“So am I.” Though he was pretty sure his was for a different reason. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “I promised to be a gentleman, so I’ll walk you to your room.”
“Thank you.” Eve took his arm but paused. “Why did you almost kiss me last night, practically ignore me today, and then kiss me tonight?”
“I do need to remind you that you started the kissing thing tonight.”
“That’s true, but you were so hot and cold today. It was really confusing.”
“We were on the job, so it didn’t seem appropriate.”
“And tonight we’re on our own time?”
“Exactly.”
She smiled then and looked like a great load had been lifted from her shoulders. Darius understood he should have explained it to her that morning.
“Your room awaits you.”
“Make sure you wear your kilt again,” she said as they exited his room, her eyes twinkling.
“For you, anything. Just not in front of everyone else.”
Eve laughed.
10
Eve had to bite back a smile as they made their way up the now-familiar Royal Mile toward Edinburgh Castle. Sophia was beginning to adjust to the time difference and must have rested well the night before. She was full of energy and feeling playful as she and Noah sported about with the motorized chair. They stopped at her favorite pastry shop to make a purchase before continuing on their way.
Now that Eve understood Darius’s reasoning for being aloof the day before, she recognized the occasional glance he’d send her way or how he’d make sure she was never too far from him.
When they reached the Esplanade, a flat expanse of asphalt before the castle, a woman in her mid-forties approached them. “Is one of you Mr. Dimitriou?”
“That’s me,” Darius said. “Are you the photographer?”
“Aye. Fiona Smith.” She extended her hand.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He shook it, nodding toward Sophia. “That young lady and her mother are who I want you to focus on. It’s their trip. We’re just support staff.”
“Aye, right.” The woman grinned at him like he was teasing her. “I’d say you’re a bit more than support staff, sir.”
“You don’t believe him?” Eve wondered if the woman knew who he was.
“I have a son who plays REKD. When I mentioned Mr. Dimitriou’s name this morning, ‘twas all I could do to calm my boy down.”
“I understand just how your son feels,” Noah said with a grin. “’Tis a shame you didn’t bring him.”
Fiona flushed and glanced to the side. “Well, I couldn’t bring myself to deny him, so I brought him along as my assistant for the day.”
Darius turned around and scanned the small crowd to the side. Eve pointed to a young man of about fourteen who stood a little off by himself, straps of camera equipment hanging from his shoulders as he watched them.
“Invite him to come over,” Darius said, amused.
“I didn’t mean to impose.” The photographer waved to the boy and after a second’s hesitation he came over. “This is my son Blair.”
“Nice to meet you.” Darius shook hands with the boy.
Eve watched with interest as he interacted with the young man. During the Irish trip, Kayn had only met one person who’d known who he was, one of the hotel’s bell hops. Finn had been friends with Noah, and both of the boys were now REKD Gaming interns.
Darius spoke easily with the young man. Once again, she thought he must have been a wonderful teacher.
