Good question. I swallowed and imagined all the movie actors who played my favorite heroes. Then they all sort of melded and dissipated as I spoke, “He’s intelligent. Blows-my-mind intelligent.”
Sophia sat back and snapped her fingers. “So you want a nerd?”
She’d have set me up in a day with someone horrible, probably with glasses, who spent 24/7 slouched in front of his laptop.
I fiddled with my necklace, wishing I still had my mom as I said, “No. He has to be brainy, but also resourceful and chasing his dream. He’s absolutely not Richard or the rich and entitled Charlie Grannd.”
Finally, the conversation turned away from my recent horrible choices. I finished my beer but then the clock tolled on the wall.
“Ooops!” My job awaited. I jumped up, slung on my backpack, and waved goodbye. Amelia got up to walk me out and said, “You’ve had a long day. Don’t sleep through your stop.”
While the nice buzz in my head silenced all the doubts that usually circled, I took out my phone and showed her my steady hand. “I’m fine, and alert enough to set my phone on alarm.”
“See you tomorrow.” She kissed my cheek.
I saluted her like this was the Army and said, “Absolutely. We’ll do respectable wine tomorrow night.”
The rain that pattered on my face and arms didn’t matter. I was on my way to Scotland. A few hundred years ago, this sort of trip was made by couples wanting to escape and elope, but no one was in love with me.
Probably no one ever would be. I’d have to settle for moving on, and hopefully save enough funds to adopt my own children. It wasn’t a bad plan, especially since it was all I had left, other than writing in my diary until I passed out for a few hours.
Chapter 2
Charlie Grannd
Being the second son of a Scottish laird meant that no matter what I accomplished on my own, my brother Logan was the duke, and took his title seriously.
As boys, we’d housed royalty, supervised the Highland Games, and reunited the clan annually, and Logan had a hereditary and blood title that no one could ever take from him.
I was the spare, which only lasted until he married and had his own children, but honestly, being free of that responsibility meant my own dreams could soar. I learned almost from the crib to find people willing to invest in my latest project, because my family wouldn’t give me anything.
The only person who ever seemed put off by my grand plans was Logan, who was now our clan laird as well as a fancy duke.
So today, my brother and I ambled through the castle, kilts swinging, along the path we’d run as boys, and once again Logan didn’t even blink at my suggestion when he said, “Charlie, you’re one of the smartest men I’ve ever met, but the answer is no.”
I eased my hands in my pockets, again congratulating myself for paying my tailor extra to add invisible pockets, and said, “That word is excluded from my vocabulary.”
“So is tradition when you ruin your kilt, but no one says a word to you.” He shook his head. “Everyone else in the world already supports your every whim. You don’t need my money.”
Actually, I did. I tugged my ear. His approval mattered in the right circles, and he almost always said no. I’d built my empire on airwaves, apps, airplanes, and attracted venture capital for almost all my ideas, but he’d kept his investments in anything I did consistent but minimal.
So I didn’t blink when I said, “I want to keep this in the family, and you’re my only brother.”
He patted me on the back like he was looking out for me. “Charlie, you’re not stable. You’d bet every dollar of our family’s inheritance on building a spaceship.”
I’d imagined space travel since we were boys watching movies in the movie theater wing of our castle. I glanced behind us to the room. Our father would take this walk with us when I was a boy, too, and he also tried to rein in my dreams.
But this time I persisted, because Logan wasn’t the same as our dad, and said, “Logan, I accepted it when you didn’t want to be part of that plan, and I got my own investors, but this project is a very traditional bank in the United States and right up your alley. You’re on the board of many of my companies and a bank is a conservative investment. Mony a mickle maks a muckle.”
Our father used to say that when he preached about investing a little to make a lot, so it was the logical choice, especially since Logan followed that thinking.
