Mac took in the sight of the tidy place setting for two she’d arranged for him and James in Amber’s office, touched by her thoughtfulness. The two folding chairs were pushed under a small round table that must have been brought in while he was performing. A checkered cloth covered the table, and an assortment of delicious smelling bar food was arranged nicely next to linen napkins, cutlery, and a flickering candle in a red votive. A bucket of beer sat on the edge of Amber’s desk next to the bottle of whiskey they’d shared earlier. Mac didn’t want to share the nosh with his cousin, James. No – he wanted to share it with Nicky.
“Don’t leave. Please. Won’t ye join us?”
Nicky stood shifting her weight with her back against the open door while tugging on her fingers. “This is for you and James. You must be tired and thirsty after such an incredible performance…”
“Ye enjoyed it, then?” He was anxious for her feedback. For some odd reason, it was vital to him that Nicky enjoyed the impromptu unplugged concert. He watched her react to his question as if in slow motion. There was the slightest tilt of her head, a flutter of those long dark lashes, and her long, creamy throat moved as she swallowed. He noticed right away she had let her hair down after the show, her luscious mane cascading over her shoulders causing his lower region to flinch.
“You blew me away,” she whispered. “I hate to admit it, but I’ve never heard your music before tonight.”
Mac raised his brow, her comment unexpected. Taking a step forward, he shook his head in disbelief. “Ye never heard of me?”
A pinkish hue crept up Nicky’s neck as she dipped her head to avert his eyes. He took another step, and they were nose to nose. Lifting her chin with two of his fingers, her sparkling green eyes pierced his heart like a dagger. “I want to know about ye. Please, stay.” Releasing her chin, he brushed his knuckles against her hair lying over her shoulder, his breath staggered by the softness.
“You want…me to stay?” she whispered, as if unsure what he meant.
“Aye.” His lips were mere inches from hers. Did he dare close the gap and kiss her? He could feel the indescribable pull she had on him as he caressed a lock of her hair between his thumb and fingers, his free hand pressed flat above her head against the door.
“But… James…,” she uttered, as he watched her pulse jump on her neck.
“Did somebody say my name?” James appeared and slapped Mac hard on the back as he walked into the office. “Och! Nicky! Ye’re a gem. Thank ye for the grub.” He sat at the table and happily helped himself to the food.
Mac pulled back from her and chuckled. “Ye wouldn’t happen to know of a much quieter place we could go to, would ye?” The electricity between them crackled, and he found it hard to concentrate in her presence.
Before Nicky could answer, Amber came between them, holding two hotel keys in her hands. “Compliments of Betty at the River House Inn. She said your production manager called earlier and made arrangements for your rooms tonight. You’re all checked in, so you don’t have to worry about anyone hounding you in the lobby.”
Mac took the keys from her, setting one on the table next to James and shoving the other into his denim pocket. “Thank ye, Amber.”
“Aye, thanks!” James interjected in between bites of food. His lips and fingers were covered in wing sauce.
Amber remained between them with her hands on her hips. “You boys are welcome back anytime. Seriously, the crowds loved it. When will the new album be out?”
Mac continued to stare at Nicky, whose gaze was fixated on his. When he didn’t answer right away, Amber looked from left to right, smiled, and shook her head before Mac stuttered a response.
“Ummm…. Not sure when. Soon, I hope.”
“Cool. I’ll be downloading it on release day, for sure.” She patted his arm. “Hey Nick, can you help me out for a sec?”
Nicky’s chest rose as she broke the spell between them. “Yeah. Sure.” Her long lashes fluttered, and she offered him one of her dimpled smiles before she exited. “I’ll be back in a bit to check on you.”
Mac nodded. “Aye. Sounds good.”
Nicky gave a quick nod and pushed the loose hair he’d been stroking into place before exiting the office. Leaning his head against the door, he turned to James and exhaled as if she’d knocked the wind right out of his sail.
“Careful, Mac, or ye’ll fall in love,” James humorously teased.
“Aye. What a braw night…”
“Sit. Eat. Ye’ll need yer strength.” James gestured with saucy fingers to the seat across from him.
