Page 5 of My Highland Fling
“It’s a Scottish thing.All the attendees have Scottish ancestry.It’s a fantastic way to meet others and have fun.Why are you here?”
“I live in Konstavia in Europe.I’m here to help with a local children’s charity.Just one night before I head home.”
Ramsay closed his eyes, briefly cursing fate.He’d hoped he’d have longer than that, so he’d need to move fast.
“What do you do in New Zealand?”she asked, and the gleam in her eyes indicated her sincere interest.It was a heady thing to have her entire focus.
He inhaled slowly, savoring her honey scent with an underpinning of the Orient.Beneath that, he caught a faint hint of feminine musk, and the three fragrances combined to make an intoxicating snare for a single feline male.
She clicked her fingers in front of his nose, and he blinked.Her bubbly laughter had him grinning back at her.
“It’s not flattering when your mind drifts,” she said with a charming wrinkling of her nose.
“Ah, but my mind was full of you.”Ramsay decided game-playing was a waste of time.He’d cut straight to the point and let her know his interest.“You’re pretty with your golden blonde hair and your curves.And even better, your delectable scent…” He leaned closer and gave an audible sniff.
“My mother is always telling me to eat less.I live on skinless chicken and salad.”
“Let me tell you—from a male point of view, you’re stunning.No, let me rephrase.I find you attractive and can’t take my eyes off you.”He let his gaze drift to her mouth.“I’m wondering what it’d be like to kiss you.”
Her brows rose.
“That’s not a line.You don’t know me well, but I don’t play games.”His sister had been a talented game player and loved a challenge, legal or not.Yeah, he was done with those days.He’d gone straight from the moment the Mitchell family had folded him into their care, and honesty was his middle name.That meant he was a man of action, and he never lied or played with people’s emotions.Having been on the receiving end of that pain, he hated to inflict it on others.
“You really want to kiss me,” she said, leaning nearer as if she was frightened someone was eavesdropping on their conversation.
“Why wouldn’t I?”
She gave a faint nod but settled on her barstool and sipped her lager.“And I repeat.What is your job in New Zealand?”
“I’m training to be a chef.I work in Dunedin, which is the nearest large city to Middlemarch.When I’m not there, I work at Storm in a Teacup, a Middlemarch café.Emily, the owner, got me interested in food and cooking.”He paused, then decided his mate should hear some of his background.“I come from a troubled family.My parents stole and cheated to get money to survive, so my younger sister and I didn’t have great examples.Emily and the Mitchell family gave me an opportunity for a fresh start.”
“What about your sister?”
“I haven’t seen Terry for several years.Last I heard, she’d hooked up with a small-time thief.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I miss Terry, but the people in Middlemarch are like family.Tomasine and Felix gave me a second chance.I stayed with them until I went to an apprenticeship in Dunedin.I love Middlemarch and purchased a home there.It’s an old farmhouse I’m fixing up in my spare time.”
“That’s wonderful,” Gabrielle said.“Are you focusing on a particular type of cuisine?”
“The restaurant where I work specializes in seafood, venison, and lamb.It’s a kind of fusion of fresh produce with Asian influences.We like to use local ingredients.When I work in the café, I do more baking.Lots of cookies and cakes.Our local community is active, and we hold fairs and social functions.Sometimes, I make ice cream or festive fare like gingerbread.The café menu is simple.Hearty sandwiches and soups.Savory pies plus the sweet stuff.”
“What is your favorite cake?”
Ramsay didn’t hesitate.“Carrot cake.”
“Really?That’s mine too.What kind of frosting do you use?”
“It’s got to be a cream cheese frosting with a sprinkle of nuts for texture.”
Gabrielle nodded.“I can’t remember the last time I ate a piece of carrot cake.”
“If I were at home, I’d make one for you.”
“Thank you.”She reached over and squeezed his hand, the touch riveting Ramsay.
He stared into her eyes, not bothering to hide the surge of lust that frisked his body.Oh, he craved her badly.
