Alec: Bryn, for the love of God, will you bloody well answer me?
I blink in surprise. Alec and I broke up over a year ago, and I can't believe he’s still going on about things. What on Earth does he want?
I scroll up to read the rest of his messages.
Alec: Things aren’t the same without you.
Alec: I miss you.
Alec: Our favorite song just came on the radio and it made me all tearful. Please, sweetheart, come back.
I cringe and make a disgusted noise out loud. We didn’t have a bloody favorite song, and any man who lets a fucking song make him all tearful should be castrated. Nasty.
I was raised by Banner Aitkens. My brothers, father, uncles, and cousins are the alpha males of the Scottish mafia. And though I hate almost every damn one of them, I've come to appreciate an alpha male. Can’t really help it when it’s all you know. They don't cower when the going gets tough. They don't whimper when things are hard to do. I can't abide anyone less than a real man, and never have.
I delete the texts and block Alec from my bloody phone so he doesn’t harass me again.
There’s another text, this one from Ines, and it makes me smile.
Ines: Wait until you see what I found today! The most adorable little pair of strappy heels I’ve ever seen.
I smile and text back.
Bryn: Did you buy them??
Ines: Um, OF COURSE I DID. And got a second pair for my bestie, too. xxx
I grin.
Bryn: Can’t wait to see them.
I slide my mobile into my bag and head to the door. I need something to eat so I can finish my work, and I’m not leavinghere until I’m done. I give a parting smile to the little shop I’ve purchased with my own hard-earned money, not a penny given to me by my father. Not that he’d approve of a boutique like mine anyway.
A light breeze stirs around me, dry leaves on the pavement circling my ankles, as I walk towardThe Lucky Leaf,the local salad bar. My heels click on the pavement, and I blink at the bright sun. It’s a gorgeous day, but I haven’t noticed since I’ve been stuck inside. I’m just on the verge of finishing the biggest commission of my life. This could be it, the big break for me.
Just as I reach the front door, a large, seriouslyhotbloke grabs the handle and opens it for me. I pause in surprise, honestly a bit dazzled.
One might say I’ve lived a sheltered life. I’ve never run into a bloke likethis.
He’s tall and handsome, with blue eyes as vivid as the summer sky. The boyish look of his tousled hair is set off with a scruffy beard and powerful shoulders, massive arms, and… Jesus, fucking everything.
“After you,” he says warmly, and I won’t lie, the way his arm muscles ripple when he opens the door makes my heart flutter a bit faster. His voice is deep and velvety, and does unexpected things to my belly. I swallow hard, reminding myself to keep it together.
“Thank you.”
Wow, is he gorgeous. I wonder if he’s a boxer or something, he’s got that kind of build. Large and muscled, his forearms are thick and corded, revealing ink that peaks out from his shirtsleeves, thick and black around his neck as well. He wears a scruffy beardthat gives him just that edge of dominance that makes my heart beat a little faster.
“Very kind of you,” I say, giving him a smile as he takes his place behind me in the line. “It’s a rare treat when someone remembers to hold the door for you. It seems sometimes chivalry’s gone the way of the Knights of the Round Table.”
He frowns, one of those scowls that makes my heart do a somersault. He reaches for one of the takeout trays, and hands me one as well.
“My father raised me to have manners. Always said a gentleman never goes out of style.”
I smile. “I like that.” And it’s bloody true.
He reaches his hand out to take mine. “Name’s Mac. And you?”
I smile back. “Bryn.”
