by Tilly Greene
Enough already!
Fine, she snorted, deciding to cut her loses and move on. She felt more relaxed for having made an effort to solve the quandary he presented, but no more. She had no problem admitting to curiosity about the stunning man and wanting to know more. Unfortunately, she’d hit the end of the line. It wasn’t possible to unearth anything more, so she’d take back of her life and move on to the present.
“Grace? Grace, are you back here? Oh dear, where is that girl? Grace?” The clicking of high heels clattered down the hallway and emphasized the woman’s calls.
“Yes, Aimee, I’m in the office. Is everything all right?”
Before she could come out from behind the desk to meet her store manager, the woman came skittering into the office and stood there staring at her with her mouth opened. With a hand on her chest as if holding her heart in place, she panted for air. The usually perfectly proper and dignified woman gasped for breath and spoke in bursts. “I think…you should…come out…front…now.”
“What is it? Is everything all right?”
“Yes, yes, but please, luv, you must come out front right now.” Frantically waving her hand, the woman shooed her boss forward. “Why didn’t you tell me you knew that man?”
“What man?”
“Oh, please! You go up to Edinburgh claiming to be working when I’m sure you’re actually spending time with, well, with the sexiest young stud of Scotland.”
“Aimee! What would Terrence say if he could hear you right now?”
“He’d say, ‘My darling wife, if you can get his attention, you can have him’.”
“I’m shocked! No way would he give his wife over to another man.”
“He would because he loves me. Now hurry, young lady, hurry.”
Together they walked at a fast clip down the hallway toward the front of the shop. Grace stopped when she saw the beauty that greeted her.
Standing in the center of the stylish and obviously feminine shop was a pair of very masculine trouser-encased legs holding an immense bouquet. Dozens of long stemmed, pure white roses, surrounded by lush sprigs of heather and an occasional thistle, all wonderfully arranged in a large cut crystal vase. Besides the legs, all she could see of the man were two rather sturdy looking hands holding the arrangement.
Surprised, she suddenly didn’t know what to do. The bouquet was stunning. At first glance, it eloquently brought images of home to her and gave a great deal of comfort no bouquet ever gave her before. However, she had no one in her life who knew her well enough to send such a wondrous gift that spoke so clearly and specifically to her heart. She was sure it was a mistake, but didn’t want to say anything that would make such a joyful offering disappear. She was enjoying it too much to turn the flowers away.
Grace blinked and tried to think of what to do. She was at a loss, so she simply took in the beautiful sight before her. After a moment, she finally began to focus on the details. There were those strong, powerful hands her gaze kept going back to. Were they familiar? Had they touched her before? Next, she took in the fine wool pants and black brogues. When she put the clothes together with those hands, it said to her that this was definitely not the average delivery man.
Looking at Aimee for guidance, she instead found the other woman with her eyes glued to the floral arrangement with a look of unexplainable longing. Obviously, no help was coming from that quarter or from any of the other ladies who silently stared at the flowers. With a deep breath, Grace took the initiative and stepped forward. She tried to see the face behind all the flowers, only it proved impossible with such an abundance of flora. She went for her second option and simply spoke.
“Hello, um, may I help you?”
“Yes, lass, but first, where should I put your bouquet?” The deep voice, full of cool lochs and craggy hills, came to her from amongst the beautifully fragranced blooms. Now she knew who it was. There was no mistaking the man standing behind the beautiful spray or the emotions that sprang to life after hearing his voice.
“Oh yes, of course. Here on this desk would be perfect. Um, thank you.” Once the arrangement had been safely set down, there was no chance of hiding from the man who had equally riled her anger and lust. Nor did she want to. The desire he created still danced through her body. Now he was here in her space and her passionate soul instantly lit up like Bonfire Night.
“Good morning, Grace. I needed to apologize to you in person. Last night I was both wrong and rude. You asked for my help, and while I was willing to lend a hand, I never should’ve taken information overheard as fact. Will you accept my apology?”
“You’re Hamish Buchanan!” Without pause, she reached out to shake his hand. He was one of the most important people in her home country and it was an honor to meet him. This proved the point that last night he had her so totally messed up that she’d failed to recognize him. She’d known of this man since birth. Well, that was an exaggeration, but she still should’ve recognized him. Although in her defense, she couldn’t remember seeing a photo of him in years.
The story was that he should never have been born, much less lived the full and extraordinary life he had. When she was a child in primary school, the story of his birth had been told again and again. It was an incredible tale, with a book full of beautiful illustrations to match. Because the way his lovely blond hair had been depicted, she’d come to believe that when his mum died, the halo from the angel who escorted her away had been placed upon his head for hair.
Looking at the wild mane of hair, she could still see how the impressionable child inside her had come to such a whimsical conclusion.