My brother shook his head. “Not with you. The small amount you seek won’t be properly invested to grow to a pretty sum. I’m sure there’s a clause somewhere in the contract that automatically approves loans for ideas that intrigue you, Charlie.”
Fuck. He knew me. I stiffened as we headed past some familiar trees and said, “So what?”
I met the gleam in my brother’s eyes, though, while he studied me, and added, “We should be funding innovation.”
Logan shook his head. “Banks are supposed to be dependable and safe.”
I usually went out of my way to prove someone wrong, but Logan was different. He meant well, so I tried a different tactic. I held my hand to my heart. “I’m totally dependable.”
His huge laugh made my ego burn as he said, “You have dreamers giving you their every dime already. You don’t need mine.”
This was the one-time exception to my general rule of finding another way.
I was standing here with the kilt tickling my skin, out of respect for him, and now I asked, “What if I can prove it to you? Only if you agree after I prove it will I be able to say you’re an investor, however small you choose to be.”
His eyes narrowed as the birds sang. “Why is my approval suddenly important to you?”
Because he represented our family in formal matters of state now, and would soon host royal visitors again, his name was respected in the right circles for this venture. But I cleaned it up and said, “Because Logan Grannd is a name people trust. My market research team stressed your inclusion would make the bank profits soar ten years sooner. So how can I prove to you that I’m dependable?”
He shook his head at me and said, “You? Before he died, Father stressed a number of times that you should marry to keep you grounded.”
What the fuck? I said, “You aren’t suggesting that I marry?”
He shook his head, like the idea of me settled down amused him. We turned the corner to head back to the house as he said, “No, but if you had a steady girlfriend—and I dinnae mean some arm candy, but a woman on your arm with thoughts and opinions of her own who can hold her own near you—then I’ll have my lawyers review our demands for a contract.”
Having a woman around regularly might not be the end of the world—if she was agreeable. “So if I produce a girlfriend, you’ll negotiate?”
We were almost back to the castle when he said, “A girl who can stand up to you.”
I reached out to shake his hand.
While we shook on it, I said, “I’ll be back, brother.” And instead of continuing with him, I took the path toward the parking lot.
So I needed to find a woman to bring home to my brother on a few occasions while I continued to negotiate the bank deal.
I could handle this.
I jumped into my custom-built car, a prototype for my own company, and drove off along the tree-lined streets. Our small town benefitted from my dreams, including Logan, even though he denied it.
One day soon, I’d ensure our clan would never go hungry, and possibly help the entire world in the process.
However, as I headed toward the inn in town where I’d reserved a suite so I wouldn’t crowd my brother in his 47-bedroom home, I spotted a woman by the side of the road.
Mist was already curling around fences and hedgerows, and soon the sunny afternoon would turn into an evening of storms. As I neared her, I noticed her curvy ass. My dick stiffened.
I halted my car beside her and powered down the window. The air I breathed suddenly crackled with electricity as she glanced inside the
car, and I saw she had a perfect body all around, along with dazed eyes. She adjusted her backpack across her shoulders and asked, “Can you tell me how much farther down the road the Intelligent Cat Inn is?”
Interesting. We were staying at the same place.
I nodded at her and said, “Two clicks, but I can give you a ride if you like.”
She glanced at my black leather seat, and then me, and backed up. “I can walk, thanks.”
She took a few steps and I called out, “Wait. Let me park my car so I can walk with you.”
She laughed, and the sound made my entire body zap to attention as she asked, “You’re leaving your car…here? Do you intend to murder or rape me?”
“No.” I said quickly and pulled the car over to the side of the road. An employee would come and find it later anyhow. I stepped out of the car, and the air smelled more like roses near her as I said, “Just talk. I’m told I’m quite charming.”
She fiddled with her necklace as she stared at my legs, clearly visible below my red kilt, then crossed her arms. “You should probably get going. I’ll be fine.”
I moved closer, responding to some sort of irresistible magnetic pull as I said, “It will be my pleasure to protect you.”
