“I look hot, right?” She smiled.
He couldn’t answer. His breath was stolen, but not his resolve. Instead, he kicked the door closed with his boot and crossed the room to her, pressing his lips to hers in a deep, soul-searing kiss of approval.
Collin slipped the clip in her hair free, letting the soft red tendrils fall down her back. “I’ll take that as a yes.” She gave him a saucy wink. “We’re going to be late.”
“Aye, that we are.” Collin bunched the silky material in his hands and lifted the fabric up her thighs in search of the gold hidden beneath. Cupping her cheeks, he lifted her bare ass onto the dresser, making sure not to ruin the dress. Pressing his legs between her thighs, he moved in closer.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered against her chest as he kissed each mound. She popped the buttons on his jeans and unzipped them. Her warm hand stroked his length, making a guttural groan slip free.
“It’s the dress, isn’t it?” she asked with a wicked smile playing on her lips.
“No, luv.” Collin placed his palm on her cheek. “It’s the woman in the dress.”
“Right answer.” She pulled him closer and positioned his cock between her folds.
The vixen wasn’t even wearing a thong. She was wet and ready. If he could have lowered her corset with his teeth, he would have loved to suck the sweet berries that were hidden beneath. The damn thing wouldn’t budge.
“You can play later,” she whispered in his ear before nibbling.
He slid inside her tight sheath, seating himself to the hilt. Her head lulled back, and her eyes closed, even as her fingernails dug into his skin. She wanted this as much as he wanted to give it to her. “Ah…luv, you feel so good.”
Collin’s hands slid up her thighs, stopping when he found a single barrier on her right leg. He lifted the skirt higher to see. The emerald-encrusted knife was inside the sleeve, and the sight made his cock twitch.
“You like that?”
He slid out and thrust inside her again.
“Oh fuck me.” She moaned. “You keep doing that, and I’ll wear it later while I’m naked.”
Her promise spurred on his primal passion. Visions of her naked in his bed, wearing nothing more than a weapon strapped to her creamy thigh, made his balls tighten in anticipation.
He moved his hand to her small bud. He wasn’t going to last long. Not with the way her body was clenching him tight. Her need spiraled his to new heights. He swirled her clit with his finger as he moved inside her, taking her with every fiber of his being. His muscles clenched as sweat beaded his brow. Her channel tightened, pulling him over the edge. He pressed on her bud and took them both over the edge as he soaked her with his seed.
He stayed inside her. The rise and fall of her chest matched his own as they slowed. He placed a tender kiss on her lips. “Donae move.”
She smiled. “Are you telling me what to do?”
Collin moved the dress to where she was holding it in her hands.
“I donae want you to ruin your dress. Donae move until I clean you up.”
Collin pulled his boxers up and refastened his jeans before going to the bathroom and returning with a washcloth to clean her up. The move was as intimate as when he’d been inside of her. If he didn’t hurry, he’d be hard and taking her again, and they’d never get to the party.
Collin lifted her off the dresser, letting her soft curves slide down his body, kissing her lips when she was on her feet. “Give me fifteen minutes and we’ll go down together.”
“Take your time. It’s going to take longer than fifteen minutes for me to get my hair back up in that clip.”
“You should wear it down. You look like an angel.” He winked, unable to walk away. He kissed her plump lips again before getting in the shower.
Quinn Thatcher was growing on him. The American had not only returned his family’s emerald but she'd also chipped away at his guarded heart. He couldn’t deny that he was falling for her. The thought of her leaving left a sour taste in his mouth. He didn’t wish her pilot ill, but hoped he’d take a bit longer to recover. Collin dressed in his kilt and stepped out of the room to find Quinn sitting on the bed. The news article that had been inside his desk was in her hands, and his heart stopped.
“Where did you get that?” He knew the answer, yet still he asked.
“It was stuck to the wall in my bedroom this morning.” She handed it to him. The picture in the article had her eyes cut out and a red mark across her throat. Someone had altered the picture he’d tucked away.
Collin’s entire body tensed as he crinkled the paper in his hands. “Someone’s been in my office.”
