Okay, fine. Not joking at all.
She tilts her head, eyes narrowing slightly like she’s actuallyconsideringit. “Scotland, huh? And what would I do here, exactly? Become a whisky connoisseur like yourself?”
A slow grin tugs at my lips. “Well, you could always work on perfecting the accent. It’s crucial for blending in.”
Her light, easy chuckle drifts through the air and sinks into me, making itself comfortable. The tension in her shoulders starts to loosen. “I think I’d be better off with the whisky part.”
“Fair enough. If you ever decide to make the move, I’d be happy to offer my expertise in both areas.” I glance over, letting my gaze linger a second longer than necessary before adding, “I’m a generous guy like that.”
I throw in a wink just to make sure she knows I’m onlyhalfkidding.
She shakes her head, her smile easy now. “I’ll keep that in mind. Just don’t expect me to go full Highland cow with the accent.”
A loud bark of laughter bursts out of me. “Bree... I’ve heard a lot of things in my life, but that? I don’t know what that even means, but I’m terrified.”
“Have I rendered the infamous Callan MacKenzie speechless?”
“Hardly.” I shake my head, still chuckling. “I’m just trying to picture you with a Highland cow accent. Might be a bit too…shaggy for my taste. Pun absolutely intended.”
She groans, rolling her eyes, but I catch the smile she’s trying to hide. “Oh, please. You know you’d love me even if I sounded like a barnyard animal.”
That word again.Love. She tosses it out so easily, like it’s just another joke, but it hits me square in the chest. Does she even realize she’s said it?
“You’re something else, Sunshine. I think I’ll keep you,” Imurmur, keeping my voice light, but there’s no mistaking the truth behind the words.
Reaching across the console, I let my hand settle on her thigh. There’s a split second where I hesitate and every nerve in my body screams at me to be careful, to not rush this and ruin whatever incredible thing is building between us. Bloody hell, I like this woman. More than I should.
Before doubt can sink its claws in, her fingers slide over mine, curling gently into my palm. I glance her way, and the look she gives me completely undoes me. It’s not a big, flashy smile, but just a small curve of her lips. It’s her eyes that hit me like a damn wrecking ball. Deep. Endless. Her lashes flutter, and I catch the tiniest hitch in her breath, barely there, but enough to make me forget every reason I was hesitating in the first place.
I’d give anything to keep that look, to keep her, just like this.
A couple hours later we’re pulling into the underground car park beneath my building. I bought this flat last fall when business started picking up in Edinburgh. At the time, it was just a practical decision. A place to crash when I needed to stay close to the action. It’s turned out to be a lifesaver for these last-minute trips.
I shift the truck into park and hop out, circling around to help Bree with her door. With her bags slung over my shoulder, we head toward the lift, the click of her boots echoing against the concrete.
“This is a nice place,” she says, glancing around as we walk. “Is it new?”
“It is. I was one of the first to buy a place here.”
As we step into the lift, I shift her bags higher on my shoulder. She watches me with a hint of amusement in her eyes. “Doyou always insist on carrying everything, or is this just part of your charm?”
I smirk, pressing the button for my floor. “I’d say it’s about 70 percent charm, 30 percent me trying to show off.”
Her lips twitch. “Good to know.”
The lift dings as it begins its ascent, and for a minute, neither of us speaks. The silence stretches, and the air itself seems charged. Maybe it’s the close quarters. Or maybe it’s the way we’ve been dancing around whatever this is all damn day.
Bree shifts, fingers toying with the strap of her purse, but her gaze stays locked on me. “So, do I get the grand tour when we get inside?”
“Depends. You planning to behave, lass?”
She lifts a brow, her expression pure mischief. “Absolutely not.”
Christ. She has no idea what she’s doing to me.
The doors glide open, and we step into the hallway, the lights above casting a golden glow across the polished floor. The rhythm of our footsteps is the only sound, echoing as we move down the corridor.
I unlock the door and push it open, stepping aside to let her go in first.
