“Come now.” A giant arm sank around the back of her shoulders and pulled her close. “Lie yere head here. I won’t tell a soul.”
With her eyes still closed, she smiled and leaned into Ross’s warm, strong body. He relaxed her, but she was too aware of him to actually doze. Before she knew it he was squeezing her shoulder.
“We’re here.”
“Thanks,” she mumbled, scooting away from him. She thought about her plan, how she was going to help him find a woman. It didn’t sit well with her, but she would, no matter how wrong it felt. “Are you looking forward to tonight? Do you think your mother will mind that you’re going out again?”
“I’m sure she’ll grouse a little. It’s her way. But she’ll be fine with Dand to keep her company.”
“Is that why you wanted to bring him along?”
“One of the reasons.” He didn’t elaborate.
When they got back to the house, Grace and Dand were sitting in the parlor with Glynnis, who was lying on the couch with pillows propped under her legs.
“Rossy,” Glynnis said a little weakly. “Come here and give yere favorite auntie a scwunch.”
Ross grinned and walked toward her. “First of all, ye’re my only aunt. And secondly, I’m too old to be called Rossy.” He leaned down and gave her a tender hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“Ye’ll never be too old to be my Rossy, and don’t you forget it.”
He took her hand. “I think ye’re right, Auntie.” He motioned to Sadie. “This is my friend, Sadie. She’s from the States.”
“Oh, I’ve heard,” Glynnis said, a sly grin on her face.
“Mum, have ye been gossiping?”
Grace raised an eyebrow as if he dared to lecture her.
“Do ye have something to hide, Rossy?” Glynnis laughed hoarsely. “It wasn’t Grace who told. Dand had quite a bit to say about Sadie.”
She and Ross turned to the boy.
Dand continued folding a piece of newspaper into a hat, not looking up at them. “I just said that Aunt Sadie was yere new girlfriend now that Pippa married Max.”
“What?” Ross and Sadie said together. Except Ross’s what was a boom, and Sadie’s was a squeak.
“We’re just friends,” Ross declared.
“Friends,” Sadie said quietly, though she felt a little hurt by how adamant Ross was.
Dand turned to them. “But ye two ran off together. I thought when two people run off together that they’re getting married.”
Sadie wanted to be anywhere but here.
With a frown etched on his face, Ross sat on the recliner and motioned to Dand. “Come here, lad.” He patted his knee.
Dand ambled over and crawled into Ross’s lap. The women were captivated.
Ross stared the boy in the eye. “Ye can’t jump to conclusions without knowing all the facts.”
“What are the facts?” Dand asked sensibly.
Yes, Sadie wanted to know them, too.
“The fact is that Sadie and I are friends, grand friends. The Almighty must’ve wanted me to meet Sadie and for us to get along so famously, because we’ve become good friends awfully fast. But just because we took a little trip doesn’t mean that we’re getting married.”
“But when Gus and Donna slipped out of town, Father Andrew had to marry them when they came back. Her da made sure of it.”
Ross looked heavenward, his sigh wrought with exasperation. “That was different. Gus and Donna were . . .” He was apparently at a loss for the right words. “Sadie and I are . . .” He seemed stuck for a moment here, too. “We’re only friends, Dand. Nothing more.”
Well, he’d certainly made that clear!
But Ross wasn’t done with the boy. “There’ll be no more gossiping, okay? A man just doesn’t do it.”
Dand slipped off his lap and slammed his hands on his hips. “Aw, Uncle Ross, I don’t gossip.”
“Yup, ye did, just like ye belonged at Quilting Central.”
The boy turned red and stomped his foot. “Did not.”
“Ye watch what you say in the future. Do you understand?”
Dand’s indignation drained and he hung his head. “Aye.”
Ross ruffled his head. “No harm done.”
But Sadie felt otherwise. “I’m going to take my things up.” And regroup. Ross was a nice guy, and he’d just made it clear to everyone that she needed to find some Roundup and douse the crazy weeded fantasy that had taken root in her head.
“You rest if ye need,” Grace said, leading Sadie to believe that Deydie, or Ross, had told her about her CKD. Or had Dand filled everyone in on that, too? “Dinner will be in thirty minutes.”
“Thanks.” Sadie hurried from the room.
Upstairs, she focused on hanging up her clothes in the tiny closet and not replaying the earnestness of Ross’s face while he was talking to his nephew.
There was a knock on the door. “Sadie. Let me in.”
“I’m lying down,” she lied as she hung up her new slacks.
The door opened and Ross came in, closing it behind him. “Lying down?”
She didn’t need to explain herself to him. She hung the green dress. “What do you want?”
“We need to talk about tonight.”
“Yes. I’m going to find you a woman.” Though it would kill her. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“I need ye to do something for me.”
“What?”
“Put the green dress on and I’ll show you.”
The magic of the green dress was gone, complete history. She couldn’t feel pretty in it now, even if she wanted to.
“Humor me,” he said.
She didn’t budge. She wasn’t dressing up for him. Her drab brown dress was fine.
