Murdoch

by C J Matthew

  She managed to stifle her laugh, but humor lifted her lips in a smile.

  “Hungry?” he asked as he led her to the head of a long, polished table. Wow. She counted twelve matching chairs with extras parked along the walls.

  “Starving,” she confided. The two china place settings sparkled, the silver coffee service in front of her place glowed in the indirect sunlight from the long windows behind her chair.

  “If you’ll pour us both coffees, I’ll load up the plates.” He took their plates and crossed the room to the buffet. “Eggs?”

  “Please.”

  “How do you like them cooked?”

  “Scrambled is fine. I could serve mysel—”

  “I know,” he said over his shoulder, “But I’m having fun here, learning more about you. Bacon, ham, or sausage? Or all three?”

  “Is it link sausage or patties?”

  “Both.”

  “I should have known,” she muttered under her breath. “One link sausage and two strips of crisp bacon, please.”

  She was on her second cup of coffee by the time Murdoch placed the piled-high plate of food in front to her. “Thank you.” And set down a matching one for himself.

  “Now,” she said, waving a bacon strip, “ease my conscience and tell me there’s an orphanage nearby you donate all the extra food to. Or that someone here will eat all the leftovers.”

  “Guaranteed,” he said. “The security staff loves all types of breakfast food and with three shifts, they’ll eat it anytime, day or night.”

  “I heard you took a swim earlier. Does this place have an indoor pool?”

  He raised his brows. “How did you know I was swimming?”

  “Bridget.”

  “Ah, right. To answer your question, no, with an ocean right outside, there’s no indoor pool.” He pinched a slice of her bacon, then held it up for her to take a bite. Mouth full, she forgot her next question.

  “I’ve thought a lot,” he admitted, “about what you said last night, and you’re right. So, the PR people have scheduled a press conference for late this afternoon in front of the Boston offices. I’ll reassure the staff, thank the first responders, inspectors, and engineers. Like you said.”

  She felt heat crawl up her neck and knew her face was pink. He’d listened to her? And even more, taken her advice? What about his overprotective need to keep her safe?

  Like a mind-reader, he said, “I’m still concerned about your safety but if you don’t mind Ryan tagging along?”

  “No, what a great idea. I like Ryan; he seems extremely competent.”

  “He is. Well, he can drive us to town for a little shopping, then drop me off and take you to Vic’s during the press conference. Finally, come back to pick me up. Does that suit you?”

  “That suits me perfectly,” she said with a laugh. Leaping to her feet, she rounded the table and pressed a kiss on his lips. Her instant bolt of desire worked as a warning. She jerked back, murmuring, “Sorry.”

  On his feet, Murdoch grabbed her shoulders and held her in front of him.

  “Annalisa, don’t ever apologize for kissing me. I should be the one begging your pardon for letting surprise ruin my response.”

  “That wasn’t ruined,” she whispered.

  “I’ll be better prepared next time. If you’re rationing kisses, I’ll make damn sure each one counts.”

  A short time later, she sat beside Murdoch in the back of a new-smelling Cadillac Escalade. “Driving a black SUV?” she observed. “Like an FBI agent on TV.”

  “I took out the two center seats,” Ryan said from the behind the wheel. “So you’d have more leg room,” his voice dropped, “plus it makes for better security.”

  She swung her head to check Murdoch’s face. He scowled at Ryan via the rearview mirror.

  “Where shall we stop first?” Murdoch asked her, in an obvious change of topic. “Beacon Hill?” His tactic worked. Wasn’t Beacon Hill the Rodeo Drive of Boston?

  She put her lips next to his ear. “Too expensive.”

  “I’ve got plastic.”

  “Don’t you dare Pretty Woman me.”

  “The scene with the store manager sucking up was hilarious.” Murdoch darted a quick look at her face and said, “No, no way. I’d never try that. Wouldn’t dream of it. We’ll keep a strict account of all the receipts and split the total when you get your Muirdris reimbursement payment.”

  The first boutique had a large SALE sign in the front window. “How about this one?” She pointed.

