Bound by Song (Cauld Ane Series)

by Tracey Jane Jackson

  The car came to a stop and another man opened her door. Bruce turned and handed her a card. “Remember. I’m yours for the night. If you want to leave, just call me.”

  “Okay. Thank you.” Grace took the card and dropped it in her purse.

  The man standing by the door held his hand out to her, so she took it, slid from the car, and followed him to the elevator bay. As they rode the elevator to the thirtieth floor, Grace tried to calm her stomach. Before she had much time to dwell on her nervousness, the doors opened and the anonymous man led her to the entrance of the restaurant. A woman took her coat and handed her a ticket and then, instead of turning left to head into the restaurant, Grace was guided to the right, to one of the private rooms.

  Max stood outside a large door and his face lit up when he saw her. “You look stunning, lass.”

  “Thank you. You look nice, too.” That was an understatement. He wore black pants that enhanced his long legs, and a white shirt, open at the throat, with a fitted black jacket. His dark hair was swept away from his face and he’d shaved. She was so used to seeing him with some form of beard or stubble, the sight of his smooth face made her want to run her fingers along his jaw. She flexed her hand to keep from doing just that.

  “Thank you for coming.” He leaned down to gently kiss her cheek and she couldn’t help but close her eyes and draw in his scent. Masculine and clean, the man was irresistible.

  “Ready?” he asked.

  “I have no idea.”

  Max chuckled and pulled open the door, resting his hand on her lower back and gently pushing her through the portal. Grace gasped in disbelief.

  “What do you think?” he asked.

  “Um. I’m a little stunned, actually. It’s amazing.”

  The room had been transformed into something she’d imagine might be seen in Paris, including a backdrop of the Eiffel Tower and a night sky, complete with twinkling stars.

  She let out a hum of appreciation. “I’ve always wanted to go to Paris.”

  “That’s what I heard.”

  “You did? From who?” She held up her hand. “No, don’t answer that. Maggie.”

  He grinned and nodded.

  “How did you do this?” she asked as she spun in a circle, taking in the room. “Especially on such short notice. It’s beautiful.”

  “I can’t give away all my secrets.” He waved to a table in the middle of the room. “Come. Sit.”

  “Do we have the room to ourselves?” she asked as she took her seat.

  “Aye.” Max sat across from her and raised the wine bottle in question.

  “Oh, yes, please,” she said.

  He poured the expensive merlot into her glass and then did the same for himself. “How was your interview?”

  He’d remembered.

  “Honestly?” Grace frowned. “Awful.”

  “Really?”

  She nodded. “Yes. Really.”

  “I’m sorry, lass,” he said. “What are you looking for?”

  “Well, I was an executive assistant. Unfortunately, the administrative staff is always the first to go when there are lay-offs, and I was one of six who lost their jobs. I’d like to find something in accounting, because I love numbers.” She sipped her wine. “But…now, I’m one of hundreds applying for the same four jobs.”

  “I hear it’s difficult here.”

  Grace shrugged. “It is what it is. Anyway, can we please not talk about my utter and complete failure to find gainful employment? I’d rather pretend I’m in Paris.”

  Max chuckled. “Fair enough.”

  She laid her napkin across her lap. “I never thanked you for showing Spencer and Maggie such a good time the other night. It was very sweet of you to treat them so well.”

  “It was my pleasure.”

  Max smiled and Grace felt heat crawl up her neck. He was gorgeous and charming and gorgeous. She sighed silently. He was too much. Just too much of…everything. She took a deep breath and tried to relax. “I’ve always wondered what it’s like for the band on concert nights. The stage, the show, the pomp.”

  Max shrugged. “I’d guess it’s a bit like all the services you sing at for church.”

  “I highly doubt that,” Grace said. “We don’t have our own roadies.”

  “I suppose you have a point.” He sipped his wine. “You have a lovely voice, Grace. I enjoyed hearing you sing.”

  “Thank you. I love to sing, but I’m not sure I could do it in front of so many people. And all that attention on you. How do you know who’s sincere?” Grace shuddered. “Not to mention the media. I couldn’t imagine my privacy constantly being invaded.”

  “Yes, all of it’s overwhelming at times.” Max chuckled. “But you get used to it and find places to escape to. Like my home. It’s a refuge for me.”

  “Where is your home?”

  “Inverness. I have two hundred acres, a hundred of which is forest.”

  “I bet it’s beautiful.”

  “Aye,” he said. “It’s lovely.”

  “How often do you tour?” she asked. “You must hate to leave your home.”

  “We tour internationally three to four months every three years or so. We’ll generally play one show a year in Scotland and lay low for the rest of the time.”

