Page 34 of Scotch & Dreams

"No' here, they dinnae. I suppose ye keep yer butter and jam in the fridge too." He said it like a challenge.

She almost laughed. "You don't?"

He shook his head. "I huv a theory.”

She was more intrigued by his playful smirk than by the theory itself. "Do tell.”

"I huv crossed the pond a few times in my life, and I dinnae ken why, but ye lot huv enormous fridges, like ye all are expecting at any given time to huv to store a moose in it.”

She threw back her head and laughed, and his eyes gleamed.

"Dinnae go laughin'. Ye huvnae heard my theory yet.”

She sobered, with her lips twitching as she waited for him to enlighten her. "Right."

He leaned forward with his elbows on the table like he was about to share a secret, so she leaned forward, too. His handsome face was close to hers, and she couldn't help the shiver that ran through her.

"I think ye lot put eggs, and jam, and butter, and probably all your bloody jewels in the fridge too because they are so damn big, ye huv to find things to fill them up."

All she heard wasdamn bigandfill up. She swallowed hard. And when she didn't laugh, he suddenly sobered too.

His eyes dropped to her mouth. "So ye agree? With my theory?" he said in a hoarse voice.

They just looked at each other from across the table, close but not close enough. She wanted to feel his lips on hers. God, how she wanted him to kiss her, and right now, it definitely felt like he wanted to, too. Instead, they just eyed each other in some kind of hungry, tempting trance, with the table and its gaudy creamer set as the only barrier between them.

Chapter 21

Done

Doyouhaveplanstoday?” Violet asked.

His cock seemed to think that sexy, throaty voice was meant for him. Anna wasn’t coming back today now, so—God, what was he doing? He pulled back from where he was, leaned over the table, and stood, taking their plates to the sink. Never had his cock run his life. That was Drew's style, not his, and here he was, his girlfriend away, and it was all he could do not to haul this lass back up to his bed so they could continue where they left off first thing this morning.

The way he was drawn to Violet defied logic. He was supposed to be watching over her, taking care of her, not bloody thirsting after her. Christ, he felt disgusted with himself. It was a very good thing that their twenty-four hours were up because as much as he was certain he would never ever be a cheater, he felt like he was in a losing battle with himself right now. Anna sure as hell deserved better, and so did Violet.

“Aye, I’m meeting my sister for lunch,” he said more abruptly than he intended.

“Oh, right, um, well, I’m going to get my bag. I think your nursing duties are at an end.”

"You're feeling better then?" he said, realizing he had been so bloody distracted he hadn't even bothered to ask how she was doing this morning. He made a shite nurse and a shite boyfriend.

"Good as new," she said brightly.

Too brightly. He felt like he should explain himself, but what could he say? Lachlan knew the smart thing to do was drop her off, and that would be the end of it. He could stop fighting with himself. Go back to normal.Normal.He had a strong feeling that there was life before Violet Munro and then after. Whateverthiswas, he already knew she was a game changer, although he didn’t know exactly what that meant at present. All he knew was that Violet was a temptation that he couldn’t have in his life right now. So dropping her off and letting her go was the only option.

They were mostly quiet during the drive back to the B&B. Lachlan pulled up outside the small flat. Violet turned to face him. A shy smile touched the corners of her mouth, and his heart jolted. The past couple of days had been quite the experience, and looking at her now, he hated to think he might not see her again. She broke the silence first.

“Thank you for all you’ve done for me. It really means so much. I cringe to think what would've happened if you hadn’t helped me the other night. And then taking me into your home.” She paused, glancing up at him with a soft smile touching her Cupid’s bow lips. “You’re a good guy, Lachlan.”

He didn't feel like a good guy. Lachlan was rarely at a loss for words, but he struggled to know what to say to this woman who'd blown into his life like a tempest, leaving him feeling inside out. The truth was, he enjoyed every minute with her.

He sighed. “It was my pleasure, V,” he said in earnest. “You’re sure yer all right? I dinnae want to leave ye if yer not feelin’ a hundred percent.”

“I’m good, I promise,” she reassured him. “Not even a headache this morning.”

“I’m glad you’re recovered, lass.”

“Me too.”

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