face, he added, “That’s what Kaitlin calls them.”

He started walking, and Fianna fell in beside him. The tide was coming in, and they walked close to the water’s edge. Fianna loved the salty smell of the ocean, which was teeming with life and reminded her of home. The lights of Malibu colony glowed around them and stars sparkled overhead. As wonderful as the evening had been, Fianna was glad for a respite from the crowd in the quiet of the night.

“I want to thank you for the music. You were right, you know. It really helped make the show. It was such a lyrical, haunting song, and it helped create the magical mood I imagined.”

Niall glanced at her, and a slight smile curved his lips. “We deliver the same message, but convey it in different medium.”

He touched her shoulder. “I recognized that quality in your work, Fianna. Whimsical, playful, lighthearted. Like a fairy at work.”

“Was that your music?”

“Aye.”

“It’s beautiful.” The full sleeves of his shirt fluttered in the sea breeze. Now it made sense. The way he dressed, and spoke, and the music he created. He was an artist, just like she was. “You should try to get your music out there.”

Niall skimmed a stone across a rolling wave. “You think so?” He handed her a rock.

Fianna took aim and skimmed it, dancing the pebble along a swell. “Sure. You have talent. Have you been in the states long?”

“Not long.” He handed her another rock. “You have a good arm.”

“Did you come with your sister?”

“Our father insisted. I’m to protect her virtue.”

“What a fine brother you are.” Fianna kept walking beside him, though she knew she should turn around and attend to the packing of her clothes. Her assistant, Evangeline, and the interns could handle it a little longer, she decided. Niall had a voice like golden cognac, and she found herself drawn to its warmth.

“And what are you doing while you’re here?”

He leaned down to pick up more stones and handed her a few. As he did, his skin brushed against hers and she felt heat emanating from his body. “It was time for a change of scenery. I thought an ocean of distance would do me good.”

“And has it?”

He skimmed a few stones, and Fianna followed his graceful motions. “Not yet.”

She caught a wistful look in his eyes, which were the deep mossy-green of the Irish isle. “Do you mind being here alone?” As soon as the words left her mouth, Fianna caught her lip between her teeth. He was here with his sister, but that wasn’t what she meant.

“It’s not my first choice,” he said, seeming to choose his words with care. He turned to her and lifted a wayward lock caught in her eyelashes, gently hooking it behind her ear. She could smell the fresh scent of lavender and moss on him, the natural aromas of her homeland.

She felt her face warm and was glad it was dark.

His eyes twinkled in the moonlight. “Are you asking me if I’m seeing anyone, lass?”

“No, of course not. I meant that creative people often spend a lot of time alone, creating.”

A smile tickled his lips. “That I do. I enjoy the creative process, but it can be lonely, that’s true.”

She curved a few more stones into the sea. Not many people understood the solitude that was a necessary part of her job. She needed time to think, to create. “What part of Ireland are you from?”

“Dublin. And you?”

“That’s what I thought. I’m from the countryside. County Cork. But I spent a lot of time in New York with my aunt.”

“Ah, that explains why you haven’t much of an accent.”

“Nor you. Why is that?”

“It was my musical training. The brogue comes back after a few pints, sure, and it does.”

Fianna laughed. She could listen to him all night. As they strolled, they talked about Ireland, Kaitlin, fashion, and music.

They walked past an inlet and then came to a rocky part of the beach where they could go no farther. They sat on a rocky ledge where they lingered, talking. When they turned around, they saw the tide had come in, and seawater swirled where they had walked.

Niall peered down the shoreline, frowning. Cliffs rose behind them. They had lost the beach. “The tide came in awfully quick.”

“Let’s hurry back.” Fianna started off, but water swirled around her shins, and she stumbled in a wave.

Niall grabbed her around the waist. “Hold on to me for balance.”

They trudged through the water, and Fianna grew quiet. They’d gone too far, and they weren’t watching the tide. She knew better than that, but she hadn’t been thinking about the sea, only about Niall. He wasn’t like any other man she’d ever met.

The sea was relentless, surging forward and growing deeper with each step they took. Fianna was having a hard time walking now, though she was thankful that Niall had a strong arm around her waist. The tent was still just a speck in the distance. It was on higher ground, and farther from the sea, but a rocky point jutted into the water between them.

