Chapter 10

When they came to the docks, Donovan listened as Caitlin pointed out the ships that would take passengers on seal and whale watching excursions. They had spent the remainder of the morning and most of the afternoon exploring the town, with Caitlin explaining its history. She told him how Samuel de Champlain and Sieur De Monts tried to start a settlement here in 1604, but it failed; about the Calais fire in 1870 that destroyed most of the town.

He smiled inwardly at himself; he had actually forgotten most of what she had told him. Not because he wasn't listening to her, but because her voice captivated him and he found himself thinking of other things. Things he knew he couldn't have. A life with her; a life that would not cause her pain. He shook his head. He knew he couldn't give her that life, and what he had to offer, well, he knew wasn't good enough for her.

"I'm thirsty," Caitlin said, breaking him free from his thoughts.

"Is that so?" he asked, his voice filled with amusement.

She nodded. "I've been rattling on for hours. Come on, let's check out the carnival booths." She tugged at his hand, pulling him forward.

"Okay, okay!" He laughed.

Caitlin let go of him to run ahead to find something to drink. He found her quickly enough; she was at the first food booth she found. She turned her head to smile up at him when he stood behind her. Donovan surprised himself when he encircled his arms around her waist from behind and pulled her possessively against him.

Caitlin was surprised, too. She looked up at him again, but as usual, could read nothing in his expression when his eyes locked onto hers. He was a good foot taller than her, and at the angle her head was tilted, she could do little more than place a small kiss on his chin while she covered his hands, that were clasped together at her stomach, with her own.

"Here ya go, sweetie," the vendor said as she handed Caitlin a small cup and took her money.

Caitlin turned within the circle of Frank's arms. "Want some?" she asked, taking a sip from the straw.

He looked down at her and wondered how she had managed to stay so sweet and innocent in this day and age. "Before I answer that, you might want to tell me what it is." He flashed her a brilliant smile.

"Vanilla Coke, of course," she told him as if he should have known. She was delighting in the fact that they could tease each other so easily. She wondered how they had gotten so comfortable with each other. Not that she minded; it was a pleasure to see him so carefree.

"Never heard of it," he shook his head. "I think I'll pass."

"Aw, come on. It's good." But still he shook his head. "Really, its just Coca-Cola with vanilla extract." She put the straw to his lips. "Just one sip, then I'll leave you alone," she promised.

She watched as his lips surrounded the straw, and licked hers in turn. Just the sight of him made her tingle, and she hungered for the touch of his mouth on hers. She laughed lightly as she watched a smile tug at Frank's lips when the liquid swirled into his mouth.

"See," she said, nudging him with her hip. "Told you it was good."

"Mmm, but not as good as this," he assured her as he captured her lips with his. Caitlin moaned softly in agreement and her free arm encircled his neck.

"Sheesh, what is it with you two?" Misty joked.

Caitlin whimpered when Frank pulled away, and feigned anger at her friend. "I think you're just bored, Misty, and are looking to stir up trouble."

Misty laughed. "Of course I'm bored. Jason took the kids for some rides and I have no one to talk to."

"Heaven help us," Caitlin said jokingly. "If you think I can talk, wait until you get a load of Misty."

"You know, Cait," Misty said, giving Donovan the once over, "In all the years we've known each other, you've never mentioned this gorgeous creature that can't keep his hands off you. Why is that, I wonder?"

Caitlin shrugged and gave Frank's waist a squeeze when she felt him tense. "Guess I'm selfish and didn't want to share him."

"Not buying it," Misty persisted.

Caitlin wasn't sure if her friend was joking any more. Her hands were on her hips, and a stern look crossed her brow as she pushed auburn tresses out of her eyes.

"Really, Misty, I don't know why you're so worried," Caitlin began, and was relieved when her friend's face softened. "Before my parents died, Frank and I had very little contact. He worked for my father and you know I never had anything to do with Daddy's work. But, when he happened to have some business in Ogunquit, he called and asked if we could get together. It's as simple as that."

Misty nodded and turned to Donovan. "Sorry, it's just that Caitlin doesn't date and here you are. And pretty close, if I might add."

"No problem. It's nice to know Caitlin has friends who care about her as much as you do." He accepted her apology with all sincerity.

"Well, now that I feel better, I'll go find my family so we can get settled for the evening." Misty kissed Caitlin on the cheek, nodded to Donovan and then went in search of her family.

Caitlin held the cup for Frank and he took another sip. When he was done, she finished the drink and tossed it into a nearby wastebasket. She sighed loudly while she looked up at the sky.

"Something wrong, Caitlin?" Donovan asked as he took her hand and they began walking through the row of booths that contained games.

"No, just can't wait for the fireworks to start." She laughed when Frank shook his head. "I can't help it!" She playfully slapped him on the arm. "Let's go to my spot, the band should be starting soon."

"Your spot?" Donovan asked, looking around.

Caitlin pointed to a group of trees at the far end of the park. "Mr. Jenkins will have put our things there. He saves it for me, he knows it's my favorite spot."

Just as she said, Mr. Jenkins had already spread one large blanket between the three trees that formed a "V" and the pillows and second blanket rested upon it. Caitlin propped the two pillows against the tree at the point of the "V".

"Frank, come sit here," she motioned to the pillows, "it's been long day and you're still recovering." When he was rested against the pillows, Caitlin sat facing him with her legs tucked to the side.

"There you are, Miss Caitlin!" Mr. Jenkins approached. "Mrs. Redman sent me over with this. She said you asked for a light dinner while the band played, so here you are."

"Thank you," Caitlin took the basket he carried and placed it in front of her. "Please be sure to thank Mrs. Redman for me if you see her."

The custodian waved to the couple on the blanket and went on his way.

"You think of everything, don't you?" Donovan commented with a smile.

"Not everything, but you need to keep your strength up," Caitlin shrugged. "I called Mrs. Redman this morning and asked her to fix us something."

She opened the basket and removed a bottle of Merlot and a corkscrew and handed it to Frank. "Here, make yourself useful," she said playfully, handing him the wine. She removed two cloth napkins and placed one on his lap. Reaching back into the basket, she removed three Tupperware containers that held finger sandwiches, fresh fruit and various cheeses.

Donovan opened the bottle with ease. He filled the two wine glasses that Caitlin placed beside him, corked the bottle and handed it back to Caitlin. He watched as she put it back in the basket then positioned herself closer to him.

"Hungry?" she asked.

He nodded and took a sandwich from the container she held out to him. Chicken salad. He found he couldn't stop watching her. She was munching on one of the small, triangular sandwiches. When she was finished with it, she picked up a glass and sipped her wine. He found her every movement laced with sensuality.

After the sandwiches were gone, Caitlin held a grape to his lips. He opened his mouth and she gently placed it on his tongue, but before she could remove her finger, his lips closed around it, sucking it tenderly. Caitlin drew in a breath and her stomach did a funny little flip-flop.

"I think I enjoy being fed by you," Donovan said with a mischievous glint in his eye.

"Oh, I think you might enjoy it a little too much, sir." But still she fed him. Fruit, cheese, she even held his glass to his lips. Caitlin was sure she enjoyed it more than he did, because he continued to lick and suck her fingers each time she placed a tidbit in his mouth.

To be continued...