“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” she called out. “You sounded like your grandfather just now. Does he go around smacking innocent lasses’ behinds too?”
He turned and lifted a brow. “Innocent?”
Evie giggled in response.
He sobered at the thought of his grandfather. “You might find it amusing, but don’t ever mention Granddad after we’ve had sex.”
Evie’s eyes widened at his caustic tone. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to kill the mood.”
“You didn’t.” Cameron returned to her side and sat on the edge of the bed. He cradled her delicate jaw in his hand, enjoying the feminine softness beneath his palm. “The last thing I want to relive is Granddad’s tirade…especially tonight.”
“I understand.” She worried her lower lip and gazed at him with anxious eyes. “Are you ever going to tell me what he said to make you so angry?”
“Maybe, but not now,” he said with finality. He strode across the room and headed for the shower.
Evie loved the hideaway alcove and was glad Cameron had shooed her out of bed. Dinner was utterly sumptuous and over-the-top delicious. Tucked behind a stone turret stair, the private salon overlooked a softly illuminated rose garden. Seated at a round table decked with Limoges china and Baccarat crystal, they enjoyed a five star meal paired with the finest of wines.
Over dessert, Cameron said, “Who’s minding the store while you’re gone?”
“My sister Ivy is our store manager now. She’s the one who pushed me to take this vacation and stay on a week to work with Kate when she gets back from her honeymoon.”
“Is your sister the only one minding the store while you’re gone?”
Evie swallowed a spoonful of the decadent dark chocolate mint mousse. “Yes, she models for us too. Kate and I are lucky to have her because Ivy is the perfect combination of brains for running the business and beauty for showcasing our creations. Her only flaw is that she’s hopelessly impulsive.” She shook her head. “She needs to find an anchor.”
“How old is she?”
“Twenty-four.”
Cameron smiled. “She has time.”
Yes, she has time, Evie thought, suddenly bereft at the realization that her dream vacation would soon come to an end. She tried not to notice how her heart squeezed at the thought of not seeing Cameron again.
The rest of the week raced by in a hedonistic blur as Cameron pulled out all the stops to give Evie a grand tour of his homeland. She cherished every minute of it—especially the long, steamy nights nestled in his strong embrace. He was a thrilling lover—generous, innovative and wildly uninhibited. Passionate and a bit dominant, but always tender with her.
For the following days, they cruised on Loch Ness, visited several castles, climbed heather covered moors and watched the salmon swim upstream at Pitlochry. In the evenings, they listened to hip local bands and ate the finest cuisine Evie had ever tasted. The busy, fun-filled days were followed by nights filled with excruciatingly pleasurable lovemaking that left her shaken by their intensity.
By Sunday evening, a melancholy cloud descended upon her as her first week with Cameron was coming to an end. The plan was to visit the ruins of Eileen Donan Castle early the next morning, but she couldn’t drum up enthusiasm. They had connected deeply physically, but not emotionally, and the harsh reality of it was making her miserable. Her heart constricted as she recalled their recent conversation over dinner when she’d told Cameron of Kate’s recent email.
“Kate told me she can feel the baby kicking. She says Alec is over the moon that they’re having a boy.”
“I never thought I’d see the day Alec would want bairns.”
“Why do you say that?”
“He always said he’d never remarry.”
“Do you want children?”
“Someday, when I’m ready.”
She shouldn’t have been surprised by his vague answer, but it hurt to hear it. Cameron wasn’t thinking about getting married any time soon, let alone have children—but she was. She was more than ready.
“What’s wrong, Angel?”
Evie shook her head and looked down as a lump formed in her throat. A dangerous longing unraveled inside her as she fought to hold onto her tightly restrained emotions. All week long as they’d gotten more intimate, she’d lectured herself not to get emotionally attached.
Cameron had promised her two weeks of sensual pleasure, nothing more, and that had seemed exciting and adventurous at the time. After all, what could it hurt to do something reckless and spontaneous for once in her life? Two weeks of sensual pleasure with the most gorgeous, generous man. She would have to be made of stone to have said no. But now she wished she hadn’t been so willing. She had gone to heaven and back with Cameron and it was going to be hell to let him go.
