Laird of the Highlands: International Billionaires IX: The Scots (27 page)

W
atching
the sister and brother together opened an entirely different world for Lorne. As an only child, he’d been at the center of his parents’ world. He hadn’t had to share toys or bedrooms. He hadn’t had to negotiate for what he wanted. He certainly hadn’t had to argue.

“I didn’t approve of this change,” Ceri sniped as she slammed into her seat at the kitchen table. “You should have checked with me, first.”

Elis scowled, and his lanky body slid onto the chair across from her.

“Both of you.” She aimed a glare toward Lorne.

Straightening off the kitchen wall, he mentally calculated which argument would win in the fewest minutes. “I’m going to pay him more.”

Her dark brows slashed down and the glare became more pointed.

Wrong argument.

“I want Elis to experience a professional work environment,” she stated, her arms crossing in front of her in a tight grip. “Money isn’t what’s important right now.”

“Money’s always important to ye.” There was a pronounced slap in her brother’s words.

The memory of his chat with Doc a few hours ago rolled into Lorne’s brain and his temper simmered to life. He wanted to take this lad by the back of his neck and shake him. Clearly his sister had never shared the hard choices she’d made for his sake.

But before he could walk over and take the kid in hand, she switched her glare back to her brother and pounced. “Do you think money grows on trees, Elis?”

“Oh, God. Here we go again.” The teenager slouched further down. “If I had a pence for every time ye said that.”

“Wait.” He tried to calm himself and also the two sitting before him. “Gaes offices are completely professional.”

“Really.” She stood and marched to his side, her aquiline nose pointed up like she was ready to sniff at his statement. “I’m supposed to believe this when I see you working in your bare feet with only a T-shirt and jeans on?”

“And underwear. Don’t forget the underwear.” The tease slipped out of him before he could catch it and examine if this was the right way to go with her.

Elis snorted in amusement.

His sister’s eyes narrowed.

Lorne had never argued with a female. Ever. His mum hadn’t been the arguing sort, and none of his female employees objected to what he did. They always directed their complaints to Doc. He stared at her, trying to calculate what sort of response, beyond the tease, would convince her. “I can have Hugh call ye and tell ye our office is professional, if you’d like.”

Now it was the sister’s turn to snort.

“What I wear here isn’t indicative of what I wear in my London office,” he continued doggedly. “Ye must realize that.”

“Must I?” She turned, ready to flounce back to harass her irritated brother apparently.

Grabbing her arms before she could stomp away, Lorne leaned in, matching her glare. “Listen here, Ceri.”

“I want Elis to go to the intern—”

“Listen.” He mastered his rising temper by focusing on the lushness of her black lashes. “Your brother wants to learn to code.”

“I do,” the lad piped up.

Her dark brows furrowed, pulling his attention up. She was worried, he noted. There was more here than merely a simple objection to his work clothes and his company. “Lass—”

“I paid quite a bit to get him into this internship program.”

There it was. The other piece of this puzzle. He knew enough about the castle’s condition, the cash intake from the tours, and the estate taxes due, to know Ceri Olwen rode a very thin financial line. There hadn’t been a good moment yet to change that—his woman had her pride. Now wasn’t the moment, either. Stumped, he kept his grip on her and his focus on her brows.

There had to be something he could say to soothe her.

“Money again,” her brother jumped in before Lorne could figure this out. The disgust lacing the kid’s words gave him another problem to deal with.

She tensed in his grip and he saw the pain in her eyes before she closed them.

He couldn’t help himself this time. “Elis.”

“Aye?” The boy’s response turned wary.

Perhaps because he’d used his Gaes voice, the one that commanded instant wariness with his employees. “You’d do well to say you’re sorry to your sister for that last comment regarding money, and the one before, too.”

A short, sharp silence fell in the cottage’s kitchen. He wondered if he’d done this wrong, stepped where he shouldn’t have. But when he allowed his gaze to meet Ceri’s, the emotion he saw there made his heart sing.

The dark goldenrod glowed with gratitude.

“I’m sorry, Sis.” The begrudging words came finally.

“All right.” Knowing himself how much saying those words hurt a male’s pride, Lorne switched his attention back to what needed to be said. “I’ll compensate ye for any funds you’ve put out.”

The glow in her eyes went out in a blink.

Shite.
What had he done wrong?

“I don’t want your money,” she said with a stiff snap.

He could tell his lass meant every word. And the irony wasn’t lost on him. In the years since he’d accumulated his wealth, he’d run into thousands of people who wanted his money. Wanted a donation or a handout. Wanted a bonus or a commission. Wanted to catch him even though he was odd and eccentric. Yet, now that he’d found a woman he wanted to have forever, his money didn’t move her in the slightest—other than in the negative. “All right. I take it back.”

