“Aye, I believe I am.” He lifted her into his arms effortlessly, and ran up the stone stairs.
“Slow down!” She smacked his chest and laughed as they reached the top. Morgan tried get out of his grip, but his arms wouldn't budge. “I can walk the rest of the way.”
“Aye, ye could.” He kept walking until they were in the laird's bedchamber, then he gently stood her back on the floor. He kissed her forehead and said that he would be right back with their lunch and blankets that he had left downstairs.
Morgan hopped around the large room, trying to find a way to keep her bare feet warm on the ice cold floor. “Hurry up...hurry...” She wrapped her arms around herself and kept moving. She hopped over to the open window, and looked out over the landscape. “It's so beautiful.” She bounced from one foot to the other for several minutes, then she hopped back to the door. “Fin!?”
It was taking far too long for a quick grab of the cooler and blankets, and she started walking through the stone hallway to meet him. “Fin?!” She called out until she got to the top of the stairs. She saw why he didn't answer her.
He needs to take a phone call right now? Finlay was standing next to the cooler, talking on his cell phone, and Morgan could tell that he probably didn't even hear her calling for him. She walked down the stone stairs, seemingly stepping on every sharp pebble and rock along the way. “Shit.” By the time she reached the bottom, she was nearly running.
Just as she reached his side, Finlay ended the call. “I think my feet are frozen solid.” Morgan put her hand on his large arm and steadied herself while she put her shoes on. “Remind me not to take these off again until the rest of my clothes are off.” She smiled up at him, and then her happy mood was instantly gone. “What's wrong?” His face told her that he was going to share some bad news.
“I'm sorry, love, but I have to go.” He explained that he was needed immediately at one of his properties and that the whole deal would fall through if he didn't get there by morning. By there, he meant London.
“Oh, well I'll just go with you then, I'd love to see London!” She wrapped her arms around his waist and was happy that it wasn't all that bad of news after all.
Finlay shook his head, “I can't take ye on the job site, and I'll be there for days.” He wasn't happy at all about leaving her, but there was no way that he could drag her to a construction site all day long.
“Wait..” her brows came together as she spoke, and she hated the words that were about to come out of her mouth, “isn't there someone else that could take care of things for you?” Sounding like an overbearing girlfriend wasn't her intent, but she didn't know how else to ask.
“Aye, I do. But I'd rather take care of it myself.” He had pulled away from her, and picked up their unopened cooler. Clearly, they were leaving.
He'd rather work? Someone could do it for him....
They were almost to his Hummer when he spoke again. “I'd like ye to stay at my house while I'm gone, and as soon as I return, I'll take ye on that tour that you want.” His smile was forced, but she knew that he was only trying to wrap up loose ends before he left. At least, that's what she hoped.
When they were inside she asked, “how long? How long will you be gone?” She assumed a day or two.
“A week, maybe more.” He started the truck, and they left the castle.
The drive back to Finlay's house was silent. He was trying to mentally sort all of the details of his work, and Morgan was trying to sort the details of her life. She knew that she wouldn't stay and wait for him, not that long, and she also knew that she had one night to find her next client or head back to the States.
It wasn't until they were back at the house that Finlay dropped another bit of important information on her; he had to leave that afternoon.
“What? Where am I supposed to go until I get another job?” The question flew from her mouth before she had time to stop it. “I mean...could you take me to the airport?” She hated herself for sounding weak, and it was a lesson that she wished she would learn sooner rather than later.
“Love, just stay here and I'll be back in no time.” He took a few moments to hold her, but she didn't respond as she normally would have. She gave him a token touch to the waist as she shook her head.
“I appreciate the offer, but if you're leaving then it's time for me to go. Hopefully, if I come back, I'll get that tour.” The sadness in her eyes made him nearly want to call someone to take care of the problem in London, nearly.
“Awrite, but call and let me know where ye've ended up, I'd like to know that yer safe.” He kissed her cheek, then ran up the stairs.
