My Seductive Highlander

by Maeve Greyson

  Well, well, well. An uber-alpha Highlander with a heart of pure gold. Sadie cocked the bill of her ball cap a tad lower. Alec MacDara’s kindness triggered a warm glowing sense of happy straight to her core. I could so get into researching this guy for a hot Highland screenplay.

  A sharp jab in the ribs rudely interrupted the promising dialogue already flowing through her mind. “What?” she huffed out as she turned and fully focused on her sister.

  “I asked you a question and your head rattling when you nod doesn’t tell me a damn thing.” Delia’s face—immaculately chiseled by L.A.’s best plastic surgeons—tightened into a displeased scowl that even Botox wouldn’t erase. She smoothed her miniskirt with an irritated yank then hooked a finger in her plunging neckline and resettled her newly purchased cleavage to a more revealing angle. “If that’s Alec MacDara, I know exactly how to handle this meeting.” She flexed her toned and professionally sculpted body like a peacock preening for a mate.

  “Yes. That is Alec MacDara, CEO of Highland Life and Legends.” And I’m sure he’ll be panting at your feet in no time. His type usually can’t resist you. Sadie tapped the surface of the electronic tablet. “See? I showed you this article about him and his family the other day. Remember?”

  Delia waved the tablet away, not even sparing Sadie a sideways glance. “In case you haven’t noticed, I am extremely busy. You can’t expect me to hear every inconsequential word that falls from your lips.” She turned and fixed Sadie with the only look she’d ever had that remotely resembled a smile. As far back as Sadie could remember, Delia had never managed a real smile or looked remotely happy. Her strained smirk always came off looking as though she smelled a stink.

  Delia’s simpering pout twisted up at the corners into an even more malicious curl. “You might be my sister but I hired you to handle things. Be my assistant. For your sake, I ignore your babbling—much like tuning out background noise. Now hush while I observe this fine male specimen and plan my next move to close this deal.”

  Sadie locked her jaws shut. She needed this job. It was the surest bet she had at getting into the world of screenwriting. Just gotta take it ’til I make it. Her sister Delia had founded Realm Spinners Productions with the vast inheritance left to her when their parents had died in the crash of their private jet.

  Delia also controlled Sadie’s meager share of what really couldn’t be termed an inheritance. The paltry amount had been more like a slap in the face. But Delia had been named guard dog to all the money in the Williamses’ vast estate. All Sadie could figure was that it was a last-ditch effort by their mogul parents to not only instill some humanity in heartless Delia but also force Sadie to finally conform and stop being so—how had they always put it?—so damned embarrassingly unconventional.

  Sadie really didn’t hate her parents for their last act of aristocratic bullying. After all, they’d always treated her that way—and besides, she was the adopted one. The odd one. The fat little Mediterranean girl they’d taken in to prove to the world how charitable they could be.

  Sadie huffed out a humorless laugh. She’d show them, show all the bullies. Succeeding and being the best screenwriter she could be would be her sweet revenge. She shook off Delia’s bitchiness and hurried to jot a few memory joggers into her tablet. Alpha Highlander. Softhearted. Wounded-hero type. I’ll plot this one out tonight.

  “I’m a busy man. If ye wish t’speak with me, ye’d best be about it, aye?”

  The suddenly much closer proximity of that deep, rich voice with the come-hither brogue triggered a sharp inhale that effectively lodged Sadie’s gum into the middle of her windpipe. Fisting one hand over her mouth, Sadie turned away, coughing and wheezing for air. Dammit. I’m gonna die right here in front of Mr. MacSexy.

  Strong hands gripped her arms then a sharp rap between her shoulder blades effectively caused the offensive wad of chewing gum to shoot out of her mouth. Sadie closed her eyes. Oh my God, just kill me now. Delia’s gonna have a shit fit and this guy’s gonna think I’m an idiot.

  Turning her about, the strong hands held her arms with a much gentler grip, steadying her on her feet. “Are ye all right then?” Concern filled the clearest blue eyes Sadie had ever seen.

  “Fine.” Sadie bobbed her head and backed up a step with a nervous fluttering of one hand. “Just got choked on my gum. Thanks for knocking it free.” She fished a crumpled tissue out of the pocket of her jeans and scooped the sticky ball of embarrassment up from the ground. She wrapped it tightly in the tissue and shoved it back in her pocket. “Don’t want anyone to step in that. Doesn’t it just piss you off when you get gum stuck on your shoe?” Sweet Jesus, shut me up now. She was babbling like a fool.

  The hint of a grin played across the man’s full lips, perfectly highlighting the slightly off-centered cleft in his chin. “Aye. ’Tis rudeness itself when folk show such disregard for the land and those who walk upon it.”

  Delia shoved her way in between them, extending her perfectly manicured hand and amping up her I smell a stink smile to its highest possible wattage. “Mr. MacDara, I’m Delia Williams and I can’t tell you enough how much I appreciate your meeting with us today.”

  A mask of irritated boredom immediately shuttered in place, darkening Alec’s face like clouds blotting out the sun. His gaze briefly dipped to Delia’s extended hand, then slowly returned to her face. He took a step back and folded his muscular arms across the endless expanse of chest that had taken on the most delicious gleam in the heat of the afternoon sun.

  Sadie did her best to control the urge to lick her lips. The man looked like a well-oiled piece of sensual machinery ready for action.

  “As I said, I’m a busy man.” Alec frowned down at Delia’s still-extended hand. “There are two reasons why yer here today. My legal counsel advised ’twould be wise t’hear ye out.” He paused, his harsh tone softening as his focus swiveled back to Sadie. “And then there’s the matter of the daily emails.”

