Page 81 of Scotch on the Rocks

“How old do you think I am exactly?” Easing closer, I laid my hands on the stainless-steel counter.

“Old enough you should consider getting one of those little chains to attach your wallet to your trousers.”

“Feeling snarky this morning, sweetheart?”I should take her over my knee for that one. Admittedly, if one of us were to get our arse reddened, it was more likely to be me.

“Seems like it.”

I finally looked her over. In leggings and a baggy T-shirt, she was more dressed down than I’d ever seen her. Still, she made my breath catch. It was fucking witchcraft, I swear.

That was the difference between infatuation and love. Juniper would always be the most stunning woman I’d ever laid eyes on, that was an indisputable fact, but what made herbeautifulto me in that moment was her strength. Her eyes were still slightly puffy, her nose red from the emotional blow Alistair had inflicted and yet, here she was, just as I’d predicted.

Her eyes flicked up from the bowl again. “You shouldn’t be back here.”

“Morning to you too, sunshine. We’re leaving in ten minutes, change into something warm.” Surprise stole across her face. “You said you wanted to stick to our bargain. I still have three dates, remember?”

“I’m ill.”

“You don’t look ill.” I looked pointedly to the finger she was currently licking batter from.

She paused; finger caught between her lips. “It isn’t contagious.”

“Great.” I clapped my hands together. “Let’s go.”Come on,I silently urged.Come with me, sweetheart. Don’t let this change things.

“No.”

“No?” Hank’s rough voice filtered through the door a second before the gruff man appeared, already buttoning his chef whites over his wide chest. “What are you doing in my kitchen?”

“Helping.I already started on the oatcakes.”

Batting her hands away, he took the bowl and stuck his little finger in the batter and tasted it. Cringing, he added another sprinkle of sugar. “I dinnae need your help. You may as well take the lad up on his offer.”

“See?” I winked at Hank. He glowered back. “We can go back and forth all day, harpy, but this ends with your arse in my front seat.”

Ignoring me completely, she rounded on Hank. “Who’s going to run the breakfast service?”

“Ada, she’s already in reception.”

Juniper’s eyebrows lifted. “You came in together?”

I didn’t think it was possible, but the man actually blushed. “It’s not likethat, she got a flat tyre yesterday. I offered her a ride,” he muttered. Juniper looked so delighted, my own lips curled into a smile.

“Can you survive without her?” I asked Hank, slipping around the counter to cover Juniper’s mouth with my hand before she could protest.

His moustache twitched. “Aye.”

“Then it’s settled.” With a slight pressure on her shoulder, I steered her out the door. “Fuck.” I flinched away as pain seared through the fleshy part of my palm. “You bit me.”

“Hands off,” she hissed while I marvelled at the tiny little teeth marks.

“Would it be weird to get these tattooed?” I held my hand out for her to see.

Her lips twitched just as I’d hoped. “You’re a strange man, Callum Macabe.”

I kissed her cheek in lieu of a response, already backing down the hall. “I’ll be in the car, you have ten minutes. Oh, and remember a swimsuit … Or don’t.”

She flipped her middle finger.

I flipped mine right back.

---