Page 29 of Scotch & Shortbread

Not only was he frustrated having to fight erections around her, but he also felt perturbed that she seemed to think of him like he was her bloody knight in shining armour. He wasn’t going to be anyone’s Lancelot. Yes, he felt the need to protect her and didn’t like that she’d gone through what she had, but that was simply because he was a cop. Protection was an instinct, or so he told himself.

Alex sighed heavily and rolled over. A lass had been his downfall in Scotland, and he’d be damned if he’d ever let that happen again. As much as he wanted to fuck Quinn West or at least his cock did, he knew better. He knew that even casual sex could lead to disaster. Coming to this country was a fresh start for him, and there was no way in hell a pretty face lush-lipped pain in the arse lass was going to wreck it for him.

One day, he’d likely move back to his homeland. It was where his family lived after all, and when he did, maybe then he’d settle down with a woman. Maybe. Or perhaps he’d enjoy a peaceful life akin to a monk’s. His semi-stiff cock seemed to snicker at the idea.

Alex originally came to Canada on a work exchange, but one year had now led to two. In all the time he’d been here, he’d steered clear of any kind of love interest. He knew the trouble it could cause.

Living in this remote area of the mountains served him well. Close to town, but not too close. He spent a lot of time in the backcountry. He and Bear hiked these mountains together. His pup was all the companionship he needed.

Compared to his policing career in Scotland, being a cop in Canada was a piece of cake. Most of the crime was small kind of stuff. Although occasionally, he’d get involved with some big shake-ups in the larger nearby city. The occasional adrenaline rush of those jobs was just enough kick to his otherwise peaceful existence. Alex had found a haven here in Canada, and the last thing he wanted was for a lass to ruin it.

He suspected he knew what the problem was with Quinn West. She was attracted to him and had that subtle way of flirting with him. It was no wonder he was reacting to her. The last thing he wanted was for her to get the wrong idea about this situation they found themselves in.

Christ, from what he’d gathered about the lass, she was probably dreaming of sugar plums and fairies right now with him as her hero come to the rescue. Alex shuddered at the thought. There would be no fling, no romance, none of that shite. There was attraction. He could admit that, but he’d be sure to keep the lass at a distance. Easier said than done with her right under his roof, but he’d put his foot down if he had to. He had no intention of being her bloody knight in shining armour.

The moonlight reflected bluish shadows of gently falling snow on his ceiling. It snowed hard earlier, but at least the wind had died down a bit now. Hopefully, the storm would pass by sooner than anticipated. However long this situation lasted, Alex needed to set some boundaries. Perhaps he’d allowed too much tonight. Let his guard down. He didn’t need to spend the time getting to know her and vice versa. He could tell she wanted to know more about him, but he was not interested in all that. Best if they stayed as companionable strangers.

It pissed him off that his body had reacted to her though. In the early days after arriving in Canada, he’d been tempted by a few lasses, but he’d stuck to his guns. He taught himself to be immune, to not let them penetrate his senses. At first, it was almost like a game for him, a challenge and Alex loved a challenge. It had surprised and pleased him how disciplined he’d become, and he maintained it knowing it served his purposes.

All he had to do was get through the next few days—hopefully less. Keep her at a distance. He could do that. Discipline, he reminded himself. The woman who’d put him through hell back in his home country drifted into his mind unbidden, but it served as the reminder he needed. He’d not let any lass into his life.

20

More Than She Bargained For

Quinnawokeinthemiddle of the night to the howling sound of the wind whipping around wildly outside. Her heart was racing, and she felt cold as ice. Panic filled her. Pulling the blanket tighter around herself, she lay there. She was safe in Alex’s cabin now. She wasn’t out there. It was okay. She tried to calm herself. Shivering, her eyes darted to the fireplace, where she couldn’t even see an ember. The air in the log cabin felt arctic. Wasn’t there heating in this place other than the fireplace? She pulled the blanket over her frozen-tipped nose, but it was no better than cling wrap on an ice cube. She felt chilled to the bone all over again.

Needing to get warm, she willed herself to get up off the couch to see if Alex had more blankets or a thermostat. The icy slate floor tiles only added to her cold hell as she stood up. Wrapping the quilt tighter around herself, she crept to the small hall. Recalling that the bathroom was on the left, she noted that there was also a door to the right and one in the middle. Slowly, she opened the one on the right only to discover a linen closet. There were towels, but no other blankets that she could see. At this point, it didn’t feel like an extra blanket would do the trick anyway. She didn’t see a thermostat. Although, it was dark, and she didn’t know exactly where to look. Maybe he had an electric heater somewhere.

Quinn turned towards the middle door. Mean Hot Cop’s bedroom. Her heart started to beat faster in her chest again. He did say to go to him if she needed anything.

Taking a breath, she raised her hand and gently knocked on the door. On the other side of the door, she could hear Bear stir with his paws on the hardwood floor as he got close to the door, but she didn’t hear anything else. Gingerly, she turned the handle and carefully nudged the door open.

“Hello?” she said, quietly peeking her head in.

It was very dark, but she could make out Bear sitting like a very well-behaved pup. He eyed her but didn’t seem disturbed by her presence. He’d saved her life. Maybe that meant they shared an unspoken bond. Quinn adored all animals, but this dog would live forever folded deep in her heart. Without him, she would likely still be out there.

The moon made a silvery blue path across the bed in the darkness. Quinn watched for a moment, but Alex didn’t stir. Her chilliness kept her on her mission. She didn’t want to wake him or disturb him, but if she could quietly get his attention and ask if he had a heater, maybe he could just tell her where it was and then he could go back to sleep. She was happy to find it herself. Quietly, she padded further into the room and towards his bed.

“Alex,” she whispered. No response.

She hated to wake him, but she couldn’t keep from shivering she was so cold. His covers were pulled up snugly around him, and then suddenly, he moaned something in his sleep, making her nearly jump out of her skin. Was he having a bad dream?

“Sergeant Mackenzie,” she said, thinking maybe his cop title might stir him awake. He didn’t respond except for the incoherent tortured-sounding mumbles. Quinn bit her lip with worry. She didn’t know what she should do.Probably best to try and wake him, she thought and nudged his shoulder through the blankets.

Before she knew what was happening, she felt her body being yanked and then slammed face down onto his bed. Vicelike hands gripped her wrists and yanked her arms above her head. Alex’s rock-hard body pressed down on the back of hers, pressing her into the bed, her cheek flattened against the mattress. He had her trapped, and she struggled to breathe under his weight.

Still trying to comprehend what was happening, her terrified mind registered the feel of cool steel wedged at her neck tight against the line of her jaw. Holy shit was that a gun? Quinn flashed back to the black gun she’d seen in his holster the day he’d pulled her over.

She could barely breathe, never mind move, and it wasn’t for lack of trying. All she could do was feel the utter terror that snaked through her.

“One move and I’ll pull this fucking trigger.” His voice was as cold and menacing as the hard steel pressed against her jaw.

“Alex, no!” she screamed frantically from under him.

“Jesus Christ!” he bellowed, releasing her and flying off her like she’d scalded him. “What the hell are ye doing sneaking around in my room like that?” he boomed. His breath was ragged.

Quinn quickly scrambled off the bed, shaken. Was he blaming her? In an instant, her fear turned to anger. “I wasn’t sneaking.” Her voice was quivering, but she stood before him a combination of fury and fear thrumming through her body. “This place is freezing,” she said accusingly. “I came in here to see if you had a heater and then you pounced on me like some crazed prize fighter!” She was breathing in and out so heavily like she was in the final minute of a spin class.

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