  Inside the store, Murdoch looked around. “If I join you in the little room, you won’t have to parade around in front of the whole store.”

  “Very thoughtful, but no thanks. I won’t be long.” She chose three pairs of designer jeans all in different cuts, and a stylish wrap dress that caught her eye. She was shocked when everything fit perfectly. The dress looked great but at 50 percent off, it was still more money than she’d ever paid for a single item of clothing. She turned to study her butt again in the mirrors. It fit like it was custom made for her. Maybe she could afford to start buying better clothes with her raise.

  She smoothed the skirt down over her wide hips. What would Murdoch say about the dress? Stepping out of the little room, she noticed him standing beside a sales clerk and signaled to him. No need to ask if he liked the dress. His eyes lit up like Fourth of July fireworks.

  He discreetly palmed an AX card to her and whispered, “Use this one, please. It keeps a strict account of the charges.” At the register, she concentrated on signing for the purchases and tried not to hyperventilate at the total.

  The next stop was at a larger store where the stock included sweaters, tops, accessories, and hats. She carefully chose one long sleeved top and a sweater she could wear now and would transition back to Southern California weather when she went home.

  Murdoch moved behind her and rested his chin on her shoulder to whisper, “You need a real coat to protect you when it freezes and snows. Please let me buy one for you.” When his warm breath caressed her ear and cheek, Annalisa shivered. She couldn’t turn her head; his mouth was right there.

  “I’ll agree to try on a couple,” she whispered, “if you promise not to go crazy.”

  He led her to the rack of heavy and lined coats. “What’s your favorite color?”

  “In most cases it’s blue, but not in outerwear. I like that grey puffy one and the camel colored.”

  “Maybe you should consider wearing bright colors. I think you’ll like it. Let’s try one combination, see if you approve.” He held up a coat, she slid her arms in and he stopped her from turning to face the mirror. “Not yet. Wait to see it all together.”

  For a moment he kept his arms around her waist, his mouth back to her earlobe again. He nuzzled beneath her ear and she jerked back. “Not in public,” she hissed. “What if someone recognizes you? Every person in this store has a camera in their phone.”

  He held his hands up. “I’ll be good. Now keep an open mind about vibrant colors.”

  He wrapped a soft knit scarf around her neck, slid matching mittens on her hands and placed a knit cap over her hair. “Now look.”

  She gasped at the image in the mirror. The blue coat, in a mock military style that complimented her full figure, featured red and purple trim. The red, white and purple yarn of the scarf, hat and mittens created a put-together look she seldom managed to attain, but decided she loved.

  “Sold.” She circled her arms around his waist intending to give him a thank you hug. He dropped his mouth on hers, kissed her hard.

  Photo flashes erupted around them. People taking pictures of them kissing.

  Chapter 11

  Murdoch

  Murdoch circled his arm around his mate’s shoulders, tucked her closer, and made a bee-line for the exit. He was clear-headed enough to pry the AX card from Annalisa’s frozen grip and toss it to the sales clerk.

  “I’ll send someone for the receipt and the other stuff she wanted.” Once
he and Annalisa were out of sight in the SUV, he’d send Ryan back in.

  As he hustled Annalisa out of the store, Ryan hurried forward. The SUV was right in front, double-parked and the security chief had the door to the Escalade standing open. Something in Ryan’s face triggered a decision in Murdoch.

  He’d spent all of his adult life in Murphy’s shadow. Always the younger twin, never the chieftain. And the few times he’d tried to match his brother’s business talents, his projects had failed. Or turned out less profitable than projected. Finally, he avoided assignments for fear the next task he’d seriously screw up. Lose some of the clan’s hoard.

  As of today, his half-hearted efforts or avoidance were no longer acceptable. Failure was not an option, as the saying went. He’d found his mate and she believed in him. Well, she liked him and wanted to have confidence in him. And she would believe in him if he started getting things right, taking full responsibility for his actions. That started right here, right now.

  He handed Annalisa off to Ryan. “Lock the car and make sure she’s warm. I’ll be right out with our purchases.”

