Page 102 of The Heir
“Why?”
“Because for ten years I kept away from this place to avoid you. Now you’re the reason I’m here.”
“Things change.” I kept smiling as I lifted her hand and kissed the back of it. “I used to get angry at my dad when he mentioned I should get married, but now that I found you, I’m eager to be wed.”
“You didn’t find me. I wasn’t hidden, you know.”
“Maybe not, but you kept out of sight for many years and then when you showed up again, I felt an instant attraction to you.”
The drone landed with a gentle bump. Looking deep into my eyes, Linea teased, “You hid your attraction well, then. All I picked up from you was repulsion.”
“The repulsion I felt was toward myself for having some pretty intense mental images of what I wanted to do with Finn MacCumhail’s innocent daughter.” I kissed her and hovered nose to nose. “I’m happy that we’re not fighting anymore.”
“Me too, but from now on I shall be worried if you argue with a woman like you did with me.”
My lips lifted in a cheeky smile. “Then I will be starting arguments with many women just to see you jealous and territorial. It’s a turn-on for me.” Giving the command for the drone to open the exit, I asked her, “Are you ready? I’m eager to show off my fiancée.”
“Yes. But what about my family? We told them to come North this weekend for an engagement party. They’ll be disappointed that the party was today.”
I chuckled. “This isn’t our engagement party. The Rex and Boulder families are part of our clan. We drop in at each other’s houses all the time. This is just an informal get-together. I promise you that they will be back this weekend with a bunch of other people as well. It’s never boring here at the mansion.”
We hadn’t stepped foot outside the drone before Aubri, Dina, and Sparrow came rushing with Banni, Indiana, and Mason to greet us.
Aubri had a hand on her pregnant belly and the biggest grin on her face. “I thought they were pulling a prank on me when they said you agreed to marry my cousin. Did you fall and hit your head or something?”
Linea laughed. “I still have time to take my answer back if you know something I don’t.”
“Oh, it’s no secret that Thor can be a bit of an ass,” Indiana said while placing an arm around my shoulder. “He’ll be the first to admit it, won’t you?”
“Sure. It comes from hanging around people like you.”
Indiana pulled me along while Banni fell into step next to me. “I’m so excited for you to have found love. Does that mean you’ll stay around?”
“Yup, that’s the plan. If I can convince my beautiful fiancée that the Northlands is the perfect place for us.”
“You’d better, because we don’t want you leaving again.”
I gave Banni a reassuring smile and placed my hand on his shoulder.
“I baked a cake to welcome you to the Mansion,” said Dina, my youngest cousin. “It was supposed to look like a windmill, but that part didn’t work out so well.”
“Aww, that’s sweet of you, Dina. I’m sure it will taste delicious. I’m honored that you took the time.”
“Can I ask a question?” Mason’s long legs made it easy for him to get in front of us. “When did this happen? Belle says that you two must have been in love before we went to France, but I was there, and I saw you together. There were no signs whatsoever.”
Belle stood at the top of the stairs by the entrance waiting for us with her daughter and Mason’s, Violetta, who had the most gorgeous brown curls.
“Our feelings have developed over these past eight months, but France was definitely where we realized that we would much rather be allies than adversaries,” I explained.
“Bonjour, Linea. Welcome.” Belle glowed as she leaned forward to hug Linea. “I’m so happy for you and Thor.”
“Thank you.” With a massive smile, Linea turned her gaze on Violetta, who clung to her mother’s legs. Squatting down, Linea said, “Hey, sweetie, I missed you. Are you excited for your first birthday soon?”
Little Violetta hid her face but was rescued by Aubri, who bent down and picked up her niece. “Come here, my little meringue. Let’s go see if the dogs have eaten all the snacks or if there’s still some left.”
Belle smiled as Violetta leaned her head against Aubri’s neck showing how comfortable she was in her arms.
“Maybe you shouldn’t carry her around in your condition,” Mason warned his sister and reached out his arms. “Here, let me take her.”
