“Nope,” Hunter grinned. “This is what happens when my mate loses a bet.”
“That’snottrue,” Fionn said, emphatically. “I did exactly what you said. It’s not my fault your instructions weren’t clear.”
“Right.” Hunter punctuated his comment with a swat to Fionn’s ass.
“What was the bet?” asked Carson.“Never mind. If it had anything to do with what was going on last night, I don’t need to know.” Pointing over to the waiting car, said, “I think our ride is here.”
Glancing to where his cousin pointed, Hunter murmured, “That’s Remy? From what Penn said, I thought he was younger.”
“Put me down,” Fionn demanded, wriggling as he tried to twist around to see who his mate was talking about.
Hunter set Fionn down, keeping him close to him. Until he found out for sure who the man was, Hunter wasn’t taking any chances about his mate’s safety.
“Ohhh, a silver fox!” Fionn exclaimed.
Taking a discrete sniff, Carson chuckled, “In more ways than one.”
“Pet, stop staring,” Hunter growled, looking sideways at Fionn.
“Why? Kieran always says he’s ‘taken but not blind.’ The silver fox is yummy,” Fionn giggled. “Maybe he’d be perfect for Quin…you know…older, but so sexy…I can just picture Quin running his fingers through those silver strands, licking his ears while rubbing up against him.”
A low, long growl erupted from Hunter’s chest.
“Ahhh…Fionn,” Carson muttered, keeping his eyes on his cousin, “a piece of advice… stop drooling over the guy and please stop talking about your mate’s youngest brother that way.”
Looking at his mate, Fionn snorted when he saw Hunter’s reaction. “Mate, pull back your claws and fangs before you scare the man…I’m just looking and trust me, I’m not interested. I have you, the best mate in the world. Quin is my new brother, too, and wants a mate so I’m just trying to help him…like he did you. Now, let’s go meet Remy…and hopefully, he’ll know a good place where we can get something to eat.”
“Fionn, you better let me go first so Hunter can get himself under control,” Carson said.
Staring at Hunter, Fionn grinned. “Yeah, go ahead. My mate needs something from me first.”
Smirking at the sexual word play, Carson walked over to Remy. Extending his hand, he said, “Remy? It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Non, I’m Henri, sir. Mr. Marchant sent me to pick you up,” he said, quickly shaking Carson’s hand. “I believe he was detained, sir.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Remy said he was going to meet me here,” Carson replied as he heard his travel mates behind him, added, “Henri, this is Fionn MacDùghlas, and his mate Hunter Evans. Guys, this is Henri…Remy was delayed and sent Henri to meet us.”
Staring at Fionn, Henri gave a short bow before saying, “It is an honor to meet you, Mr. MacDùghlas.”
“Hi Henri, you just call me Fionn. Mr. MacDùghlas just reminds me of my father.”
Giving a brief nod of acknowledgement, Henri waited until they’d all climbed into the SUV before lifting the rear door and stowing their luggage inside. Then he slid behind the steering wheel and started the engine—all without saying another word.
Carson glanced at Fionn who shrugged, and then over to his cousin who looked puzzled about Henri’s change of attitude. Thinking over what had just transpired, Carson concluded Henri’s demeanor changed after he was introduced to Fionn. Perplexed, a slight frown creased Carson’s forehead as he tried to figure out why—and if he was going to run into that with all of Fionn’s employees. Deciding to wait until he met Remy before jumping to conclusions, he asked, “Henri, can you recommend a place in Paris where we can stop for something to eat?”
“Certainly, sir,” Henri replied, his voice as stiff as his posture. “Do you prefer a French breakfast or an American one?”
“Definitely American,” Fionn replied.
Nodding in response, Henri said nothing else.
Carson inwardly groaned, then, ignoring Henri, asked Fionn, “How often have you been to France?”
“Only once before,” Fionn answered, his voice dropping almost to a whisper as Hunter pulled him tight against his side.
Holy shit! I did it again!It was obvious from Fionn’s tone that his previous visit to France held no happy memories. Carson wondered if something happened on that trip to cause Henri’s sudden coolness. Making a mental note to ask Colton about it, he fell silent, unwilling to stick his foot in his mouth again. Instead, he turned, looking out the window at the passing scenery.
By the time the SUV stopped, Carson had fallen in love—with Paris. Quickly caught up in its spell, everything held his attention on the ride through the heart of the city as he soaked in the ambience unique to it. He had a sudden desire to spend some time exploring it, fromthe quaint neighborhoods, to the Eiffel Tower, to the beckoning shops and cafés lining its streets; the city had taken root deep in his soul. Promising himself to come back once his job was completed, Carson opened his car door and climbed out. Turning around, he saw the name of the restaurant, chuckling, since it described him perfectly.