She whispered as he reached the top and turned the corner, “you're real broken up about it, aren't ya?” It's alright, it's no big deal! He has to work...and work comes first. Work...comes...first. A part of her heart, a part that was hidden from everyone, cried out that he should have wanted to be with her. Maybe he should have, but he didn't.
Right as she was about to walk up the stairs, William and Wallace came to her side. “Hi guys! I'll miss you, yes I will!” She gave them both a few minutes of love, then made her way to the upstairs bedroom.
Packing was pretty easy as she had barely removed anything from her bags, and she was ready in less than thirty minutes. Also, it was about the time she needed to get over the pity party that had tried to take over. She started to feel a familiar excitement, one that she had felt when she met Tanner, and when she met Dante. The excitement of not knowing what was in store for her and who she would meet. Morgan sent a quick message to Julianne to have her boss send the information for any potential clients. She knew that she could count on Julianne to get back with her within minutes.
She used that feeling to better her mood, and to forget about the hurt that she could feel if she allowed it. Finlay was someone that she could get very attached to, and at that point, she wondered why. He's just a rich version of the guys I've always dated in the past. She shook the thought, and smiled as she picked up her bags. By the time she got back downstairs to the foyer, she was quite proud of herself for not getting too upset about her situation. Finlay owed her nothing, and she owed nothing in return.
As she sat on her suitcase waiting for the man, she heard him in the Study making flight arrangements with a private charter. She assumed that they would both fly out from the same airport, so at least they could spend a little more time together while they waited. As she strained to hear what time he would depart, her phone sounded loudly from her pocket.
She opened the text and read it to the empty room, “I have a man close to you if you're interested.” Then she clicked the attachment. “Sean Burke. Cute.” He had short strawberry blonde hair that was wind blown for that second. It stood straight up and matched his easy crooked smile. His light blue eyes and fair skin matched his hair perfectly. “Well Sean, it looks like I'm going to Ireland.” She replied to Julianne's text that he would be perfect, then she took a deep breath as she tucked the phone back into her pocket. Once again, she knew that the information concerning her travel arrangements would arrive shortly.
She hadn't noticed that Finlay had walked into the front room, and was standing almost behind her.
“Sean Burke? Is that the next man?” She jumped when she heard his voice and when she turned her head to look at him, his face showed nothing but rage.
“Yeah, what about it?” She was confused, and she stood as she watched his face.
“You'll not be with him.” He started to walk out of the room, but she grabbed his arm.
“Fin, stop! What are you talking about?” She was beyond confused. She had no idea how he could have known... He was freaking standing there, he saw his picture! “Do you know him? And why are you spying on me?” She crossed her arms in typical Morgan-fashion, and demanded an answer.
“Aye, I do know him! He's a friend of mine and ye won't be with him!” He turned again, and that time she let him go.
They didn't speak again until they were in the car, halfway to the airport. Finlay was the first to speak. “I have feelings for ye, Morgan. I know that we're not a couple, and probably never will be, but I have feelings just the same.”
Probably never will be? Don't, don't! She would not allow her feelings to be hurt, they never discussed anything beyond having fun together. She also wouldn't allow him to control any part of her life. Just as she was about to tell him how she felt, her phone announced another message.
“Morgan, don't do it.” His face was serious, and he watched her take her phone from her back pocket.
She read the message out loud, slowly, “Very good choice, my dear. Sean is in Edinburgh, and will meet you at the airport at six by the main doors. He will make all arrangements to take you to Ireland with him. Have fun and text when you're settled.” She sent a message in return, thanking Julianne for working so quickly, and she promised her a text soon. “Well, that couldn't have worked out any better, huh Fin?” She stared at the side of his face, as his attention went back to the road. She also saw that he was nearly squeezing his steering wheel to the point of crushing it with is bare hands.
