Tags:
Fiction,
Suspense,
Romance,
Contemporary,
Scotland,
Brothers,
small town,
Scottish,
friends to lovers,
Whidbey Island,
pub,
The McLaughlins
about it.”
“Not even a little bit. You ever been to Scotland, lass?”
“Lass? Breaking out all the Scottish words. Careful, you’re risking getting me all hot and bothered.”
She was full-on flirting now. Often harmless, but when she was underdressed sitting in his house late at night, a bit more chancy.
“Och,” he lowered his voice an octave, knowing the female response to the deep bass tone. “You donna say.”
Her laugh was breathy this time and she shifted in the seat, sliding her gaze away. “Oh aye .”
The distance between the chair and couch seemed like yards, rather than feet now. The urge to walk over, scoop her up and carry her back to the couch and his lap was hitting strong.
“And, no,” she continued, somewhat tartly, “I’ve never been to Scotland. And I doubt I ever will because it’d be so damn pricey. Have you seen how much airfare costs?”
“Aye.” He nodded. “I’ve gotten quite good at spotting the deals.”
A wistful smile crossed her face. “I’d like to go. I’m just…pretty stingy with my money.”
“A Scot at heart.”
“Absolutely.” She lifted the hot chocolate to her lips to take another sip but yawned instead. “Oh man, I should just go to bed. I’m exhausted and probably will be crappy company soon, if I’m not already.”
“You’re charming company.” And she was. The idea of her heading off to bed already disappointed a bit, but he couldn’t blame her for wanting sleep. “You remember where the room is?”
“Pretty sure I can find it.”
“It’s just one room down from mine.”
Her gaze flitted to his over the rim of her mug, and he saw the consideration in her eyes. As if she were considering maybe not going to bed after all. Or not alone, that was.
Or maybe that’s just wishful thinking.
She set her mug down and walked over to him. His heart began a slow thud and the blood in his veins rushed south. When she stood over him and then leaned down slightly to brush her lips over his, his cock leapt in anticipation.
But before he could appreciate the softness of her mouth, or the hint of her perfume, she’d lifted her head and stepped back.
“Thank you for letting me crash here,” she said softly. “You really are a nice guy, boss boy.”
And then she was gone in a blur of bare legs.
Shite .
He let his breath hiss from between clenched teeth. That little kiss had done nothing but get his body and mind a bit more excited. And then she’d walked away. But when he weighed the possibility of not having had the kiss or having it with a lasting hard-on now, he chose the latter.
He’d have Lana in his bed. Maybe not tonight, maybe not tomorrow, or even the weeks to come. But they would sleep together. The sexual tension between them swelled more each day, and he knew she was equally aware of it. Fought it.
He suspected them ending up in bed together was as inevitable as rain in Seattle. And when he thought about it, he could acknowledge that really, she was the perfect person to get involved with.
Delonna was confident with her body and sexuality. She was quite young still, not even twenty-five, and just out of a relationship. She wouldn’t be looking for anything serious. Which was perfect for him.
Standing up to turn off the lights, he tried not to think about what it’d be like having her beneath him. Being inside her. Having those amazing breasts in his hands. His mouth.
Fook .
Going to sleep was going to have to wait a bit for him. First on the agenda was a cold shower.
“You think maybe I should go home tonight?” As Delonna asked the question, she pretty much knew what his answer would be. The irritation and dismay that flashed across Aleck’s face just confirmed he thought it silly.
“Let’s err on the side of caution and keep you at my place for at least a bit longer.”
She nodded, and didn’t bother to hide her sigh. The night was winding down and the pub closed in less than an hour. They’d carpooled to
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