When Mac was seated, he leaned forward, staring hard at James who continued to scarf down the food in front of him. “I need to spend some time with her. Will ye be alright walking back to the hotel without me?”
“Aye. Shannon will be callin’. Ye have some fun. But have a wee bite first.” His cousin gestured toward the food with a nod.
Mac complied and grabbed the burger in front of him, taking a huge bite. Shannon was James’ wife of two years and usually accompanied them on their trips, to keep the musicians in line. But she stayed in Scotland this time, to celebrate a friend’s birthday. The two cousins joked about the wicked fun they could get into, but it was all work as of late
Grunting with his mouth full, Mac closed his eyes. “It’s good.”
James grinned and chewed on a fry. “It’s good, indeed. Careful lad, yer accent is broad when ye’re misbehavin’.”
Mac opened his eyes and shook his head. “I’ll be more careful away from ye.” His sarcasm coaxed a balled up napkin from James’ hand, and thankfully, Mac caught it before it bounced off his face. The two erupted in laughter.
The good food and company were exactly what he needed after their performance. But Mac couldn’t help feeling another need gnawing at his conscience. Eyeing the open door, he took another huge bite of his burger and moaned with pleasure.
Chapter Four
“Reid Macpherson is totally into you,” Amber squealed. “I mean if a guy looked at me like that—”
“Like what?” Nicky interrupted. Even after those early shots of whiskey, she felt as crisp as a new dollar bill, her senses on high alert, and her pulse thrumming with excitement beneath her skin.
Standing on her tip-toes, Amber smoothed Nicky’s hair back from her face before pulling a tube of lip gloss out of her pub apron. “Just a smidge,” she muttered, swiping the glistening wand across Nicky’s lower lip.
“What are you doing?” she giggled, swatting at Amber’s hand.
“You need to take a walk on the wild side and entertain the famous Reid Macpherson. It’ll be a great story you can tell your grandkids someday.”
Smacking her lips together, Nicky scowled. “Amber, I’m not some random groupie willing to go back to his hotel room. I mean, come on! Everyone in this town knows me. I have my reputation to consider. I’d be found out in a millisecond leaving everyone gossiping.”
Amber used all of her pint-sized strength to turn Nicky around and pushed her toward the kitchen doors. “You’d be a fool to let this opportunity go to waste. What’s the worst that could happen, huh? Kissing a bona fide Scottish rock star is what every hot-blooded American girl dreams of!”
Nicky made it hard for Amber to push her five foot nine frame toward the door. “Who said anything about kissing? And don’t you need some assistance cleaning up this mess? I mean, you did enlist my help tonight, remember?”
The thought of being alone with Mac intrigued her, but was also unnerving. It had been a long time since she’d even contemplated going on a date again. Her work got her through her breakup with Eric, and she wasn’t about to dive into something she knew wouldn’t last. But then again, the Scottish rocker was dreamy. Maybe Amber was right – perhaps it’d be a good story to tell her grandchildren someday. Decision made, she swung the swivel doors open and gasped when she ran smack dab into the hard planes of Mac’s broad chest. His large hands immediately gripped her by the arms making h
er swoon.
“Whoa. Are ye alright? I was coming to find ye.”
Nicky’s eyes widened, taking in the handsome Scot. The feel of her hands pressed against his chest made it nearly impossible for her to utter a reply. Her throat closed up and turned as dry as the Sahara Desert.
“She’s right here,” Amber responded with a definitive trace of spunk in her voice. “I’ll leave you two to have at it. I’ve got some cleaning up to do.” Thrusting her hand out, she raised her eyes to meet Mac’s. “Reid Macpherson, it was a pleasure. You’re always welcome at the Good Pub.”
“Aye, lass. The pleasure was all mine.” Bending forward, he gripped Amber’s hand and kissed her on the knuckles.
“Have fun tonight,” Amber giggled.
Nicky watched as her friend pressed her lips together to thwart off a knowing smile. A fluttering of butterfly wings immediately assaulted her tummy.
