Page 5 of Desiring the Highland Laird
Her clothes clung to her damp body. She pushed herself off the bed and stood, wobbling a bit on her feet.
The dream was more than a dream. It was as if it were a memory. She swore she still felt his roughened hands on her hips and his soft, warm lips moving along her skin. Her eyes fluttered closed as a mewl escaped her.
A rapid knock on the door made her nearly jump out of her skin. Her eyes flew open as the door pushed open and Chloe stuck in her head.
“Oh, good. You’re awake! Ready to meet Bruce?”
“Ah…”
Her brows drew together. “Are you all right? You look a bit flustered.”
“Fine. Just, um, give me a minute to change and freshen up a bit?”
“Sure.”
She closed the door with a snap. Evie sank to the bed. She pressed trembling fingers against her lips. It was hard to dismiss the dream because, for whatever reason, it felt real.
*
Evie managed topull herself together for the dinner with the mysterious Bruce. She changed into clean, dry clothes and combed her hair. Then she managed to freshen her makeup with a swipe of her favorite lip gloss. There were still bags under her eyes but there wasn’t much she could do about that. She felt like she needed a week’s worth of sleep.
She grabbed her small handbag and headed out of her room. Her sister put on a bright smile when she entered the living room. She popped up to her feet.
“Ready?”
Evie nodded. She tried to turn her thoughts away from the erotic dream she had had of the hot guy, but it was hard for her to focus.
“Earth to Evie,” Chloe said.
She shook herself out of her thoughts. “I’m sorry. What?”
“Again, you’re not listening to me.”
She flushed, her cheeks turning warm. “Sorry.”
Chloe ushered her out of the apartment, closing and locking the door behind her. “You had a long flight. I shouldn’t be dragging you out to the pub.”
“It’s fine.” Evie put her on her best smile. She hooked her arm with her sister’s. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“I can’t wait for you to meet Bruce,” she said.
Instead of driving, they made their way out of the apartment to the pub down the street. Even early in the evening on a weekday, the place was packed. Every barstool and every table was filled. There were two men on the stage under bright lights, one playing a banjo and the other a guitar. The guitar player lifted his gaze as Chloe passed close to the stage and his face lit into a bright smile.
That must be her Bruce.
He was classically handsome with a swath of dark hair that fell over his forehead and a goatee gracing his chin.
Chloe made her way to the one empty table at the back of the pub. Her gaze was on the guitar player on the stage, a light of joy in her eyes. Evie hadn’t seen her sister that happy in ages. It made her heart swell as she took her seat.
The duo finished their song and then took a break. It wasn’t long before the guitarist made his way to their table. It was clear to Evie that this was definitely Bruce, for his steely blue-eyed gaze never left her sister’s face.
Before he made it to the table, Chloe jumped up and rounded it. She fell into his waiting arms as they embraced, then paused for a quick kiss.
“You made it,” he said, clutching her hands. His voice was deep yet soothing. Perhaps that’s what made him such a good singer.
“I told you we would.” Her gaze swept from him to Evie. “This is my sister, Evie.”
“Och, Evie. I’ve heard a lot about ye, lass.”