Their first week together was over and he’d already surpassed all of her expectations. But it wasn’t enough. She wanted more, at the very least assurance that when she left for the States, she’d see him again. Anything so they didn’t have to end it next week.
“Tell me what’s bothering you,” Cameron said, lifting her chin to meet his gaze. His dark green irises dilated as he watched her.
Evie’s lower lip quivered and she anchored it with her top teeth. “Maybe we should just stop things here before we…before we …” She drew in a shaky breath and started over again. “I know we agreed to two weeks together, but our first, amazing week has flown by and it’s time for me to get back to reality. I need to leave.” Before my heart gets broken, she thought privately.
“No. A deal’s a deal, Angel. I don’t want to stop here.”
“The problem is that when I grow attached, it’s hard for me to let go. And I’ve already grown attached. I don’t want to leave,” she said in a small voice.
Every second of silence that followed chipped away at her hope. He wasn’t going to ask her to stay. She’d been a fool to wish for it.
Breathing deep and hard, Cameron stared at her and his contemplative eyes turned fierce. “I don’t want you to leave either.”
“But I have to.” Evie’s eyes filled with tears. She blinked rapidly and tried to smile, but failed miserably. “I need to leave. As much as I’ve enjoyed your company,” she said, grossly underplaying her feelings by saying she’d enjoyed it when she’d absolutely loved being with him. The truth plain and simple was that she’d fallen madly, hopelessly in love with him and she needed to run before her heart was crushed to bits. “I can’t stay here anymore.”
“Why not?
“Because I can’t live in the moment. That’s you, not me.”
Cameron’s smoky eyes darkened and narrowed as he scrutinized her.
“I want to grow old with someone who loves me. I want to go to bed at night knowing the man next to me will be there in the morning to greet me with a kiss and love in his eyes. I want children, a home to call my own and a husband who will never leave me.” She breathed in deeply, drawing courage to drop the bomb. “There’s someone at home waiting to marry me if I’ll have him.”
“Who is it?” he demanded, looking stunned. Blood rushed to his face, neck and ears, turning them a deep shade of red. If she lit a match, he’d catch fire.
She struggled to draw air into her constricting lungs. “Don’t look at me like that. I haven’t cheated on him. We broke up last year because I didn’t want to settle for someone I wasn’t wildly in love with. But he’s a nice guy and will make a wonderful father.” She looked away from his condemning eyes and continued quietly, “I’ve thought things over and I realized I’ve been unrealistic. Maybe I should marry for—” she said, backing away as he advanced on her.
“Like hell you will,” Cameron muttered, lowering his mouth on hers. His kiss was demanding, possessive, voracious. He slid an arm beneath her knees and picked her up. Crossing the suite, he carried her to bed and set her down. His weight bore her body into the mattress.
“Cameron, I—”
He cut her off with another crushing kiss. “I won’t let you go to another man.” He took her face between his hands, his clear gaze piercing her soul. “You belong with me. Nobody else,” he said hoarsely. “You’re mine to love. Mine to grow old with. Got that, Angel?”
Struck speechless by his vehemence, Evie simply nodded. He raised her skirt, peeled off her panties and unzipped his pants. Poised above her, he braced his weight on his elbows until she lifted her pelvis and accepted the thrilling invasion of his hard length. She was already wet and ready…and aching for him. His big hands lifted her buttocks higher and each driving thrust sent excruciatingly intense shudders to her sensitized core. At the edge of surrender, she grappled at his back, digging her nails in his unyielding skin as she bit his shoulder. Her orgasm struck like a tidal wave, and she peaked in wild, mind numbing surrender, screaming his name.
“Aye, that’s right, yell my name. If you marry anyone, it will be me,” Cameron growled and reached his fiery climax.
An hour later, Cameron hurriedly threw clothes into a suitcase.
“Where are you going?” Evie asked, watching him from the bed. She looked lustily rumpled and well satiated.
