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Elspeth shoots daggers at me. She has the same blue eyes as Aidan, but her hair, which was once dark blonde like her son’s, is almost all silver. As head chef, she takes her work in the restaurant very seriously, pouring love into each and every dish she prepares. Naturally, she doesn’t appreciate it when some idiot waiter—me—drops a serving of fish, chips, and peas mere moments after she’s plated it, splattering the food across the floor.

“Mate, what is wrong with you tonight?” Lewis pauses his chopping.

Elspeth, thrusting a brush and shovel into my hands, sighs. “Isn’t it obvious? Haven’t you seen how he’s been looking at that English lass? Something happened between the two of them.”

I try to protest, but she doesn’t give me the chance.

“Remember, Ally, this is a place of work. How you run the rest of the hotel is none of my concern, but the restaurant? This is my domain, and I expect professionalism. I believe the phrase I’m looking for is ‘Keep it in your pants.’ All right?”

The widest grin lights up Lewis’s face, and he sniggers. I glare at him, which sends him back to his chopping, although the smirk doesn’t leave his lips.

“Nothing happened between me and Emily,” I say, but it sounds unconvincing even to my ears. “And I am trying to be professional!”

Elspeth, hurrying to prepare a replacement dish to make right my mistake, tuts. “Well, if you say so. But whatever is going on in your head, try and focus on the here and now. Don’t drop any more of my dishes! And listen, if I’m going to be investing in your and Aidan’s new venture, you’ll need to be less clumsy. I wouldn’t want you dropping a client down a cliff the way you just dropped that plate!”

“I haven’t agreed to go into business with Aidan!” I point out through gritted teeth.

“True, but you should. Your maw and I were best pals, Ally, and since she’s no longer here, she’d want me to be looking out for you. So let me be the one to say it: this place doesn’t make you happy. It never has. But outdoor activities? They’re right up your street.”

I don’t reply to that, but as I bin the dropped food and pieces of broken plate, I try to take on board Elspeth’s advice and focus on the present. I’m able to push aside her nagging about going into business with Aidan, but I can’t stop my mind from reliving over and over again what happened this afternoon. Emily, in the castle ruins, naked, wet, and panting . . .

Those bloody tourists knew how to time things, didn’t they? Just when Emily was reaching for the waistband of my boxers . . .

Sexual frustration, that’s what this is. How could any guy concentrate after today? They couldn’t—it’s simply impossible.

Elspeth works at record speed to prepare a replacement dish, while still giving it the same love and care as usual, then I carry the fish and chips and a steak pie out to table three. I apologise to the middle-aged couple for the delay, and yet even as I’m doing so, I glance over at table six, where Emily sits, alone, in a black form-hugging dress that fills me with lust.

Fuck.

Remembering the couple deserve my full attention, I finish my apology and tell them I hope they enjoy their dinner. I then walk over to Emily.

“Is everything okay with your dessert?”

This isn’t what I really want to ask her. I’ve so many other questions. I’ve no idea where I stand with her or what she wants from this. Was today just a one-off? Was I her rebound after being jilted on her wedding day? Or . . . could there be something more between us? Because I think I want more.

Emily smiles up at me, a twinkle in her eye. “This chocolate tart is to die for.” She lifts a spoonful to her mouth and, closing her eyes in ecstasy, slowly chews it, her tongue flicking out to lick a crumb from those full, red lips.

Oh, bloody hell. How am I supposed to concentrate on serving meals when she’s pulling crap like this? I can’t get a boner now—I’m working.

Nodding briskly, I turn from her and stride back into the kitchen.

* * *

I traipse upstairs, another day in the hotel over. Even after Emily finished her meal and left, I couldn’t stop thinking about her for the rest of the night. Elspeth and Lewis are still downstairs in the restaurant, tidying up and restoring order. Normally, I’d stay and help, but Elspeth told me I was off the hook. She reckoned, in my mood, I’d be more of a hindrance.

On the top floor, I head along the corridor to my bedroom. As always, I’ll be up early to get things ready for breakfast, so I should sleep while I can, but I’m not sure I’ll get any shuteye tonight. My mind is buzzing with fantasies of Emily. I’d thought . . . well, I’d thought maybe she’d be waiting in the snug for me after I finished in the restaurant, but no. It was just Jamie, closing up.

Sighing, I reach into my pocket for my key. I’m just pulling it out when footsteps approach, and glancing up, I see her: Emily, in the same black velvet dress she had on at dinner. It hugs her petite frame, showing off her tiny waist, and her bare legs look smooth and toned.

My heart skips a beat. My mood changes immediately. Excitement builds.

“Ally, I’m glad I caught you.” A mischievous smile plays on her lips. “There’s something I wanted to ask you.”

“Aye?” I say hopefully. I didn’t think I was going to see her again tonight. This is perfect.

She comes right up to me, stopping so close her expensive perfume invades my senses—sweet, floral, seductive.

“Ally, I wanted to know . . .” she begins, her sea-green eyes finding mine. She bites her lower lip. “What time is breakfast served? I forgot.”