Chapter 18 #2
Scarlet closed her eyes for a second then opened them, a new determination shining through.
“You’re partially right. I was always meant to be on that trip, despite the date change, but I could’ve said no.
I could’ve pushed back and gone a day or two later than everyone else.
But I think I needed to do it. I needed to sort out my head and settle my priorities.
I’d planned to live there. It only seemed right to make the choice in the place itself. ”
“What did ye decide?” Fuck. She was moving there for good. What good was I compared with all that? Cold washed over me again, and my temporary happiness evaporated.
Scarlet rose on her knees and inched closer. Her towel fell, so I picked it up and held it around her, almost in a hug, but still keeping distance between us. She caressed my shoulders, her thumb brushing over my skin. Her breasts, high and round in her bra, grazed my chest.
Christ. It took every inch of shaky willpower to keep my gaze on her face.
“The instant that plane took off, I knew I was leaving someone important behind.” She took a deep, fortifying breath.
“I’m crazy about you, Alasdair. I always have been.
I told myself it was just lust, or a continuation of a teenage crush, but it’s only getting stronger.
And I know that it’s bad timing for you, but I need you to know. ”
Ah fuck.
My panic cooled, but my pulse still thrummed. “How can ye be sure this isn’t a crush?” I asked.
“It isn’t just about sex. I’ve spent a lot of flight-time thinking about it. I’m interested in every inch of you, not just the inches that are pointing at me right now.”
Several significant inches of me had risen, rock-hard. If she’d turned me on before, this new revelation was the ultimate aphrodisiac. I stared like a dope.
“So that means I have a lot to make up for.” Scarlet stood and padded away, taking her towel with her and hiding her sexy-as-fuck body from my hungry gaze.
“Come back,” I muttered, almost too horny to speak.
“I have a few things for you, though they might be a little waterlogged.” Rustling came from the hall, then she reappeared with her bags. “Bear with me, because there’s method to my madness.” She extracted a t-shirt and held it up. It read ‘Papa Bear’ with a bear outline.
I grinned. “For me? Shall I put it on or will ye miss ogling my chest?”
“Oh no. Put it on. We’re not having sex.” She rummaged in another bag.
“What?” My erection throbbed, not liking her statement.
Scarlet hummed, her gaze on her task. “I want to prove myself to you.”
“That’s unnecessary,” I hastened. “I believe ye.”
“Hush.” She produced another item and handed it over.
It was a wee onesie with ‘Baby Bear’ printed on it.
Oh man. “That’s seriously cute.”
Scarlet graced me with a smile, and a whoosh of something powerful swept through my veins.
The next gift was an expensive oil to use on my scars.
“Mums are given similar stuff to help with reducing stretchmarks. It seemed fitting seeing as you’re a new dad with scars of your own.
” Then her eyes widened. “Shit. I don’t mean that you need to change yourself at all.
You’re perfect. You don’t have to use it.
Oh hell, this seemed like such a good idea in the airport shop. ”
I pressed her fingers and smiled. “It’s a thoughtful present. I’ll try it out.”
“Phew. Okay. The other bags contain food as I had it in my head that I could make you a meal, but I was so confused over the timings, I didn’t think we’d be doing this at gone midnight.
Maybe another time? It’s all stuff that I could make on the camping stove.
Pasta, a jar of sauce. Cheese. That should be good for a while without going in the fridge. ”
A laugh escaped me. “The kitchen is mostly fitted. There’s a fridge. And power.”
Scarlet’s jaw dropped. “Why are we sitting here in the dark?”
I raised a shoulder. “It’s romantic?”
“You’re right. It is so romantic. But I stubbed my toe on the way to get the towels and I blame you for that.”
I lifted her foot and kissed her toe. Then trailed my lips up her calf, tipping her back onto her elbows.
“No you don’t.” Scarlet grinned, extracting her leg from my grip. “I’ve one more gift. This is… Well, it’s another odd idea I had. My mom was all emotional on the phone when I told her to bring it.”
“What is it?” I peered at where her hands reached into another bag. “Show me.”
Scarlet extracted a teddy bear, slightly ratty, but sweet-looking. She stroked over his ear. “This is Ted. He was mine when I was a baby. I wondered if Cait might like him.”
I swallowed, hard. “You know her name.”
“I do, and it’s so beautiful.”
I reached out and claimed the bear for my wee lass.
“She’ll love it. In fact, if you’re planning to hang around, I’m going to get her in the morning.
She is coming here for her first overnight stay.
” The solicitors had confirmed it just yesterday, having cleared it with the social workers late on Friday.
If it hadn’t been for Mathilda’s labour, Cait would already be here.
But this was better. So, so much.
“No! That’s perfect. I’m going home with my parents tomorrow evening. We’re taking the twins so Mathilda and Callum have time alone with the new baby. I’d love to go with you to get Cait. If you want me to. Or, if that’s weird and you want to be alone with her then I understand.”
“I want you here.” I’d never wanted anything more. “You get to be with us for another first. Even if you don’t sleep over.”
“Okay,” she breathed, relief in her slumped shoulders. “Then there’s only one thing left. I’m sorry, again, for hurting you. Do you accept my apology?”
I gestured at the gifts. “It was a good one, so aye, I do.”
Scarlet leapt to her feet. “Good, then let’s go to bed.”
“Dinna tell me we’re not having sex,” I complained, following her backside up the stairs. She’d lost the towel, and my mouth watered at the gorgeous sight.
“We’re not. I told you,” she called over her shoulder.
A few steps onto the landing, I surged and caught her around the waist, then I threw her over my shoulder and slapped her arse. In my bedroom, I tossed her onto the blankets and leapt on top of her, taking care to land astride her even in my haste.
Then my mouth was on hers and I was taking my persuasion to a new level. One with blisteringly hot kisses and decadent slides of my tongue. Scarlet kissed me back, hugging me with her arms and legs.
It had been a week, but I’d missed her so.
I jammed my fingers into her hair, holding her head still, roaming my other hand to release her bra’s fastening. She helped me, freeing herself from the constraint and throwing the bra from the bed.
“Wait, I thought you were trying to stop me?” I rose over her and blinked at her expression, confused over what I should be doing.
“I am. No sex. Sleep with me, kiss me, and hold me. I’ll do the same to you. We’re starting over.”
I had never been so horny. Never felt the need to fuck so urgently. Scarlet lay under me, almost entirely naked, and beautiful.
But this was about something far bigger. I really, really needed to know what that was, and how far it could go.
“Okay,” I forced out.
I was utterly and completely screwed over this lass.