Her confession loosened something in my chest. I explored the curves of her body with care, learning the shape of her through the fabric between us. I kept my movements unhurried, as if every second with her was sacred.
She closed her eyes and leaned into my touch, her body softening, her breath changing—slower, deeper. I brushed my thumb along her jaw, tilting her head so I could kiss her again. Tasted the faint salt of her skin.
When her hands slipped under the hem of my shirt, I felt every point of contact, like it burned into me. She traced the planes of my stomach, old baseball scars, not flinching at a single one.
“I’ve seen these, but I want to remember them in a different way,” she breathed, kissing one.
She was undoing me.
I lowered us onto the couch, my body caging hers without trapping her, supporting my weight, so she could move if she needed ... or say no. My lips followed the curve of her throat, her pulse fluttering against my mouth. Her fingers tightened in my hair, a small sound escaping her—want and relief mingled.
She tilted her head, lips brushing mine for a tease, and I kissed her harder, letting our laughter and soft moans mix together while undressing each other.
We didn’t rush. We explored each other, savoring every brush of skin, every subtle curve, every quiet gasp. And my hands lingered, learning the way of her hips, the curve of her breast. I felt her tension give way to trust, to want, to something raw and alive between us.
By the time I rested my forehead against hers, our breaths mingled, and we both trembled. The world beyond these decrepit walls no longer existed. I held her naked body in my arms, and the silence we shared was broken only by the promise of more heat to come.
“Nice?” I asked.
“Expand your vocab, Lach.” She winked at me, lips parted, and I’d have kissed her again if she weren’t trying to catch up. “I saw heaven between your arms. Now the couch is not rat-infested, Lach. It’s love-infested.”
I chuckled, squeezing her in my arms. “You’re perfect, Natasha MacKenzie. Perfect for me.”
50
SIMONA
Wind knifed across the moors,carrying a dampness and … music.
“You said they’d be asleep, Baby MacKenzie?” I poked Jake’s spine with the muzzle of my Grach as I followed him toward the stone castle. My stomach knotted tighter. Natasha had better beinthere. Almost three in the morning, I still had to believe the Scots kept her safe.
He glared back at me. “Do you need a gun? Aroundmy family?”
“Lower your voice.” I poked him with the gun before putting it in my purse. “Allude to our disagreement, I kill someone before you vindicate yourself.Da?”
“Yes.” He gripped the heavy, iron knocker. “Nobody’s gonna hear this.” He dropped his hand. “Give me my phone?”
I complied. In sixty seconds flat, the Brodys let us in, their eyes questioning my appearance with Jake.
Big Brody hugged me. “Glad to see you, lassie.”
Sure.
While escorting us into a seating room, Big Brody apologized for the misunderstanding. “Nan didn’t update me until later.”
“Och, I made that decision,meself.”Nan nodded, entering the large room in a long, short-set swimsuit. “Night never gets old during summer in the Highlands. We … are celebrating with the grans.” She tugged at the hem of the matching flowery cover-up. “But Natasha is fine. She and Lach are out. She reached you, but no one else?”
“She got ahold of me?” I asked.
Nan blinked. “Aye. Did you discuss the matter with your uncle?”
“No. I, uh, remember her call.”Seriously? So suspicious! I should interrogate them. But… Nan appeared genuine, she and her husband. “Jake and I were already en route when she called, so I wanted to see for myself. Then ring my family.”
“Understood.” Nan gestured. “Dinner or breakfast? Have you eaten?”
“I’m star—” Jake began.
My hand rested on his thigh, close to a location that made his mother blush. “Jake,” I said, “let’s find them.”
