Page 37 of Undercover Savior

“Why shouldn’t I have told you about Tag’s cook?”

“Blackmail, obviously, in an effort to get you to divulge more of your secrets.”

I put my hand on Sullivan’s cheek. “All you ever have to do is ask.”

She chuckled. “If that’s the case…”

“Yeah? Have you started a list?”

“Not yet, but I do have one question. How do people address you?”

“People?”

“Con, Tag, and Gus, mainly.”

“Ash. Our bunch prefers single syllables, or so it seems. What about you? Do your mates call you Sully?”

She shook her head. “I don’t really have many. Well, any mates to speak of. The people I work with refer to me as Bully.”

“Bully? Why ever would they call you that?”

“I’m sure they meant it to be disparaging, but I took being likened to a bulldog as a compliment.”

“Word is you’re an exceptional investigator. That, I could’ve gathered based on your inquisitions alone.”

Sullivan wiggled her finger in my direction. “Except we’re not talking about work or anything related to it.”

“As you wish, Sully.”

After a delicious dinnerof cullen skink—the traditional Scottish soup made from smoked haddock, onions, and potatoes—and crusty bread fresh from the ovens, Sullivan and I returned to our suites. As much as I wanted to stay and talk to her until the wee hours of the morning, I’d gotten very little sleep the night before. I’d noticed her yawn several times throughout our meal, so she was likely equally exhausted.

Rather than following her inside, I remained in the hallway. “Will you be able to sleep okay?” I asked. “Or shall I take you for a ride around the estate?” That got a smile out of her.

“Do you want to…?” She motioned behind her with her head.

“I think it best I don’t tonight.”

“Sure. Right. Of course.”

“I would like to kiss you once more if you wouldn’t mind.”

“Not at all. We’ve twenty years to make up for, right?”

When I leaned forward, our lips met. The kiss was over far too soon, but if I didn’t go to my rooms now, I might never.

“Good night, Sully.”

“Good night, Ash. Or should I call you Davy?”

I smiled, shook my head, and walked the rest of the way down the hallway, happy to have a bed to sleep in tonight, but not quite as pleased that the opposite side would be empty.

After a quick shower, I got under the covers, but rather than sleep, I stared at the ceiling. We’d managed to remain cocooned in happy thoughts for the last couple of hours. Tomorrow morning, we’d have no such luxury. Me, especially.

When I wokewith the sunrise, it was because my mobile pinged with an alert from Gus.

Periscope is ready to talk. She said only to you.

“Bloody hell,” I muttered out loud. Doing so meant returning to Edinburgh, something I definitely didn’t want to do, especially today.

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