  “Is it true you haven’t done anything here for ten years?”

  “Aye.”

  “Why did you cancel the Seattle show?” she asked.

  “You.”

  Grace choked on her wine. “What?”

  Max handed her his napkin and squeezed her hand. “I needed time to find you.”

  “You did not.”

  “I did, lass. After meeting you in Scotland, I knew I had to find you.”

  Grace shook her head. “Why doesn’t that alarm me?”

  “Because you feel what I feel, love. Perhaps on a smaller scale than I do, but you still recognize the connection.”

  “Okay, okay, Max. I’ll concede you’re charming…no need to go overboard.”

  “I’m serious.” He smiled. “And I have to admit, I was disappointed you weren’t at the concert. I would have rather spent time with you than anyone else.”

  Grace couldn’t stop a snort. “Oh, I’ll bet.”

  “You don’t believe me?”

  “A thousand gorgeous women throwing themselves at you must be a nightmare,” she droned, sarcastically.

  He raised an eyebrow. “I’d much rather you were the one throwing yourself at me, love.”

  “Keep dreaming, buddy,” she retorted.

  Max grinned. “I most definitely will.”

  Grace felt her cheeks heat up again as she tried to think of something witty to say. She was saved by two servers wheeling in carts filled with food.

  “I thought we might taste the entire menu,” Max said. “I always like to try a little of everything when I’m visiting a new place.” He smiled again and then added, “Is that all right with you?”

  “It’s perfect,” she said. And wickedly expensive.

  “What would you like to start with?” one of the servers asked.

  Grace stared at the plates. “Everything looks amazing. What do you suggest?”

  The server smiled at her. “I’d start with the crab cakes.”

  “Oh, yes,” Grace agreed. “I love those.”

  “Very good.” The man set the crab cakes in front of them and waited.

  Max stared at the server, as though he couldn’t understand why he was still standing there. Finally, he said, “We can take it from here.”

  Grace was mortified by Max’s rude dismissal.

  “Thank you for your assistance,” Grace rushed to say.

  The server smiled. “My pleasure. My name’s John, should you require anything further. I’ll check on you in a bit.”

  “Thanks, John,” Grace said.

  The man left and Grace frowned at Max, miffed by his dismissal of the man. Max seemed unaware that he’d done anything wrong, and lifted the plate contai
ning the crab cakes. “How many would you like?”

  “One, please,” she said, her tone clipped.

  “Is something wrong?”

  “Seriously?” she snapped.

  His face fell. “What?”

  “Max, you dismissed that man as though he were a nuisance. He’s not a servant.”

  “Is he not here to serve us?”

  “There’s a difference between his job as our server and you treating him as though he’s your personal servant. He was trying to help and you acted as though he was an irritation.”

  Max set the plate aside and cocked his head.

  “You don’t see it, do you?” she observed.

  He sighed. “No.”

  Grace didn’t know what to say. He appeared genuinely confused by what she’d said and she wasn’t sure how to make him understand.

  “I’m sorry, Max,” she said with a sigh. “I’m tired and a little out of sorts, and I’m sounding like a shrew. I really don’t mean to snap at you.”

  “It’s all right, lass. You’re probably right.” He smiled. “I will try to…ah…not seem irritated.”

  She couldn’t help but smile. His expression was one of an errant child who wanted to behave, but didn’t really know what he’d done wrong. “Try the crab cakes,” she said.

  He grinned and took a bite. “They’re quite remarkable.”

  “They’re one of my favorites.”

  Conversation halted as they tasted a little off every appetizer plate. By the time John and his partner returned, Grace wasn’t sure she’d be able to eat anything else.

  “Would you like me to box any of this up?” John asked.

  “Yes, please,” Grace said.

  “No,” Max said at the same time. He smiled. “Sorry. Yes, please, if it’s no trouble.”

  John nodded. “No trouble.”

  While the servers cleared away the dishes, John poured more wine and then left when Max ordered another bottle of wine.

  “How was that?” Max asked.

  “How was what?”

  “I said ‘sorry’ and ‘please’ in one sentence.” He grimaced. “Was that acceptable?”

  Grace laughed. “You look like you just swallowed vinegar.”

  “Do I?” Max gave her the most adorable sideways smile.

  “Are ‘sorry’ and ‘please’ both so alien to you?”

  “I wouldn’t say alien, no. But, admittedly, you’re not the only one who’s said I need to work on my bedside manner.”

  Grace smiled. “And do you listen to those others?”

  “Not as much as I probably should,” he said.

