by Marie Kelly
“Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face”
Fiona laughing as she had taken over
“Great chieftan o’ the Puddin’race”
He shaking his head softly
“How on earth do you know all these?” Fiona chuckling
“Of all the ones to pick…that is THE one you should know. There is no Burns supper that doesn’t have that one recited”
Looking back at her, with a raised eyebrow he had asked what a Burns supper was, Fiona sitting up as she had explained about the traditional dinner.
“It is the highest compliment to invite another man to your Burns supper”
“Just men?” his surprised voice questioning as she had given a small thoughtful look
“Well…there are women invited to some…but in most cases it just for men” a small chuckle leaving her
“Too much beer and whiskey flowing”
She had noticed as he had become quieter at that point, pulling out his mobile phone spending time searching for something as she had sat back reading a magazine.
Returning to the MacDonald estate the two had moved back up the stairs together, Fiona standing undecided as they had approached her room. Taking her hand he had moved to his room leaning in to kiss her cheek
“I think that we have moved past separate rooms” happy that she had not argued just moved with him into his room.
The following day as Craig had left for some final meetings, Fiona had Skyped her brother. His whole family smiling as they had wished her a happy Christmas, she so happy to see the children, both of them thanking her for the computer games she had sent them. As the brother and sister had found themselves alone, she had given him a warm grin.
“Things are looking good with you and Nat” Scott nodding happily leaning further into the computer
“I don’t want to jump the gun here…but Nat is thinking about coming home”
Fiona clasping her hands together with excitement
“Oh I’m so happy for you” her eyes shining with honesty, the two laughing together, before he had looked quizzically at her
“How come you didn’t phone on Christmas day?” Fiona’s eyes sparkling as she had given a small chuckle
“Well….Craig took me to Paris”
Looking at his stunned expression
“Different rooms?”
Fiona had grown quieter her cheeks growing hotter as a small smile had played on her lovely lips
“No” Looking meaningfully at her brother, as laughing he had shaken his head.
“Be careful little sister…Craig Thompson is not the kind of man looking for a long term relationship”
With a nod of her head, she had given him a reassuring smile
“I know that Scott…I really do…and Craig has been honest about that…but maybe this will do me good. After Donald…well you know…I had a lot of problems moving on” her voice pausing as she had looked into her brother’s eyes.
“Maybe this is just something that I need to do…no commitment and no expectations”
Watching her for a few seconds, Scott had finally smiled
“Maybe it is…I just don’t want to see you get hurt”
Making a small pfft sigh she had laughed
“He will be gone by the end of the month…it is just … uncomplicated and liberating…and strangely enough fun”
Giving her a final brotherly look he had given a small shake of his head
“I hope you are right Fiona…just …be careful”
The two siblings once more wishing each other a happy Christmas.
As Craig had moved into the kitchen, he had smiled closing his eyes with pleasure.
“Oh that smells lovely” he had chuckled moving over to pull Fiona into his arms for a kiss
“Is that steak?” she nodding happily
“I went shopping…figured that you would be tired, not really in the mood to go out.
Giving her another approving grin, he had moved over to pull out one of the many bottles of champagne in the large fridge, noticing that the bottles seemed to be a lot less lonely than they had been since his arrival at the estate. Giving her another smile, he had taken glasses and the bottle to the table, where she had already placed vegetables and potatoes, his eyes wide with approval.
“Wow…beautiful, smart, funny and can cook…might need to keep you”
Hearing her musical laugh once more as she had brought over the plates with the steak perfectly cooked, chuckling as she had feigned shock.
“What … and give up your wild ways!” Craig smiling back with her, though wondering why the idea had seemed more than a little appealing.
As they had eaten, he had told her of the invite from Robert MackKenzie, noticing the small frown on her features, as she had froze for a second, her voice wary.
“So…Bob invited you to his birthday Ceilidh”
Craig’s brow furrowing as he had looked at her in surprise
“It’s his birthday?” he had gasped with a small groan as Fiona had nodded slowly.
“Damn…I never got him anything. What do you get a man like him?” his eyes leaping to hers.
Noticing how pale she had become he had placed his hand over her fingers, concern filling his features
“Are you OK?” Fiona looking back, a forced smile rising to her lovely face
“Sure…of course…it’s fine” before becoming more pensive.
“Bob loves Whiskey…so my advice…get him a VERY good bottle”
With a quick grin he had nodded, flicking another look at the woman beside him, seeing as she had now seemed preoccupied, and pushing the delicious food around her plate as she had seemed to struggle to eat more. As he had continued talking about his day, she had slowly become more animated before the two were once more laughing and chatting happily.
For the next three days the two had seemed to fall into a very comfortable routine. Craig working for most of the day, as Fiona had spent more time pulling together the material for the web site. At lunch time they would take a walk, Fiona sometimes taking the opportunity to return to her family estate and check on the horses stabled there.