Starting in his grip, she gaped at him.

“Your brother can pay ye back with the funds he’ll make studying at Gaes.” He shot the teenager a look of warning, and Elis obediently kept his mouth shut.

“I don’t think—”

“I know ye want what’s best for your brother. I know that, Ceri.”

She moved restlessly in his grip, yet didn’t attempt to break free. “Yes, I do.”

“I’m telling ye, Gaes will be good for him.” He was sure he’d never said truer words. “You’ve met Doc.”

“Yes.” A small smile edged her mouth giving him hope. “I have.”

“He might come off as a scamp, but he’ll keep an eagle eye on your brother.”

Elis groaned in disgust. Still, the lad was smart enough to not say a word. He could see the argument was swinging his way.

“Ye can’t say that about the other internship, can ye?”

Her mouth went from smile to grimace. “I want him to be secure in his future. And finance offers that.”

“So do computers and technology. It’s a good way to make a living.” He kept his gaze on hers. “Just look at me.”

“He’s a fucking billionaire, Sis.”

His sister switched her narrowed gaze to her brother. “Watch your language.”

Another groan heaved from the teenager’s chest.

“Hey.” His one word drew her attention to him once more. By the way she held herself, tense once more, he figured it was time to move on to something else. He’d made his points and, hopefully, she’d accept them eventually. “Why don’t we sit down and eat Mrs. Huntsman’s steak and tatties, and let this subject lie for tonight.”

“But I don’t think—”

“For tonight. Only for tonight.” He brushed his hands up and down her arms in a soothing gesture he used in bed with her. “After all, it is Elis’ first night here.”

“Aye, it is.” The boy shifted on his chair. “And I’m hungry.”

“Oh, all right.” She grumbled her acceptance. “Tomorrow, though, we’ll talk about this again.”

“That’s fine.” Keeping his voice gentle, Lorne dropped his hands and gave her a small pat on her arse. “Sit at the table and I’ll get ye a glass of wine.”

By the time he’d dished up their dinner and settled in to eat his own, the mood between the siblings had changed. A complete change. One that startled him and made him realize he had so much to learn.

“Come on, Sis.” Elis leaned over, his goldenrod eyes alight with teasing. “Tell about the time mam found ye putting on her makeup.”

“You couldn’t possibly remember that.” Her white skin flushed. “You were only four.”

“I remember, because I was putting on the makeup, too.”

Both of them broke out in peals of laughter, making something inside him yearn. Yearn to be a part of their memories and part of their lives forever.

“Okay, okay,” The lad chortled as he threw down his knife and fork on his empty plate. “Then tell Lorne about your big plans.”

The laughter fell off her face.

“Big plans?” He ventured one tentative foot into the evidently sensitive subject, because he wanted to know all of about her. All her plans and dreams and hopes. He desperately wanted to be a part of every single one. “What plans?”

“Nothing.” Tossing her napkin on the table, she rose and grabbed her plate.

“Not nothing,” her brother said. “Not nothing at all.”

Lorne frowned, watching her grow tense again. “I’d like to know, Ceri.”

The line of her shoulders stiffened as she placed the dishes in the sink. “It’s nothing important.”

Elis gave the back of her head a disbelieving look before switching his focus to Lorne. “It’s only the most important thing in her life.”

“What do—”

“Up until now, at least.” The kid cut him off with his quick response, giving him a speculative eye as well. “It’s still important to her, though, and ye should know.”

“It’s nothing he needs—”

“Lookie here.” Her brother swung his gaze to the windowsill and his eyes lit. “Like always, her plans are right here so she can go over them while she eats.”

“Elis, no.” She rushed to the table but was too late.

The kid plucked a large folder stuffed with papers from the sill and stood, lifting them above his head.

“You rat.” Ceri jumped again and again, but her brother’s lanky frame had outgrown her. “Give it here.”

“Naw.” The boy grinned, obviously delighted he was taller than his older sister. “I’m thinking Lorne should take a look.”

Easing back in his chair, he let the siblings squabble and tease each other. Now that he saw them together for more than a few minutes, he did see the resemblance. They moved the same, their long limbs and elegant edges making them appear like fluid creatures from a distant land where fairy tales lived with reality. Elis might still have a few rough, teenage angles, yet he’d eventually turn out like his sister—a gorgeous male version of her. He’d fallen in love with Ceri, and he had the odd certainty he’d hold great affection for her brother, too, at some point.

Both of them deserved to be happy. Both of them deserved to be secure.

Both of them should know this was their place and their home.

