Page 12 of Scottish Seducer
She chewed her small bite and said, “It reminds me of a tater tot.”
I blinked and let her eat her own as I studied my own plate, though I asked, “What?”
She shook her head then tried a second tattie scone, which meant she liked it. As she finished, she said, “Nothing. Something in America we eat for breakfast.”
I winked at her. “So our cultures aren’t that different.”
We finished eating without much more conversation. She downed a few cups of tea, and somehow got me to focus on my food instead of being busy plotting and planning what I hoped to achieve next.
Peace was nice for a change. As she finished her last sip, she sat back and said, “Mr. Grannd—”
“Charlie, Stephanie,” I interrupted her. I needed her to want to be close to me, but at the same time she made me wonder if maybe a long-term relationship with a woman who both let me dream and somehow calmed my racing mind might be good for me.
I picked her backpack up off the floor to carry it for her. She crossed her arms for a moment, like she was getting ready to argue with me, but then she said, “Let’s get to the car.”
“Excellent.” I walked beside her, but as I put the bag in the back, she took the driver’s seat.
I didn’t argue, instead saying, “I can’t wait to ask you more questions.”
We both put on our seatbelts and she asked, “What kind of questions?”
She started the car, and I relaxed in my seat, opening the window as I said, “Like, would you consider moving in with me?”
She jerked the car to a stop. “No.” She gripped the wheel hard and stared at the street, not me, as she said, “I’m driving you to pay the rent.”
“Yes,” I even nodded, and she started driving again. Then once we were on the street, I shrugged and added, “And while I’d apply to be your roommate, I feel you’re a bit prejudiced about me.”
Her voice squeaked as she asked, “I’m prejudiced?”
The fresh air against my face felt and smelled good as she drove us down the street, though I rested my head on the seat and said, “Where I’m concerned,aye.”
We headed onto the main road, and she picked up speed as she finally stopped holding the wheel so hard. “So you remember the troubles I told you about before I discovered who you are.”
I gave her my best smile and hoped she’d learn to relax around me soon. “Just consider this. If you move into my townhome, it solves your rent situationandyou’ll make it easier for me when you take me to one of your reenactments.”
She tapped her toes, with her fingers curled around the steering wheel, but otherwise sat stiff and quiet in a way that made my hair stand on end while I waited for her to speak, until she said, “You can’t want that, Charlie.”
Right. This wasn’t a sprint but a long-term game we were playing here. The last girl I remember having in my life was more of a blur at this moment. And Stephanie’s kiss was vibrant and memorable and deserved to be cherished. I swallowed and waved my fingers out the window to feel the sting of the speed as I said, “I want to know you, and that includes what you’re into.”
Her face got some color as she remembered to breathe, then said, “I’m all about the past and you’re the future. We have nothing in common.”
I inched closer to her and whispered in her ear. “Except chemistry. Or did you not feel that connection when I kissed you?”
She flinched and swerved the car. So I relaxed and immersed myself in the vibrations.
She didn’t say anything for a while.
Then we passed a sign and I said, “Gretna Green is coming up.”
“Yeah,” she said, sounding withdrawn.
I obviously hadn’t impressed her. She wasn’t like other women. I met her look when she glanced at me, though, then said, “I can’t wait to hear you talk about it.”
For a second, I didn’t think she’d let down her walls, but then she asked, “Why are you so interested in me? And don’t just say ‘it’s chemistry’.”
Good. Finally. I kept it cool and didn’t move a muscle because I didn’t want to spoil the moment when I asked, “Is chemistry a bad thing to talk about with you?”
She let out a sigh, but it sounded the same as before. Then she said, “We have nothing in common.”
