Banished

by Tamara Gill

  She headed into the kitchen and flicked on the kettle, could hear in the adjoining room another soccer game playing on the TV and Eddy’s groans and shouts that sporadically burst from his mouth.

  There was something dreadfully wrong with her. No woman, newly engaged, and on holidays with said fiancé, flirted and kissed highlanders. She pulled out a mug and searched for the sugar. What had she been thinking throwing herself at Cian like a woman starved of sex?

  To all but plead with him through her actions for him to fuck her up against the window like some hussy. Not that such a position wouldn’t be enjoyable ...

  Chloe growled and ripped open the pantry door while looking into the lounge. Eddy sat there, feet on coffee table and dishes scattered all over the place. Annoyance tinged with guilt stabbed at her. Eddy was a slob and quite annoying to go on holidays with, but he was good and he deserved better than her kissing and having very inappropriate thoughts with another man.

  She sighed and stared at the kettle.

  “I’ll have a coffee if you’re making one.”

  “Sure.” Chloe smiled and got out another cup. “Eddy?” She paused when his mobile rang.

  She absently listened to his conversation while she made their drinks and stopped to listen when Eddy mentioned half a day to get there.

  “What’s going on? Who was that?” she asked when he hung up.

  Eddy ran a hand through his hair. “My boss. Seems there’s a problem with the contract we just signed off on.” He paused. “I have to go back to London. Today. I can’t delay.”

  Chloe put down her cup and ignored the relief of hearing such news. Shouldn’t she be feeling sadness, annoyance or anger that Eddy’s boss would pull her fiancé away from his holiday to fix a problem he could do himself. But she didn’t and that in itself explained her relationship with him.

  “Well, I suppose you better go pack.”

  Eddy came around the bench, hugged and then kissed her. “Oh, I’m glad you’re not mad. I was just waiting for your ungodly temper to set off and flay me alive.” He walked to the bedroom and spoke while pulling bags from the cupboards. “Shouldn’t take me long to fix the glitch. We’ll go somewhere else next year.” Eddy stuck his head out the bedroom door. “Come on, I need to get back to London by tonight.”

  Chloe took a calming breath. “Eddy I’m not coming.”

  “What?” he yelled, walking into the bathroom.

  “I’m not coming with you,” she repeated, then waited for him to comprehend her words.

  Eddy walked back into the kitchen. “You’re staying here. Why?”

  Chloe walked into the lounge and sat. “Eddy, sit. We need to talk.”

  Eddy came and sat across from her. She met his gaze and recognized the unease that thrummed along his stiffened shoulders.

  “Eddy, I love you. I do. But more as a friend than anything else.” Chloe paused. “It’s not working out. We’re both so busy with our lives that we’ve forgotten to have one together. Coming here, to Scotland, I had hoped to bring us back to where we once were. Or at least where I thought we were heading. It isn’t happening and I think you know it as much as I do.”

  Eddy slumped onto the sofa then nodded. “I know,” he whispered. “I love you too. You’re my best friend. I hope we can keep that at least.”

  Chloe’s eyes pricked with tears. She stood and hugged him. “Always friends. I’m so sorry.”

  Eddy kissed her. “Me too. And when I leave, don’t go blaming yourself, Chloe. It’s been on my mind quite a lot of late as well. I too had hoped the holiday would bring us back together and I wish it had. But you’re right, we seem to be being pulled in different directions.” He hugged her then stepped away. “I’ll have my stuff out of your apartment by the time you return to London.”

  Chloe nodded. “Okay. But it’s no rush, really. Whenever you can will be fine.” She watched him walk off to pack. She walked over to the liquor cabinet and looked at the crystal glasses and amber liquid. She needed something harder than tea.

  ***

  Silk softer than any she had ever felt glided over her body. She writhed in the bed that seemed to float on wispy white clouds and sighed in the utter decadence of luxury on which she slept. She rolled over and opened her eyes. Viewed a city outside her window made of polished marble and glass. She squinted at the brightness of it before a noise told her she was not alone.

