Page 11 of Gift-Wrapped in a Kilt

Maybe that had been her first mistake.

She hurried down the hall to the kitchen.

Emery glanced up from perusing the offerings in the refrigerator. Her smile faded swiftly when she took in Jamie's appearance. "What is it, sweetie? You look like you had a good, hot tumble — or at least a good, hot kiss. But your face says you're devastated."

Jamie sucked in a breath, willing away the tears suddenly brimming in her eyes. "We — It was somewhere between a kiss and a tumble. He said it was a mistake and ran out. Says he needs time alone to think. Doesn't know if he loves me or not."

The tears poured down her cheeks, scalding her skin.

Emery enfolded Jamie in her arms, rubbing her back and murmuring consoling words.

Jamie's anguish lessened gradually, swept away by her sister-in-law's understanding and compassion. Emery did know what it was like to love a wounded man. Maybe Jamie ought to listen to her advice.

When Emery pulled away at last, only when Jamie's tears had dried, she said, "How hot was this tumble-kiss?"

Jamie almost smiled remembering it. "We nearly shagged on the sofa."

Emery grinned. "Perfect. I was right, then. Sex is the key to getting inside Gavin's shell."

"He said he doesn't know if he loves me, or if he ever loved me. He told me he didn't want to have sex with me."

"Is that what he actually said?" Hands on her hips, Emery hit Jamie with a pointed look. "Or is that what you assume he was implying? Men are obtuse, and they rarely say what they mean. They've got to dance around it to spare their manly pride."

Jamie blinked rapidly. "You don't think he meant he doesn't love me?"

"I don't know. Only one way to find out."

Shoulders flagging, Jamie groaned. "I'm not as sexy as you are."

"Baloney. You are a super-hot Scottish siren." Emery tucked a lock of hair behind Jamie's ear. "This is your decision, though. You know Gavin better than I do."

"Not sure that's true. He won't talk about his ex-wife, or his parents' deaths, or his time in Afghanistan." Jamie screwed up her mouth. "How am I supposed to seduce him into sharing all of that with me?"

"It's a tough one, I admit." Emery squinted her eyes, her gaze distant. After a moment, she made anah-haface and held up one finger. "I've got it. Wednesday is Halloween. Rory and I will throw a party and invite Gavin. I will loan you one of my costumes, a real hot one that will have Gavin panting for you so hard he'll do anything you want. Even spill his guts."

"Emery, that's crazy. I'm not you, I can't do something like that."

"You can, and you will. The question is, are you committed enough to get the job done? I think you are." Emery stepped back. "But it's up to you."

Jamie considered the idea for a moment. Seducing Gavin wouldn't be a trial, that was for sure. Keeping him from taking advantage of her like he had in the sitting room, that might prove more of a challenge. Maybe Emery had a point. Maybe this was a good plan, with a bit of tweaking.

"I'll do it," Jamie said, squaring her shoulders. "I'll make Gavin want me so badly he won't be able to see straight, much less think of reasons to stay away from me. Sex only, no talking or emotional nonsense unless he begs me to listen to his heartfelt apology and confession, followed by a plea for me to marry him."

Emery's mouth opened, but she seemed to have lost her ability to speak.

"Yes," Jamie said with a nod, "this plan is pure dead brilliant."

"That's not quite what I meant," Emery said slowly. "I understand you're hurting, and some payback sounds like a great idea, but sex only? Are you sure you can do that? Screwing a guy without feeling anything, good or bad, is a lot harder than it sounds. I couldn't pull it off when I thought Rory and I were having a one-nighter, and I didn't even know his name at that point."

"I can do it."

Her sister-in-law squashed her lips between her teeth, saying nothing for several seconds. At last, Emery threw her hands up and said, "Okay, if that's what you really want."

"It is."

"You've got my support, you know that." Emery swept an arm in the direction of the doorway. "Now, let's go scarf down ice cream sundaes and hash out the plan for Halloween."

Chapter Six

---