Among the Heather (The Highlands, #2) (46)

North laughed as he followed me to the door. But as I opened it, he leaned in and whispered hotly in my ear, “There’s no running away tomorrow night. You’re mine all fucking night, and I intend to keep you busy coming until dawn.”

A shiver of need so powerful rippled over me I almost slammed the door shut and jumped him. Instead, I turned to find his lips an inch from mine, his expression deadly serious.

My answer was to close the distance between our mouths and take his in a deep, slow, wet kiss that promised I was up for that challenge too.

A few minutes later, I let myself into the staff elevator, hoping I didn’t bump into anyone because I had sex hair, swollen lips, and I was pretty sure my nipples were hard enough to poke through my bra.

I felt alive.

Awake.

I felt like the girl I’d lost years ago. The one who’d been excited by her sexual awakening before those men came along and made her want to hide.

North had done what Sloane said he might. He’d guided me back to myself. I wasn’t all the way there yet, but I was inching closer.

I just had to keep in mind that this was all it was. My sexual reawakening and a bit of harmless no-strings sex for him.

It was nothing more.

More would hurt us both.





Seventeen


NORTH





Thunderous clouds above had turned the North Sea gunmetal gray as rain battered it, dancing off the water’s surface like oil hopping off a hot pan. I shivered from the safety of the Howards’ beach house porch, admiring the force of nature. Waves crashed onto the shore below, the rhythmic sound, while more aggressive than usual, soothing.

I envied Aria this home, its position, its sanctuary. But only from here. Inside, while stylish and comfortable, it didn’t feel lived in. There was no sign of what Aria’s life consisted of outside work. No hobbies I could see. I imagined her returning home here late every night to no one to hold her and listen about her day and help her decompress.

The idea was miserable, and it agitated me.

She was living half a life here, and it was a damn travesty.

Dictator’s “Moonlight” rang in my arse pocket, and I pulled out my phone to see Theo calling.

Stepping back inside, I closed the porch doors and marveled at the silence that followed. The beach house windows had to be made with special noise-reduction glass. Heat licked my chilled skin as I answered my phone and lounged down by the fire.

“Cavendish, you sneaky bastard,” I answered casually.

He drawled, amused. “What the hell have I done now?”

“You sicced Walker on me about those letters.”

“Oh, that. I just mentioned it in passing. It’s not like I give a shit about you, mate.”

I grinned. “Right. How are you?”

“This lead actor is killing me. I walked into ‘a situation’ when I agreed to guest direct. Viola Stewart, his costar, got a lot of attention for season one, and now he’s acting like a little prick. Late to set, questioning lines, questioning camera shots. Next time he does it, I’m going to fucking stuff him in a used Portaloo.”

My lips twitched. “Who is it again?”

“Lucas Grant. A bit of a newcomer. The bastard has talent and charisma for sure, but Viola’s on another level, and his fragile ego cannot stand it.”

Blood rushed to my ears. “Did you say Lucas Grant?”

“I did.”

That piece of shit had gotten a part in a hit show after he’d screwed over Aria? She didn’t tell me that. “Do me a favor and send the Portaloo off a fucking cliff.”

“You know this guy?”

“I can’t go into details, but he hurt someone I care about.”

“Interesting, considering I found out he used to date Aria Howard,” Theo mused. “He likes to tell anyone who will listen that she fucked up his chances of working with Wesley.”

That scummy bucket of rancid turds. “Make sure that Portaloo is stuffed to the gills with sheep shite before you stuff him in it.”

Theo snorted. “Oh, you have it bad, old boy, don’t you?”

“It’s not about me.”

He considered this. “I only have to tolerate one more week of directing this thing. I’ll come up with something fun to express my appreciation for Lucas’s abhorrent behavior.”

I smirked at the thought. Theo was devious when he wanted to be. “Keep me posted on that.”

“So, what are you up to, my friend? Other than defending a lady’s honor.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m hanging tight on the request of my agent. There might be some movement on the Forster movie.”

“That’s good. You’re at the castle?”

Glancing around the beach house, I lied, “Aye. Still here.”

“Well, I might see you soon, then. Once I’m done here, I’m flying back to Ardnoch to work on that damn script.”

“Still giving you problems?”

“Being here has shaken some ideas loose, but I like the peace up north. Besides, before I left, I made the acquaintance of this young widow from Thurso. An ex-gymnast, if you can believe. Wonderful girl. Very flexible. It’s a bit of a trek to bed her, but she does this thing with—”

“I don’t need to know the details, you dirty bugger.”