On one afternoon, he had accompanied her, once more seeing as she had dressed in the jodhpurs, sidling up to her and telling her how sexy she looked in the close fitting trousers. Giving a seductive smile she had pushed herself against him.
“Mmmmm ….. I do enjoy something strong and powerful…”
Craig nearly spitting out his coffee as she had finished the sentence.
“You are a wicked, wicked woman” he had laughed, as wiggling her eyebrows in an attempt at looking evil she had taken one horse out of the stables, the groomsman having already saddled it up for her. Her offer to set him up with one of the animals had been met with a firm no, as she had given him a mock contemptuous look.
“What’s wrong….scared?”
He shaking his head
“What and miss you on top of one of those beasts!” his eyes creasing with laughter.
For the next half hour, he had stood by the side of the homemade corral, watching as she had controlled the large animal, amazed at how wonderful she looked as she had jumped the high wooden obstacles with an ease that had astounded him, Craig finding his heart in his mouth with each one. As she had returned the horse he had told her how impressed he was, Fiona smiling with happiness.
On the third day the two had packed the car, Craig showing her the wooden box with the 40 year old single malt Glenfidoch. Giving an impressed look she had nodded her approval
“Definitely impressive Mr Thompson…I assume that was pricey”
With a small smile he had given a nod
“Yep…but worth every penny if all goes well”
By mid afternoon the two were once more on the road, Fiona remembering the last time they had made the same journey, Craig laughing as they had passed the hotel in which they had stayed over on their return journey, turning to give her a look full of innuendo Craig had
murmured seductively
“Do you think we have time for a trip down memory lane?”
She laughing back
“Ah yes…a whole week…and they said it wouldn’t last”
Beside her Craig had watched the narrow roads. It was hard to believe that it had only been a week since they had first slept together, since she had stopped being so wary of him. With a small frown he had known that soon he would be returning to the US, his business needing him back, the many emails and calls evidence of this. However, it had been a week like no other. She had made it wonderful, her never ending humour and the way she reacted to him in bed making it so good. Flicking a look over he had seen as she had become quieter herself, her eyes watching the landscape pass by, a strange look on her lovely face. With another frown he had wondered if he was truly ready to give Fiona Campbell up right now. His determination to enjoy her till he was ready to go floundering in a strange desire to hold on to her, at least until his usual boredom of women kicked in.
Arriving at the MacKenzie castle, he had parked his car, pulling out their shared overnight case and the Kilt which she had informed him he would be required to wear that evening. Craig had been both excited and a little apprehensive at the prospect of wearing the traditional dress, though relieved as she had told him to leave the more formal jackets and shirts in favour of the Ghillie.
Together the two had pressed the bell on the large imposing door, Craig once more impressed with the stonework of the building itself. As they had moved into the large hallway of the MacKenzie castle, ushered in by the butler the two had been welcomed by the man he had come to talk with, who had given Fiona another bear hug before shaking his hand, his face creased in a welcome smile. Next Claire had welcomed them, her eyes again flashing brightly at Craig as she had given a seductive smile. Looking over at Fiona her look had been more guarded an almost nervous light coming to them, Craig sensing that something was wrong.
“Fiona…I think that…” her sentence tapering off as another voice, a deep male one had cried over her
“Fiona!!!” Fiona at his side freezing in trepidation as she had looked at the man coming down the stairs towards her. Craig had seen the haunted expression come to her eyes as he had looked towards where the other man was fast approaching them.
“Donald” she had whispered, the sound almost inaudible as alarm bells had sounded all through Craig, his eyes narrowing, as the other man ignoring him had moved up to Fiona pulling her into his arms and lifting her high before swinging her around.
“Oh Fiona Campbell how I have missed you” he had laughed as he had put her back down onto her feet, Fiona nervously laughing back, her eyes flying to Craig who had silently watched the scene unfold.
“Donald…it is nice to see you” she had spoken, her voice polite but stilted, her look showing embarrassment at his welcome and discomfort at his being there as she had moved back over to Craig sinking against him.
“Donald I would like you to meet my boyfriend Craig Thompson, Craig Donald MacKenzie”
The two men had regarded each other warily as they had taken each other’s hand, Donald not liking what he was seeing as was Craig. Donald MacKenzie was slightly shorter than him, with sparking blue eyes and dirty blond hair which was flicked across his handsome face. He had a ready smile and an easy charm, charm which he was aiming directly at Fiona, Craig not liking it one little bit.
Placing an arm around her shoulder in a possessive gesture, he had given the other man a warm half smile, the warmth not reaching his eyes, happy to see the hard look which had come into Donald’s eyes.
“It is a pleasure to meet you Donald” before looking down at Fiona who had stood silently watching the exchange between the two sensing the friction between them.
Moving forward Robert MacKenzie had given his son a warning look.