He could offer them this and so much more. He only had to figure out how to do it without hurting their pride or endangering his heart.

“Here.” Elis danced away from his sister. Brushing past her outreached arms, he slapped the folder into Lorne’s lap. “Take it.”

He couldn’t help his curiosity. Laying his palm on the folder, he held her off with the other. “Now, come on. Let me see.”

“Fine. Just fine.” Her shoulders slumped as her body sagged into her chair. “Whatever.”

“Whatever,” her brother echoed, teasing in his voice.

Now that he was assured of at least her reluctant acceptance, Lorne eased the folder onto the table and opened it.

Both siblings went quiet and the only thing puncturing his concentration was the steady drip of the rainstorm that had swept in during their meal. He paged through the photos, the recipes. He studied the financial projections and the structural plans for a new building on the castle grounds. At one point, he’d have dismissed this as an impossible dream and one he didn’t want to participate in. But now all of him had changed. He didn’t mind the thought of tourists swarming across his garden heading toward a shop. If it was Ceri’s shop and it made her happy, he’d allow a thousand strangers on his land.

He finally lifted his head. “I can see now why that glass house of yours is so important to ye.”

She gazed at him with wary eyes.

Carefully, he shut the folder. “I think your plans are brilliant.”

He heard her breath catch. “Do you?”

“Aye.” How far should he go? He wanted to offer her financing. He wanted to give her his suggestions on her profit and loss statement. Bloody hell, he was willing to help her set up the castle’s kitchen when the time came.

But did she want him to? Did she want to share her dream in more than paper form?

“Ceri says she’s going to be a millionaire.” Elis smirked.

“Does she then?” Masking his eagerness, Lorne leaned back in his chair. “Well, I can’t see why she couldn’t be.”

Her long fingers clenched in a fist in her lap and her gaze never wavered from his.

Did she not believe him?

“She’s never going to be a billionaire, though.” Her brother shook his head, a mocking look crossing his face. “Not selling ointments and lotions.”

There it was again. A challenge, a slight slur. Lorne wished with all his might that he’d had a sibling, a younger one, so he’d know if this was something serious that needed to be dealt with, or merely typical teenage rebellion.

She didn’t respond to her brother’s poke, giving him no hints. The only thing he could give her was the truth.

“I think ye can do anything, Ceri.” He kept his gaze on hers, putting all the sincerity into his voice he could. “Anything ye set your mind to.”

C
eri had lived
in and around Pictloch for five years. While she hadn’t made friends, she’d never made enemies. When Elis came home from school, they’d often go to town. Her brother liked the small bookstore and the crowd of boys who often congregated near the petrol station. Will would join them for a nice meal at the Rose and Thistle. There might be a few whispers here and there, but Will’s standing with the town always kept that to a minimum.

She enjoyed Pictloch. Before.

“What do ye mean, ye don’t want to go?” Her brother squinted at her in puzzlement. “Of course, you’ll come with us.”

Lorne stood at the end of the kitchen like he usually did. As if he were an observer, rather than a participant. She’d often seen him like this and every time, it hurt her heart. But right now, her heart hurt for an entirely different reason. “You and Lorne go. You’ll have more fun without me.”

Her gambit fell flat. Which surprised her. Because, during the last year or so, the last person Elis wanted to spend time with was her.

“Naw.” He glanced toward the man lounging on the wall before turning back to her. “We both want ye to come.”

“I’m tired.” Walking into the den and away from the conversation, she plopped on the sofa and let out an exhausted sigh. “I worked all day long while you guys played.”

“We did not play!” Her brother’s voice cracked in the middle of the sentence, highlighting his youthful indignation. “Lorne taught me tons of stuff today.”

Tons of stuff that apparently Elis needed to know before leaving for London and his new internship with Gaes in a few days. After mulling about it over in her mind, she had to admit she’d feel much more comfortable knowing Doc, and by extension Lorne, were supervising her brother.

She loved Elis.

But during the last couple of years, she no longer felt she had any real control over him, and no longer quite trusted his common sense.

They fought now. A lot.

The fact damaged something inside her every time she thought about it. Yet, the reality was her brother didn’t like her much anymore and didn’t respond well to any of her dictates. So she’d agreed to the switch, making her brother hoot with delight and Lorne smile his special grin he gave only to her.

Then both of her guys had descended into serious male bonding time.

During the last four days, these two had grown as tight as a Scottish clan. The whole thing surprised her. She’d thought of Lorne as isolated, except for her, and Elis was nothing, if not a kid who wanted to be cool. But apparently, computer coding and hanging out with a billionaire, no matter how odd he might be, was plenty cool.

