‘Count?’ I mock-pouted.‘Bit insensitive given my track record with numbers.’
Ren groaned, ‘Stop ruining my grand gesture with maths jokes.’
I gasped.‘Excuse me, this wasmygrand gesture.’
‘Yeah, yeah.’ He grinned.‘You can argue with me when I’m done kissing you, Sunshine.’
Ren didn’t waste any time bringing his soft lips to mine.He smelled of sweat and citrus andhim.
At the top of Ben Nevis, with everyone cheering, Ren kissed me as if we were on top of the world.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Ren
‘Lydia,’ I whispered, keeping my voice down so I didn’t wake the other campers.‘Lydia.Wakey, wakey.’
It had been three days since Ben Nevis.Three days of wandering the Highlands – kayaking across Loch Leven, lazy pub lunches in Glencoe, Lydia squealing over Highland cows with that soft, gooey look I was kind of jealous of.We’d steal moments on the paths, her back against a tree as I pressed her close, kissing her until she moaned into my mouth.I’d catch her by the loos when no one was watching, my hand up her shirt, her laugh muffled against my neck.She’d walk away flushed and breathless, that dazed expression I wanted to bottle.
I didn’t know I could be this happy – especially somewhere this breathtaking.
So, on our final night in the Highlands, I was determined to make it count.And I wanted her all to myself.
Lydia’s eyes fluttered open, her brow furrowing.She sat up out of her sleeping bag, hair sticking up at all angles, adorably dishevelled.For tonight’s sleep, we all set up camp in a wild field overlooking Loch Leven, where dragonflies darted around the pools at the edge of the loch and the smell of sweet vanilla was in the air.Mandy explained Scotland allowed wild camping, meaning you could pitch up anywhere within reason, so long as you left no trace and avoided farmland.This was easily the most stunning spot but they had no facilities, no frills.
But tonight, I fancied a bit of luxury.
So, when everyone turned in early, worn out from the hike, I took one look at how shattered Lydia was – even if I did like the way she curled herself around me in the tiny tent – and started plotting.
‘Come on,’ I whispered.‘Bring some of your stuff.We’re going on an adventure.’
Her eyes brightened with curiosity.‘What kind of adventure?’
I grinned.‘You’ll have to wait and see.’
The others had left their stuff at the hikers’ hotel or at the base of Ben Nevis, but I’d volunteered to stash mine closer to the campsite with extra supplies – just in case we needed more water or ran out of dry socks.
‘Wait, Ren.’ Lydia turned, frowning.‘They’ll worry if we’re not here—’
I booped her nose.‘I’ve got it covered.I told Mandy I was stealing you away for the night.But don’t worry – we’ll come back and say goodbye to everyone tomorrow.’
Lydia planted a finger on my cheek.‘Sneaky.’
I caught her fingertip between my teeth.‘Always.Come on.’
I led her back to my car, loaded our things in the boot, and made the 30-minute drive to our destination.My heart thrummed with anticipation as we drove through huge, austere gates and down a long, gravelled driveway fit for nobility.
‘What have you got planned?’ Lydia said, her eyes narrowed, but she had a smile on her lips.
‘You’ll just have to be patient and you’ll find out.’
We passed a sign that read THE GLENCAIRN ESTATE as we kept travelling down the long driveway, with trees and woodland on one side and vast open fields on the other.Eventually, the manor house came into view, and Lydia’s breath hitched.
‘Oh, my God!’ she breathed, leaning forward in her seat.
Lydia marvelled at the huge estate, with ivy climbing the pale stonework.The sheer awe in her voice sent a rush of satisfaction through me.I pulled up in front of the enormous doorway, with sliding glass doors displaying the Glencairn coat of arms.Standing before them was a tall, broad-chested man dressed in a navy-blue suit with a dark green tartan waistcoat.His dark red hair was swept back from his face, and his usual beard was gone, replaced by a clean-shaven look.I jumped out of the car, travelling round the side to open Lydia’s door before she could pick her jaw up from the ground.
I chuckled.Her blue eyes were comically big as she stepped out of the car.