  Chloe looked about the room. Women in roman tunics poured water into a golden bath. Some kind of pink flower with an aroma unlike any she had ever smelled wafted to her. A woman ethereal in her beauty walked over and pulled her from her bed. Stripped her of her gown and beckoned her to the bath.

  “It’s time, Chloe,” the woman whispered against her ear, the caress sparking the fine hairs on the back of her neck to rise.

  Chloe bolted upright in bed, the quilt and woolen throw rug clasped tight against her chest. She ran a hand through her hair and swallowed the fear such a dream rose within her.

  The nightmare still vivid in her mind ran unease along every pore and every fiber of her body. She threw back the quilts and walked to the window and looked up at the sky. Wondered, not for the first time in her life if someone was looking out for her. Watching her.

  Waiting ...

  A cold shiver prickled down her spine and Chloe walked to the bathroom, determined a hot shower would pull her out of such ridiculous musings.

  The next day she stood in the local store staring at what chocolates were available. Not many by the looks of it. She bent over and inspected the assortment of bars.

  “You’re a sweet tooth?”

  Chloe jumped and turned to look up at the local laird. He towered above her like an oversize roman statue. She chuckled to hide her unease of seeing him again, and this time as a single woman.

  “Ah, yes I am. Terrible habit but I love my sweets.” She pulled the first chocolate she could find from the shelf. “It’s not the only thing I’m going to buy, I have a list.” Cian smiled and Chloe bit her bottom lip lest she sigh in delight. She turned and walked up the aisle and made a point of looking at the cereal packets.

  “How’s the book going?” Cian asked following her.

  Chloe looked over her shoulder and noted the little shopping basket in his hand looked awfully tiny against his body. “Book?” Chloe paused before she realized what he referred to. “Ah, the book. I haven’t looked at it yet. Thought I would later today. I’m also going to walk the local historical trail tomorrow.” She shut her mouth with a snap the instant she realized she was babbling.

  “I like that one,” Cian said.

  Chloe stilled. “What do you like?” The image of him hard against her, grounding his heat against her own assailed her mind. She had liked it as well ...

  He pointed at a cereal box on the shelf. “That cereal, it’s good.”

  She sighed with relief and placed a box of cornflakes in her basket. “I’ll return the book in a day or two. I won’t leave with it, I promise.”

  “I’m not worried.” He leaned against the shelving and looked down at her. The intensity of his gaze making the blood in her body pump about a million times too fast. She pasted a look of enquiry on her face and refused to look like a deer in headlights.

  “Would you like some company?”

  Oh, yes please in my bed. Right now! Her eyes seemed to be glued to his chest and the muscled, bulging arms that hung at ease at his sides. Aware she was publically ogling the man, she looked into her basket. What was she doing? One thing she should do was get the hell away from this man so she could think straight.

  “Where?” she asked, having lost all train of thought.

  He laughed and her mouth went dry. “On your walk tomorrow. Would you like some company?” he asked.

  “I’m sure you have other things to do,” she said, heat scorching her cheeks.

  Cian’s gaze slid over her in a visceral caress. “I’d love nothing more than to show you the pleasures of my home, Chloe,”
he replied, with the merest hint of Scottish lilt.

  Oh jeepers that sounded good. Chloe swallowed and watched a passing woman shopper give the laird a once over. A primitive anger simmered in her blood at the woman’s gumption. Aware she was glaring, Chloe smoothed her features before noticing the lairds laughing gaze.

  “I’m leaving at eleven tomorrow morning. If you still want to come I’ll meet you at my driveway gate.” She turned and walked off. Inwardly shook her head at her absurd jealousy over a man who she knew nothing about.

  “I’ll be there.”

  His parting words brought a smile to her lips. This was madness.

  Chloe slumped back onto the sofa and shut the book of mythology. How was it possible people made up the most ridiculous things about gods? No one in their right mind would eat their own children!

  She gazed at the book and noted an image of Zeus on the cover. He sat proudly on a throne somewhere on Mt Olympus with a thunderbolt clasped tightly in his hands. He looked powerful and daunting and oddly ... familiar.