He was furious, and he had no idea how to stop her from going through with her choice. Sean had been a friend of Finlay's for many years, and he couldn't stand the thought of someone he knew being with Morgan. The worst part for Finlay was that he had told Sean about Julianne's service after his friend complained about not being able to find a woman to just have fun with. A woman that didn't expect anything from him. Finlay was sick with the knowledge that he himself was the very reason that Morgan would be in Sean's bed.
“Fin, is he like a psycho or something?” Morgan understood that man-bond thing, but was there more to the story? She had to know.
“Nay, he's a good man. You have to understand what this is like for me.” He wouldn't look at her when he spoke. “I don't want his hands on ye.”
She did understand, but she also didn't care. Finlay chose work over her, something that he didn't have to do, so he should understand that she had her own job to do. “Fin, it's not personal and you know that. You and I are different, what we have, but what I do is just business.”
When they stopped, he finally looked her in the eyes, “Morgan, I know that.” He ran his hands through his hair and exhaled loudly. “I just don't like it, that's all.”
She reached out and put her hand on his large shoulder, “Fin, it really is just business, and I'll call you when I get a chance, okay?” She searched his eyes, and saw a flicker of resolve.
The subject was dropped, and he helped her inside with her luggage. She had hoped that they could talk more, but he quickly kissed the top of her head and told her to get in touch soon. Morgan didn't try to stop him.
After he left the lobby, she pulled her bags close to a chair and sat down. Her overnight bag was on top of the pile,and she reached down and pulled out the scrapbook. “Your page should never have been empty, Fin.” Morgan opened her purse, and removed her stack of photos. When she found the one at the castle, she smiled at the handsome face that looked back at her. The photo slid right into the slot, and she dug for a pen in her overcrowded bag.
Finlay Campbell
My first, my teacher, my friend. You are forever a part of me Fin.
Ireland
Book Five
Chapter One
At a quarter to six, Morgan found herself pacing in front of the large airport, near passenger pick-up/drop-off. Sitting inside the lobby had nearly driven her to the point of insanity. The yackling laughter of two teenage girls, the loud bickering of a young couple over where he put his wife's bag, combined with the loudest snoring Morgan had ever heard was enough to make her wait out the rest of the time outside.
“You didn't have to go. Well, I didn't have to go either,” Morgan thought out loud, kicking a pebble from the sidewalk. For a moment she had a tinge of guilt for going through with Sean, knowing he was Finlay's friend, but it quickly faded. “Exactly. That's your job, and if work comes first for you, then it goes both ways.”
Morgan actually giggled What were the chances? Of all the guys in Ireland, Julianne sent a friend of Finlay's...sorry, Fin. She smiled and took a sip from her cola. A look at her watch confirmed that she had five more minutes to wait, and her heart began to race. She was getting more used to meeting her clients, but it still made her nervous. I just hope he doesn't hide me away in an office.
With two minutes to spare, Morgan saw a taxi pull up and she knew immediately it was her new client. He was taller than his picture had portrayed him, but otherwise he looked exactly the same. The sunlight reflected in his strawberry blonde hair, giving off flecks of red throughout and he wore the same crooked smile across his face.
Oh, you're a cutie! “Sean!” He looked in her direction and Morgan waved an arm over her head and motioned for him to come to her.
In less than a dozen steps, Sean was in front of her with his arm outstretched, “Morgan is it then? Nice tae meet ya.”
“Yep, that's me. Pleasure meeting you!” Morgan shook his hand, not able to look away from his beautiful eyes. They weren't as ocean blue as Dante's, but more of a very light gray. A few freckles lined his cheekbones and a hint of a five o'clock shadow that matched his blonde hair lined his strong jaw. He was taller than Finlay by an inch or two, but not quite as broad. His crooked smile gave her the same impression that Tanner's had...trouble. But in a good way.
“Well, I hope you'll forgive me. I'm fookin' starving, so let's get out of here.” Sean drew Morgan's hands to his lips and gave it a soft kiss before he released it.
