Page 23 of Scottish Seducer
“We were up half the night googling your new boyfriend.”
My stomach knotted. I’d never looked him up other than see his name on some company emails. I closed my eyes as adrenaline surged through me while I asked, “Yeah? What’s wrong?”
“It seems your brother-in-law’s family sued Charlie Grannd because of a breach of contract.”
A pang hit me hard, and I let my forehead hit the desk as I asked, “Which one?”
“Carter Rockson and his oil company.”
Fuck.Olivia’s husband ran that and was the head of his family business. And Ridley always watched my back, ever since we were children. I rubbed my forehead as I sat up and said, “Thanks. I’ll call Ridley right now.”
If my sister told me Charlie had done something awful to her family, I’d have to walk out of here, fast.
My hands shook as I called my sister. It was still early in Texas, but they lived on a ranch, and she usually got up at the crack of dawn. On the second ring she answered, and I said, “Ridley.”
“Hey! I can’t talk long. Carter is about to give us riding lessons on the new horse he just bought, and the kids are excited.”
She sounded so perky and happy. I couldn’t form a sentence before a cup of tea in the morning and she probably never touched tea or coffee. I ignored the clock that seemed to tick at the moment and asked, “Can you ask your husband what he thinks of Charlie Grannd?”
“Okay. Why?”
Phew.His name hadn’t triggered any bouts of anger or anything. I sighed and sat straighter as I said, “Because…I’m starting to like him, but I’d never betray my family. It says online that he sued Charlie, so I want to know if…dating him is a bad idea.”
“Does he treat you well?”
As the only unmarried sister left, I was now the one my sisters worried about. I ignored the tick in a muscle next to my right eye as I realized I shouldn’t have mentioned Charlie to family. We’d never last, but it was easier to admit with my eyes closed when I said, “So far, absolutely.”
“And you like him?”
In my dreams, we’d spend every day of my life like last night. But what I said was, “Yes, I think so.”
“Then trust everything will work out. I’ll talk to Carter, but in the meantime, go for it—and enjoy yourself.”
Right. None of them had consulted me when they met their husbands. I even started to sweat a little when I thought about how much I hated being at Olivia’s wedding while everyone pitied me. I swallowed, opened my eyes, and said, “Thanks.”
My fifteen-minute window was closed, so I jumped up to head to my meetings. The rest of the morning was a blur.
I discussed Jane Austen with dozens of executives, and not one of them had read, much less studied, her novels.
My stomach was growling by the time I headed back to the top floor, to discover my name was now embossed on the door.
I checked my email and saw one from Margot asking me to join her later.
I probably should. She’d been a good enough boss. However, someone knocked and I glanced at the door and smiled as Charlie came in. I stood and he stared at me and said, “You look exhausted.”
“I’m starving,” I admitted. He was right, though, because we hadn’t slept much. His face was bright and chipper, as I went to join him, and said, “I have never in my life had so many people asking me so many questions all at once.”
We headed to the elevator and he placed his hand on my back like he’d protect me as he asked, “Was it bad?”
The door opened for us and I shook my head as we stepped in. “No, it was flattering. I’m glad you trust me with this project.”
Once the elevator closed and we were alone, he wrapped me in his arms and kissed me.
I forgot the world in that second. Charlie’s lips on mine created a dream I’d never put into thought, where a man who was better educated, more experienced, richer than I was—better than I am in every way—might be interested in me for more than just sex.
However, when we made it to the bottom floor, he held my hand and directed me out of the building. Once we were on the main street, I figured we were heading to his favorite restaurant, but he stopped at a jeweler. I tugged his hand to prevent him from going in and asked, “Where are we going?”
He kissed my cheek. “Just stopping by on our way to lunch.”