“Dinner is at seven and the Ceilidh starts at eight, so perhaps Craig if you would like to put your bags in your room we can have that talk in say…ten minutes”
Donald smiling widely
“Well if you are going to talk business then I can show Fiona the horses” looking deeply into her eyes
“You can see Black again”
Craig had frowned, uncomfortable at Fiona being in the other man’s company, however, the talk was important and giving Robert a smile he had nodded
“Ten minutes it is” before moving his arm to take her hand, leading her up the stairs as he had followed the butler to their room.
As the door had closed he had turned to glare at Fiona.
“You knew he would be here?” he had thrown at her watching as in almost defeat she had moved to sink down onto the bed, her hands clasped before her. She had nodded, a sadness falling over her as she had looked back at him with eyes that showed the pain filling her.
“Yes…I knew. It is Bob’s birthday; didn’t you think that his son would be expected here?”
Sucking air in between his teeth he had moved forward angrily
“Why the hell did you not say?”
Fiona pushing her hair from her face, as she had shrugged softly
“Because it didn’t matter”
Looking incredulously back at her he had stammered
“Didn’t matter?”
Fiona sighing heavily once more, a strange resignation in her voice
“This meeting didn’t have anything to do with me. It was for your sake…you needed to speak with Bob and as was our agreement I was here to make sure that happened. Donald and I’s past had nothing to do with your meeting… or you”
His tone now angry as he had bitten out in a hushed voice
“Anything that might jeopardise my talks with Robert MacKenzie has something to do with me”
Giving a sad half laugh she had faced him
“Bob never lets anything influence his business decisions. Donald being here will have no sway on what he decides to do…when it comes to business Bob MacKenzie is as big a shark as you are Craig”
Her look full of sadness
“Do you really think I wanted to come here Craig? Because this is the last place I thought I would be…but your meeting is important so here we are…as promised”
Standing up once more she had moved over to the large bay window, leaning against the glass as she had looked sightlessly out at the rolling green countryside.
In a softer voice he had moved behind her, his arms moving around her waist to pull her in against his belly as his mouth had groaned softly against her neck.
“I’m sorry Fiona. It was just a shock”
Feeling as she had allowed him to hold her, her head leaning against his shoulder.
“He still wants you, you know that” he had whispered, as she had nodded slowly
“I know”
Her only comment as he had turned her slowly in his arms, his fingers pushing away the stray hairs cupping her lovely face, the sadness so evident in her beautiful eyes.
“I wish I hadn’t put you in this position Fiona” all he had said, a strange light filling her as a small smile had touched the corner of her lips, as she had heard the honesty in his voice, her arms sliding around his waist as Craig had dropped his head to kiss her.
Breaking apart with a sigh she had smiled up at him.
“Well you had better go to your meeting…good luck with that. I think that I will unpack and maybe hide out here till dinner” Craig smiling softly down at her.
“Sounds like a plan…hope it works out for you” his eyes now dancing with mischief as she had grinned back nodding her head in agreement.
“Yeah…me too”
With a final kiss he had picked up his briefcase and the box containing the whiskey before giving a final wave and slipping out of their door.
For an hour she had busied herself, firstly unpacking ensuring that the few pocessions they had brought with them were hung inside the large wardrobe, allowing his kilt to fall naturally on the hanger free from the coverings. Having completed that one chore, she
had then pulled out her eBook reader curling up on the bed to read a novel she had started over two weeks previously. Giving a wry smile at how her Christmas plans had unravelled, a small smile playing on her lips at the memory.
The knock on her door had not been unexpected, as with a sigh she had moved to answer it. Donald had stood looking down on her, a knowing look on his face.
“Do you plan on avoiding me forever Fiona?”
She not even trying to deny it as she had given a smile back
“Yes, that was my plan”
With a small chuckle he had held his ground.
“Well the way I see it…I could come in to keep you company…or we could take a walk down to the stables…It seems wrong you cooped up in this room when there is no telling how long my dad will keep your…friend”
Fiona aware of the discomfort from him as he had said the final word.
“Look Donald…I just think it would be a bad idea that is all”
His face full of laughter now he had nodded
“In that case I must assume that you are still not over me…and I am given renewed hope for the future”
With an irritated sigh she had shaken her head before grabbing her coat and closing over the door to their room.
“Fine. If walking to the stables is what it takes to make you see that I am over you Donald…then so be it”
Giving a small groan as he had smiled widely, realising that just as he had always been able to do in the past he had manipulated her into doing what he wanted. As they had left the house both moving together he had looked at her, his expression more serious.
“I have to say Fiona that I wouldn’t have thought Craig Thompson was your type. Man seems a little cold…aloof and his reputation…well let’s just say he is not exactly a saint”
Giving a small laugh she had shaken her head softly
“Have you been Googling him Donald?” hearing the nervous laugh from beside her as he had inclined his head
“Maybe. He has dated some gorgeous models and a few actresses that even I have heard of…like I said I wouldn’t have pegged him as your type…seems a bit of a player”