What astonished her more than anything, though, was Elis paid attention to Lorne. And her lover had no problem putting his foot down on any simmering teenage rebellion. Her weary discouragement about her brother had slowly eased away these last few days.

She trusted Lorne with Elis.

She trusted him to do the right thing with her brother.

And she realized having this man around her cottage gave her more than sexual release and pleasure.

“Ceri.” His gentle voice drifted across the open room, telling her he was dangerously close to letting his temper go.

They’d both pounced on her the minute she got home with their great plans to go into Pictloch and have dinner.

“It’s Mrs. Huntsman’s day off,” Lorne had offered.

“I haven’t been into town yet,” her brother had joined in.

For the last half hour, she’d been firm. She didn’t want to go to town and have all the townspeople see them. Together. Her and Lorne. Having Elis with them wouldn’t help.

The gossip would start.

This time, however, it would be correct.

That fact hung over her like a big, fat, ugly cloud of horror. Because she wouldn’t have the truth on her side anymore. She wouldn’t be able to ignore what was being said by everyone because she knew it was a lie. She couldn’t wrap her pride around her like armor this time.

“Ceri,” he said again, his tone dropping even lower, even smoother. “Tell me why ye don’t want to be seen with me.”

A dangerous accusation.

An accurate one.

But it wasn’t what he thought. She wasn’t ashamed of him. She was ashamed of herself and a reputation that was now deserved.

She’s lying with the son exactly as she laid with the father.

She’s a scheming hussy, if ye ask me.

A brazen woman, ain’t she
?
Out for what she can get.

That’s what they’d say. Behind her back, loud enough for her to hear. Although she might still win the court case and still win the castle, for the rest of her days here, she’d have this gossip following behind her, knowing she couldn’t stand tall with the secret knowledge she wasn’t what they thought she was. Why hadn’t she thought about this before taking this beautiful, beloved man to bed?

He swung around the edge of the sofa to stand right in front of her. “Look at me.”

“I’m tired.” Closing her eyes, she plunked her head on the soft cushion behind her.

“Look at me.”

A still, fraught silence descended between them, one she’d never experienced. They’d fallen into such harmony, such an easy, straightforward enjoyment of each other, that this prickly, pointed friction upset her. Compelled by his ominous silence, and the fear of what she might lose, she popped her eyes open. “I’m tired.”

“You’re repeating yourself again.” Putting his hands on his hips, her lover inspected her, his gaze a brilliant-blue laser, intent on understanding what was going on.

There was so much going on inside her, she didn’t know where to start. Or how to end. “I’m repeating myself because both of you aren’t listening to me.”

“I’m listening, Ceri. I always listen.”

A thought struck—what he said was true. More than any other man, more than any other soul she’d ever encountered in her life, Lorne did listen to her. Her wish for a man who listened had come true.

The realization made stupid tears well in her eyes.

“Och.” Kneeling in front of her, he grabbed both of her hands in a tight grip. His brows frowned in worry. “What’s going on here? Tell me what’s troubling ye.”

“They’ll know we’re together,” she confessed in a voice so low her brother wouldn’t be able to hear. The confession was the only truth she was willing to reveal. “They’ll think I did it again.”

His expression went soft and a tender light entered his eyes. “That isn’t something ye need to fash yourself about.”

“It is.” The old memories of what the people of her hometown had said swirled into her new fears. “I don’t want to hear the gossip. I don’t want to confront—”

“There’ll be no gossip.” He leaned closer, encircling her with his lightning scent. “And there’ll be no confrontations.”

“But there will.” She made herself meet his gaze, letting him see the turmoil inside. “I know. It’s happened before.”

“Aye, I suppose it has.” Coming closer, he whispered into her ear, “still, ye didn’t have me by your side. Not then. Now ye do, though.”

Will had been by her side. Yet he hadn’t caught the slights, only the obvious slurs. Perhaps he was too old to confront them, or maybe he’d been unwilling to acknowledge. But something deep inside told her his son wouldn’t let anything slide past him. No slights and not a single slur. A fresh bought of tears threatened. “I don’t know—”

“Think for a minute, lass.” His breath brushed her cheek. “Who’s been working with ye at the castle for all these weeks?”

Jerking back, she gaped at him. “What do you mean?”

“The sweet ladies who help ye with the tickets.” His slate-blue gaze never wavered. “The ladies who live in Pictloch, eh?”

Reality slammed into her like a slug. “You’re right,” she murmured, ugliness simmering in her gut. “They’d have seen us.”

“Aye.” Drawing back, he stared at her, his gaze searching. “They would have.”

“And they would have talked in town already.”

