“Negativity and evil surround that man. Can ye not sense it?” He struggled to choose his words with care, unsure just how deeply to delve into the world of mysticism with her. In his studies, before he had traveled forward in time, he’d discoveredthat some in this time still believed and followed the old ways, but he’d also seen a great turning away, and a dangerous mockery of anything to do with the energies and magick of the realms.
Rachel, her hands full of mismatched spoons and forks, stood there and eyed him as though trying to argue with what he’d said. However, she agreed with him. He saw it in her eyes. But he saw a reluctance there as well. She didn’t wish to admit to anything she didn’t understand or couldn’t explain.
“I don’tsenseanything about that man,” she said in a hissing whisper. “For heaven’s sake, he just showed up here ten minutes ago. And as for you,” she whispered while elbowing her way around him, “I haven’t quite decided how I feel about you.”
He wanted to call her a liar, but now was not the time. Instead, he grumbled more Gaelic profanity under his breath as he followed her to the table with the plates and bowls. At least, there was the fine view of her lovely backside as she leaned across the table to set the silverware in place.
“All set.” Smith hung up the phone and tossed it onto the counter. “The rental company should be here in about an hour. That’s just enough time to enjoy that dinner that smells so great, and get to know each other better.”
“Speaking of which…” Rachel took the plates and bowls from Caelan and nudged him aside to finish setting the table. “What exactly brings you to this area? I take it that since you’re in a rental, and you mentioned trips to the country before, you’re not exactly from around here.”
“Business brings me here. A client had some financial matters that required my attention.” Smith accepted the glass of iced tea Rachel sat in front of him.
Caelan wished it contained a slow, painful poison.
“Personal attention?” she asked. “That makes you sound like some kind of hitman for the mob or something, though I have toadmit you really don’t look the part.” She ladled out a generous portion of the steaming chicken pie onto the plate.
“Nothing nearly as exciting as that,” he answered with a soft laugh. “More like corporate accounting stuff. Financial paperwork and such.” The man narrowed his eyes as his gaze met Caelan’s.
That’s it, ye bastard, Caelan thought, stoking the rage consuming him.Look into my eyes and see how I feel about ye.
“Caelan, this is fantastic,” Rachel said around the steaming bite she had just popped into her mouth. She waved a hand in front of her face and blew in and out. “It’s hot like lava, though. I think I need to let it cool for a little while.” She closed her eyes and beamed as she continued chewing. “You can cook for me any time you want.”
He allowed himself a prideful smile. “As I’ve told ye, Rachel, I am a man of many talents. All ye have to do is allow me to show ye.”
She choked, coughing and glaring at him as she grabbed her tea. After composing herself, she turned to Smith and cleared her throat. “So if it’s business that’s brought you to our area, where exactly is home base?”
“For now, Chicago,” he said, shooting her a flirty wink as he scraped his plate clean. “I’m able to keep on top of everything pretty much from there. I rarely have to travel outside the city. When I do, it’s usually because I’ve chosen to, not because I have to.”
“And your company still pays for it? You’re not afraid they’ll shut off the funds when they find out you traveled when you really didn’t have to?” She rose from the table and began gathering the dishes to stack them in the sink.
The man was lying through his teeth, and Caelan hoped Rachel saw it as clearly as he did. She trusted no one. Now wasnot the time to start, and that bastard was definitely not the one she needed to trust.
“I do a good job,” Smith gloated with a shrug. “And because of my work, the company turns a hell of a profit. Shall we say we have somewhat of an understanding?” He rose to join Rachel at the sink, deftly sidestepping the chair Caelan kicked into his path.
“Hmm, I don’t know about that,” she countered. “I’ve seen employees who justify any type of behavior by saying the company owes them, or doesn’t treat them right, or pay them enough. But I’ve always believed if the company doesn’t treat you right or pay you enough, then go somewhere else. Don’t use that as an excuse to steal from them or sink to their sleazy level.”
Standing entirely too close to Rachel, Smith leaned back against the counter and folded his arms across his chest.
Caelan cursed under his breath, envisioning himself shoving the man through the tiny kitchen window over the sink.
From Smith’s infuriating smile, the bastard knew exactly what he was thinking. “You are a company’s dream come true,” the devil told Rachel. “They don’t make many employees like you. Where exactly do you work for a living or do you stay here and run the farm?”
“I work at the steel mill in town,” she said as she filled the sink with hot, soapy water. “And I run this place.” As she slid more plates into the suds, she continued, “I’ve been a crane operator for about five years now. I hate shift work, but it pays the bills.”
Caelan cleared his throat, unable to remain silent any longer. “It has been well over an hour since ye spoke to your rental agency. Shall I give ye a lift to your car to see if they have shown up yet?”
Smith glanced at his watch, then shrugged. “I wouldn’t want to stretch yourhospitalitytoo far.” His toothy smile onlyheightened the sarcasm in his tone. “I told the rental place to swing by here to pick me up when they came to tow the car.”
Caelan squared off, ready to do battle with this lying bastard. He’d been as patient as could be allowed. “Perhaps ye would like to step outside for a wee breath of fresh air. The house sits so far back off the road, they might miss ye if ye dinna watch for them.”
He yanked the door open and jutted his chin higher. Once again, his right hand itched for the haft of his sword.
Smith’s expression hardened into a predatorial glare. With an almost imperceptible nod, as though he’d arrived at a private decision, he turned to Rachel. “I think Caelan’s right. I believe I will have a bit of a walk and watch for the tow truck. It should be along almost any time now. Thank you again for the use of your phone and the wonderful dinner. Not everyone would’ve been so kind.” He held out his hand to her, a smile on his lying lips that made Caelan ready to spit.
Pulling her hands from the dishwater, she quickly dried them and shot Caelan a narrow-eyed glare. For his behavior, he supposed but didn’t really give a damn what she thought about the way he treated Smith. She took Smith’s hand and offered him a polite smile.
Smith lifted her hand and pressed his slightly opened mouth to the back of it. When she gasped and tried to snatch it away, he held on tight and did it again.
