Page 18 of The Rescue

Rabbie kisses Edie on the head, and puts her down on the floor at our feet. I try not to step back in disgust when Edie comes over and rubs up against my leg, twirling in and out of my legs, meowing softly.

“Aww, I think she likes you,” Rabbie beams at me.

“That’s great, I feel like we are going to be friends,” I force a smile.

Rabbie turns around to grab a glass of water from the kitchen, and when he’s not looking, I shoo Edie away with my foot. She scampers off, I hope Rabbie closed the spare bedroom door. She will not be living in my room whilst I stay here, the thought of white cat hair all over my clothes is already making me itchy.

“So, what do you say? Would you like to take the room?” Rabbie asks, and then takes a long, slow sip from his glass of water.

How does he make drinking water look unbelievably hot?

“That would be amazing, I can’t wait to get a decent night’s sleep,” I sigh, suddenly feeling tired again.

“It’s the least I could do.” His voice is laced with warmth, but there’s a flash of nervousness I see cross his face. I blink and it’s gone.

“Thanks.”

“Besides, I’m paying you to do a job, canny have you sleeping on the job,” he winks at me.

And there we go, back to talking about professionalism. The things I want to do to this guy are the least bit professional. If we worked for a corporation, HR would be freaking out, but we’re not, so I think the rules can be bent a little. The only issue is to find out if he’s attracted to me or not. Usually I don’t chase men, they chase me, but I love a challenge. And he’s just too fucking sexy to not try and get him into bed.

“I need to go get my things from Thistle Down, and tell Dylan.”

“I’ll drive you, I’m sure you have a few things that you’ll need help with.”

* * *

As we drive to Thistle Down Farm, I’m dreading telling Dylan that I’ll be staying with Rabbie. Not because she’ll be upset, I’m sure she and Cam will be thrilled to have some alone time, but because I know she will give me a lecture about trying to jump into bed with him. I can hear her righteous tone - “be careful, don’t hurt our precious Rabbie.”

I think Rabbie can hold his own, he doesn’t seem fragile to me. He’s sweet and caring, but he doesn’t strike me as someonewho is delicate and sensitive. We arrive at Thistle Down Farm, and we’re greeted in the farmyard by Rosie and Ruby.

Ruby is Hamish’s four-year-old daughter, who he shares joint custody of with his ex. And Rosie is Hamish and Cam’s mother. She’s lovely and loves Rabbie as if he were her son.

“Uncle Rabbit!” Ruby yells as she runs at him, he scoops her up in his big strong arms, and I think it’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. There’s something about a man who gives a child their undivided attention that has my ovaries singing.

“Hi,mi chroít. You’ve got so big since I last saw you,” he tickles her.

“I saw you the other day, silly!” She laughs and tries to wiggle out of his arms.

Even though I can’t understand what he’s saying, hearing Rabbie speak Gaelic makes my legs weak, and the heat in my belly ignites. I’d love to hear him speak Gaelic to me whilst my legs are wrapped around him. Rabbie sets Ruby on the ground, and she looks at me with a huge smile.

“Hi Crystal, I like your boots.”

She tells me this every time I’ve seen her, she’s even told Hamish that she wants a pair for her birthday. She is the cutest four-year-old I’ve ever met. Dylan has made a great impression on her, from the signature bow she has in her hair.

“Well, if you’re a good girl, the birthday bunny might bring you a pair.”

“Birthday bunny, there’s no such thing,” she laughs at me.

“He’s real, I’ve met him and I told him what a good girl you are,” I wink at her.

She giggles and claps her hands, her little bow in her hair bouncing up and down.

With the weird, strained relationship I have with my mama, and the fact I never see myself settling down, I told myself Ididn’t want kids of my own. It doesn’t mean I don’t like children, I love them, but I’m happy being the cool aunt.

Rosie gives Rabbie a big hug, and a light kiss on his cheek. His face lights up when she offers him this affection, and I can see how much he adores her.

“What do we owe this pleasure?” Rosie smiles up at Rabbie.

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