by Kaylea Cross
The doorbell rang. Everyone glanced at Aidan, then each other, grinning.
“Ah, wonder who the first foot is this year,” his mum said. “Maggie, you answer it.” She gave his sister a shove toward the door.
Maggie went over to answer it. “Ach, it’s a redhead! That’s bad luck.”
“That’s a doaty old superstition and you know it,” Sophie scoffed.
Maggie looked back at them. “Should I let her in anyway?”
“That’s up to your brother,” his mum said, grinning from ear to ear as she shoved him toward the door.
What the hell was going on? Confused, Aidan crossed toward the front door, freezing in shock when he saw Tiana and Ella standing on the doorstep, huge smiles on their faces and snowflakes dotting their hair and shoulders.
“Oh my God,” he blurted, his face splitting into a smile even as emotion punched him in the chest.
Off to the side his sister had her phone out, recording the whole thing, and moved aside as Aidan rushed past her to grab his girls.
Tiana and Ella both laughed and threw their arms around him, engulfing him with their familiar scents and love. “Surprise,” Tiana whispered, hugging him tight.
Aidan couldn’t believe it, his chest tight, full to bursting. “How?” he managed, still holding them close as he walked them inside and kicked the door shut behind them.
“Your mom and sister helped us once we found out when you were flying in,” she told him, easing back to smile up at him. She looked like an angel standing there, her cheeks and nose pink from the cold.
“You wore a kilt!” Ella cried, delighted.
“Aye.” And now he knew why his mum had insisted. She was a good one.
“I love it,” Tiana added with a suggestive smile that made his mind go blank and sent blood rushing south of the border. “You look so hot.”
“Oh, and I brought you this.” Ella shoved a piece of coal up into his face, her expression unsure, her little forehead wrinkled in a frown. “In America you only get coal in your stocking at Christmas if you’re really bad, but I’m supposed to give this to you anyway.”
He laughed. “It’s to go in the fire, love. It’s tradition to bring someone a piece of coal or shortbread when you visit after the bells first thing on New Year’s Day.”
“Oh.” She beamed up at him. “Then here you go.” She put it in his hand.
He kissed the top of her head, then shoved the coal into his sporran and grasped Tiana’s chin. After staring into her gorgeous, different-colored eyes for a long moment, he planted an ecstatic, lingering kiss on her cold lips. He relearned the shape of her lips, the feel of them as they warmed and gave way beneath his.
Whistles broke out behind him, followed by laughter.
“Is that considered ‘appropriate’ behavior in front of your teenage nieces, Uncle Aidan?” Sophie called out.
To hell with appropriate, he hadn’t seen his woman in eight fucking months, and he didn’t care who was watching. He plunged his hands into her hair and kissed her until she started to laugh and pushed gently at his chest.
Finally he lifted his head, unable to wipe the stupid grin off his face. “God, I’ve missed you both.”
Her mismatched eyes glowed with pure joy as she gazed up at him. “We’ve missed you too. Now maybe you could officially introduce us to your family?”
“Sure.” He hooked an arm around her, grasped Ella’s shoulders with his free hand and turned them to face his family. More hugs and kisses ensued.
As soon as his family was finished with her he pulled her in front of the fire and proceeded to warm her up in his own way, cupping her face between his hands as he covered it with kisses. Her delighted laugh filled him with warmth and lust, and he was grateful for the sporran at the front of his kilt that hid his body’s reaction.
“For goodness’ sake, Aidan, let the poor girl breathe,” his mum said with a laugh, whacking him on the shoulder.
He raised his head, pleased to see the heat and need in her eyes, her cheeks even pinker. “Love you, lass.”
Her smile was so beautiful it hurt. “Love you back.”
God, he couldn’t wait to get her alone. “Please tell me you’ve booked a hotel room,” he whispered. He wanted to do things to her that required privacy and not being under his parents’ roof. With Ella there he’d have to be creative to make it work, but he would find a way.
“Yes. I can’t wait to see if you’ve got anything under that ridiculously sexy kilt. And your mom’s already offered to keep Ella here for the night. They’ve talked on the phone a couple times, so Ella’s comfortable with it.”
“I adore that woman.”
She laughed softly. “So, are you going to show us what Hogmanay is all about?”
“Aye.” Smiling, he reached out a hand to Ella, his heart so full it ached.
While everyone bundled into their coats, he ran upstairs to grab something and met them at the door. Holding his lasses’ hands, the whole group began the trek through Dean Village toward Princes Street while light snow fell around them.
“It’s like being in a story book,” Ella said in wonder as they walked the snowy, cobbled street past the Victorian-era and older buildings.
“It is,” he agreed. “Wait until you see Old Town and the castle.”
The streets were full of people, the Hogmanay ceilidh in full swing as they walked up The Mound toward the heart of the old city center.
“Wow,” Tiana said with a laugh as they reached the Royal Mile. Ella looked around her with wide eyes, taking in the spectacle. Bonfires dotted the street along with musical performances and people dressed up as Vikings and Highland warriors danced and paraded past the ancient shops.
Aidan bent to Ella. “Down that way is Holyrood Palace. And up there, that’s Edinburgh Castle.” He pointed to the right.