“We’ll either have to swim, or climb over those rocks. Think you can make it?”

Fianna peered at the rocks. It was dark, and who knew what lived in the crevices. But she couldn’t think of that now. “Climbing or swimming?”

“I think we can get over those rocks, if they’re not too slippery. Good thing you have on that catsuit outfit—which looks incredible, I might add. An evening gown would be quite another story. Here, take my hand.”

She gripped his hand, and he led the way. The sea pounded against the rocks, sending salty spray onto their faces. Fianna shuddered as an icy wave broke against her, drenching her.

“Are you okay?” Niall yelled back to her.

Her teeth chattering, she called out, “I’m fine.”

Niall clambered down the other side of the rocks and turned to her, sliding his arms around her. But as he did, he lost his footing and fell onto the rocks. Water swelled around them and seaweed tangled in their legs. He sputtered and coughed as he slipped from the surface.

“Niall!” she screamed, trying to support him. But the rocks were slimy, and she lost her footing, too. When the sea rushed out, Niall gulped for air.

“I’m stuck,” he said, twisting and yanking his foot.

“Let me help you.” The ocean roared in their ears, and a large wave towered over them.

“It’s hopeless. Get out of here,” Niall yelled. “Save yourself!”

“I’m not leaving you.”

“Maybe it’s my time, Fianna.” He caught his breath, and the wave engulfed him. Fianna rode the wave toward the rocky cliff, and then it thrust her back toward Niall.

She grabbed him by his wet shirt. “Stop it, it’s not your time.” The powerful undertow pulled them under again and she flailed about, tugging his leg.

When the tide withdrew, Niall surfaced, sputtering. “Then go and get help.”

Fianna looked back at the raging ocean. A storm was brewing; the wind was driving the waves farther inland.

“Fianna, it’s all right if—” Niall’s voice was quieted by another wave.

Holding her breath, she dove against the wall of water, clutching Niall’s torso, and then his muscular legs. She worked her way down until she found his foot, wedged in a valley of rocks. She pulled on his leg, but to no avail.

Again the sea relented, and Fianna swam to the surface. “It doesn’t look good. I can’t—”

“I know.” Niall framed her face with his hands and kissed her on the lips. “Save yourself, lovely lass.”

Fianna clung to him. “I have an idea.” She picked up another stone, drew a deep breath, and groped her way back to his foot. She felt the force of the currents pulling her from him, but she latched onto his leg and began striking the stones around his foot in the dark, murky water.

She surfaced, pushing her hair from her face. “I think I can do this. Hold on, Niall.”

Twice more she dove under, hammering at the rocks that held him captive. On the third try, a rock shifted, and she doubled her efforts.

Niall twisted his leg, and between their efforts, they soon freed his foot. “You did it!”

“Come on, let’s go.” Making sure Niall was behind her, she fought another current to reach higher ground.

The tide swept out, and Fianna scrambled along the rocks, her feet slipping as she did. She tried to catch herself, but her balance gave way. Her head smacked on a boulder near the cliff. Disoriented, she slumped into the sea, the night blackening. She gulped for breath, but instead, saltwater poured into her mouth, choking her.

“Fianna!” Niall swooped down and lifted her, carrying her as the waves battered against them. “Lock your arms around my neck.” She was only half-conscious of his instructions.

Niall fixed her arms around him, and powered through the currents until they reached the other side of the cliffs where the beach stretched out. Niall dropped to his knees and sank into the sand with Fianna still in his arms. “Are you okay?” he pushed her hair from her face, tenderly touching the spot on her head where she’d fallen.

Fianna coughed water from her lungs. “My head…hurts…is it bleeding?”

“Only a little. Thank goodness you’re okay.” He crushed her to him, rocking her in his lap until she stopped coughing.

Her gaze dropped to his ankle, which was bloodied and bruised from thrashing against the rocks to free himself. He’d lost a shoe, but they were here. Alive. They’d survived the wrath of the sea.

Niall’s heart pounded against her, and she ran her hands across his sandy chest. His wet shirt clung to his powerful body.

In the distance behind them, the music from the party throbbed in the night. They’d nearly lost their lives, a mere quarter mile away.

Still shaking from the cold Pacific water, she pressed against him for warmth. “You saved me, you know.”

He lifted her chin and stared into her eyes. “You saved me first, Fianna.”