  “Daily emails?” Delia snapped as she awkwardly withdrew her hand and totally failed at saving her air of authority by propping her fingers on one hip and striking her trademark you can’t resist me pose.

  Alec then fully turned to Sadie, his scowl shifting to something more like amusement. Or was it a flicker of interest? Surely not. She had to be reading him wrong. Guys like him went for thin, leggy blonde Delias, not curvalicious chunks of fun Sadies.

  “I assume yer the writer of the emails?” Alec asked, his deep brogue melting into what could only be described as a wonderfully audible caress.

  “Uhm…yes, I am.” Sadie ignored Delia’s irritated huff and extended her own hand. “I’m Sadie Williams. Delia’s assistant…and sister. But how did you know the emails were from me, Mr. MacDara?”

  “Ye may call me Alec—and the emails had a certain tone.” Alec paused and cast a dismissive glance over at Delia. “Yer messages had a way about them that fit ye. I doubt this one here could write them.”

  He scooped up Sadie’s extended hand, gallantly brought it to his lips, then gifted her with a genuine smile she’d remember in her dreams. “ ’Tis m’utmost pleasure t’finally meet ye, Mistress Sadie Williams.”

  “Just Sadie will be fine,” she whispered, then pressed her lips tightly together and held her breath. She was torn between melting into a purring puddle of sheer bliss and laughing out loud at the strangled sound of Delia shifting into Mach 1 super-bitch hyperdrive. She knew for certain she couldn’t laugh. If she did, Delia would surely fire her ass on the spot.

  Clearing her throat, Sadie lightly squeezed Alec’s warm calloused hand. “The pleasure is mine. And thank you for meeting with us. I hope you won’t be disappointed.”

  “Aye,” Alec said. “ ’Tis my hope I’ll no’ be disappointed either.” The way he held her hand a bit longer before reluctantly letting go made Sadie wonder if Alec was talking about something other than the business meeting.

  “Mr. MacDara…uhm…Alec.” Delia sidled closer, struggling t
o keep her stiletto heels from getting stuck between the boards of the wood flooring of the observation landing. “You said your legal counsel found the terms of our filming contract suitable and recommended you speak with us. What do I need to do to convince you that Realm Spinners Productions should be allowed to use your lovely theme park as a filming location for our Scottish historical romance?” She leaned forward, arching her back and flaunting her cleavage so Alec would have no doubt that anything he might want was his for the taking.

  “I’ll thank you t’call me Mr. MacDara.” Alec turned away, picked up his sword, and shoved it into the sheath belted to his side. “And I didna say the contract was found suitable. I said counsel recommended I speak with ye.”

  Without a look back, he headed across the practice arena with long powerful strides. “Follow me. The board and I have our own terms and questions—as does my lawyer.”

  Sadie started to follow then looked back at Delia. Her red-faced sister was currently standing with her hands on her hips and staring after Alec as though she couldn’t believe he’d just cold-shouldered her and walked away.

  Delia stomped one foot, a shrill growl escaping her as one of her heels wedged between the wooden boards. “Dammit! Is he crazy? I’m not walking through that filth in my Louis Vuittons.”

  “Well, you better if you want this deal.” Sadie held out a hand to steady her sister. If she let Delia fall on her ass, she’d never hear the end of it. “I can’t believe you wore those to a theme park. What the hell were you thinking?”

  “Just shut up, Sadie,” Delia snapped. She wobbled across the uneven surface of the hard-packed dirt, nearly going down when one gleaming black heel sank into a pronounced dip.

  Sadie caught Delia by the elbows before she hit the ground. Just once, I should let you bust your ass. Inwardly, she shook her head. No. Gotta take care of Delia. She’s got the keys to the kingdom I want.

  Comfortable shoes trumped high-priced heels any day in Sadie’s book, but Delia had always been a slave to fashion. Gotta take care of the uppity princess. “You better pick up the pace before he gets to the door and we lose him.” Sadie glanced up just as Alec entered the building. “Uh oh. Too late. If that keep is as authentic on the inside as it is on the outside, it could be like a maze inside. We may be out of luck when it comes to this meeting.”

  They finally reached the apron of concrete surrounding the massive stone archway sheltering the private entrance of the keep. Delia yanked her arm out of Sadie’s hands. “Just let me do the talking. None of your idiotic jokes or crass humor. Keep your mouth shut, your back to the wall, and take notes like a good little assistant. Understand?”

  Thank goodness Alec had already disappeared into the keep and couldn’t have possibly heard Delia’s rant. Anger flashed hot through Sadie. Steady. Karma will get her. Gotta remember karma. Sister Bitch will end up with what she deserves. Sadie pulled in a deep cleansing breath and forced a smile at the stern-looking young man waiting for them beside the door. “Could you please point us in the right direction? I’m afraid we didn’t quite keep up with Mr. MacDara.”

  The unsmiling youth glared first at Delia then nodded at Sadie with a sympathetic smile. “If you’ll follow me, I’ll take you to the meeting room. Mr. Alec’s gone to change out of his workout clothes.”

  Delia pushed in front of Sadie with a backward glance that clearly said, You better remember your place. She looped an arm around the scowling man’s forearm, snugging up against him as though he were a long-lost lover. “Thank you so much. By all means, lead the way.”

  Gotta take it ’til I make it. Sadie sucked in another deep breath, fell in step behind Delia, and instantly felt better. She smiled and almost snickered out loud. One of Delia’s precious Louis Vuittons had an ever-widening split in the spiked heel and a jagged tear in its costly leather.

  Thank you, karma. I love you. The day suddenly seemed so much brighter.

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