  John and his co-server returned with more trolleys filled with a ridiculous amount of food. John filled their water glasses, which gave Grace time to take stock of what was on the trolleys.

  She smiled. “We can’t eat all of this, Max.”

  “We can try.”

  “Shall I pour?” John asked once Max had approved the new bottle of wine.

  Max gave a curt nod. Grace raised an eyebrow and he widened his eyes and then smiled. “Yes. Please pour. Thank you.”

  John poured them each a glass of wine and left them alone again.

  Max reached over and took Grace’s hand. “What’s troubling you, lass? I feel your stress. And don’t tell me it’s about the job…something else is going on.”

  She sighed. “It’s you, Max.”

  “I guessed that,” he said with a gentle smile. “Tell me.”

  “You frighten me.”

  “Why?”

  Grace stared at his hand covering hers. His touch made her feel safe. Bold. “Because I’m drawn to you and I don’t know why. We have nothing in common and I can’t figure out if I’m reacting to your persona or something deeper.”

  “It’s deeper.”

  She met his eyes. “Why do you say that?”

  “It’s not something I can explain just yet. I think we need to get to know each other better first.”

  “I don’t know if I can do that.” She tried to move her hand, but he held firm.

  “If I stop touching you, you’ll clam up,” he explained.

  “That’s kind of what I was hoping for.”

  He chuckled. “Let’s talk, Grace. Really talk. I know you’re frightened, but I won’t hurt you.”

  “Why do I know that?”

  “Because what we’re feeling is deeper than either of us could fathom.” Max stood, still holding her hand, and pulled her up next to him. “Give us a little time, love. All will become clear.”

  He wrapped his arm around her and she expected him to kiss her, but instead he pulled her into an intimate dance. Classical music was quietly playing in the background. How had she not noticed that before?

  “Þú verður mín að eilífu,” he whispered.

  A shiver stole up Grace’s spine and she slid her fingers into his hair. “What does that mean?”

  “It’s an old Icelandic promise. I’ll tell you what it means soon enough.”

  “You speak Icelandic?”

  “A little,” he said evasively.

  Grace closed her eyes and allowed herself to be swept up in his embrace. She couldn’t understand why it felt so right to be in his arms. It didn’t make sense.

  “Stop thinking, love,” he whispered. “Just feel.”

  She couldn’t help but smile. “Funny, my daddy always said to do the opposite when it came to boys.”

  “Probably smart advice.” He chuckled, low and quiet in his chest. “It’s a good thing I haven’t been a boy for a very, very long time.”

  Grace settled her cheek against his shoulder, allowing the comfort of his touch to sink in. She felt like she was home. How she felt at ease with a man she’d just met didn’t make sense.

  “Shhh, love,” he whispered. “Stop thinking so much.”

  How does he know?

  He chuckled again. “Your body stiffens when you try to reason this out.”

  She leaned back with a frown. “Are you reading my mind, or are you just that intuitive?”

  Max raised an eyebrow. “Oh, I’m most definitely reading your mind.”

  Grace couldn’t stop a giggle. “Okay, Carnac the Magnificent.”

  Max pulled her close again, running his fingers through her hair. “You have the most beautiful hair.”

  “I do?” she whispered.

  “Aye.” He smiled. “I’m so glad shaving it was ruled out.”

  She giggled again. “Yes, the toe fungus magically dried up as well.”

  “I’m glad to hear it.” He stroked her back, pulling her closer.

  Grace squeezed her eyes shut briefly before forcing herself to think rather than feel. With a determination that defied her heart, she put distance between them and laid her hand over her chest in an effort to calm her breathing. “Max, I can’t. This is too much.”

  “I’m sorry, love.” He slipped his hands into his pockets. “I’m rushing you.”

  “Yes. A bit.”

  He scowled, but Grace realized it wasn’t directed at her when he answered his phone. “What, Fergus? Damn it! Aye.” He glanced at Grace. “Yes, now. No, I’ll ride with her.” He hung up and sighed. “We have a small problem and we need to leave.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  “WHAT’S WRONG?” GRACE asked, her heart in her throat.

  “I’ve been found out.” Max ran his hands through his hair. “Apparently, there’s a mob in the lobby, and the police have been called. They’ve had to block off the building and the restaurant.”

  Grace swallowed. “Oh. All right. Would it help if I left alone?” She grabbed her purse and dug for Bruce’s card. “I can call the driver.”

  “No, love. He’s waiting downstairs. Two of my men will escort us, but it could get a wee bit hairy for a few minutes. I just want to prepare you.”

  “Maybe I should go down by myself,” she said again.