She gasped, her eyes full of wonder as she stared at it. “Can we go see it?”
“I’m sorry lass, they’ll be packing up after the fireworks. We won’t get in tonight, but I’ll take you soon.” He turned to his mum. “There’s something special I want to show Tiana down by St Giles Cathedral. Maybe we could catch you up in a few minutes by Greyfriar’s Bobby?” He raised his eyebrows.
His mum went into action immediately, coming over to crouch in front of Ella with a smile. “Would you like to come with me and the girls for some shortbread and a hot chocolate, Ella? We can get some and then I can take you to a café nearby where the author of the Harry Potter books used to write in.”
Ella gasped. “I love Harry Potter.”
“Was hoping you did.” She gave Aidan a wink, then smiled at Tiana and reached out a hand to Ella. “Come on, then. Aidan and your mum can meet us in a bit.”
Ella didn’t even hesitate. She wrapped her mittened hand in his mum’s and walked off without a backward glance.
“Wow, she really likes your mom,” Tiana said.
Yes, and thank God for that. Aidan snagged her hand and tugged her in the opposite direction, his heart pounding. “Come with me.”
He led past the Heart of Midlothian to the far side of Parliament Square where there were a few quieter corners, away from the twinkling lights and burning torches.
“What do you want to show me? You’re being all mysterious,” she said with a wry smile.
Guiding her into an alcove, he stripped off his winter coat, pulled the first box from the front pocket and went down on one knee in front of her.
Her face sobered instantly, her lips parting in shock as he opened the box to reveal the diamond ring inside.
His heart hammered against his ribs. Not from nerves. From pure excitement and pride. She was everything he’d ever wanted and more. He’d known before leaving Crimson Point last spring that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. “Will you make me the proudest of men and be my wife?”
She put a hand to her heart, gave a watery laugh and thrust her hand out at him. “Yes. In a heartbeat.”
&nb
sp; He was on his feet in an instant, pulling her tight into his body while his mouth came down on hers. He kissed her with all the love and pent up longing in his heart, plunging his tongue between her lips to stroke hers. Clinging. Counting down the minutes until they were alone in her hotel room bed and he could sink between her thighs the same way.
Soft laughter broke through the haze of lust fogging his brain. He looked over to find Maggie there with her phone. She gave him an enthusiastic thumbs up, a huge grin splitting her face. “Got it all! Congratulations.”
Tiana smiled and pressed her face into his chest. “I can’t believe it.”
“It’s all real. I’m moving back to Crimson Point with you. And once we’re married, it’ll help my case for permanent residency. So you’re stuck with me for the long haul.”
“I love you. Now put that gorgeous thing on my finger so we can go tell Ella. She’ll explode. And then I have to call Lizzie.”
He slid it onto her finger, raised it to his lips and kissed her knuckles, gazing into her eyes.
She sniffed and blinked fast. “Oh my God, I’m so happy,” she whispered.
“Me too.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “My bonnie red-haired lass.”
Her smile was full of an adoration that filled him to bursting. “I love it when you call me that.”
“Good. Now let’s go find Ella. I’ve something for her as well.”
It felt like he was floating as he walked his future wife back to the Royal Mile and left along George IV Bridge. His mum’s face lit up when they arrived out front of The Elephant House a few minutes later, her eyes immediately dropping to Tiana’s hand. She bit her lip, gave Ella a little push toward them.
“Hi,” Ella said, a hot chocolate in one hand and a piece of shortbread in the other. “What did you see?”
“Something beautiful beyond words,” Tiana answered. “And I’ve got a secret.”
“What kind of secret?” Her eyes glittered with interest.
Tiana grinned and held up her left hand, wiggling her fingers to show off the ring. “Aidan asked me to marry him and I said yes.”
Ella’s eyes went wide, shooting to Aidan. “You did?”
“Aye. And I’ve something important to ask you as well.”
He took out the second box from his pocket and went down on his knee before her, hiding a grin at the stunned look on her face and the soft gasps that sounded around him. He opened the lid to reveal the little ring on its velvet bed.
White gold, with her birthstone set between his and Tiana’s. “Will you be mine as well, Ella?”
She looked up from the ring into his eyes, and swallowed. “So you’d be my forever dad?” Her voice was rough, the hope in her face enough to crush his ribcage.
A bittersweet pain pierced his heart. “Aye, lass. Forever and ever,” he vowed, overcome with love and protectiveness for this precious wee one who had given him her trust in spite of everything she’d been through.
Her lips trembled, her little face twisting. Instead of replying she nodded, choking back tears.
“Ah, lass,” he began and reached for her, distressed to see her reduced to tears by him declaring his love for her.
She dropped the hot chocolate and biscuit and launched herself into his embrace.
Aidan caught her, closing his eyes to absorb the feel of her hugging him so fiercely with her little arms.
“Aww,” his mum, sister and Tiana all chorused together. His sister was probably filming this too, but he didn’t check, too busy holding his daughter.
Ella squeezed him tighter. “I love you, Mac.” Her voice was hoarse with tears.
“I love you too, my wee darlin’. Can I put the ring on your finger now?”
