Page 29 of Wild Scottish Rose

“No, wait, I think that’s a storm.”

Lightning flashed overhead and the skies opened up.

“Shit, shit, shit.” I turned, ready to carry Shona into the cottage, but she dropped her legs and stepped back. Reluctantly, I released her.

“I have to … my place.” Her chest heaved as the rain intensified. “Thanks, and all …” Shona waved a hand in the air and disappeared around the cottage without another word. I grimaced, hating that was the end to our first kiss, and turned my face to the rain, hoping the wet would cool the lust that raged inside. When that didn’t help, I made sure the fire was out and returned to my cottage, leaving my sodden clothes in a pile at the door, berating myself for not going after her.

There was a line, however. Chasing a woman to her cottage was likely crossing into creepy mode—especially when said woman didn’t invite you to go with her—and I hadn’t known her long enough to know how she’d respond to that.

But damn it, thatkiss.

It had woken something long dormant inside of me, and I felt like a randy teenager, desperate for anything to ease my urges. I took to the shower, soothing my desire the only way I knew how, and revisited Shona’s kiss over andover while I pleasured myself, wondering if she too, did the same in her house.

If I’d reacted faster, I might have been able to invite her in.

Too soon, I told myself, as I toweled off and returned to the living room to start the inside fire. Shona was like a gift to be unwrapped, someone I’d have to take my time with.

Or not at all.

She’s your landlord, and you’re overstepping boundaries.

She hadn’t said no, had she?

I kept arguing with myself as I poured a glass of water and changed into a comfy pair of grey sweats. When my phone dinged with a text, I read it while standing up, leaning against the kitchen counter.

Sorry to run off like that. This princess melts in the rain.

My mouth quirked in a smile. Shona was as skittish as a newborn colt. But if she needed to hide behind that guise, no problem. While I hadn’t lived on the ranch in Texas since I was a child, I’d still learned a thing or two about being around horses. Patience, kindness, and trust-building was the name of the game here.

Sweet dreams, Princess Shona.

*Rolling my eyes.

I laughed, happy that she seemed cool about this.

I’m just your lowly peasant, here to serve.

Okay, that’s enough out of you. I’m off to bed.

Night, princess.

Grrrrrr.

CHAPTER TEN

Shona

I’d like to say that I’d gotten a good night’s sleep, but after the day I’d had yesterday, I’d been wired, like I’d had seventeen cups of coffee, and I didn’t fall into a restless sleep until well into the wee hours of the morning.

I mean, let’s be honest, as days went, it was a firecracker.

Becoming a part of a centuries-old magickal order? Discovering my familiar is a cranky gnome with a hedgehog army? All but melting into a puddle of lust over a man that’s investigating the Kelpies? Yeah, I had a lot on my mind, to say the least.

But today was harvesting day, and I had to cull my plants and pack my bushels for the farmers market tomorrow. That, and I’d promised Agnes that I’d dig around in Gran’s stuff to see if I could find anything magickal. Iwasn’t entirely sure what I was looking for, but Agnes had assured me I’d know if I found it.

Whateveritwas.

I glanced at a photo of Gran and me that I kept in the kitchen while I waited for my coffee to brew. It had been taken when I was sixteen, my hair plaited down the side of my head, hers piled in a messy bun, and we were both laughing up at the camera as we knelt by a rose bush. I still had that rose bush, even though I didn’t have Gran any longer. I paid careful attention to the plant, making sure she was well tended, and she rewarded me with the prettiest flowers in the garden. I liked to think it was a bit of Gran’s love coming through, and I swore the cut blooms lasted the longest of any.

---