With a soft guitar case strapped over his shoulder, Mac palmed the back door of the kitchen open for Nicky to walk through. The full moon illuminated the usually dark alley as they walked next to each other toward the sidewalk on Main Street. Late-night tourists walked among the twinkle lights strung through the tree-lined street of the closed up shops, seemingly oblivious to the man’s rock star status. A gentle breeze caressed Nicky’s cheeks as she kept her hands clasped behind her, walking silently next to the famous musician.
“The River House Inn is just up this way. I’m sure Ms. Betty gave you guys the best rooms with a view of the Hudson.”
His hands were shoved into his jeans, making his biceps bulge. “Aye, that’d be a pleasure. I much prefer the quaint hotels with a wee bit of history in them. I enjoy the antiques and the stories the innkeepers are quick to share.”
“Oh, Ms. Betty will share with you, for sure. She’s a dear. I’ve known her my entire life.”
“Have ye now?”
“Yes. My family owns an organic farm just outside the village. Ms. Betty’s hotel restaurant has used our local produce and herbs in her signature dishes since she took over the place decades ago.”
“Is that so?”
Nicky was just about to tell him about White Barn Weddings when she noticed a small crowd forming on the lawn in front of the Inn. They were Reid Macpherson fans, she was sure of it. Mac seemed to notice too and stopped in his tracks.
“Och! What a scunner.” Grabbing her by the arm, he quickly darted into the shadows under the awning of a quaint bookstore. “We’ve been found out. I’ll be honest with ye, I don’t want to share my time with the locals tonight. I’d rather spend it with ye alone. Do ye know of another place we could go to?”
Even in the moonlight Mac’s blue eyes seemed to shimmer with the magic of a star-filled sky. Nicky bit her lower lip and nodded. “We could go to my place. My car is parked at the train station around the corner.”
Mac’s grin glinted back at her. “Perfect.”
They crept along the side streets toward the train station, keeping their heads low, Nicky giggling at the randomness of it all. For her to be wandering around Cold Creek with a famous musician by her side was nothing short of a miracle. The only other time in her life she felt a flicker of being starstruck was when she realized the infamous Fiona Merrill was holed up in Chris Ballard’s crumbling farmhouse before the two ever tied the knot. Although Fiona was a famous New York billionaire-socialite, Nicky went into mama-bear mode, insisting her good friend, Chris, deserved better. She recalled the sting of jealousy she felt knowing Chris was falling hard for Fiona. That was around the same time she and her ex, Eric, were at the end of their relationship. For some reason, Nicky always thought she and Chris might somehow end up together. Boy, did she have it all wrong. As she got to know Fiona during her wedding planning, they became fast friends and remained close ever since. To have the New Yorker in her life was a blessing.
Looking both ways to cross the street, Nicky was bold and reached for Mac’s hand. “Come on. Our getaway car is right over there.”
His hand was firm and warm clasped with hers as they darted across the street. Quickly, she opened up the back door, and he placed his guitar bag inside with care. When they were both strapped in the front seat, she turned to him, breathless.
“We made it.”
“Aye, lass. Thank ye for saving my life.”
“Not a problem,” she chuckled. Taking in a deep breath, she was aware of his masculine scent filling the car interior.
The two made small talk on the short drive through town and across the back roads toward her family farm. Mac wanted to know the kinds of music she enjoyed, and she was quick to remind him how much she loved his surprise concert, promising to download his tunes when she had the chance. When she admitted her affinity for Frank Sinatra and the crooners from a bygone era, Mac placed his hand over his heart and gushed.
“I grew up listening to Frank and Bing, Nat and Louie too.”
“Oh, I love Louie Armstrong. His duets with Ella are amazing,” she interjected.
“That they are,” he agreed.
Knowing they enjoyed the same music gave Nicky comfort – they were kindred spirits.
Pulling onto the long graveled drive of her family’s farm, the headlights of the car bounced off the pristine pallid boards of the picket fence lining either side of the impressive entrance. As the large, white barn came into view, she did a quick inventory in her head of the libations and food she could offer Mac knowing her staff had cleaned up earlier, sure they stored leftovers in the giant sub-zero fridge in the industrial kitchen.