“Now there, ye are wrong.” He let his long fingers draw away from her hands in a slow withdrawal. “Because I had a talk with them.”

“What?” Reflexively, she grabbed the end of his fingers in a surprised grip. “What did you say?”

“Are ye guys done talking about this?” Her brother’s voice cut through, sounding nasty and impatient. “Can’t we get going?”

“Elis.”

“All right, all right. I’ll just go to the computers for a spell.” The squeak of his trainers echoed down the hall.

Another imminent teenage rebellion stomped out by Lorne with one word.

A reluctant smile came to her. “That’s amazing.”

“What?” Rearing back, his eyes widened.

“How you do that.”

“What?” he said once more.

“Do that thing you do with Elis.”

Now that they were alone, she felt more assured about touching him. Sliding her hands across his, she brushed along his forearms, relishing the feel of tight muscles and rough, red hair.

Even though they’d walked into her bedroom each night, leaving Elis in his, she’d still felt uncomfortable about touching. Lorne had chuckled at her when they’d slide into bed and he’d take her into his arms. “Now you’re being a bit of a nutter, Ceri,” he’d say as he tugged off her T-shirt. “Do ye think your brother doesn’t know what’s going on with us?”

There was one thing about knowing, and an entirely different thing about facing. She’d just rather not face her brother with her sexual life.

“That thing I do.” Lorne bent his head toward her in confusion. Yet the man could take in more than one thing at a time now. She’d taught him that. He reacted to her touch by edging between her legs, pressing his growing erection into her.

“Lorne.”

“Lorne,” he mocked. “Ye like it. Don’t tell me ye don’t.”

“Not with Elis—”

“If ye but turn your head, you’ll see your brother isn’t around.”

“Because you chased him away.” Letting herself, she spread her palms on his chest, enjoying the feel of his heat and his muscle.

He stilled in her grasp. “Chase him away? I did no such thing.”

“You did, too.” Smiling wider, she let him know she didn’t mind. “I think my brother will do anything you ask.”

“Naw. Not true.” He focused on where they pressed together and bumped his hips on hers. “I get attitude all the time from him, too. Don’t think he only gives it to ye.”

That news soothed her. In a way, everything about this man soothed her. The way he touched her with a kind tenderness that made her heart bleed. The way he looked at her when he told her his truths. The way he’d smoothed out the rough edges of her life and made her feel like he had her back.

Her enemy. Had her back.

The contradiction made her frantic and at the same time amused. How had she gotten herself into this? Whatever this was.

“So anyway,” her lover went on, clearly unperturbed by any contradictions in their relationship. “I had a chat with your ladies and laid it out straight.”

“Did you?” Her amusement at his blunt way of telling his truth swirled inside a sweet ball of affection. “What did you say?”

He glanced up, meeting her gaze. “I told them ye were a fine lady and needed to be treated with respect.”

“Lorne.” Everything inside her turned to mush.

“I also told them the new laird might be a wee bit touchy about any gossip about ye.”

“You didn’t have to do that.” Though the fact he had made her heart rise with joy.

“Didn’t I?” He tilted his head again, puzzlement crossing his face. “Isn’t that what a man should do? Make sure his woman is protected?”

She’d protected herself and hers for so long, she’d become quite good at it. Being tough and strong had become second nature, and she’d never cede those skills or those benefits to another. Not even Lorne. Yet, she had to admit to a womanly sigh of relief at his claim. “I can protect myself.” She flipped the words at him more as a tease than a claim of offense.

“Eh, right, right.” He nodded, his red-gold brows furrowing. Not catching her tease, he’d taken her literally again. “I don’t mean any disrespect.”

Amusement, affection, relief, happiness—a flood of emotions threatened to engulf her. “I know.”

He gave her a look as if trying to gauge her mood. “Are we all right, then?”

“Yes, we’re fine.” Running her palms across his chest and down his arms, she tightened her hands on his. “We’re more than fine.”

“I’m thinking—”

“Lorne.”

He gave her another look, calculation swimming in his eyes. “I was just going to say—”

“Lorne.”

Exasperation crossed his face. “What?”

“Thank you.” She wanted to say more. She wanted to give him the thumping heart in her chest and tell him what he’d done meant more to her than anything anyone else had ever done. But some small, tiny wedge of remaining hurt and pain kept the words clogged in her mouth. “Thank you for talking to my employees.”

“It wasn’t a problem.” He shrugged, yet the flush rising on his cheeks told her he was more than pleased. “So you’ll come with us to Pictloch then? I’m thinking your brother must be close to starvation at this point.”

Laughing, she let go of her fears and placed herself in Lorne Ross’s capable, rawboned hands. “Yes, I’ll come with you.”