Page 42 of Highland Games
‘There’s so much to do.’
‘Yes. Why couldn’t you have come here in the spring? Why choose November?’
‘The rental period was coming up on my flat and I couldn’t bear the thought of another six months when I knew this was here. It’s easier to ignore the potential difficulties when you’re fantasising about it while sitting in a hot bubble bath with candles and a glass of Prosecco.’
As Rory’s mind slipped into the bath with her, the back boiler fell out of his grasp, landing on his foot with an almighty crash and a blinding flash of pain. ‘Fuck!’
Zoe dashed over, dragging the boiler away and guiding him to sit down. ‘Oh my god, that must have hurt. Are you okay?’
Rory closed his eyes tightly, holding his foot and using the agony to detract from her hands fluttering over him. If he had been wearing his boots then the metal would have bounced off the steel toe caps. Stockinged feet were no match however against fifty kilos of boiler, and this hurt like a bastard. Zoe knelt on the floor beside him. ‘Can I take a look at it?’
Rory released his foot and felt her carefully take off his sock. He heard her sharp intake of breath as she shuffled closer. He opened his eyes to see her sitting on the floor between his legs, inspecting his swelling foot and chewing her bottom lip. She looked up and opened her mouth as if to speak. He stared at the full, lush softness of her lips.
She darted her tongue out, moistening them, then swallowed. ‘Do you want some ice for the swelling?’
Jesus Christ, she would be the death of him. He needed ice all right, just not for his foot.
‘Do you have any?’ His voice was low and husky. She shook her head. Silence crackled between them. ‘Can you go to the truck and get the first aid kit out the back?’ he asked, trying to keep his voice level.
Zoe nodded, leapt up and ran out of the cabin. Rory hung his head, holding his breath, willing his erection to subside. He couldn’t be around her. He was turning into an animal. Despite being seated, he had loomed over her, power and desire radiating out of him. He knew in terms of size alone he was a man and a half, and right now he had the libido of twenty. He needed to get away from her, and fast. By the time she got back, he had already hobbled to the door and pulled on his boots. Confusion and worry played across her face.
‘Are you okay? Are you sure you don’t want me to strap it up or anything? Can I help?’ She put her arm out for him but he shrugged her off.
‘The truck’s automatic and my right foot’s fine. I just need to get home and ice it. I’ll see how it is in the morning and let you know. I’ve also got lots of other jobs to do for the estate I can’t put off any longer.’
She nodded. ‘Sorry, I know how much you’ve been doing up here.’
His shoulders slumped. Had he upset her? Again? ‘It’s fine. I’d rather be here than at the castle. It’s just… If there’s anything I can to do to help you, ask, okay?’
Zoe looked up. ‘I need to get back to the castle to do a photoshoot for the website as soon as possible. Will you let me know when?’
‘Will do,’ he replied, limping off to the truck.
He reversed out down the track, throbbing with pain and desire. He needed this arrangement with her over sooner rather than later.
Zoe waited five minutes,then drove up the road to find a signal. She needed to talk to a friend; someone who knew her and didn’t know Rory. Sam picked up after one ring.
‘Babe! Oh my god, I can’t believe your timing, it’s perfect. We’ve just wrapped my scenes for today. Tell me everything, beginning with when the fucking fuck you’re coming home, and moving swiftly onto my favourite hot Scot, your brother-from-another-mother, Jamie.’
Zoe giggled. ‘You have no idea how much I need you right now. I need to talk to you about Rory. I’m totally in lust with him but I’m pretty sure he can’t stand me and thinks I’m a nutjob,’ she moaned.
‘Oh, babe, being a nutjob is what makes you so utterly adorable. Have you laughed at him shirtless again? Got stuck up any more trees?’
‘Ugh… Yes, after he gave me a bed and kissed me on the head. And I also told him he had an awesome water butt.’
‘Whaaaaat? He gave you a bed? With him in it? And he kissed you on your head? Where? Did he miss your mouth? Did he try and tongue your ear? WTAF is going on?’
Zoe snorted. ‘Oh god, Sam, it’s such a mess. Sometimes I think he might actually like me, but it’s either that or he wants to murder me. If there’s a fine line between love and hate then he’s walking it, and I don’t know which way he’s going to fall.’
‘Well, if you’re near a bed then make sure he falls on you. Have you got any condoms?’
‘What? God no.’
‘Right, I’m going to send you some as I’m sure the locals just use sheep guts. What’s your address again? Creepy cabin, Deliverance-ville, East Bumfuck, Scotland? That’ll get to you right?’
Zoe really missed her friend. ‘You are a very bad person. Tell me what to do. You’re so good when it comes to men and I’m bloody clueless.’
‘Ha! The only advice I have is to leap on him. Always works for me.’
