Was that supposed to be scary?she wondered. Because if so, he was failing miserably. She liked a bit of gruff growl in a man. It was sexy. “So. We meet again,” she said, giving him a sassy grin.
Holy cow, he really was an incredibly attractive man, even if he only communicated in growls. She supposed she should be intimidated by him or scared, even — again, that smelling thing was not something normal people did — but somehow, she felt safe in his presence. It felt almost like coming home.
Where the hell did that come from?she thought, her heart racing. The last thing she wanted to do on this trip was get involved with someone, especially considering how well her last relationship had turned out. And who said it needed to be a relationship, anyway? Maybe Pippa was right, and what she needed was a good railing by a hot Scotsman. That was sure to clear away any past relationship woes.
She cleared her throat. “I suppose, considering we’ve literally run into each other twice, introductions might be in order.”Putting some space between them, she stuck out a hand. “I’m Sophie.”
He ignored her introduction and stalked forward, crowding her until her back hit the wall. Heat rolled off him. A wave of goosebumps prickled over his skin at the constant, low rumble coming from him. He leaned closer. Instinctively, she put her hands on his chest. Good lord, there was absolutely no give to the muscles beneath her palms.
With a finger beneath her chin, he tipped her head up. The scent of crisp, green grass and rich bergamot surrounded her.
Her eyes flickered to his mouth and back up to his dark eyes then back down to his mouth.Should I?Her fingers twisted in the soft fabric of his shirt. He had her caged up against the wall, but she somehow knew that if she voiced one word of protest or asked him to back off, he would. She didn’t know how she knew that, she just did. Giving in to what she would later claim to be vacation-fueled impulsiveness, she popped up on her toes and brushed her lips across his.
At her gentle kiss, the rumble in his chest morphed into a full-blown growl as he wrapped his hand around her nape and hauled her up against him. His tongue licked the seam of her lips, demanding she open for him. She answered with enthusiasm. Her tongue met his, an explosion of connection making her entire body tingle. A soft moan escaped her as she ran her hands over his broad shoulders and into his thick hair, raking her short nails across his skull.
Holy shit. This man is so in the running as the best kisser in the entirety of Scotland, she thought as he banded an arm around her waist, lifting her off her feet as he devoured her mouth. His knee slid between her legs, his thick thigh pressing the seam of her jeans against her clit as his tongue stroked over hers. Liquid heat pooled in her belly as her entire body burst into flames. If they kept this up much longer, she was going to comeright here in this dark hallway without even knowing the man’s name.
That shocked her back to her senses, and she gave his chest a light shove. He raised his head, his tight grip on her loosening.
“I…,” she said. She drew in a shaky breath, patting his right pectoral. “Wow, but…”
He ducked his head, acknowledging her change of heart and accepting it without a word.
Guess he’s the strong but silent type.She bit back a grin.
With infinite care, he traced a finger across her cheek, his thumb brushing over her swollen lips. His lips grazed her forehead, and then he was gone, out the back door at the end of the corridor, and into the night.
She clutched her throat and leaned back against the wall, trying to catch her breath.What in the hell just happened?she thought.
She’d kissed a complete stranger, that’s what, and he’d just about set her panties on fire. Well, this vacation was certainly looking up.
Taking a deep breath,, she pushed off the wall and returned to the pub’s crowded main room for another drink.
“The cottage is perfect, Bryn,”Sophie said, giving the younger woman a big grin.
From its thick thatched roof and stone exterior to the cozy living room with a giant fireplace, a tiny kitchen that had everything she needed, and the stairwell with a low overhead that she was sure to smash her head against at least once during her stay, the cottage was charming to its core. Perfect for her quiet, peaceful, solo stay.
From her position by the front door, Bryn texted on her phone as Sophie explored the cottage. The young woman was cute, like a goth pixie. Her black hair was twisted up in messy space buns. Dark liner winged out from the corner of her eyes, and her dark red lipstick emphasized milky pale skin. A tattered black Nine Inch Nails t-shirt slid off one shoulder, leaving a red silk bra strap visible. Her artfully torn black jeans were tucked into a tall pair of muddy Wellington boots.
“Reminds me a bit of that place in that movie where they switch houses.”And fall in love,her ever-hopeful romantic side added. “Do you know it?”
Bryn shook her head, eyes on her phone.
Of course she wasn’t. With dewy, glowing skin like that, Bryn couldn’t be more than eighteen. Did her generation even watch movies, or was it all short videos and texting? Sophie had no idea. She didn’t have kids, and though she had a niece and a nephew, they were hours away up in Chicago. She saw them maybe once a year, but heard all about their shenanigans when she talked to her sister.
Her brows drew together. Speaking of shenanigans… Pippa had rented this cottage from Bryn, and she was the only person either of them had ever had any contact with. Cocking her head, she gave her a long look. “How old are you, if you don’t mind me asking?”
Lifting her chin, she said, “Seventeen.”
“And this cottage, it’s yours?”
Bryn stood a little straighter in the doorway and tucked her phone into her back pocket. “My family’s, yes.”
“And they know that you’re renting this out to me?” she asked, voicing the question that had been niggling at her since the girl picked her up this morning.
“Um…” She nibbled her bottom lip. Impressively, her lipstick didn’t budge. “Not exactly. But you’re totally fine staying here, Ipromise. It’s not like anyone was using the cottage, and I needed the money.”
Well, shit,she thought, her heart sinking. Despite Bryn’s reassurances, she guessed she’d have to find another place to stay sooner than she’d expected.