She twirled her flower pendant but didn’t jump back as she said, “You look like a guy who gets any girl he wants.”
I couldn’t stifle a grin as I approached, but then she turned and walked beside me while I asked, “So why is an American staying at the Intelligent Cat Inn? There aren’t any tourist attractions near here.”
“True,” she said, “but on the way back to London tomorrow, I plan to stop and take a picture of Gretna Green’s blacksmith shop.”
I tilted my head as I noticed the moon cresting a nearby hill, though there was still plenty of daylight, as I said, “That’s a strange plan.”
She picked up the pace as she talked, like she was happy. “Not really. It was the clandestine spot for elopements after the seventeen fifty-three marriage act prevented people under twenty-one from marrying without their parents’ permission.”
The pretty blonde was nothing like I expected. The last American tourist I’d seen up in the Highlands in our neck of the woods had been some torrid romance reader who wanted sex with a laird. I was eighteen then. This woman seemed way more serious, so I asked, “So you like British history?”
She whispered, almost like she was sharing a special secret. “I like Jane Austen novels.”
My heart beat faster. She was funny, and clearly into her own thing. She actually fit Logan’s requirements. The thought made my cheeks warmer as I said, “Interesting. What’s your favorite one?”
She was in step with me as she said, “Most people would say Pride and Prejudice.”
I remembered the title from secondary school. “But you?”
Her lips thinned and her face whitened except for her bright red cheeks as she said, “Oh, I like that one, but these days I also understand the heartache of Sense and Sensibility.”
We rounded the corner to the small town my brother owned as I said, “Heartache. Is yours broken?”
Her mouth curled up now, and I spotted a small dimple in her cheek as she shook her head. “No. How funny. I’m not broken. My ex-fiancé and my ex-roommate went into my flat today without my permission, and I walked in on them shagging.”
I bumped into her and was startled by a flood of goose bumps. “You sounded British just then.”
She even had a twinkle in her eye as she twirled around on the sidewalk. “I have friends, and I’ve been living in London for two years.” Then the black tail of the Intelligent Cat Inn stuck out and she pointed above us. “Looks like I’m here.”
Yes, we were. I watched as she took a step up and glanced at her sexy curves one more time, then leaned closer and said, “Before you skedaddle aff to bed, we can get a beer in the pub and continue this skite we started together?”
Her eyes narrowed. “Skite?”
Right. The nice thing about Americans is they don’t hide their emotions. I hoped it was also true about the wannabe British kind as I said, “Adventure.”
For a moment, neither of us moved. I wasn’t sure she’d agree, but then someone stepped out and broke our moment as they stumbled past us.
She blinked, then said, “Okay. Let me check in and put my bag down. When I get back, maybe you’ll tell me your name.”
So she had no idea I was Charlie Grannd, one of the richest men in the world. My heart beat a little faster as I whispered in her ear, “We’ll trade secrets and more.”
The air around us blocked out the rest of the world. My lips tingled to kiss her, but she whisked away to go see the innkeeper.
I already had my key to my room, so I headed to the bar. In a few minutes, I’d have my chance again, and I never passed up a chance to chase my desires. And whoever she was, she was exactly what I needed.
Chapter 3
Stephanie
It never occurred to me that there might be sexy men in Scotland. I’d never seen muscular legs in a kilt before today. I should stay in my room and forget him. Heartbreak wasn’t good for me, and the guy downstairs was seriously a panty-melting seducer.
I tossed my bag on the floor and found some lotion in the bathroom to make myself smell a little better. No time for a shower, but I used my toothbrush. Smelling nice could land me a kiss.
One kiss from whoever he was might make my knees melt like in those old movies, so I shuffled a little dance while I brushed my teeth.
As I finished, my phone rang. I glanced at it, and my boss’s name appeared. She never called after hours. I washed out my brush for later and answered her. “Margot, you’re calling late.”