She held her hand aloft, waiting for his to reach out to shake hers, except it didn’t. She was about to drop it to her side when one of those beautiful and powerful hands she’d been admiring earlier gently took hold hers and then she felt his lips softly grazed along the top. It was old-fashioned, gentlemanly and left her feeling very much a woman. He startled her even further by turning it over and pressing a longer, more heated kiss to the throbbing pulse point on her inner wrist.
Grace gasped at the wickedly delicious touch of his lips and could have sworn she heard the others sigh in unison somewhere behind her. She wasn’t sure they actually did this, but that’s how it played in her head. The man brought with him an air of courtly manners that managed to make her feel like someone he wanted. She felt no shame in her desire for him and was fine with him knowing it, feeling her pulse racing beneath his lips. It was a natural reaction to seduction and nothing to be embarrassed about.
Standing there in the front of her shop, her body cried out for this man’s touch. There was no doubt in her mind what he was doing. Without trying, he was seducing her to such a level there was no chance of her denying whatever he offered. As far as this man was concerned, the negative two letter word was banned from her vocabulary. She was ready and eager to drop to her knees, to beg for his body to take hers, however he would.
“Oh my.” Aimee whispered behind them before she shooed the two assistants away. Thankfully, someone was watching out for her because her brain had turned to mush as his gaze burned her with an erotic fire.
She was pleased when a small group of women entered the shop and an excited twitter grew as the groups joined together and talked hats.
Chapter Four
“Would you like a cup of tea?” Not really thinking about what she was doing, Grace made the offer simply because she didn’t want him to leave.
“Yes, that would be great, thank you.”
Whatever she thought was going to happen when she brought him back to her office ended up being far from reality. The minute the door closed, what she secretly wanted to happen, actually did. This stunning man made a pass she never thought about denying.
“Are you single, lass?”
He invaded her personal space, crowded her. It was uncomfortable, yet not intimidating or unwanted. Her first response to his closeness was completely physical. Heat washed through her and her b
reath picked up its pace. The large and powerful masculine presence pushed everything away except for the passionate needs she’d been fighting since last night. Her passion rushed forward, eager for his attention.
“Grace?”
His deep voice rumbled over her skin, through her veins and down deep into the soul of her sensuous inner woman. The breath she’d been about to take was caught in her throat along with an answer. She was affected in every way by this man, and yet he’d simply held her hand and kissed her wrist.
This man was going to be big trouble and she wanted it all.
“Y-yes.” She had to clear her throat before trying again. “Sorry. Yes, I’m single, why are you asking?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” He stepped closer still and used his finger to smooth a strand of hair behind her ear.
She shook her head no, as if not understanding what he was saying. But she did know what he meant. He wanted her. Her heart raced wildly, her nipples hardened in anticipation and a pulse began to play in her pussy. Since first laying eyes on him, she desperately needed relief from the intense desire that controlled her body and now the chance was finally hers. There was no thinking about what was happening, merely what her driving hunger told her she should be doing. She needed to accept whatever he offered. She needed to step even closer to him, feel his hard solid body pressed against her softer one and give herself to him.
Somehow this man called her buried lust to the surface to play. Even better was the promise of satisfaction. She didn’t dare think of denying him.
Unable to help herself, Grace lifted her head, leaned in until she almost touched his neck with the tip of her nose and softly inhaled his scent. As she’d thought, his unique aroma smelled of cool, damp days in the highlands, walking across fields, with a crisp wind whipping against her face with an essence of sex appeal all his own. The man was highly addictive.
In her body and soul, the reason she gave herself up as an easy acquiescence to him was based on one thing. For her, Hamish Buchanan was home.
The man may be dangerous to some, but not to her. He felt safe, secure and accepting. Like Scotland, like home.
While her mind was lost in how his presence made her more aware of her needs, he’d moved even closer. One hand cradled her head while the other held her hip and brought her to him, holding her flush against his body.
From his feet to his very broad shoulders, he was solidly built and if she wanted, her head could rest with ease over his heart. She felt the length between his legs was hard, deliciously large, enticing her to reach and touch it. Stroke her fingers along its length and grip it with pleasurable intentions. The temptation was almost too much for her to handle.
Oh, boy. Goose pimples spread rapidly across her body and that was the only warning she had before everything escalated. His nose nudged its way to her ear and whispered softly. Grace wasn’t sure she heard him correctly until she felt his words fill her body and knew she had.
“You smell of our home, lass. Soft heather blowing across green hills.”
Grace sighed quietly. Oh, yes, she was definitely in the deep end here. They were so similar. Thinking of him brought her desire to submit herself to him rushing to the front. Even if he wasn’t in to the scene, she had to have him. The flowers had made her weak with joy and his special scent made her want to rub her body all over him. Her naked body.
Suddenly she was scared at how quickly he’d been able to get beneath her skin. Maybe she should put some distance between them. Lifting her hands to brace them against his chest, she was prepared to push him away, except they landed on seriously hard pecs. She couldn’t do anything other than let them rest on him, absorb the feel of him.