  A knock on the door startled her. Chloe looked out the lounge window to see who was there and jumped out of sight when the delicious highlander came into view.

  She checked her clothes and cringed. Having not expected company she’d dressed for comfort not visitors. Sweatpants, t-shirt and socks wasn’t exactly how she wished him to see her. Taking a calming breath, she opened the door. “Hello,” she said.

  “Afternoon, lass. I thought I’d drop by and invite you out for dinner this evening?”

  Chloe swallowed the nerves which assailed her at the mention of dinner ... with Cian ... “At your home?” Please say no. The last thing she needed was to be with this man, alone and in his home having an intimate dinner. Who knew what her body’s needs and desires may lead her to the next time. The image of Cian laying over her in his large four-poster bed, his muscular arms supporting his weight as he brought her to orgasm bombarded her mind. Oh yes, dinner definitely needed to be in the public arena.

  “I thought perhaps the local bar,” he replied, his hands fisted at his sides.

  Chloe watched the muscles in his lower arms flex at his actions. She shut her mouth with a snap. She didn’t need to buy any sweets today, he was a chocolate bar on legs. “That sounds really nice. Saves me trying to find something here to cook.”

  “Edward is invited as well of course.”

  Heat bloomed on her cheeks. How had she forgotten to tell him she’d broken up with Eddy? “Eddy and I have decided to go our separate ways. He left for London yesterday.”

  “I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize.” Cian clasped her hand and a shiver stole straight to her abdomen.

  “It’s okay. Our separation was amicable and had been a long time coming. But thank you.”

  He shuffled his feet and met her gaze. “I’ll pick you up in an hour then?”

  Chloe nodded. “That sounds great.” She watched him walk to his car, his delectable arse fitting his jeans to perfection. Wowsers, he was hot. Too hot for her. She shut the door and leaned against the wood before panic assailed her. She only had an hour.

  ***

  Chloe seated herself next to a window but close to the fire and waited for Cian. He stood at the bar ordering drinks from the same middle aged bar lady Chloe had seen the first night she was in town.

  She smiled as he walked over to her, bringing two beers with him.

  “I hope you like McEwan’s Scotch ale?”

  “Yes thank you. That’s fine.” Chloe took a sip and looked about the small room. It was free of guests this evening and so tonight it would seem she had Cian to ogle all to herself.

  He looked at her and the heat from his eyes almost singed her skin. “You look very beautiful.”

  She shifted on her seat, warmth spreading to all her extremities. “Thank you.”

  “I hope you don’t think I’m being too forward asking you out a day after you broke up with your fiancé?”

  Guilt pricked Chloe’s conscience over her current situation. Should Eddy find out where she was she’d undoubtedly hurt him. Yet, they were over, had been emotionally distant for months now. But still ... “It’s okay. We’re only friends. No harm done,” she lied.

  Cian reached out and clasped her hand. “I’d like to be more than friends, lass.”

  Butterflies took flight in her stomach and she sat back, laughing to dispel her nervousness. The thought of being more than friends with this man who could have stepped out of a highlander novel made her dizzy with desire. Oh, to sleep with him just once would be amazing. Her gaze slid to his large hand clasping hers and she pulled it away. “I’m not looking for a one night stand, Cian. I’m sorry.”

  “Neither am I,” he said, his heated gaze boring into her.

  “Stop looking at me like that.” Chloe took a fortifying sip of her drink. “I’ve only known you two days.”

  He shrugged. “I feel like I’ve known you a lot longer than that.”

  Chloe was saved from replying when a waitress came over and took their meal order.

  “So tell me what you do for a living,” she asked to change the subject. “I mean, I know you’re the town laird but do you have a job or your own business?”

  “Being the Laird of Durness is a job in itself. I suppose you could say I run the family business.”

  Chloe frowned at his amused tone. “Why do I get the feeling you’re laughing at me?”

  He shook his head. “I’m not laughing at you.” He sighed. “What I do has been in the family for generations.”