“If ye won’t do it for me, then do it for Mum. She’ll expect you to be dressed nicely for dinner. It’s what they do here in Glasgow. I’ll step out.” He walked to the door and opened it. “But I’ll only give you a minute. That’s sixty seconds. One, two, three . . .” He gave her a look that said if she didn’t do as he bid, he’d change her clothes for her. And not in a sexy way.
Ross left. Begrudgingly, she pulled the green dress from the hanger and donned it within the allotted minute.
She thought he would just walk back in because apparently here in Scotland they didn’t believe in privacy.
But he surprised her when he quietly tapped. “Ye ready?”
She pulled the door open. “Happy?”
“Not yet.” He stepped in. “Stop looking at me like I’m the enemy. I’m here to help.”
“Help with what?”
He cleared his throat and shifted from foot to foot. “I figured while I was finding someone to date, that you could practice picking up blokes.”
“What?” A million thoughts tumbled through her brain. “Why?”
He shoved his hands in his pockets and glanced back at the door. “You were the one who said ye didn’t have much experience.”
Good. At least he had the decency to be embarrassed.
“What are you suggesting, then?”
“I thought I could give ye a few pointers so you could chat up a man or two at the pub. Give ye some practice.” He frowned, but went on. “So when ye go back home, you would be more comfortable with it.”
But she knew what he really meant. That if she was to get a man, she’d have to learn to use her womanly wiles . . . because she had no physical assets to work with. She was hurt and angry, but in the end, she couldn’t argue with his logic.
“What do you propose? I learn to throw myself at men?”
He glared at her. “Gawd, no! But ye could put out a little bait and then lure them in.”
“Put out?”
“That’s not what I mean. Come here,” he rumbled.
&n
bsp; She stayed where she was. “Why?”
“I want to show ye how to walk.” He reached out and took her hand. “Come.” He pulled her to him.
She brushed up against his chest, but stepped away quickly. “I’m fine the way I am.”
“I agree,” he said. “But I’m not the one ye’re trying to catch. Besides, all of us could use a little help now and then. Ye’re going to help me tonight, right? So I’m going to help ye now.”
“Fine. Then show me how this seductive walk should look.” She reached for her purse. “Wait. Let me get my phone so I can videotape this for your brothers.”
“Funny. All I’m asking for ye to do is to sway yere hips a little as you sashay across the floor.”
“Show me.” She dropped her purse.
Ross awkwardly strutted across the room. It was hilarious to see him try to be feminine.
“Now it’s yere turn.”
She shook her head.
He took a step toward her.
“Fine.” She marched across the small room instead of demonstrating the sexy walk he wanted.
“No.” He came up behind her, placing his hands on her hips. “Like this.” He moved them side to side.
She went hot and at the same time became covered in honest-to-God chills. Warmth spread low in her abdomen. It was hard to catch her breath.
But she did. “Stop that. I can do it.”
“Then go on.”
She glanced over her shoulder to glare at him, but finally did as he said, swaying her hips as if she was walking a runway. “Are you happy?”
He looked perplexed. “I guess it’s okay.”
“Now can we go down to dinner?”
“It’s not ready yet.” He stepped away from her, looking irritated. “Go stand over there.”
She needed space from him, too, so she perched herself by the window.
He scanned her from top to bottom, and didn’t look pleased with what he found. She wanted to yell at him that he was the one who’d picked out the dress!
“You know how to flirt?” he said roughly.
“Of course, I know how to flirt.” The truth was that she never felt like doing it though. The men she met didn’t seem worth the effort.
“Well, do you know other stuff?” he said painfully.
She turned away and put her hand up. Oh, God, if he was asking about her sex life, it was none of his business.
“Not that,” he said. “I mean, do ye know that ye’re supposed to ignore men and act aloof?”
She planted her hand on her hip—where he was touching her only moments ago—and abruptly dropped it to her side. “Is that the kind of thing you like? You’re only interested in a woman if she’s playing games?”
“Nay,” he said heatedly. “Other blokes go for it. I like a woman who is honest, straightforward, true.” But that declaration seemed only to put him more on edge, because he sounded almost angry.
She couldn’t figure him out. He was all over the place.
“I’ll probably have to teach ye how to kiss, too.” He looked troubled by the prospect, maybe even uncomfortable mentioning it.
“Get out, Ross.”
He took her arm, but it was as if just touching her made the anger fade, and in its place was warmth. “I’m concerned.” He cleared his throat. “That if ye get the chance to kiss a bloke tonight—or back home—that, um, that ye, um, might not know what to do.”
“What?” But she was distracted because he was rubbing her arm with his large hand, as if she might be cold.
He paused for two more caresses. “I don’t want ye to be uncomfortable, Sadie.”
God, she loved it when he said her name. It hit her deep. His voice was as rich as chocolate mousse.
But did he think that she’d never been kissed? “I’ve kissed people,” she said defensively.
“Yere gran doesn’t count,” he said.
Was he serious? Sure, she might be plain, but she did have some experience.
He dropped his hand, looking superior—the older, wiser one.
Either he thinks I haven’t kissed a man, or that I’m no good at it. Suddenly, she had a wicked idea. If he’s willing to go there, then I’ll let him show me how it’s done.
