Page 27 of Undercover Savior

“I’ll be staying at Glenshadow also.”

“Oh. Uh, is that necessary?”

“Yes,” he said before he abruptly turned and left.

Well, then, I thought, shaking my head and foolishly smiling.

9

SAVIOR

I’d lied to Sullivan—many times, actually—but this time, it was about the necessity of me staying at Glenshadow with her. I didn’t doubt Tag’s ability to keep her safe, but the idea of not being able to see her bothered me far more than it should.

Based on the looks on my friends’ faces, they’d heard our conversation.

“Shut it,” I said before either of them spoke. I turned to Tag. “I appreciate this, mate.”

“I’m beginning to regret not asking the lovely Miss Sullivan to stay with me,” Con said barely above a whisper.

I glared at him, and he laughed.

“Let me help you with that,” said Tag, looking over my shoulder, then brushing past me in the hallway.

“I’ve got it,” I said too late.

“Thanks,” Sullivan said, her eyes meeting mine since Tag’s back was to her.

“Always,” I said under my breath. Had we been alone, had she remembered me, had any number of circumstances been different, I would take her in my arms and promise thatwhatever she needed, whatever she wanted, I’d do everything I could to make it happen.

“Let’s be off, shall we?” said Con, motioning to the door.

The drivefrom Ashcroft to Glenshadow was quick, but I didn’t miss the way Sullivan took in her surroundings.

“It’s so beautiful,” she said once we were inside the estate’s gates.

“Tag raises Highland cattle,” I mentioned as we drove past two that were near the fence lining the road.

“They’re adorable. I love coos.” Her voice was wistful, even childlike, much as I remembered it being.

Maybe whichever of my friends had suggested I come clean with Sullivan about knowing her when we were children was right. Except now that I’d lied about not recalling meeting her previously, I’d have to own up to it. I tapped her arm and pointed to my side of the vehicle.

“Oh!” She gasped. “A baby coo. They’re even sweeter.” Her smile took my breath away, making me want to reach over and touch her hand with mine. I knew I should look away before she caught me staring, but I couldn’t.

Her wide-eyed innocence at times like these belied the dogged determination that played out on her face with her endless stream of questions. I closed my eyes, imagining how her expression would change when I pulled her into my arms and kissed her for the first time.

“David?” she whispered.

There was no way for me to mask my desire with someone as perceptive as Sullivan. Instead, I eased my hand closer to hers and brushed her finger with mine.

I pulled away when Tag parked near the entrance to Glenshadow. “We’re here.”

Sullivan looked surprised when she raised her head. “That was quick.”

“As Tag said, his land borders mine, err, you know, where I live.” I couldn’t look at her to see if she’d noticed the slip. It would only make her more suspicious.

I got out and went around to get her door.

“It’s lovely.”

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