“Suzie, I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions and forcing you from my home.I wasn’t thinking clearly.Our night together put me off balance, and I behaved badly before my brain engaged.”
She shot him a look filled with annoyance.“You would’ve let me go home to New Zealand and done nothing to stop me.”
Niall winced because he understood her irritation, and she had a point.“Suzie, males can be dense sometimes, and I’m worse than most.I’m so sorry.”He caught the flicker of doubt in her.She also possessed a core of stubbornness but concealed it beneath her smiling visage.“I know I don’t deserve a second chance, but please forgive me.”
“Why did you walk and not drive?”she asked suddenly, ignoring his apology.
He’d have to try harder.“I wanted to follow your trail, so walking was easier.”
She nodded.“Your brothers are troublemakers.I doubt they’re finished with their mischief.”
“I’m positive they haven’t,” Niall said, recalling Colin kissing her.He could smell his brother on her, and that irritated him.“I’ll contact the private investigator as soon as we get back.Hopefully, he’ll have found something useful because I don’t trust their sudden arrival in Scotland.”
Suzie handed off her parcels at the castle to a young man who assisted Angus.“Could you leave them in my room for me, please?”She gave him her room number, and Niall went cold.
“I thought you’d move back in with me,” he said, watching her carefully.
“I think it’s best if I have my own space.Besides, I want to catch up with Liam and Scott.I haven’t seen them today.”
“Oh.”He’d damaged their fledgling relationship with his distrust.
Suzie halted him when he would’ve turned away.“We’re still new to each other, and I don’t want to make a hasty decision I’ll regret.”
Niall felt his mouth drop open and hurriedly corrected his expression.He pressed his lips together and waited.This was his fault.If he didn’t stop letting himself get dragged back to that tiny quivering cub covered with bruises and scared of his shadow, he’d never win a beauty like Suzie.She was fierce and independent.Sure of herself and her future, and she didn’t deserve to land in the middle of whatever mess his brothers were orchestrating.
“Would you have dinner with me?”When it looked as if she might reject his offer, he said, “Bring your Middlemarch friends with you.I’d enjoy meeting them.”
She hesitated before smiling, and the tension inside Niall relaxed.“I’ll ask them.Liam has enjoyed checking out the old weapons on display.You have a few in your private apartments that I’m sure he’ll get excited about viewing.”
“Shall we say seven for dinner?”
“Thank you.”
Niall’s phone buzzed.“Sorry.”
“Answer it.I’ll see you later.”
Niall picked up the call but watched Suzie until she vanished.
“Sinclair?You there?”
“I’m here,” Niall said, recognizing the private investigator.From his terse tone, he had information.“What have you got for me?”
14
Team Niall
“Dinner?Withtheguythat owns this place?”Scott asked.
“Yes,” Suzie said, unable to hold back her blush.“He…I…” She trailed off, unsure of how to explain their relationship.
Liam sidled closer and sniffed her.He grinned and winked at Scott.“I think they’ve cuddled because she smells of bear.”
The heat intensified in Suzie’s cheeks.
“Suzie, do you have something to tell us?”Scott asked, his green eyes twinkling with mischief.
“No,” she blurted.Too quickly because the men’s grins widened.“All right,” she snapped.“He’s my mate.At least I’m fairly sure we’re mates.It’s so confusing.He’s confusing.”