“Fine,” she said. “What do you propose?”
He stepped closer. “I could give ye a kissing lesson, if ye’ll let me.”
Chapter Eight
“Do your worst.” Sadie leaned in, closed her eyes, and waited for the Highlander. But the kiss didn’t come. She opened her eyes.
He hadn’t budged. He tsked with that superior gloat still plastered on his face. “That’s not how it’s done.” He gave her a patient look, as if she would be lost if it weren’t for him.
She mimicked his deep brogue. “What do ye mean, That’s not how it’s done?”
He raised a chiding brow at her. “If ye really want to knock a man for a loop, eye contact is yere best bet.”
“Kiss with my eyes open?” She’d never kissed anyone that way. And in the movies, they certainly didn’t stare at each other during lip-locks either.
“Nay. But look the fellow in the eye before the kiss. Take his measure. Make sure he’s worthy of the kiss. And if he is, then ye can deliver a message to him.”
“What kind of message?”
He shrugged good-naturedly. “Tell him with yere eyes why ye’re going to do it. Are ye making a promise to be his and his only? Or are ye taking pity on the poor bastard that no one else will kiss him? Or are ye bored, with nothing else to do? There are a thousand things one can say with the eyes.”
“Oh?”
“Kissing is all about intent.”
And Ross’s intent was simply to teach her how to do it right.
“Okay,” she said like a good student. “I’m ready to try again.”
He stepped forward.
She gazed into his blue eyes. They were beautiful, soulful, and yes, wise. But they held a hint of playful mischief. His eyes . . . caused her insides to go crazy. Uncomfortable with anticipation.
Then he discombobulated her further by cupping her face tenderly as she fell under his spell.
And holy crap, he was right. She could see so much. Though the things she read in his eyes, she couldn’t believe, not even for a millisecond. She saw promise written there. She could see this moment, she could see tomorrow, she could see the rest of her life. It was deep, rich, and everlasting. It all hung in the balance, now and forever, locked in their gaze.
She knew Ross was wielding his charm, and she shouldn’t fall for it. But she caved as easily as a cream puff, wanting his lips on her so badly that it hurt.
“Uncle,” she whispered as she leaned in, keeping her eyes open. His pupils dilated as if he was surprised by her bravery. At the last second, when their lips met, his eyes, her eyes, drifted shut.
She kissed him. Tenderly at first, hesitantly . . . acting as if she didn’t know exactly what she was doing. But she did. She was a good kisser. She just wouldn’t pull everything from her arsenal at once, because she wanted to teach him a lesson.
Okay, that wasn’t necessarily it either. She’d wanted to kiss him from the first moment she saw him sitting at the bar. She shifted a little, nibbling at the corner of his mouth, which seemed to drive him half crazy. His right hand left her cheek; he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her in tight, his left hand still cupping her face. She rubbed circles into his shirtfront as she kissed him full-on. He opened his mouth to say something, but she took the opportunity to deepen the kiss. He growled approvingly, as if her tongue in his mouth was the biggest turn-on he’d ever had, and he squeezed her tighter.
And he kissed her just as deeply back . . . damn him. Her focus evaporated and the kiss took on a life of its own. No longer could she think clearly. She was in the moment
with him. Savoring it. Savoring him. She clutched at his shirt, pulling him closer.
She was just settling in for the long haul when he broke it off, breathing heavily.
Their faces were only inches apart. She brought her eyes up to meet his. “Well? How did I do?” Her voice sounded strange, as if it belonged to someone else, perhaps a sexy movie star.
His eyes narrowed as if he was trying to figure her out. But then he seemed to change tactics and a hint of new mischief began to grow in his gaze. He tilted his head as if mulling over her question. Finally, he spoke. “It was a good start . . .”
“But?” she asked.
“I think ye’re going to need more practice.”
He didn’t wait to hear what she had to say. He dove in and captured her lips. He must’ve forgotten he was supposed to stare deeply into her eyes. Or maybe his lips were impatient. Either way, this time he was showing her what it was like when he was in complete control. She whimpered with the utter joy of it, winding her arms around his neck, pulling him down to her. She could’ve died a happy woman at that moment, knowing what it was truly like to be kissed with passion.
Rap, rap, rap. It took a second to seep in, but they both jumped apart at the same moment a young voice filtered through the hardwood door.
“Uncle Ross? Aunt Sadie? Nan says it’s time to come down to tea.” He pounded again. “What’s going on in there?”
Ross ran the back of his hand over his mouth as if wiping Sadie’s kiss away. He opened the door. “Shhh, Dand.”
“It’s okay,” the boy said. “Aunt Glynnis is downstairs.” He stopped talking and stared at Sadie. “Are ye all right?”
She caught sight of herself in the small square mirror on the wall. She was as red as her dress was green. Her eyes were bright, expectant. And her lips swollen. She caught her tingling bottom lip in her teeth. But then noticed Ross was staring at her mouth, so she stopped. “I’m fine, Dand.” She didn’t look back at Ross, but followed Dand out the door.
The Trouble with Scotland Page 12