Page 53 of Scotch & Shortbread

“Tastes even better, I hope. Please, help yourself.”

Alex eyed the lass, wondering what she would go for first. Seeing Quinn reaching for a Chocolate thin square, he smiled. His mom always started Christmas breakfast with a chocolate thin square. And for as long as he could remember, they always bought the same chocolates for Christmas morning.

“Mmmm. Oh my, this chocolate is so good,” she groaned. And Alex had to swallow the instant kick of desire he felt seeing the pure pleasure play out on her beautiful face.

Clearing his throat he said, “My mam sent them from home. 'Tis Scottish chocolate made right in the village where my family is from. Isnae Christmas without it.”

“Well, I’m still not convinced with the scotch, but the chocolate… Gawd.” She sighed, savouring the second bite.

Alex found it hard to tear his gaze from her. Her auburn locks were mussed. She still wore his sweat pants and hoody, but God help him, he found her painfully alluring. Those big dark brown eyes and her full lips. The way she sat with one knee up on the chair.How did she look so feminine in his oversized clothes?

32

She Liked It 'Verra Much'

Withbreakfastdoneandleftovers put away, they washed the dishes together. As Quinn dried the last pan, she asked, “Did you want to finish upA Christmas Carol?”

Alex looked at her from under his dark brows with a sly expression on his handsome face. Quinn’s pulse quickened, and she wondered why he was looking at her that way.

“What?” she asked not meaning for it to come out breathily.

“I huv a wee surprise fer ye,” he said with a low tempting tone in his voice.

Fireworks shot off low in her belly. Did he mean a gift? No. Was he teasing her? Or… An image of him kissing her under the mistletoe skittered through her mind, and she chided herself. He didn’t even have mistletoe, and even if he did, he’d made himself very clear upon where they stood with each other. No sex, which she was sure also meant no kissing.

“What kind of surprise?” she asked, her curiosity already killing her.

The expression on Alex’s face told her that he was enjoying her piqued interest. “I think it’s one ye’ll like verra much,” he said.

His burr was like a trigger on all her feminine parts.Jeez Louise.

“Ye huv to do as I say though, lass. No questions asked.”

She eyed him dubiously.

“Do ye trust me?” he asked from under an arched brow.

“Of course,” she answered easily and she noted he looked pleased with her answer.

“So will ye do as I say?” he asked apparently wanting her to commit fully to whatever he had planned.

She looked at him, uncertainly biting her lower lip, but she was way too curious to say no. “Fine,” she conceded.

Alex grinned, clearly he had her figured out. She was as curious as a cat and he knew it. “Good. There is a robe hanging on the back of the door in the bathroom.”

Quinn had seen the thick navy robe there.But what on earth…She waited to hear more.

“I want ye to go get it and put it on.”

Shaking her head confused, she clarified, “You want me to put on your robe?”

“Aye, take off everything else and just put on the robe.” Quinn threw him a wide-eyed look wondering if she'd heard him right.

“Dinnae worry, lass. I promise it’s nothing nefarious.” He said with a wink.

Quinn stared at him, as if she might be able to figure out what in the heck was happening. When he said nothing more. She nodded apprehensively, “Okay, then.”

“Good, little lass.” He grinned and her eyes shot to his in warning. She heard his deep rumble of a chuckle, as she turned and made her way to the bathroom.

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