Niall considered Suzie’s words.Yes, they’d almost pleaded toward the end.He recalled their love of gambling, and that made him wonder.“I need to set a private investigator on their tails.Someone to watch Euan and Colin, and another in Canada for the home front.I would do the job myself but prefer to focus on work.”
“That makes sense.Do you have anyone in mind?Could we contact them now?My gut says you should move quickly and not worry about family disloyalty or anything stupid.”
Niall grinned.“Thanks for the advice.”
“Should I order our meals while you make your phone calls?”
Niall reached for his wallet and handed her two fifty-pound notes.“Order us another drink, too.The barman will remember my drink since I’m a regular.”
When Suzie hustled off, Niall inhaled and pulled out his phone.The investigator who’d conducted the security clearances on the people who had offered to test his honey had done quick, efficient work.He’d contact him to tail Euan and Colin and ask him for recommendations for the overseas part of the assignment.He dialed and hung up after a productive conversation.Both tasks were underway, and Niall was confident of having the information he’d sought quickly.
Suzie sat, writing a postcard, and she glanced at him.“How did that go?”
“I can focus on my business and not worry about my brothers or family.And enjoy eating dinner with a beautiful woman.”
“You flirt,” she said, fluttering her eyelashes.
Niall laughed, his feel-good mood from earlier returning.Another first for him.In the past, he would’ve gone straight home and stewed about what mischief his brothers intended.The worry remained, yet it was manageable and less debilitating than before.Suzie was an excellent influence or maybe it was the fact she was his mate, and she had quickly become vital to him.
He’d noted the way Euan and Colin ogled her.They lacked respect for women and thought them suitable for only one thing.Niall knew better, and although he’d ensure that his brothers were never alone with Suzie, she’d be capable of taking them down.Physically, she was strong.She’d kept up with him and hadn’t broken a sweat during their walk.She hadn’t panicked when they’d faced danger.
His bear released another one of his chuffs, the sound full of the same satisfaction that flooded Niall.They’d chosen a strong woman who let nothing or no one intimidate her.
Now, they had to woo her and entice her into staying with them.Niall glanced at Suzie, ensnared her gaze, and winked.Let the games begin.
9
Touch Me...
Suziemeltedunderthelook in Niall’s brown eyes, the heat and intense male interest followed by the amber glint of his bear shining through his irises.He sparked an interesting reaction in her.An unusual one that should’ve had her warning antenna blaring and her feline on high alert.She entered the castle’s private rooms, supremely conscious of him at her side.Every part of her tingled, butterflies prickling in her stomach.Her clothes clung to her suddenly clammy skin, and she reached for him before the thought had solidified.
Sexual awareness.
She’d experienced this before but never at this intense level and never enough to tempt her.
It wasn’t only her feline half pushing her, either.
She desired Niall despite his behavior when they’d first met.She’d taken a hard look at what she wanted.Still music, but university wouldn’t be the same without Edwina.Stepping out of routine for six months was exactly what she needed to recharge and regroup.After that, the decision to stay and work for Niall was easy.
He glanced at her when her fingers touched his forearm, and she froze like a rabbit sighting a leopard.Every emotion inside her slammed to a halt, and for a second, she forgot to breathe.Their gazes met and held, and she thought she spotted understanding flit across his features.Niall smiled, a natural curve of lips that lit him up.That smile made her feline purr, and Niall heard, dammit.
Without haste, he drew her closer and placed a soft kiss on her lips before setting her away.She stared at him, her heart beating so fast she wondered if he could hear it.
“How do you feel about a nightcap?Do you like Scottish whisky?”
Suzie wrinkled her nose, glad of the questions because all she needed to do was answer instead of struggling for a topic to break her rising tension.“Whisky and I don’t get on together.I don’t suppose you have a crème liqueur?”
Niall chuckled.“Take a seat while I organize drinks.”
He led her into a small lounge with large picture windows overlooking the lake and gestured for her to take a seat.She dropped into a two-seater, but instead of savoring the gorgeous view of the tree-clad mountains and the still waters of the loch, she watched him, her heart still beating faster than normal.
She liked him a lot and craved more than a kiss.Much more.
Niall moved easily while he prepared their drinks, and Suzie bit her lip.Normally, if she had met someone and admitted to lust, she’d be applying the mental handbrakes by now.
This wasn’t happening with Niall.
Instead, she wanted to learn all the small details about him and more of what made him tick.Despite his grumpy demeanor, he’d fascinated her from the start, and tonight, she’d glimpsed the private man he didn’t show to the rest of the world.