“What?” She bolted up. “You knew? Why didn’t you say anything?” Quinn crossed her arms beneath her breasts, lifting them even higher.
She snapped her fingers and pointed to her eyes. “Answer me.”
“It was no’ important. Did you expect me no’ to know who was staying beneath my roof? Besides, the article says you dinnae know he was going to die.”
“I did know.” Her face pinked as she narrowed her eyes. “I knew the precise moment he was going to die. It was the only premonition I’ve ever had. I can’t explain how I knew; I just did, and I warned him. For weeks, I begged him to cancel his trip and not get on the plane. I tried everything I could to stop him, but he wouldn’t listen. He thought I was crazy. He didn’t understand, and he left, and just like in my vision; his plane ended up on the side of a mountain.”
Collin’s heart ached for the pain in Quinn’s eyes. The vulnerability she was gifting to him was rare and contradicted the strength she portrayed.
He cupped her cheek and rested his forehead against hers. “I promise you that I will always listen and believe you no matter how crazy you sound.”
“Someone is trying to kill me.” Her voice wavered.
“Aye, and I willnae let them.”
“I willnae let them,” she echoed with a Scottish lilt. The resolve returned to her voice, the vulnerability she’d just showed replaced with determination, and that scared him worse.
Collin put on his boots and watched her in the mirror as she fastened the ruby to her dress. It didn’t matter that the ruby was Ian’s colors, but the reason why she’d put it on did matter. She was trying to anger a killer.
Bending her over the dresser, and taking her from behind until she agreed to take it off, might have entered his mind, but even then, he knew his victory would be short-lived. She’d find a way around her promise. Better to do it with him at her side than on her own.
“Ian will be pleased you’re wearing his color.”
Quinn rolled her eyes and met Collin’s gaze in the reflection. “We both know why I’m wearing it, but I’m more a green kind of girl.”
He stood from the bed and held out his hand. “Good answer.”
Chapter 14
Quinn pasted the best debutant smile she could muster on her face as she eyed everyone as a potential enemy. Soft music played in the ballroom as men and women dressed in red and green plaid danced on the floor.
She hadn’t expected so many people in green. Where had they been hiding this entire time?
Collin led her to a table up on a dais. Ian was already seated, along with a white-haired woman to his right. He locked eyes with them as they approached and gave a lopsided grin. “Is that little spec of red on her dress your way of saying Quinn is fair game?”
“I’m no one’s game,” Quinn answered, even as the muscles in Collin’s arm bunched beneath her hold. “But if I were, my blood runs green.”
“’Tis tradition the Menzies dance with the McDougalls.” Ian jumped down from the platform and held out his hand.
“I’m sure the lady you were sitting with would like to dance.”
Ian glanced over his shoulder and turned back with a smile. “My mom hates to dance.”
“Come on, Quinn. It’s tradition.”
“That’s a stupid tradition,” Quinn grumbled.
“Aye, but
it keeps incest out of the equation, and I know you want to set a good example for the others.”
He gestured toward a table, where Quinn spotted Abigail sitting in a green dress, watching.
She ignored Ian’s hand and stood on her tiptoes, planting a kiss on Collin’s lips, leaving no doubt as to whose bed she’d be sleeping in later.
“I’ll make sure to step on his toes.” She winked, making Collin smile before she let Ian drag her to the dance floor.
Ian rested his hands on her waist as they slow danced. She watched as Margarete was quick to fill her void. Her dress was impressive. It was sleek, hugged her curves and was the color of Collin’s house. The sight had Quinn seeing red.
“Ne’er mind her, Quinn. She disnae hold a candle to you.”
Collin held Quinn’s gaze, and it was in that minute that she hoped Ian was right. Quinn stopped dancing and turned to Ian. “Who are you, and what did you do with Ian McDougall.”
His laughter rang out, even as he started moving them both in the dance. “’Tis a shame you prefer green, Quinn Thatcher. I’d have been nicer to persuade you to my side.”
