Page 5 of 40 and Flashing (the Scotsman)
She eyed him as she put on her coat, but there was no mocking in his expression. That was the reaction that she received most when people—especially single men—found out what she wrote. Score one for Gavin, though if she was honest with herself, he’d scored about a hundred since he’d arrived. She had a feeling he was a flirt of the highest caliber.
“A couple of my stepsisters are romance readers. JR Ward, Nora Roberts. Got me hooked on Lisa Gardner—she’s a good one with a mystery.”
Lisa Gardner was one of her favorites too. When she was actively writing, she didn’t read contemporary romance, so she’d found favorites in other genres as well. “Do you read thrillers mostly?”
“Eh, a bit of everythin’.” He waved toward the horror section of her shelves. “Jonathan Maberry is another one I’m keen on. Love his Joe Ledger series.”
Another good choice. She was impressed. “Patient Zerois phenomenal. And when I don’t want to read romance, his zombie novels are always fun.”
Gavin chuckled. “Always.” He tilted his head as he considered her. “Do ya use a pseudonym?”
“Oh, definitely.” She picked up her purse. Thankfully none of her own books were out here; she kept them on the shelves in her office. Anytime someone she’d been interested in had tried to read one of her books, the results had been disastrous. Men couldn’t seem to understand that just because you wrote about it didn’t necessarily mean you wanted to live it out. The number of men who’d turned into assholes because they’d skimmed an antihero book of hers, not to mention the ones who thought she must be a nymphomaniac because her books contained sex, had taught her well to keep her pen name under wraps.
Gavin crossed the room toward her. “Not gonna share, eh?”
“No way.”
She noticed again that his grin had a lopsided quality that gave him a boyish look. She couldn’t drag her eyes away when that grin appeared on his face. “I’ll have to ask someone else then.”
He probably would, but she really hoped he wouldn’t. She’d have to pass the word to her girlfriends not to share. But then again, Gavin would be gone in a few short days. She probably wouldn’t see him after tonight until the wedding, and then he’d be back to Scotland or New York or wherever, and she’d be back to her quiet life in the country with no Scotsman to talk to.
Better to not get attached, right?
ChapterThree
Scarlett walked ahead of him to the waiting SUV. The thick coat kept her warm against the chill air, but he cursed its bulkiness as it hid the sway of her generous hips and sexy legs in those lovely leather boots. He’d always adored a woman in boots. Lily had warned him off her friend, but she hadn’t warned him of how sexy Scarlett was. And now that he knew what was beneath all those layers…
She was lovely, indeed; a sight he wouldn’t be forgetting anytime soon, for certain.
He handed her into the car, then rounded the back to climb into the driver’s seat. The first thing he noticed was her scent—warm vanilla and sugar. Perfect for eating.
Get yer mind off the lass, Gav. Ye’re not here for romancin’.
That didn’t mean he couldn’t, though, did it?
He breathed in her heady scent as he put the SUV into reverse. “Can ya direct me to the restaurant?”
“Of course.” That pretty smile took over her lips, and when he looked her way, he could see a faint blush on her cheeks despite the winter darkness outside. That blush made him want to take her clothes off, find out exactly how far he could get it to spread.
He forced his gaze back to the road.
Companionable silence took over as she gave him instructions through town. When they were on the road to Gatlinburg, he engaged her with a bit of chatter about the wedding, trying to draw her out. From the bit Carter had told him about Lily’s friends, Scarlett was the one who kept mostly quiet unless she had something to say. Gavin found he enjoyed the sound of her voice, the way her words tended to take on a whimsy that showed her creative side. Even discussing the restaurant they were headed to, The Carousel, she painted a picture in his mind with very little effort. He liked that about her.
He liked her, and not only looking at her.
The Carousel was not far off Main Street in Gatlinburg, lit up with bright lights shining in the darkness where it perched on an ledge overlooking a lake. Gavin had traveled the world, and he had to admit he’d seen few sights as pretty as the glass-sided restaurant glowing in the night. The lot was crowded, but he found a spot close to the door for them.
When he shut the SUV off, Scarlett reached for the door handle.
“No, wait,” he said. “I’ll come around.”
Scarlett seemed surprised but waited as he rounded the back end of the SUV and opened her door with a flourish. Offering her his hand, he smiled. “Ready to have some fun?”
She gave him a rueful look. “I hope you have plenty of energy after flying all day. JD is big on dancing.”
She didn’t have to tell him. The man’s obsession had started in college when he became the official DJ for their fraternity parties. He’d taught himself to dance, guaranteeing that he was never without a date. “JD always did love a dance.”
Her smile was both sweet and seductive, especially with the red lipstick she’d put on in the car. It made him want to wear some of that lipstick—in inappropriate places, of course.