“Yes.” She let go and leaned back to tug her left mitten off, her lips curving upward despite her tears.
Aidan slid the ring onto her finger. “There. A perfect fit.”
She hugged him again, her face buried in his neck. “Yes, we are.”
His eyes were wet when he met Tiana’s gaze over Ella’s shoulder, but he was smiling.
His lasses. His whole world.
And he was the lucky bastard who got to spend the rest of his life loving them.
—The End—
Dear reader,
Thank you for reading Rocky Ground. I hope you enjoyed it. If you’d like to stay in touch with me and be the first to learn about new releases you can:
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Kaylea
Excerpt from Stealing Vengeance
Valkyrie Vengeance Series
By Kaylea Cross
Copyright © 2019 Kaylea Cross
Prologue
Trinity Durant tucked the package safely into the bodice of her cocktail dress and slipped out of the guest suite into the top floor hallway of the posh hotel like she owned the place. Black and simple, the dress was sexy and short enough in front to allow her full motion of her legs should a quick getaway become necessary.
Not that she expected to have to make a run for it tonight. But she was always prepared, nonetheless.
She smiled at a couple she passed and headed for the stairs. Her target—Richard Goerner, a man with important CIA contacts and a past to hide—was currently down the hall screwing his mistress in another suite, allowing Trinity plenty of time to slip in and retrieve what she’d needed from the safe in the closet. As a bonus, it had also allowed her to send a video link of them entering the room to his new young socialite wife.
Trinity hoped it got splashed all over every social media outlet out there. The slimy bastard and all his corrupt government buddies deserved public ridicule and humiliation once their dirty deeds were unearthed.
Down on the second floor in the large, adjoining ballrooms, the party was in full swing. A ritzy gala supporting a children’s charity, featuring a guest list made up of celebrities, politicians and government officials. Anyone and everyone who had power and money in Washington. With any luck, the package tucked into her bodice would have several of them panicking by morning—but especially the man upstairs.
She bypassed the party and headed for the hotel entrance, struck by how easy this was compared to the jobs she used to take on. So many times she had been forced to take the place of the mistress in the upstairs suite right now, using the powers of seduction she’d been trained with to get what she needed. And sometimes, the job ended only when she’d added another kill to her count.
That was then. Now she had a new life. One where she called the shots, and only took on assignments she was comfortable with. And a wonderful man to share it with.
Her left thumb went unerringly to her bare third finger, naked without the weight of the diamond engagement ring. Warm night air surrounded her as she walked out of the air-conditioned building. A few steps from the curb, the burner phone rang from her evening bag. She pulled it out and answered without looking at the display. Only one person had the number.
“Did you get it?” the familiar male voice asked when she answered.
“Of course I got it,” she said, feigning insult. On a difficulty and risk scale of one-to-ten, tonight’s op had been a zero-point-five on both counts. But hopefully one of the most important of her career.
“Good. I’ll pick you up at the rendezvous point.”
Which they should have set up a few blocks closer, she thought wryly as she tucked the phone away. Easy for him to set the RV point earlier—he wasn’t the one walking three blocks in freaking four-inch heels. Heels that concealed stiletto blades in them. Because a girl could never have too man
y weapons on her.
By the time she reached the appointed intersection her feet were killing her, but her steps never faltered and her gait didn’t change. A Valkyrie never showed pain or weakness on a job—not even a former one.
She folded her arms and shot a mock glare through the BMW’s tinted windows as it pulled to the curb in front of her. The lock popped up and the passenger door swung open.
Her boss, Alex Rycroft, leaned across the front seat, silver eyes gleaming as he grinned at her. He was “retired” and happily married with a toddler at home, but took on certain things as a consultant from time to time. “You look gorgeous.”
“Flatterer,” she muttered, fighting a smile as she slid into the passenger seat and shut the door.
He smoothly pulled out into the evening D.C. traffic and headed toward the river. “How was the party?”
“Scintillating.”
He grinned. “I’ll bet. Here.” He handed her the transmitting device.
She pulled the tube of lipstick from the bodice of her dress, unscrewed the base and pulled out the flash drive she’d made of the hard drive. It slid easily into the device. After entering the code she hit send, and the piece of electronic wizardry did its thing. “Who are we sending this to, anyway?”
“Two people I trust. Whoever cracks the encryption first, wins.”
“Let’s hope I got what we need this time.”
He’d been frustratingly vague about what it was they were after, but for him to have taken this on in the first place meant it was important, and he’d approached her specifically, saying she had a vested interest that would be revealed in time. This was her third op of the mission, all involving stolen, encrypted files he wanted recovered. The first one had been in San Fran. The second in New York City. Now this.
“Third time’s the charm, right?” he said.
“That’s what they say.” Trinity reached up and removed her long brown wig, then breathed a sigh of relief as she slid off the sadistic heels. The shoes were sexy as hell, but horrible to wear. Obviously invented by a man. “Oh, God, that feels good.” She leaned back in the seat, watching the lights and traffic out the window, relaxed but alert, and simmering with impatience to find out what was going on. “Wherever you’re taking me, there had better be wine and cheesecake.”