“We are going to the States,” he said, his eyes locking on hers with fierce resolve.
She scrambled off the bed and clutched his arm. “The States…as in America?”
“Aye, to Las Vegas.” Cameron lowered his head so they were at eye level and leaned in until his mouth was inches from hers. He rested his forehead on hers and whispered roughly, “I am going to be that man who goes to bed with you at night and kisses you in the morning for the rest of your life.” He kissed her hard. “Agreed?”
“Aye!” Evie cried and leaped into his waiting arms, knowing that agreeing to marry him had to be the craziest, most spontaneous, reckless thing she had ever done in her life. Ohh, but nothing had ever felt more right!
Heart Hunter: Chapter Thirteen
Evie touched Cameron’s arm, drawing his attention from the road ahead again. “I’m probably driving you crazy, but I’m nervous.”
“Really? You could have fooled me,” he said dryly. She’d been chattering nonstop since they’d left the hotel. A running dialogue about everything she had to get done in the coming months.
She punched his shoulder lightly. “Okay, change of subject. You should have heard Ivy’s squeal when I told her about us. Her exact words were, ‘Evangeline Parker, you little minx! I’m the impulsive one in the family.’ She’s certain aliens have abducted me and possessed my body.” She chuckled wickedly. “She wasn’t far from the truth. I’m in a faraway land filled with magical green hills, castles and men in plaid skirts. One of them has certainly possessed my body…over and over and over.”
Cameron’s eyes crinkled. “And will never get tired of doing so.”
“Seriously, Ivy thinks I’ve gone mad.”
“I’m looking forward to meeting her,” Cameron said with a warm smile.
Evie nodded. “I can’t wait for that moment. She might give you a hard time at first because she wasn’t thrilled that I’m moving here.”
“Did you tell her we’ll be traveling back and forth to the States?”
“Yes, of course. I also told her she must spend Christmas in Scotland and that cheered her up a bit.” She sighed. “I’ve always been there for her. I think she feels a little abandoned by me. I do hope she’ll find someone wonderful like you. She’s never had luck with the boys her age. She has always preferred to date older men, probably because she never grew up with a real father. Ivy adored my late husband and was devastated when he died.”
Cameron gave her hand a gentle squeeze before turning onto the road that led to Hunter Castle. He parked the car in front of the castle and watched Evie primp, thinking how beautiful she looked with her glossy dark hair and pink-tinged porcelain skin. She smoothed her hair, dabbed her nose with a bit of powder and applied pearly pink lip gloss to her lips.
“I’m looking forward to us telling your mom, but your grandfather gives me the willies.” Evie’s brows knitted over wide, anxious eyes. “He’s so stern…and I don’t think he likes me.” She shrugged and her face lit up with an impish grin. “Of course you can hardly blame him. The day he met me I was wearing a man’s delivery uniform that was too big and my eye was bruised. Thank God, it looks normal now.”
“Stop worrying. It’s only a wee visit and we’ll be on our way soon,” he said, hoping he was right. With a flash of irritation, he remembered his grandfather’s rude objections to Evie. She is a widow who is childless. Most likely barren. She’s too skinny, too short and not very feminine. Her hair makes her look like a young boy.
Bullshit, Cameron thought, incensed all over again. A surge of protectiveness made him take Evie’s soft hand in his. He wouldn’t allow anyone to hurt her.
She breathed in deeply. Straightening her back and stoically lifting her chin with an expression of one going before a firing squad, she said, “Okay. I’m ready. Just holding your hand gives me strength.”
They walked hand in hand until they arrived at the steps and Evie stopped before the entrance. “Look at the sky. Do you think we’re in for a downpour? It’s already raining.”
Cameron snorted. “That’s not rain; it’s our usual Scottish mist.”
“I love the way you say Scottish. Your Ts are always hard.”
“That’s not all that’s hard.” He slid his hand around her tiny waist and tickled her ribs.
“Hunter,” Evie squealed, slapping his hands away. “Don’t start that now. You know I won’t be able to resist. You wouldn’t want me to make a worse impression than I did the first time, would you?”