  He turned on his heel and returned to the store. At the register, he raised a hand. “Hello, everyone, may I have your attention?”

  The giggles and chatter stopped.

  “If any of you intend to tag those pictures you just took, my name is Murdoch, m-u-r-d-o-c-h, Rudraige, part owner of Muirdris Shipping. I’m not Murphy, he’s my twin brother.”

  “Holy shit, they are identical twins.”

  “Two of them look like that?”

  “I’d say this one’s taken.”

  “Hey Murdoch,” one woman shouted, “Who’s the woman?”

  “Sorry, above all, I’m a gentleman. Thank you.” He signed the charge slip, hung the bags over his arm, and waved as he went out the door.

  The Escalade was gone. Son of a bitch. Instant karma? Be a better man and you’ll walk home? A horn beeped, and the SUV screeched to a stop in front of him. Gesturing Ryan to stay where he was, Murdoch hopped into the back seat and put his arm around Annalisa. She sipped water from a reusable Muirdris bottle.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “I could use another minute or two.”

  He gave her a slight squeeze, sat back, and tried to think like a human woman. What could he do to make things easier for her? She’d warned him about all the cameras and she’d been correct. It was his fault for not listening, his fault for kissing her in public. But was she saying I told you so? No, his beautiful mate was simply unhappy.

  Show her the Hoard, the dragon insisted. Right. His beast’s simple remedy for all of life’s ills. Bask in their beautiful treasure and you’ll feel much better.

  Earlier today, while Annalisa slept, he’d performed a high-dive off the living room terrace. Just before he plunged into the ocean, he’d shifted to his sea dragon. His shifts, especially the mid-air ones, were exhilarating, liberating and only slightly uncomfortable as his body began to stretch the moment before he completely transformed.

  He raced submerged down the shoreline, knowing his dragon was invisible to human eyes, while he’d scared the shit out of several schools of fish and a seal. Backtracking, he made his way to his cliffs and inside to the hidden cave. Once the sea dragon had crawled up onto the flat rocks, he’d shifted back to his human form, clothes intact. Another extremely handy mythical gene they’d all inherited from the Dragon line.

  He’d gone to his cave to restore the Celtic coin to its place of honor on the heap of precious stones and coins. That done, he’d moved to the piles of jewelry to choose a gift for Annalisa. A gift worthy of his mate.

  And that was another problem. He and the dragon couldn’t wait to see her dripping in his collections of emeralds, covered in ropes of pearls, adorned in diamonds. But, fearful she’d refuse expensive, he’d searched for something simple. Anything she’d accept and wear. All the while, his dragon roared his disapproval.

  The best. Our mate must have the best!

  Reasoning seldom worked. “Be patient, big guy. Humans take time. I’ll explain everything to her—soon.”

  Now, sitting beside her in the car, Murdoch reached into his pocket and touched the modest silver pendant he’d finally chosen and brought with him.

  “How long do you think it’ll take before one of those pictures, tagged with both our names, shows up on line?” Annalisa asked him while she continued to stare out the tinted window.

  He looked up and his gaze met Ryan’s in the rearview. “I don’t know.”

  Lowering his voice to a whisper, he spoke close to her ear. “I’ve been thinking about this since last night. Tell me if you agree.”

  She tipped her head closer to his lips. At least she was willing to listen.

  “The more I learn about you, discover, the more I like and the more I want to know.”

  “I feel the same way,” she admitted. His heart leapt. “Discovering your personality, your favorite things, how you react in different situations, it’s wonderful.”

  “My brother should be back by next week. That’ll open up more options for us. If you miss home, Murphy could take over the spy hunt and you and I could go to Los Angeles together.”

  “Is that what you want?”

  “No, actually. I want the both of us to see this through, together. Finish the project and identify the bad guy. But if you–”

  “Me too, I want to stay.”

  “Great. I think we should contact HR. Inform them we’re dating, like it says in the manual. Not in a relationship but dating. You’ll still decide what and how much physical contact we have. That way, as we’re getting closer, you never have to worry about losing your job or any of the Muirdris rules like that.”

