Page 9 of Scottish Seducer
The moon was out now, and the little sizzles of energy that made the rest of the world disappear as I stayed beside him were hard to ignore. I took a breath and said, “Okay. So tell me about yourself.”
He glanced up and pointed to stars as he said, “I’m a bit of a dreamer, to tell the truth.”
I followed his finger and realized he was pointing to Orion’s belt. I didn’t know much about astronomy, but I remembered learning that one. In person, though, far away from the city lights, the skies were much prettier.
I let out the breath I’d been holding and said, “Nothing wrong with that.”
He playfully bumped into me as we headed down the street and he asked, “What about you? Why did you move to England?”
No more about my sob stories, ever. Heat rushed in my face as I remembered what I had already said.
If he let me keep my job, I promised myself I’d always remember to ask for I.D. before starting a discussion with any man.
I let out a small laugh at the thought, then said, “I wanted to live and breathe Jane Austen novels for a while. And while there are reenactments and teas from her novels in the states, nothing is quite like being part of the authentic world, at least in terms of scenery.”
He stared at me, and I swear he saw right through me. “What exactly does that mean you do?”
Work for you.I cringed then tapped my foot and bobbed my head like I was happy and said, “Well, many weekends and all my vacation days are spent participating in reenactments.”
His eyes had a twinkle to them as he said, “So you follow your dream.”
This time, I smiled. He was right that I flew around the globe to have fun. “I suppose I do. What about you? What dreams are you chasing?”
I glanced ahead and saw his car. Swarms of butterflies took off in my stomach.
He’d hate me in a moment, but right now his voice had a sweet, soothing sound that made my insides beg for more as he said, “I always wanted to fly into outer space and dive deep into our oceans to uncover frightening but good-for-humanity secrets no one’s ever imagined before.”
This had to be how he charmed every woman on the planet. I took out the key from my back pocket and asked, “So you grew up wanting to be an astronaut and a deep-sea diver?”
I massaged the back of my head and wished he was someone who might be in my orbit a little longer, but knew it was just another pipe dream as he said, “Yeah, but really, I just find ways to fund my ideas.”
We stood in front of his car again, and he stopped, looking around as he rocked back and forth on his feet. “We’re here?”
My face was hot and probably blotchy. I clicked the button of his car for full effect and then held out my hand to shake his. “Yes, Mr. Grannd. I’m Stephanie Steel, and to pay formydreams, I work in your headquarters in London.”
He stopped moving. “As my chauffeur?”
I opened the driver’s door and showed him the key. He pointed me to the passenger side as I said, “Not normally. But to be honest, the extra money for driving this car to London tomorrow was going to pay my rent and an upgrade on next year’s Jane Austen costume.”
He got in the driver’s side once I was in and said, “You know my name, so call me Charlie.”
Inappropriate. I looked down at my hands. I really didn’t want to look for a new job on top of everything else on my plate and said, “That’s probably not appropriate.”
He kept driving, though he glanced at me as he said, “Sure it is, Stephanie. And now we’re back, let’s get that beer.”
Seriously? My skin was jumpy, and I had a zap in my veins I didn’t understand, as I said, “You sure you want to be seen with the help?”
He laughed, then said, “I’m intrigued, to be honest.”
We made it to the inn, and he drove behind it to a parking area as I shook my head. “I shouldn’t, though.”
He laughed again as we parked but didn’t move to get out. “Because I’m your boss?”
I turned and my hand fell in his. There was rush of adrenaline from his touch, but I ignored it as I said, “Yeah, and I don’t want you thinking you can buy me.”
He squeezed my palm like he knew my reaction to him and said, “It seems I already have.”
My lips ached for his touch, and the air around me was tinged with his intent to kiss me. I jumped and unlocked the car to get out as I said, “Good night.”