Cameron chuckled at the thought. “All right then, if you won’t play, let’s go see Granddad and Mum.”
Evie’s stomach lurched when they entered the drawing room and she saw the assembled group. Seated before the black granite fireplace were none other than Spenser Winslow and Divina, looking quite cozy. The Italian bombshell was sidled up to Spenser with her hand possessively resting on his knee as they chatted with Laird Hunter and Aileen, who sat across from them on an antique settee.
Spenser regarded him pompously. “Well, look who’s here. Heartbreak Hunter and Mystery Sprite,” he drawled. “Where have you been hiding? My news has kept the paparazzi busy,” he said, waving a newspaper.
What were he and Divina doing here? Evie looked quickly to Cameron and knew he must be wondering the same.
Cameron put his arm around Evie’s shoulder and led her across the room, ignoring Spenser and Divina as he passed them. He hugged his mother and shook his grandfather’s hand. Evie did the same and remained silent as she saw the surprised shock on their faces.
“Evie! So glad you’ve come back. I thought you’d already returned to the States,” Aileen said, darting a glance at Granddad. Evie wondered at her nervous tone and twitchy manner.
Aware of the high tension in the room, Evie was about to reply when Spenser interrupted.
“You’re just in time for a champagne toast,” he said with a smug smile.
“What are we toasting?” Cameron asked in a dangerously low tone.
Spenser thrust the newspaper at him. “Here. Read and weep. This lovely goddess is my bride,” he said, placing an arm around Divina’s shoulder. “We were married yesterday. You lose again, cousin.”
Cameron went very still. Evie worried over the anger radiating from him in waves. The last thing Cameron could afford was to let Spenser goad him into losing his temper again. She laid a supportive hand on his arm and felt his tautly bunched muscles.
Divina’s full lips twisted into a spiteful smile aimed at Cameron. “I have finally found a man who deserves me.”
Evie held Cameron’s rigid arm and looked from Granddad to Aileen. “We have news too.” She smiled and waited for Cameron to speak.
Cameron’s deliberate gaze met his grandfather’s inquisitive eyes. “Evie and I got married.”
“I’m af
raid you’re too late. The inheritance is mine,” Spenser said arrogantly. “We got married first.”
Laird Hunter beamed at Cameron. “So you came to your senses, did you? Well done. Well done, indeed!”
“Show me your marriage certificate, Cameron. You will not cheat me out of my rightful inheritance! Let us see who married first,” Spenser demanded.
Divina huffed. “We got married first, Spensi. The inheritance is ours,” she insisted arrogantly.
“What does our marriage have to do with your inheritance?” Evie asked Cameron, confused by the interplay between the three men and Divina.
“Granddad gave us an ultimatum. He said the first one to get married gets his inheritance.” Spenser yawned. “Being a dutiful grandson, I was happy to oblige,” he said with mild sarcasm.
“You bastard. I didn’t ask Evie to marry me because of Granddad’s convoluted ultimatum,” Cameron said coldly.
Evie’s heart squeezed. She felt sicker by the moment. Her eyes beseeched Cameron for an explanation, but his face was shuttered.
Cameron’s jaw jutted forward. “Granddad, we married for love. Evie is my wife now and you must accept my choice,” he muttered defiantly as he stared down his grandfather. “Whether you approve of her or not.”
Divina puffed up with an air of vindication. “I am by far the best one to be Lairdess of Hunter Clan.”
“Quiet,” Spenser said, nudging Divina roughly.
Laird Hunter flung his head back and cackled. “Cameron, did ye really think I meant all those dreadful things I said about her?” he managed to say between wheezing chuckles. He slapped his knee with delight. “You played right into my hands.”
Cameron threw his hands in the air and shook his head.
“What dreadful things?” Evie asked, shocked. Confusion turned to sharp indignation as she stared at Laird Hunter. “Why wouldn’t you approve of me?” she asked, her back as stiff as a sword. “What did I ever do to deserve your scorn?”
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