Page 10 of Scottish Seducer
He followed me out of the car and said, with the hood between us, “No, wait. I don’t mean anything offensive. Just sip a beer and tell me more about Jane Austen.”
Well, maybe if I was sure he wouldn’t fire me, I’d sleep better. I stood and waited till he was next to me, my heart beating faster with every inch he came closer.
No book ever made me feel like this, but I asked, “Why have you never read her books?”
We headed inside as he asked, “What did she think of Scots?”
I adjusted my necklace as he walked me to an empty table, and I continued like nothing was wrong. “She never talked about Scottish guys. She mentioned Gretna Green as a clandestine destination for couples following their passions.”
He snapped his fingers like he’d come to a decision. “I want to go there with you tomorrow.”
Two beers were delivered, and I was sure he’d ordered them before our little adventure. Once the waitress left, I whispered, “I wasn’t told I would be driving the boss.”
He finished his sip then asked me, “Can’t you think of me as a guy you just met that you want to kiss?”
I chuckled but shook my head. “No one in England will believe that.”
He scooted closer and whispered, “We’re not in England, lass.”
“No one in the world, then.” I sipped my beer and ignored the warmth in his eyes I couldn’t explain then said, “Since my sisters married well, I’m sure you’d fit in with their types, so I guess we can be friends, but only friends when we’re not at work.”
He put his beer down and scooted his chair closer to me, picking up my hand as he said, “I never like absolutes.”
My hands trembled, but I didn’t move away as I asked, “What do you mean?”
He rested his hands on my sides and said, “Stephanie, I’m going to kiss you now.”
My eyes closed in spite of my objections and I puckered, but I asked for one last moment of sanity. “Are you sure—”
Then his lips met mine.
No one ever made me forget like this. Ever. I curled my hands around his neck and murmured against his mouth, “Well, damn.”
He traced my spine until my body was mushy and warm, ready to do whatever he wanted, when he asked, “What?”
I ignored the urge to have one more taste and said, “I don’t want to actually start liking you, Charlie.”
Then he took that wall I’d tried to erect around myself and demolished it when he kissed me again.
I curled my fingers in his short, thick blond hair. His sweet lips met mine, and I forgot everything.
His voice was soft as the kiss ended and he asked, “Why not?”
Right now, I was alive in a way I’d never been before. But I let him go and pretended we were fine as I picked up my beer and said, “Because sex can’t happen between us.”
He stroked my ring finger. “Why? Are you married?”
The tickle of laughter in my throat almost burst out. The adrenaline in my veins made me act out of character as I said, “No.”
If I didn’t get out of here now, though, I’d do something stupid, like fuck my boss. So I gulped my drink until he said, “Good, neither am I. We can be true to our desires...if that’s what you want.”
Get up now. I swallowed and followed my own advice. I bounced to my feet and said, “Good night. If you’re serious about leaving with me tomorrow, I’ll be in the car at eight a.m.”
His answering grin made me burn to throw caution to the wind as he said, “So you’re saying you’ll drive my car to London without me if I don’t get up on time.”
Busted. I let out a breath. I was never very good at confrontations, but I stood tall and firm tonight. “Absolutely. I have the paperwork to show the police I’m just doing my job.”
He tilted his head like he saw straight through my lie. We both knew if he said noon, I’d comply, but he only said, “Then I’ll see you first thing in the morning.”
The knot in my stomach loosened and I pivoted to go. As I walked away, I knew he was staring at my ass. If he was another man, a normal man, I’d have made different choices tonight. But there is zero possibility that I will complicate my life even more.