“You don’t know how to be nice.” Quinn glanced over at Margarete, who had her arm wrapped around Collin’s bicep as he read something in his hands. The man from breakfast the first morning stood next to Collin and was pointing at the paper. Had that guy been the one to inform Collin of her past? “Remind me again who’s talking with Collin.”
She turned to give Ian her full attention.
“My sister, Margarete, and Ramsey, Collin’s financial advisor.”
Quinn stopped dancing. “Margarete is a McDougall?”
“Aye.”
“Why is she wearing green?” Quinn’s voice rose, as did her temper.
Before he could answer, Abigail appeared by Quinn’s side. “Excuse me, Quinn, but Mavis asked to see you in the kitchen.”
“Thanks, Abby.” Quinn turned back to Ian. “Ian, meet Abby. You two dance.” Ian’s brows dipped at her suggestion, making Quinn smile. “Set a good example.” She patted him on the back as she left.
Abby blushed, even as Ian pulled her into his arms, quickly replacing Quinn. She made her way through the crowd toward the side entrance near the kitchen. Stepping out into the hallway, she inhaled a deep breath debating whether, if she tossed Margarete out by her hair, her actions would start another clan war.
“What the hell is wrong with me? I’m a strong, independent woman,” Quinn mumbled as she entered the kitchen. The familiar smell of tomato sauce, herbs and spices drifted to her nose.
She spotted the pizza sitting on the counter. Her eyes widened in surprise. “You didn’t.”
“Aye, I did,” Mavis smiled while slipping a slice onto a plate and handing it to Quinn.
“How did you have time to whip this together? I just mentioned it today.”
“I saw it months ago in my visions. I had plenty of time to perfect it. It wasnae done in time, or I would have sent it to the library and you could have had it for lunch.”
“The library was a bust. I expected old books, but they were mostly new. The one I was looking for has a black spine with white symbols on it, like in one of the portraits,” Quinn said, as she took her first bite of the gooey goodness, a string of cheese hitting her in the chin as it broke free. She used her tongue to gather it without missing a beat.
“You should try the old library.”
“Old library?” Quinn’s interest piqued, but not enough to stop her from devouring the entire slice of pizza.
“Aye, it’s in the east wing. Most of the books were covered with smoke from the fire, but none went up in flames.”
Quinn grabbed a napkin and gestured to the pizza. “Hide that. I don’t want to share.”
Mavis chuckled as Quinn left the kitchen and headed toward the east wing. She took her time peeking into the rooms, unsure which was the library. A smoky smell lingered in the air as she pushed open some double doors. Black spines covered the bookshelves, and instantly she spotted the one she was looking for. Clarence stood next to the bookshelf, his arms folded over his ghostly body. “Donae do this.”
“Hey, if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be here at all.”
“She gave my ancestors the emerald to have a better life, but it was cursed and bad things started happening so we locked it away. We couldnae sell it and have a clear conscious that the next owners wouldnae come to the same fate. You’ve returned the stone to the rightful heirs. You’ve done enough.”
“I’m this close to figuring this out. I have to help Collin. Like your family not giving the stone away, because it was the right thing to do, so is this.”
Clarence vanished out of sight as Quinn grabbed the book to pull it free. Only when she did, she heard a click. The book popped back into place, and the bookshelf opened back into the wall. “A secret passageway?”
Lifting her skirt, she stepped inside, and the bookshelf shut behind her, encasing her in darkness. Her heart raced as she felt along the wall for a lever or anything to reopen the door. She found nothing. She inhaled a deep breath of salty air and had taken a step farther inside when her foot kicked against something on the floor. She reached down, hoping it wasn’t a dead body. Her hands felt the object and she breathed a silent sigh of relief. A flashlight.
“They didn’t have these back in the day. Someone’s been in here since this little baby was invented.”
She flicked the switch, illuminating the stone passageway with light.
“Hello,” she hollered. Her voice echoed as it bounced off the walls. A small breeze touched her cheek, relieving her fear that there was no ventilation. She slowly walked farther down the corridor as her heart hammered. Ghosts never scared her…but this place sent a shiver down her spine and left goosebumps on her arms.
