Page 92 of Scotch & Dreams

"I almost became the one who got away," she confessed, taking his big hand in both of hers and pressing it against her heart.

Lachlan cocked a questioning brow.

"I was so mad at you yesterday before we met up at the bar—I had planned to leave.” She toyed with his fingers as she thought back to how angry she'd been the night before—it felt like a lifetime ago now.

"As in the sanctuary?" He straightened up, and concern marred his handsome features as he looked down at her.

"As in Scotland," she said soberingly. So much had changed since then—she couldn't fathom leaving now.

"Och, God, lass.” He scooped his big arm under her neck, so she rested against his bicep. He wrapped the other arm around her waist and pulled her body to him like if he clung on tight enough, the idea of her leaving would cease to exist. "Dinnae leave. Dinnae ever leave.”

She laughed against his big warm chest. "Okay, okay," she said, as he squeezed her to him. "I won't go anywhere.”

"Promise me, V." He squeezed her again, causing her to let out another squealing laugh.

"I promise. I promise.”

He pulled back. His eyes twinkled, and then he dropped his sexy mouth to hers, capturing it in a kiss that felt heaven-sent. He moved on top of her and then broke the kiss. "Good," he said against her lips. Then he lifted his face from hers. "Now then. We have some business to discuss." He kissed her lips again, just long enough to leave her breathless and wanting more.

"I'm going to make love to ye all day and likely all night. Aye?”

"Aye," she agreed, leaning up to slide her tongue over his lips.

"Mm, lass, I'm no' done yet," he said, pulling his mouth away from hers.

She lifted a hand to his hair, gently twisting her fingers through it, and his eyes rolled back in bliss.

"I'm listening," Violet purred, knowing she was driving him to distraction.

"Right." His eyes opened on hers. “Well, firstly, effective immediately, ye are no longer an employee at Highland Haven.”

Violet's hand dropped, and she stared at him. She loved working at the sanctuary. Oh God, she understood. It would look very bad for him to date his employee, and as they'd already clarified, she knew Lachlan was a good man. An ethical man. If they were going to be a couple, then of course, he couldn't let her continue to work for him.

"You're firing me?" she asked, her voice shaky.

"What?" A crease appeared between Lachlan’s dark brows. "No, no, of course no’. I'm promoting you. I want you to be my business partner. And not just at the sanctuary—at Cailleach too.”

"You do?" She blinked.

"Aye, I do," he said a little softer. "Do ye ken how many business coaches I've hired, how many assistants? Too many, and I ken from that very first day ye walked into the back office wanting to tell me yer ideas that ye were the business partner I'd always wanted. Yer ideas and the way ye understood things, V… Ye challenge me but make me so much better with business. I've always loved my work, but with ye involved, it is a thousandfold better, and it's no' just my opinion. The accountant has been beside himself excited at the last quarter's numbers.”

Violet could hardly believe what Lachlan was saying. Her heart felt ready to burst. "I bet those numbers would have been amazing anyway," she said humbly.

Lachlan shook his head. "Trust me, love. Ye had much to do with it. Right, now where was I?”

"Business partner," Violets supplied, grinning from ear to ear.

"Aye, Effie and Iona are working together to draw up the papers so we can make it official.”

"Really?" Violet was floored.

"Really." He stroked a strand of hair away from her forehead and bent to kiss her lips softly.

It was crazy how instantly his lips could melt her senses.

"There is one more thing." His voice had gone ragged, and she could feel the thick column of him pressed against her core, making little heated tingles fire off low in her belly. "I love you, Violet Munro."

His blue eyes looked into her soul, and she knew her world was forever changed.

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