“Yeah, me too. I'm always hungry,” Morgan giggled. She grabbed her camera bag and overnight bag and Sean grabbed the others and they put her things in the back of the cab.
“After you, my darling,” Sean opened the door and flipped his arm around in a half-circle, pointing to the backseat.
Once they were both inside the car, Sean leaned forward to the driver of the cab and told him a place that didn't sound familiar, but she assumed it was a hotel. “Oh, it'll be nice to be in a bed!” Sean grabbed Morgan's hand and brought it to his lap and leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes. Then he opened one eye, looking at her, he added, “with ye, of course.”
He closed his eyes again and continued explaining why he was looking forward to the bed. Apparently he had been in taxi's for nearly three days straight. From Edinburgh to London, back to Edinburgh....back to London....then, finally, back to Edinburgh as of five minutes prior.
“Why didn't you just fly?” Morgan asked.
“Aye, that would have been too simple,” he opened his eyes and sat up, giving her his attention. “I had a few places to stop in between. Was better just to just drive. It was only supposed to be one trip, but something came up with my crew and I had to go back and kick their arses.”
Then it hit her. London? Crew? What kind of crew? Restaurant crew? Taxi drivers? Construction? Construction. Maybe...no. She wondered if his crew had anything to do with Finlay. Seemed too coincidental that they both had business in London. The questions ran through her mind and she needed an answer.
“What kind of crew? I mean...what do you do?” Morgan blurted out, blushing slightly at her own desire to put out the flame of curiosity.
“Well, my da owned a construction business, when he passed, I inherited it,” he answered her. Morgan felt the blood rush from her cheeks. Construction. Sean confirmed her suspicions. Finlay hires his crew.
“What did I know about running a business? All I knew was how to warm up a slice of pizza.” He gave her hand a slight squeeze and Morgan tried to conjure a smile in return. “But I guess I got lucky. My da already had some good contacts and the work came to me. Right now, my crew is down in London, fixing up this old bank. Another Campbell project.” Sean shook his head playfully, “I'll tell ya, that guy stays busy, but also keeps my crew busy.”
Campbell project. Mo
rgan felt sick to her stomach. Well, this is awkward. Should I tell him? No, Sean was not to know that she knew Finlay, and she'd keep it that way. Morgan only offered a nod of her head at the appropriate times and listened to the rest of his story until they got to the hotel.
When they pulled in front of the hotel, Morgan let out a loud gasp. St. Something hotel! Now the name of the hotel was clear, but it would always be St. Something hotel to her. She opened her mouth and almost let it fly out that she had been there before, but closed it quickly and kept the information to herself.
A bellboy came out to the car and retrieved their luggage and they watched the taxi disappear from sight. Morgan could have easily navigated the place, but she didn't want to seem obvious and let Sean take the lead. The tall Irishman went up to the front desk and Morgan held back a few feet, pretending to be incredibly interested in the art on the wall. Don't look at me, don't look at me...
When the room was confirmed, Morgan walked by the front desk without making eye contact with the short red-haired man that had previously given her a key. She caught up to Sean, “so what room are we in?”
“Right here,” he smiled at her and slid the key into the next door on the right. They were on the first floor, right next to the elevator. Guess I won't get my view. Although...she had a view of her own as Sean walked into the room.
“Nice ass,” Morgan walked past him, giving him a playful slap on his backside. She was stopped in her tracks when she felt a less playful slap to her own ass.
“You too,” Sean laughed and went back to the door to pay the bellboy. “Is there anything you need out of here right now?” He brought the bags over to the bed and set them down.
“Food. That's all I need,” Morgan replied, giving her stomach a couple pats.
“Well, I was thinking I was hungry for something else,” he gave her a look that told her exactly what else he was hungry for. Whoa! Down boy. She had no problem doing her job, but she wanted to know a little about him first. Other than the fact he was buddies with Finlay, that is.
Around the World in 80 Men Series Boxed Set 1-10 Page 28
