Page 11 of Scottish Seducer
Chapter 4
Charlie
I retiredto my room but decided to run a background check on my employee in the next room. Then, I took a shower and decided to air dry, so Little Charlie was allowed to hang properly without being scratched by my swinging kilt while I checked my app.
My jaw dropped as I leaned against my small desk to support myself. I seriously hadn’t expected Stephanie to have such interesting contacts. My brother would be happy to have a connection with these wealthy men from various industries.
This meant I needed to be smart. Stephanie wasn’t a one-night stand where I’d knock on her door and get in her pants. I needed her to want to spend more time with me. She’d be perfect. I called my brother and strode across the room to look up at the stars. As his phone rang, I told myself, “You just got more interesting, Stephanie Steel.”
A moment later, the phone dinged and I squared my shoulders. I hated having to ask permission like a child, but I needed to know if she passed inspection.
I said, “Logan, there you are.”
I hit send to text her information to Logan so he’d have the background check. My brother’s phone beeped as he said, “It’s late, Charlie. Do you need me to come get you?”
I swear one of the stars above twinkled. I’d spent hours as a boy staring up and wanting to go see one up close. But for now, I simply said, “No, I just want to chat.”
“That’s odd.”
His comment shouldn’t sting, but he did sound exactly like our father, reminding me how he always hated my plans. I tugged my ear and said, “Earlier today, you said that if I show up with a woman—”
“—I said for you to be in a real relationship,” Logan interrupted.
I nodded. “Aye.” I needed the bank, so I ignored my urge to just follow my instincts because I wanted the woman. But I needed that bank, so it was important to ensure she was exactly what Logan wanted for me, too. The deal would guarantee the funding for my flying car project. “But right now, I want to know if Stephanie Steel, an American on my staff, would be acceptable. I just sent you the background report.”
He let out an audible breath like he usually did when reading. I waited and actually had pins and needles in my arms at the prospect that soon she’d be mine, though I wasn’t sure until Logan said, “Her family connections are excellent, though she does work for you.”
Yessss!My heart pounded.“I didn’t know that when I met her.”
“Very well. If you can bring her to me in a month, and you both seem happy and in love while you stay here the entire weekend, I’ll invest a little in your bank.”
I gave the moon in the sky a thumbs-up as I said, “You have a deal.”
We hung up and I jumped into my bed. Stephanie had mentioned something about rent and some horrible roommate. Before I closed my eyes, I grabbed my phone and texted Jeffrey, my HR head.Promote Stephanie Steel to my personal assistant and have her pay tripled.
I turned off the phone. My orders would be fulfilled. And soon, I’d have more than a kiss to send me off every morning.
I heardswallows outside my window and knew it was dawn. I jumped out of bed, and instead of wearing my clan kilt, I put on a pair of black pants and ambled down the stairs.
Once there, I ordered a proper Scottish breakfast for two for whenever Stephanie arrived. I didn’t have to wait long, as her hair practically floated behind her as she came down the last step. I waved to get her attention and stood as I said, “There you are.”
She adjusted the backpack she’d worn last night and came toward me. “I came down early to have a little breakfast.”
I kissed her cheek and held her chair for her. She took off the backpack as I said, “Same here. So let’s get you some tattie scones, lorne sausage and white pudding.”
Her nose wrinkled as she said, “I’m not that adventurous with my breakfast. How about eggs, and maybe some toast, and of course tea?”
I chuckled and said, “Let’s get you a little of everything, and then you can tell me what you think.”
I called the waitress over and added Stephanie’s choices. Once the waitress left, she said, “Okay, since you are paying for my food either way because the voucher ends up coming out of your pocket.”
The waiter brought everything over. I took her hand while the waiter set out our meals, and the second we were alone, I said, “Put the vouchers away and taste this.”
I laughed then took one of the tattie scones and dipped it in the melted butter.
Her eyes widened as she said, “Don’t—”
I shoved it in her mouth for a small nibble and said, “Butter makes the tattie scones a little better.”