“No!” She gasped breathlessly. To put distance between them wasn’t what she wanted to do and knew her doubts in doing so were obvious. Her eyes rose and clashed with golden brown orbs.
Her fingers clenched against his chest while she thought about not taking them away, and instead move them down to unbutton his suit jacket, rip open the fine shirt beneath and smooth her fingers over the muscled flesh. An image of pressing kisses across his bare chest paused in her conscience and waited for further contemplation. Did he have hair across his chest or was it bare?
“Oh, yes, Grace.”
“No, this isn’t rig—”
“Wherever and whenever we are together is perfect for us.” Hamish held her head still and closed the distance between their mouths, stopping just before their lips touched. She could feel his breath caress her lips with each word he spoke. “Nothing will ever be off-limits between you and me.”
“We aren’t compatible,” she said without thinking.
“I think we are.” There was no hesitation about him or his belief in his claim. The complete assurance he possessed that they’d be together turned her on even further.
“Hamish.”
“Shhh, trust me, everything will be fine.” His tongue reached out and traced the slightly parted seam between her lips.
She wanted to believe him, but couldn’t.
“How do you know? I might like, well, something different.”
Different, that was putting it mildly. Hamish Buchanan was well known throughout Scotland and the world. His reputation was impeccable, never a bad word mentioned about him personally or professionally. The tabloids painted him as a gentleman, a gentle attentive lover, who had a problem with commitment. She never heard or read so much as a hint that he was into playing sex games like the ones she enjoyed. That kind of information would be worth a pretty penny to a woman who felt jilted and had been left behind.
The man was powerful and controlling, the side of him that attracted her most, and she seriously doubted he’d ever pushed it to the limits while in the bedroom.
When he paused in his sweet seduction and looked at her with confusion on his face, Grace could have kicked herself. Did it really matter if they had a delicious bout of vanilla sex? He had her quivering with need since last night. Honestly, at this point in time, she wanted him any way she could get him.
She blinked, ready to tell him it didn’t matter, when a naughty grin graced his face. He appeared even more confident than he had before. It was as if he knew he had the means to ease her needs.
“Listen to what I have to say, then be truthful and tell me if my needs don’t meet with yours.”
Was this man ever not entirely sure about something? All she could manage in return was a small nod and waited to hear what he had to say. Thankfully, he didn’t need any more input from her to continue his sweet seduction of her mind and body.
“I want you in my bedroom, stripped of everything except for a pair of these high heels you’re wearing and sheer black stockings. After that, I’ll strap you onto a spreader bar, something to keep your stance wide and ready. This way I can see, touch and play with your delicious wet pussy. And trust me, you’ll be dripping. Your arms are secured to another rod for me to position you for our pleasure.”
She groaned, wanting what he offered without any further delay. Did he read minds? How was it possible that he knew what she liked?
“Maybe this bar will hold you bent in half, placing you in the perfect position to suck on my cock with your beautiful mouth. Or so I can fuck you from behind. It could be your arms are stretched far above your head—”
“Stop!” Grace called out with a rasping voice. “Please, Hamish, stop talking.” He was too much, what he was saying was too much for her to take in. She could feel the heat of her need rushing to her cheeks. They were so close, his body held no secrets from her. She felt exactly how much he wanted her and was thrilled to have the ability to bring him to this state. He gently held her head in his big hands and looked deeply into her eyes, her very soul.
Before they went any further, she needed to understand how he knew exactly what was going on inside her. Had he figured out what she wanted and given her the words to bring her to him, or did he really want what she did?
Her gaze felt
heavy with need as they rose to meet his. There was no way to hide what his words did to her, nor did she want to pretend otherwise. She could feel moisture gathering low in her pussy, preparing the way for his possession and didn’t doubt he’d take her to unimagined heights.
“How did you know?” She finally whispered, smoothing a shaking finger across his full lower lip.
He caught and held her the digit in his mouth, then softly bit down, trapping the tip between his teeth. His tongue teased the finger and sucked, all the while watching intently to see what effect his actions had on her.
“How?” She whispered again, unable to look away from his mouth where he gently worked on her finger.
“I told you what it was I wanted, nothing more, nothing less. Your saying you might want “something different” merely confirmed what I wanted was similar to yours. You see, we are well matched for each other.”
Finally the small distance between their lips was bridged. He kissed her, pressing against her plump folds, testing their suppleness. The need to taste her was difficult to ignore. The woman was perfect for him. He wanted to go slow and savor every moan, every flavor, every move she made against his body, only it was difficult.
Soft, delicate arms slid up and wrapped around his neck. Hamish felt her ankle hook around one of his, in return his entire body tightened with need. It felt like she wanted to climb him, surround and consume him.
He loved it!
This wasn’t how he’d expected their meeting to go. He’d planned to apologize, give her flowers and invite her out for lunch. Get to know her, but he wouldn’t complain about how it’s changed.