“This is it. This is home,” she commented, pulling into her parking space near the giant barn doors.
“This barn is yer home? Not the house across the way?” He seemed confused, peering through the windshield at the massive structure in front of them.
Nicky giggled. “Come on. Let me show you around.”
Grabbing his guitar out of the back, Mac swung it across his shoulder and followed Nicky to the barn doors. Pressing the touch screen on the smart lock attached to the wood, she entered a code and waited for the click before sliding the door across the substantial track system. With a quick flick of some lights, the interior illuminated, revealing the party space spic and span after the afternoon wedding.
“Och! What is this place?”
Nicky looked around proudly before her gaze landed on Mac’s blue-flame eyes. “Welcome to White Barn Weddings.”
*
Mac looked around the space in awe. White café chairs were turned upside down on top of numerous round tables. Twinkle lights and swaths of white fabric looped through the refurbished rafters, and a long bar ran parallel to the wall where stalls must have stood long ago. He noticed a small stage tucked in the corner, the boards dark and glossy, with an impressive sound system to boot. Even a small disco ball hung off a large beam above an apparent dance floor nearest the stage, making him chuckle. The entire space held the faint aroma of sweet flowers among the earthiness of the farm filtering in through the cracked door, reminding him of home.
“Please, tell me, lass. What is this magical barn?” Leaning his guitar case against the mahogany bar, he watched as Nicky went around the impressive wood and pulled two glasses from underneath.
“This is where I work and where I live,” she said simply.
“Ye live here?” he asked, rubbing his bearded jaw trying to understand.
Pulling a familiar bottle of whiskey from a lower shelf, she poured them two shots, sliding one toward him.
“Aye,” she teased. When he gazed into her intense, green eyes, he swore he could smell the faintest scent of evergreen.
“My living space is upstairs in the renovated loft. I own a business called ‘White Barn Weddings.’ I’m an inclusive wedding planner offering the best in the shabby-chic wedding experience and on a real working farm to boot. It’s a one-stop-shop with high-class amenities. It’s really taken off in the past year since my friends Fiona Merrill, and Chris Ballard had their reception h
ere.”
Mac raised his brow. “Fiona Merrill?”
“Yes. You know of her?” Nicky asked with a gasp.
“Aye, I know of her. We played a huge benefit concert for her foundation last Christmas in New York City. They raised millions of dollars.”
“That was you?” Nicky exclaimed. “Oh, man. I could’ve met you last Christmas.”
“Ye were there?”
“No. I was invited, but unfortunately, I couldn’t make it. I had Christmas-themed weddings back to back and couldn’t get away. But Fiona told me all about it. I’m sorry. I guess I wasn’t paying much attention when she told me who she hired as the entertainment.”
Mac shifted his stance to lean his forearms across the bar and stared at her with intensity. “Are ye paying attention now?” He watched her chest rise when her breath hitched a beat. Then his gaze fell on her full lips. It would be so easy to pull her forward and press his mouth against hers.
“Yes,” she answered, never taking her eyes off him as her answer tumbled out on the exhale.
“Good.” Raising his shot in the air, she reciprocated, and they clinked glasses before throwing back the alcohol. “Grab a chair and have a seat.”
“What?” she giggled, licking her lips and setting her glass on the bar.
“I insist.” With a quick zip of his travel case, he pulled his guitar out and held it by the neck, taking long strides across the open room toward the stage. Hopping up onto the elevated wood, he slung the instrument across his shoulder and tuned.
“What are you doing? You don’t have to entertain me, Mac,” she insisted. Her arms were folded across her chest, and her hip was popped out, her long legs-for-days toned and tanned from underneath her frayed jean shorts. He’d been eyeing those legs all night long.
Feeling energized by Nicky’s presence, he sat on the edge of the stage and crossed his boots at his ankles. Looking at the strings of his guitar, he started to strum a familiar melody. When he looked up, Nicky’s dimples were noticeable in her megawatt smile as if she knew right away what song he had chosen just for her.
I'll See You Again: A Scottish rock star, standalone opposites-attract romance (Reigning Hearts Book 4) Page 3