Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
I sat back, swallowing some Guinness. The dark, bitter brew was an explosion of taste in my mouth. “I don’t think either of us can pretend that, mo fhiadh beag.”
“No,” she agreed, lifting her glass.
“Your aunt okay?”
“Yes. About to leave for her brunch with the girls, as she called it, so it was a short call. I told her I was at a cottage in Scotland by the water and fine. That was all she needed to hear.”
“Ah,” I murmured.
She worried her bottom lip, obviously fretting about something.
“What is it?” I asked.
“What should I tell Bonnie?”
“Tell her the truth. I came up, not knowing you were there. We shared the cottage and…” I trailed off.
“…had a nice, friendly weekend?” she whispered, a flicker of pain crossing her face as she said the words. It matched the one that sparked in my chest at the thought of dismissing our time together.
“A nice, friendly weekend,” I repeated with a frown. “That works.” I leaned closer. “Or you could tell her we couldn’t keep our hands off each other and I fucked you in every room of the cottage. Took you on every available surface. Fell so hard and fast, I couldn’t bear the thought of letting you go. That I followed you back to Edinburgh, grateful I had three more weeks to see you every chance I got. That I planned to try to convince you to stay.”
She blinked.
I picked up my mug. “But the nice weekend thing works too. Might be simpler.”
She swallowed. “Certainly less graphic.”
I stood, seeing Scotty waving at me that the food was ready.
“My version is the truth, though,” I said, meeting her eyes so she knew I was serious.
I liked how she blushed as I walked away.
I returned to the table, and we ate the pies and mash in silence. I devoured mine, while Autumn picked at hers. She looked dazed and upset. I pushed her plate closer. “Eat. Please.”
“What you said—”
I shook my head. “We’ll talk about it at the cottage. Eat. We’ll get a few things at the store and head back.”
“I don’t understand,” she whispered.
I reached across the table and touched her cheek. “Neither do I—but I’m not fighting it.”
She smiled but looked worried.
“I think I should talk to Bonnie,” I said, sharing my decision.
“About us, you mean?”
“Yes. We’re close. I think she’ll have questions only I can answer. I’ll talk to her first, then you can follow up. I’m sure she’ll think of another hundred questions to ask.”
“Do you think she’ll be upset?”
I shook my head. “She knows me, Autumn. This isn’t my usual MO. I don’t jump in with both feet—ever. She’ll understand that and realize this is different.” I studied her for a moment, taking her hand. “Important.”
She blew out a long breath. “Okay.”
I squeezed her fingers. “I’ll settle the bill. You think about what sweets you want from the bakery.”
“Sounds good.”
Time seemed to fly by the next twenty-four hours. While in the village, I had contacted the heat pump company, who had sent someone out and got it started again. They agreed it needed a protective cage around it that would still allow it the fresh air it needed, and he assured me I would see plans in the next few days. The cottage was once again warm, but it didn’t stop me from staying close to Autumn. I had meant what I said when I told her I had fallen hard and fast. I was also a man who hated games and said what he thought and felt. After the workman left, I came inside and sat on the sofa, drinking the hot coffee waiting for me. Autumn was in the wingback chair she’d been sitting in when I first arrived, a coffee beside her, her Kindle open. But I noticed it wasn’t on, and it was being used as a prop.
“Why are you over there?” I asked quietly.
“I’m reading.”
“With no screen?”
She glanced down. “Oh, I guess it shut off.”
“What are you thinking, mo fhiadh beag? What is causing that little vee on your forehead?”
She lifted her finger, rubbing between her eyes as if to erase it. She paused, and I held up my hand. “Don’t tell me nothing. I already know you well enough to see your tells.”
“What you said in the pub…”
“I meant it.”
“Are you sure it’s not just the, um, sex?”
I shook my head. “Don’t get me wrong, the sex is phenomenal. Best I ever had. But it’s not just that. It’s what you do to me in here.” I tapped my chest.
“Which is?”
“I feel alive. Looking at you makes me smile. Talking with you is fun. Laughing with you is even better.”
“But it’s new—that will wear off.”
“No. It won’t. I’m not that sort of man.”
She was quiet, contemplative.
“How would that work, Sully? I live in Canada. You live here.”