Page 55 of A Scottish Christmas Hideaway
She wished he would stop saying the wordwee.She had never before heard him use it. Did he think he had to keep slipping it into the conversation because he was north of the border? He really was an utter knob.
He sat back. ‘Though your colleagues do seem to be more experienced. At least I don’t have to keep explaining myself to them.’
Jessica was starting to lose her patience. ‘Is that so?’
‘I’m only winding you up, of course. But you do always, without fail, take the bait. I rather like that about you, Jessica. You’ve got a real fire in your belly. It’s just a shame that I don’t have longer until my train leaves for the big smoke. Otherwise we could have made an evening of it.’ He raised an eyebrow suggestively.
Jessica couldn’t quite believe what he was saying. He had always been a patronising prick but the fact he was now tryingto flirt with her and actually suggest they spend the evening together made her want to vomit. She felt bile rise to the back of her throat and her cheeks flamed in indignation.
‘But you do know that I can change my plans? I can get a train in the morning if you catch my drift. I think you’d like that, wouldn’t you?’
How dare he.Jessica knew she needed to get out of here now before she punched him. She took a final sip of coffee and put her cup back on its saucer and stood up. ‘Actually, do you know what I want, Zander? I want you to piss off. You have crossed a line for the final time.’ She pulled on her coat and gathered her bags. ‘Make sure you don’t miss your train.’
But just as Jessica turned to go, Zander leaned forward and gripped her wrist hard. ‘Not so fast. Remember I am the client and the client always gets what they want.’
Jessica flinched and tried to pull away.
‘It would be extremely rude of you to leave like this and I’m sure Ivan wouldn’t want me to complain again now, would he?’
‘Get your hands off me,’ she said calmly and firmly, trying to pull her arm away, but he dug his nails into her. He licked his lips and she shivered in disgust. ‘Get off me, Zander.Now.’
Chapter Thirty-Six
Reuben had spent the last hour in the Buchanan Galleries shopping centre picking up the gifts he needed. Shopping was not one of his favourite pastimes and he was quite horrified by the frenzied energy that the hordes of shoppers brought to the city centre. He made his way down Buchanan Street, toying with the idea of just catching the next train home. But it had been ages since he’d been to Princes Square and as he made his way into the mall he heard the carol singers. He headed across to the balcony so he could look over at them in the courtyard below. Then he did a double take when he spotted Jessica sitting in the small café next to the escalators. That familiar fluttering in his stomach appeared whenever she was in his line of vision. He knew he should go over and speak to her but felt embarrassed at how aloof he was with her last week. She might not be all that pleased to see him and he wasn’t sure he could handle the rejection. He stood for a moment, dithering, and then walked towards her.
As he neared, he realised she had company. It was an older man. He wondered who it was and felt a flicker of jealousy. He wanted to be the one sitting opposite her while they listened to Christmas carols and did their last-minute shopping together. But he only had himself to blame for being so cool towards her. She probably wouldn’t ever want to talk to him again. Then he looked more closely at her face. She was frowning and didn’t look very happy with the man. She looked entirely pissed off. He watched as she pulled her coat on and gathered her bags, clearly getting ready to leave. But then the man reached over and grabbed at her wrist, pulling her back. Feeling a surge of anger, Reuben strode towards the table as Jessica tried to pull away. Just as he got to the table, Jessica glanced up and looked at him in relief. He placed a firm hand on the man’s shoulder. ‘Evenfrom a distance I can see the lady has made herself perfectly clear. Take your hands off her.’
Zander looked round at him in surprise, which caused him to pull his hand away and off Jessica’s. ‘Mind your own business,’ he said, his slimy smile suddenly vanishing.
‘Thisismy business.’ Reuben glowered down at him and the man shrank under his gaze. ‘You’re making the lady feel uncomfortable.’
A shaken Jessica took a step back, clutching her bags close.
‘And who are you to tell me what to do?’ said Zander, standing up suddenly and taking a step towards him.
‘Don’t make a scene,’ said Reuben. ‘They don’t like fuss in here. The security guards will have you out of here in a second.’ He glanced over towards the doors, hoping that a security guard would be there if hedidstart to argue. He glanced over at Jessica. ‘Are you okay?’
Jessica looked at him and managed a small nod.
‘I don’t know who you are or what you think you’re doing, but Ms Stewart and I were having a chat about work,’ he said with a sneer. ‘I’m one of her clients.’
Jessica cleared her throat. ‘Actually, that’s wrong. You are a bullying misogynist who has no respect for women. I will not represent you ever again, and I am sure Ivan will have plenty to say when he hears what you just tried to do. Now, do as I asked and piss off.’
Zander’s face paled.
‘Not such a big man now, are you? In fact, you’re lucky she didn’t give you a Glasgow kiss,’ said Reuben firmly. The man looked back at him with a vacant expression, clearly unsure what he meant. ‘Google it, you twat.’
And with that, Reuben clasped Jessica’s hand and hurried her away from the café and out onto Buchanan Street.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Jessica was grateful for the warmth of Reuben’s hand around hers and she didn’t want to let go. She gripped it more tightly as he led her through the crowds and out of the way of the main throng of shoppers. Neither of them spoke as they walked up Buchanan Street and away from Zander and Princes Square. Reuben only stopped when they reached the inside of Queen Street station.
He turned to look at her. ‘Are you okay?’ he said, his voice etched with concern. He reached out and touched her face tenderly.
Jessica put her hand over his. ‘Thank you.’ She was so glad that he had turned up when he did. Although she had never been the type who needed the cavalry to step in and fight her corner, she wasn’t quite sure what she would have done if Reuben hadn’t arrived.
‘You don’t need to thank me,’ he said softly. ‘I’m just glad that I arrived when I did.’
