Chapter 3
A Workable Plan
Niall slammed into his office, furious at himself.
He’d taken one look at her, or rather his bear had, and his thinking brain had gone AWOL.
So, to counteract this, he’d jumped into grumpy mode and barked orders.
Because of his impatience to get started he hadn’t given her a chance to explain but had made assumptions.
Now, he had a dilemma.
Yes, she’d signed a non-disclosure document, so he had legal recourse. Yes, she was a damn fine secretary, but none of that mattered if he couldn’t trust her.
He dropped into his office chair, the leather squeaking as his body weight distributed. He drummed his fingers on the desktop and tried to fashion a solution for this newest problem.
Bottom line, he couldn’t keep her a prisoner at Castle Glenkirk. For one, someone was bound to miss her.
A tap came on the door, and Angus entered. “Sir, I have the information you requested.”
“Did she lie about anything?” Niall demanded.
That was a massive no for him. He detested fibs and liars, a remnant from his childhood when his parents and siblings had been economical with the truth. A snarl pushed up his throat, the pain still raw despite the years.
Old history.
He’d escaped the family and their constant taunts. He wasn’t that little runt any longer. A waste of brain space. Niall redirected his focus to the woman. No problem. His mind trotted straight to her like a tame puppy.
His bear chuffed happily, which surprised Niall. He pictured the woman. She bore pleasing curves. She hadn’t been particularly tall, but her green eyes were beautiful. Best of all, she was efficient, confident, and that brain of hers…
Yes, she was an enticing package.
But what did he do with her?
He was so close to releasing his product to the market that he couldn’t afford any hiccups.
“Her name is Suzie Paisley, and she comes from Middlemarch in New Zealand. She is a black leopard shifter and a gathering attendee.” Angus paused to study the papers he held. “She’s one of six from Middlemarch, and three have found partners so far. She and two young men remain.”
Niall nodded, his mind busily working through the information. “When is she scheduled to leave?”
“Next Monday,” Angus said.
Niall nodded. “Kindly send dinner for two to the dining room.” He checked the clock. “In half an hour? Transfer her luggage and belongings to her current bedroom.”
Angus dipped his head. “It will be done.”
Niall waited for Angus to leave before leaning back in his chair. It groaned beneath his weight, but for once, his thoughts didn’t divert to purchasing a new chair. He had a workable plan and looked forward to knocking heads with Ms. Suzie Paisley.
Suzie jerked awake to an abrupt tap on the door. She sprang off the bed and attempted to straighten her wrinkled clothing, her heart jumping with anticipation. If that bear dared to poke his nose into this bedroom, she’d shred him with her claws.
A key turned in the lock, and her muscles tensed as she prepared to spring.
She was moving before the door opened and registered precisely who was standing there.
The very man. She struck muscle then yelped because the bear was as hard as a rock.
His hands snapped out to grasp her forearms and stop her from falling on her arse. Suzie glared at him.
“You have no right to imprison me.”
His eyes narrowed. “You’re the one who gained access to my office by deception. I have every right to detain you until I can assure myself you’re not dangerous to my business.”
Suzie’s temper cooled a fraction because he was right, dammit. While she hadn’t lied to him, she hadn’t exactly been truthful either.
“You can’t keep me here,” she repeated, more for form than anything else because it was evident he could and no one would help her. He possessed her phone, and the tower room was too high, the windows too small for her to shout for aid.
“Come,” he said, propelling her from the room.
“Where are you taking me?” She dragged her heels, fear filtering through her bravado. Did the castle have a dungeon? Probably. She’d bet her left arm it’d be full of spiders and other nasties. Probably damp and cold, too.
More time had passed than she realized because the bright sun was sinking toward the horizon. Her stomach gave a complaining grumble, but she didn’t pardon herself or otherwise comment. Prisoners got food, didn’t they? Dry bread or gruel?
The bear led her through numerous rooms, his pace too quick for her to orientate herself. This castle was a rabbit warren, albeit comfortable and luxurious. She had to admit, whoever decorated had done an excellent job blending old with modern.
Finally, he directed her into a dining room full of a delicious meaty scent.
Suzie’s nostrils flared. “You’re going to feed me?”
“I thought you might be hungry.”
Suzie shot him a glance but didn’t let loose her complaints of imprisonment with nothing but shortbread to eat. If she got too lippy, he might return her to that bedroom.
The bear released her arm and pulled out a chair.
He jerked his chin with apparent impatience, and she hastened to sit.
Seconds later, Angus arrived with a trolley.
The additional food scents made her stomach happy, but she was surprised.
If he were feeding her, he wouldn’t do away with her.
Another thought struck. Unless this was her last meal…
“What are your intentions?”
“I thought we’d share dinner and discuss your circumstances,” he said in an even tone.