Gwinnie from the north tower appeared. “I used this cave to help the poor.”
Quinn stepped toward the opening and glanced down. It was easily ten feet to the rocks below. “I don’t see how, unless you could fly.”
“I sent down trinkets in the linens. Stuff that wouldn’t be missed and that didn’t mean anything to the Menzies but could change the lives of those in need.”
“You were like a Robin Hood, but stealing from your own family,” Quinn guessed and glanced around at the stuff in the tunnel. The items were newer, not from the century when Gwinnie lived. These were expensive items from today’s day and time. Pieces of crystal, an expensive looking clock, and other odds and ends. “Looks like someone is carrying on your tradition.”
Gwinnie shook her head. “Nay, this is an act of greed.”
She vanished before Quinn could press her for a name. It didn’t matter. She’d find out soon enough.
Chapter 15
Collin’s stomach sank as he read the appraiser’s report. The word “fake” stared back, mocking him. Had Quinn known the emerald wasn’t real? “This cannae be.”
“It is, Collin. I had him check the stone twice.”
“I knew she was a fraud,” Margarete whispered. “I bet she kept the real one. Collin, I’d never be that devious.”
“Yes, you would.” Collin shook her hold off his arm and searched the dance floor for Quinn. Instead, he spotted Ian with one of Collin’s maid’s in his arms. Collin stomped across the room. “Where is she?”
Ian dipped Abigail and brought her back up. Abigail giggled before answering. “Mavis had a surprise for her in the kitchen.”
Collin threw open the kitchen doors, and the impact made the doors bounce off the stone wall. Mavis was lying in the middle of the kitchen floor, clutching her arm. “Oh God, no.”
He ran out into the hall and grabbed someone standing close by. “Get Ian, and get a doctor, NOW!”
He returned to Mavis and slid down to his knees. “Mavis, what happened?”
“I fell.”
Collin glanced past her to all of the red sauce and cheese covering the floor.
“Hang on, luv. The doctor is
coming.”
Mavis grabbed his lapel. “I had a vision, and it made me fall. Quinn’s in trouble. You have to go to her. Go find Quinn.”
“Where is she?” he asked, searching her gaze, wishing he could pull the answers faster from her lips.
“The old library. Look for the book with the black spine and white symbols. Find the book and find Quinn.”
Ian busted into the kitchen with the McDougall doctor by his side, who ushered Collin out of the way.
“Ian, stay with Mavis.”
Collin turned to leave, but Ian caught his arm. “What’s going on?”
“The emerald is a fake, and Quinn is in trouble.”
“Nay.” Ian shook his head. “It bares the mark from the sword fight. I saw it with my own eyes. The one she returned was real.”
“What are you talking about?” Collin lowered his voice and pulled him farther away from Mavis and the others in the room.
“Like the Menzies, the McDougalls have their tales. The emerald was a gift from my clan to yours. The McDougall laird at the time wanted to give the emerald as a wedding present and symbol of peace, but his heir did not. They battled over it. His son died from his wounds. That’s how the curse started. His bride cursed the stone while clutching McDougall’s dying body in her arms. It’s believed she had gypsy blood in her. The emerald was damaged in the scuffle. The emerald Quinn brought you was real, Collin. I saw the mark. Now where’s Quinn?”
His heart hammered against his ribs. “She’s gone to find a killer. Stay here with Mavis and then send everyone home.”
“Aye, go.”
Collin rushed out of the kitchen and right into Ramsey. “Whoa, where are you going?”
“Quinn’s in trouble.”
“I should say so.” His eyebrows dipped and his mouth turned down.
“She was going to the library. Never mind. Help Ian send everyone home.” Collin didn’t waste time explaining how Quinn could be in trouble in a library of all places. Hell, he didn’t even know. He just knew he needed to get to her. Collin swallowed around the lump in his throat as he ran toward the east wing where all of the old books were kept. No wonder she said she’d planned to spend her day in the library. She was looking for something, and if his gut told him anything, he’d say she’d found whatever it was she was looking for.
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