  “Are you an archaeologist or historian?” Chloe waited for Cian to reply. He ran a hand through his hair, his unease over her questioning obvious. “You don’t want to tell me.” It wasn’t a question.

  “If I told, you would probably run away. But I suppose historian would be a term fairly close to the truth. I like to study and learn of the old ways of the Scottish people. And of course I run the tours at the estate.”

  Chloe sat back as her meal of roast beef was placed before her. The aroma of gravy and vegetables assailed her. “This looks fantastic.”

  “Yes, they do good meals here,” he said, smiling.

  Chloe watched him cut into his steak. “You like your steak still mooing?”

  “Mooing.” He frowned.

  Chloe laughed. “It’s just something we used to say back home in Australia. If your steak still had blood in it, it was obviously still alive and mooing.”

  Cian chuckled. “I like it mooing then.”

  Chloe took a bite of her roast. “So tell me what you like to study. History of your homeland or the Scottish people. Or is it more academic, religion or culture?”

  “It’s all things you’ve mentioned.” He smiled at her as he chewed. “What about you. Who are you Chloe?”

  Who was she? Chloe sat back having never been asked such a question before. “I’m Chloe Smith an Australian who only went as far as to finish high school before working in a few bars. I saved until I had enough money to travel to England. I’ve been here for a couple of years now, my parents having dual citizenship makes it possible for me to live here. But now that I’m no longer engaged to Eddy I’ll probably return home.”

  “To Australia.”

  Chloe smiled at Cian’s alarmed tone. “Yes, obviously.”

  “Perhaps I’ll be able to convince you to stay.”

  Chloe took a calming breath as his words full of determination and promise made her lungs seize. “I don’t think so.”

  “I do,” he said, quietly.

  Chloe finished her meal, not sure what she should say to that. Cian was attracted to her that was obvious. But why? How could a man she only met two days ago want someone as much as she felt he wanted her? It didn’t make sense. And he was so serious and charming. How was she ever to walk away from such an attraction with her faculties still functioning? A pain tore into her skull and Chloe rubbed her temple.

  “You’ve gone very quiet.”

  “It’s
been a trying few days. I think I’ll probably head home. I hope you don’t mind,” she said.

  “Not at all.”

  Cian pulled her to stand and helped her with her coat. She met his gaze as his hands slid down her arms eliciting shivers down her spine. The perfect gentleman, he escorted her outside and helped her into his car some minutes later, the heated leather seats cocooning her in warmth. Chloe looked toward the castle and watched the lights around the battlements twinkle in the night. The ocean to her left was reflected by the moonlight, making their drive home seem awfully romantic.

  “I never knew anything could be as beautiful as my own country, but I do believe Scotland is a magical place.”

  “Scotland certainly has her secrets,” Cian said turning the car through her holiday cottage front gates.

  The car travelled slowly up the drive before pulling to a halt. “There’s no need for you to walk me to my door.” Chloe unclasped her seat belt. “Thank you for dinner.”

  “Chloe wait.”

  She turned back to Cian and gasped when he leaned over and kissed her. Hard. Fire ignited in her blood when he deepened the kiss. Never had she been kissed with such passion and need. It was almost as if she could taste his desire for her, his craving to consume her as his own.

  Chloe kissed him back. To do so under the passionate onslaught from Cian would have been impossible to deny. And if truthful with herself, she didn’t want to deny him. She had wanted to kiss him from the first moment she’d seen him in the bar. No matter how wrong it was, how bad it made her look, right at this moment she didn’t care. All that mattered was his touch, his lips on hers and tongue dancing with her own.

  Cian was as delicious as he looked.

  He pulled her against his chest, the awkwardness of the gear stick and handbrake forgotten. Chloe ran her hands over his taut shoulders and clasped him about his neck. Her breasts grazed against his shirt and left her almost panting with desire.

  “I want you,” he said, pulling back and gazing at her.

  Chloe shuddered and wondered what he saw when he looked at her. “I. Umm.”