I meet his gaze head-on and let the words tumble out."I'm thinking that you're an idiot if you believe your only worth to me is as a walking cautionary tale.You're the first person I've met in years who makes me want to risk something, even if it's only my dignity or a sprained ankle."I lower my voice to a near whisper."And never will I bail on you unless you physically carry me to the American embassy and leave my unconscious body on their doorstep."
He stares down at our joined hands, then squeezes gently."You're angry with me, aren't you?"
"This is not anger."I suck in a deep breath and exhale gradually."Maybe I am ticked off, but you are not the villain in your own story, Kirk.Dougal wears that crown, and neither he nor you will chase me away.Only I can choose whether to do that."
Am I crazy?Possibly.But I meant what I told him.I am here for the duration of whatever comes next.
Chapter Twelve
Kirk
I'm off my head.I must be.Insanity is the only logical explanation for what I'm allowing Gretchen to convince me to do.Stay with me?No, she should not do that.I must convince her, forcefully, that she must return to Tennessee immediately and forget about...whatever might have happened between us.But the words refuse to come out of my mouth.
Yer a bloody coward, aren't ye, Balfour?
That's a dead certainty.But I'm damned if I can do anything about it now, not when Gretchen's hand feels warm and soft in mine.This lass is stubborn, without a doubt---steely in her resolve, and bonnie even when she's riled up, especially then in fact.I need to protect her, but I also want to keep her with me always.It's a selfish prick's dilemma.But I never claimed to be a good man.
Gretchen sighs, smiling wistfully."Scotland is so beautiful.You get amazing pastries, and people care enough to tell you off when you're making an ass of yourself."She pauses, watching me."Besides, it beats Gatlinburg traffic and Tuesday trivia nights hosted by ex-frat bros."
The image of Gretchen in some cheap sports bar, fending off oversized men with nothing between their ears makes me want to punch something.Or better yet, drag her close and kiss the lass until she forgets any life she had before Loch Fairbairn.
I sit up straighter, my gaze locked on hers."Last night, you seemed ready to toss Scotland into the ocean.Have ye changed yer mind already?"
She shrugs, and her lips curl into a sly."You grew on me.This place did too."
"You fell for the Highlands, eh?"
She gestures with her mug, taking in the sweep of the mountains "It's less scary when you've got someone on your side who knows how to survive this country."
"Which means, what?"Och, but I know what it means.I am acacan, so I need to hear her verdict out loud.
She wriggles her sexy erse, then lifts her chin."I'm staying.As long as you'll have me.Turns out, the adventure I needed the most isyou, Kirk Balfour."
Her statement makes me jerk my head back.She's off her head for certain."A person cannae be an adventure.To claim it is, well...that's barmy."
"I assume 'barmy' means crazy.I'm down with all the insanity."
Someone must've slipped a mickey in her coffee, because she's clearly buckled.No sober person would suggest what she's proposing.The lass couldn't have given any rational thought to the mathematical odds of disaster in this situation.
"Let's be clear, Gretchen Carver," I begin, using her full name for some barmy reason, "if you stay, you'll be dealing with the consequences of every daft decision I've ever made.Not to mention my chaotic work schedule and the fact that at least a dozen pensioners will expect us to get married within the month."
She sips her coffee, leaving a faint milk mustache that almost makes me smile."If you think you can get rid of me with the threat of nosy seniors, you haven't met my Aunt Darla.Compared to her, your village is a meditation retreat."
I struggle to hold back a smile.Since I've realized I'm incapable of telling her no or dragging her to the airport to shanghai her back to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, I have no other option except giving in."All right, have it your way.Ye want excitement?Aye, ye'll have it.But we'll begin with your most daring adventure first."
She sits up straighter, her eyes alight."And that is..."
"Meeting my family."
Gretchen punches my shoulder."That is not a daring adventure."
I give the lass my most devilish grin and slant closer until my lips graze her earlobe."Ye havenae met them.Might change your mind after."
She swigs the last of her tea, which must have cooled off by now, and slaps a Scottish note on the table.Enough to pay for the food and the tip, I reckon.Then she rises."Come on, Balfour, get your tight ass off the chair.I want to meet your parents and your brothers."
"If you insist."
"Thank you.I love it when a man follows my orders.It's a huge turn-on."