“Oh.” She wished Edwina was here because they usually shared trouble. She wanted her best friend. The cliche about curiosity and cats might come true this time. Suzie remained silent while Angus served roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, and a selection of vegetables.
“Gravy?” Angus asked her.
“Yes, please.”
“Would you like a glass of wine with your meal?” the bear asked. “I’m having a red.”
“Thank you. That sounds nice.” Listen to them. So polite. Despite this, Suzie’s insides were tied as tightly as her guitar strings. It was the unknown. Exactly what did he intend to do?
The wine was from New Zealand. She noticed the label, and a pang went through her. She missed her family: her parents, younger brother, and sisters.
The bear handed her a glass of the ruby liquid, and she took it, trying not to touch him because that would be awkward.
This close, she could smell his bear and the spicy sweetness underlying the animal.
She found it strangely unsettling because sitting here at the table with him felt too personal.
Her awareness of him had grown, and she noticed little things like his easy way with Angus.
She recalled his enthusiasm for honey and the animated discussion of marketing and the process.
He loved his business, and his passion for honey was a driving force in his success.
Each layer of this man intrigued her, and she yearned to learn more, to learn everything.
“I don’t even know your name,” she said.
His gaze lifted to hers, and his lips curled in a charming and wry smile. “I thought you must know, given my initial suspicion was that you were a spy. You truly don’t know my name?”
“No.” She stared at him, her heart beating immeasurably faster.
“Niall Sinclair.”
“I’m sorry to have caused so much trouble for you, Niall.” Sincerity came through in her voice, and she meant every word. “Thank you for sharing your dinner with me.”
His expression was nonplussed for a fleeting second. He cut a corner off a slice of roast beef and popped it in his mouth. She tried not to notice his capable hands and smooth throat as he swallowed and set down his knife and fork.
“This honey project is significant for me. It is an amazing product and a breakthrough in sports training. I can’t afford to let any information slip that might alert the competition.
Once my honey hits the shelves, that will be different, but now I need to control every step of production, including who receives information. ”
“But I understood the gravity of signing a non-disclosure document, and I certainly can’t afford for you to sue me. I’m a student. I put my signature on your paperwork with every intention of keeping my mouth shut. That still applies.” She met his gaze and held it. “I am not a dishonest person.”
Niall kept his attention on her, his expression serious, and damn if she didn’t find that appealing too.
“I called Saber Mitchell and spoke to him.”
Suzie straightened abruptly. “You did?”
“Is that a problem?”
“No.” She bit her lip. “What did he say?” Did he tell Niall about the mischief she and Edwina had gotten into during their teens? How they’d been in trouble with the police because of their behavior?
“He vouched for your honesty and said you’re trustworthy. He also told me you’re curious, and your explanation was probably exactly what had happened.”
“You believe me now?”
“I haven’t decided.” Niall started eating again, and Suzie followed suit. “I have a proposal,” he said after the silence had continued for several minutes.
“Yes?”
“I need a personal assistant. My last one left to have a baby and doesn’t wish to return. I understand her priorities, but it means I require a replacement. A trustworthy one.”
“But I’m returning to New Zealand soon. I’m a student, and my university course starts in two weeks.”
He cocked his head, interest flitting across his face. “What do you intend to study?”
“My best friend and I applied to study music at the university in Wellington. We both received scholarships.” She hesitated before deciding the truth about her family’s lack of support would work best. Honesty in all things with this bear.
“Neither of our families approve of us studying music, which means we have saved to support ourselves. I’ll have to get a part-time job once my course starts to pay for the expenses the scholarship doesn’t cover.
I have secretarial skills because our families insisted we have a qualification behind us.
My parents hoped we’d give up our pursuit of frivolous music, but now that we’ve done what they wanted, they’ve run out of ways to stop us.
” Her thoughts drifted to Edwina. She badly wanted to learn what was happening with her friend.
“My friend discovered her mate here at the gathering, so it will be me going to university alone.”
“I’m afraid you won’t be going either.”
“What?” The word escaped and hit screech territory. Her hands clenched her cutlery, and for a second, she was tempted to stab him.
“I want you to stay and work for me until my honey goes to market. You already know a little, and using you as my assistant makes sense instead of hiring a new one or trying to find a temp.”
“No. No, I won’t do it,” Suzie said, the charity she’d been feeling toward Niall detonating in a fiery blaze of anger.
“I’m afraid I must insist.”
An implacable tone if ever she heard one.
“But your honey isn’t hitting the market for another six months.
That was in your notes. You said you wanted to do further tests on the health benefits and structure your marketing before you go public.
I start university in two weeks. I’ve worked so hard to get there and jumped over numerous hurdles.
Please, don’t do this. Don’t tear my dreams away from me. ”