Page 54 of Roommate Wanted
“You’re insane.”
“Am devoted.”
“What goes on in that big head of yours?” she said in amazement, but the bond told me her words were not complimentary.
“Let me be clear,” I murmured, pulling her to my shoulder.“There’s not a soul in this world who wrongs yae and walks away unscathed. No one threatens yae, Nia. Not in London. Not in Scotland. Not anywhere.”
“That would be sweet if you weren't a psychopathic stalker,” she sighed, but placed her hand on my chest.
“Why don't we take a wee trip to Scotland? Yer free of yer job. Other than yer family and friends, what’s keeping yae here?”
This was the perfect opportunity to get her to come home with me.
“Scotland?” she said, lifting her head up. “I’ve always wanted to go. If werewolves are real, does that mean the Loch Ness monster is, too? Did you know I’m 9% Irish from my Dad’s side?”
I grinned at her. “Naw, yae didnae tell me.”
“Oh, I’ll lose the flat if I don't have a job,” she said suddenly deflating like a flat tyre.
“If ah cun pay people aff tae disappear, do yae no think ah cun hawd yer flat fur yae?”
“I can't ask you to do that, Lyall,” she said seriously.
“Ye dinnae huv’ tae, darlin’, am offering,” I said, kissing her neck. “Ah broke yer arse, remember?”
“I guess you do owe me for that,” she said slowly.
“Then it’s settled. Yae come tae the valley and yae can meet the Wulver pack. Yer comin’ home wae me.”
“I need to let my Mum know,” she said, sliding off my lap.
I watched her pace the living room, one arm hugging her waist as she spoke into the phone. Her voice wobbled once or twice, trying to sound confident, but I could feel the guilt bleeding through the bond. Her mother was disapproving, and Nia was absorbing every ounce of it like a sponge.
No.
That wouldn’t do.
I stood slowly, adjusting the band of my joggers—more for show than necessity—and crossed the room. Her eyes flicked to me, frazzled and pleading. I held out a hand, and she passed the phone to me like she was handing off a grenade.
“Mrs. Richardson,” I said smoothly, letting just enough charm lace my tone to take the edge off my natural growl.“It’s Lyall. Nia’s—friend.”
There was a pause. Then, suspicion.“Friend?”
“Aye. The serious kind.” I smiled, knowing she couldn’t see it, but Nia did—and she flushed.“We were thinkin’of takin’a weetrip tae Scotland. But I can tell this came as a surprise, and that’s on me. I should’ve introduced masel’ sooner.”
“You think?” came the sharp reply.
I held back a grin. Feisty. Now I knew where Nia got it.
“With respect, Mrs. Richardson, yae raised a remarkable woman. Independent, fierce…stubborn as hell.” I shot Nia a wink.“But she’s been burnin’the candle at both ends. Work. Life. It’s too much. She needs a wee break.”
“She barely knows you, and she has responsibilities,” her mother replied, but the bite had lessened.
“Which is why I’d like tae stop off and meet yae properly. Before we head north,” I said warmly.“Yae can look me in the eye and decide if I’m worthy of takin’yer daughter across the border.”
Nia’s jaw dropped.
Her mother paused before she spoke.“Hmm. Let me talk to her.”