She had children screaming in the background as she said, “I just got an email from my boss. Mr. Grannd’s car is parked about two kilometers from your inn. Go and get it, tonight.”
I frowned and asked, “Tonight?”
I heard one of Margot’s girls shout “Mom” in the background. I put my boss on speaker as I checked myself in the mirror. I should probably toss this shirt.
Margot only said, “It’s not dark yet.”
If I left, then I’d never get another chance to find out what a kiss from that Scottish guy downstairs might be like. So I argued, “It will have to wait a few minutes.”
She sighed, and I knew that sigh. It meant Stop bothering me, Stephanie. You won’t get what you want. I shrugged and didn’t wait for the usual discussion, instead simply asking, “How will I know which direction to scurry off to?”
Another child screamed and I winced. She said, “Read the papers I gave you. The tracking information is listed. Plug it in your phone.”
Right. I grabbed the paper and was about to say goodbye, then noticed the picture of a sporty-looking, slick black sedan.
It was the guy downstairs’ car. I swallowed and said, “Really!”
Charlie Grannd was the man waiting downstairs for me. I typed in the numbers to my tracker, and sure enough, the blue dot was right where I’d met him.
Margot asked, “What’s the problem?”
“Nothing,” I said with a sigh. I’d said “no” to the ride to protect myself from a stranger and the danger of getting in a car without knowing the driver. My lips needed to stop tingling for something that would never ever happen now.
Charlie Grannd was out to save or create a whole new world, and I wanted nothing more than to escape into the past and live in my fantasy version. Charlie would never be mine, and I refused to lose my job on top of losing my roommate and boyfriend.
I kept that to myself and said, “I literally passed this car twenty minutes ago.”
“Good, then I’ll see you Monday morning,” she said, and hung up.
My heart pounded fast. He had more money than anyone, and I’d just babbled on at him about Jane Austen and my stupid ex. Kissing would get me fired, and I’d end up having nothing. Forget changing into the one other shirt I’d packed.
I grabbed my wallet and the keys and headed down the stairs.
If I could make it to the car without seeing my boss, I’d be happy. For a second, I thought I’d tiptoe right through, but as I neared the door, there he was leaning against the wall. Goose bumps swept my neck, shoulders and arms. He straightened the second he saw me. Oh, no. My body hummed with desire still.
He came closer and said, “There you are.”
I sucked in my lips and ignored the longing to be kissed. It wouldn’t happen. I swallowed and said, “Look, I’ll be another twenty minutes. It seems duty calls tonight.”
His eyes narrowed. My gut twisted, I was so sure he’d already figured me out, but then he said, “Interesting. May I join you?”
I reached to my neck and held my necklace as heat raced to my face. “You want to walk with me?”
He opened the door for me. “Sure. We’ll have a beer when we get back.”
A CEO and the file clerk who moonlights as a chauffeur didn’t make sense. He’d cancel soon. Near him, my skin had goosebumps, but I ignored the sinking feeling in my belly at the thought of what would happen when he realized who I was and took a step forward. Hopefully, I would figure out what I should say to keep my job.
The moon was out now, and the little sizzles of energy that made the rest of the world disappear as I stayed beside him were hard to ignore. I took a breath and said, “Okay. So tell me about yourself.”
He glanced up and pointed to stars as he said, “I’m a bit of a dreamer, to tell the truth.”
I followed his finger and realized he was pointing to Orion’s belt. I didn’t know much about astronomy, but I remembered learning that one. In person, though, far away from the city lights, the skies were much prettier.
I let out the breath I’d been holding and said, “Nothing wrong with that.”
He playfully bumped into me as we headed down the street and he asked, “What about you? Why did you move to England?”
No more about my sob stories, ever. Heat rushed in my face as I remembered what I had already said.
Scottish Seducer: Opposites Attract: Jane Austin fangirl and the Scottish Billionaire (Steel Series Book 6) Page 2