  “Seems like a big step.”

  “Happens every day. This is a huge company. All HR wants to avoid is a relationship between two people where one reports to the other. Or to be blindsided by a harassment lawsuit.”

  “I didn’t exactly think of it that way.”

  “Once HR is made aware, then the direction this friendship or relationship takes will be based solely on our decisions. For example, whenever you want to kiss me, you can go right ahead.” Annalisa’s cheeks glowed with a rosy blush.

  “Personally,” he continued, “I want us to move forward in this friendship. Hoping it’ll quickly progress into a relationship. What do you think?”

  “I think that’s a very logical plan.”

  He stuck out his bottom lip in an exaggerated pout. “Logical?”

  “Actually, progress is a wonderful idea.”

  “Better,” he growled and lifted his head. “Ryan, contact Trace, supervisor of human resources. Tell him we’ll pick him up across the street from the Muirdris main entrance, ten minutes after the press conference ends.”

  “Right, Murdoch.”

  He eased Annalisa closer, kissed her on the neck. “Before you and Ryan drop me off at the press conference and you go to Vic’s house, we’ve got to make one more special purchase.”

  “Oh? Right, we forgot pj’s.”

  He laughed. “No, but that’s not a bad idea.” A mental image of a half-naked Annalisa flashed through his brain. She squirmed on his bed, moaning like she did when he kissed her, as he peeled off her pajama bottoms using only his teeth.

  “What are we buying?”

  “We’re officiating at the christening of Muirdris’s newest ship. Followed by an extremely formal, entirely stuffy ball. Did you bring a gown?”

  “Seriously?”

  “Excuse me, Murdoch?” Ryan said from the front, “We don’t have time for another stop. Need to get you to the press conference.”

  “Step on it, Ryan.” He tugged Annalisa into his arms and kissed her. She parted her lips, inviting him in. His tongue delved into that sweet mouth and she quietly groaned her approval. As the kiss deepened, Annalisa’s hands slid under his shirt where she stroked the bare skin of his back. Progress.

  He angled himself to
shield her from the rearview mirror. The hand that was out of Ryan’s view wandered beneath the side hem of her sweater and under the tank top as he caressed the soft velvety flesh of her midriff. Moving higher beneath the layers, he cupped one generous mound. Damn, his mate’s plump breast over flowed in his hand. Tracing his thumb over the taut nipple, Murdoch was rewarded with another groan. He broke the kiss to dart a look at Ryan’s profile. His security chief kept his eyes straight ahead.

  “Two blocks,” Ryan announced in a subdued tone.

  Oh shit. He needed a cold shower.

  “Tuck your shirt in,” Annalisa said, adjusting her sweater.

  “Are you okay?” he asked her.

  “Don’t worry about me, where’s your tie?”

  “Sir, your suit jacket and tie are in the garment bag right behind the seat.”

  He and Annalisa both turned and lunged for the bag, barely avoiding a collision.

  “Sit back, Sweetling,” he said kindly, “I’ve got this.” He managed to finish dressing and secure his tie as Ryan slowed for traffic congesting the street to the building.

  “Boss, check out that crowd,” Ryan spoke quickly. “If the lady can stay out of sight, we should make a splash for your arrival.”

  “What do you have in mind?” he asked while beside him Annalisa grinned and nodded.

  “After I pull to the curb, wait for one of Ji’s men to open the door back there. Annalisa, all you have to do is keep your head down and turned away from Murdoch’s open door. Next I’ll take you to Vic’s. After the press conference is over, we’ll be back to pick Murdoch up the same way.”

  Murdoch raised an eyebrow at Annalisa, she gave him two thumbs up.

  Ryan stopped the Escalade at the curb. Ji himself approached the car and with a nod from Ryan, swung open Murdoch’s door, and stood at attention.

  Murdoch counted to ten. Stepped onto the sidewalk and into a wall of sound: applause, shouted questions, cheers. And an explosion of lights: floods, TV cameras, photo flashes.