Page 53 of Sadie's Highlander (Highland Protector 1)

“When she sees what lengths ye’d take to help her achieve her dreams, she’ll ken for certain how much ye really love her and wish her to come back. She’ll also see ye dinna hate her—nor blame her for the actions of her idiot sister. And when my agency presents the deal they’ve obtained for her, she’ll also ken for certain that she’s no’ the only one who enjoys her writing.” Dwyn shook his finger faster. “There’ll be no doubts in her mind about anythin’.”

Alec blew out a strained breath, hoping like hell Dwyn was right. He jerked his chin in the general direction of the spa. “What sort of things do they do in there? Esme didna say.”

“Smear strange-colored mud on their faces and put sliced vegetables on their eyes.”

“Ye lie.”

“The hell I do.” Dwyn fished his phone out of his pocket, tapped on the screen a few times, then shoved it under Alec’s nose. “What does that picture look like t’ye?”

A smiling woman—Alec supposed ’twas a woman—wore a thick white robe and was lying back in a chair with a towel wrapped about her head. Her face was covered with greenish-brown muck that looked like horse shit he’d scrape off his boots. And damned if she didna have a thick slice of a cucumber covering each of her eyes.

Alec looked up from the picture. “Why?”

Dwyn held up his hands and made ahell if I knowface as though to claim no responsibility whatsoever for the strange customs invented by humans.

Scrolling down the screen, Alec stopped and stared at another picture a few pages down. “This woman’s no’ wearin’ a stitch a clothes.” He shoved the phone into Dwyn’s hands. “Look at that. There’s naught coverin’ her but a towel across her arse and that man has his hands upon her.”

Dwyn studied the picture, his brows knotted together. “Esme said that’s a deep-tissue massage.” He went to hand the phone back to Alec. “We’ve arranged for Sadie t’have one of those as well. Esme said they’re verra good for stress.”

“Like hell she is!” Alec felt a slow burn kindle in his gut. “I’ll no’ have another man touchin’ my woman.” He pushed the phone back to Dwyn. “Ye call that place this verra minute and tell them she’s no’ t’have that done.”

“She may already be havin’ it done. ’Tis well past two.”

“Then I’ll end this m’self.” Alec grabbed the door handle to exit the car, quickly releasing it when Dwyn grabbed hold of his shirt and yanked him back. He whirled around, one hand knotting into a fist. “What the hell are ye doin’?”

“Ye ken damn well ye canna go inside. Sadie will see ye and this will all be for naught. Everything will be ruined.” Dwyn’s face suddenly brightened and he shook his phone at Alec. The demigod smiled like a man who’d just been told he’d won the lottery. “I’ve an idea and if it works, I believe ye’ll like it.”

It had better be a damn good idea or Seven Serenities Spa was about to be introduced to the MacDara battle cry. Alec jerked his chin down with a stiff nod, bending the handle of the car door in his crushing grip.

Dwyn tapped on the screen of the phone, then placed it to his ear, his eyes narrowing as he waited for someone to answer. “Yes—this is Dwyn MacKay. Yes, I’m the owner of the agency who booked your entire facility for this afternoon.” A knowing grin spread across his face. “Aye. That would be me and I’ve called t’ask a favor of ye. The CEO of my agency wishes t’surprise his future wife and is countin’ on ye t’help him.”

Alec released the door handle and straightened in the seat. Dwyn’s idea sounded promising already.

Chapter 31

“This is so romantic,” the massage therapist said. The buxom blonde was nearly as tall as Alec and her shoulders were almost as broad. The large but by no means unattractive woman reminded him of the muscular, battle-honed wives of the rampaging men of the North. She excitedly patted her hands together, bouncing up on tiptoe to peer over the opaque screen dividing the candlelit room. The cozy den of dark walls and soothing aromas was filled with the relaxing sounds of trickling water and softly melodic chimes. The girl leaned closer to him and winked as she whispered, “I think I heard the outer door. She should be ready for you any minute.”

Aye, and he was ready for Sadie. The cooperative masseuse who had gladly agreed to play along with their scheme had no idea what was at stake here. Alec detected the quiet squeak of door hinges. Anticipation tingled across his flesh like the brush of a ghostly hand.

“I don’t know about this. I’m not too wild about having a total stranger rub on me.”

“It’ll be fine,” Miss Martha said. “And I’ll be over here on a table right next to you.”

Sadie. The sound of her voice almost triggered a mournful groan. Alec bit the inside of his cheek. He had t’remain silent. Sadie must no’ figure out that it was truly him massaging the tension from her body. Alec had jumped at the chance to feel Sadie beneath his hands again—even though he’d no’ be able to speak to her or let her know it was him. At least he could be in the same room with her—touch her—smell her.

The masseuse tapped him on the shoulder, then pressed a cautioning finger across her smiling mouth.

Alec nodded and shooed her around the screen.Get on with it, woman.

“Good afternoon, ladies,” the therapist said as she hurried around the room divider. “My associate will join us shortly. He has to finish up with another client.”

“He?” Miss Martha commented. “I call dibs onhe.”

“You don’t even know what he looks like.”

“I’m seventy years old, Sadie. When I can get a man to rub on me, I don’t care what he looks like as long as he’s skilled with his hands and whatever else he’s rubbing me with.” Miss Martha paused for a hair’s breadth, then continued with a wicked chuckle, “Andwhereverhe’s rubbing.”

“Miss Martha!”

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