Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
Collin woke to moonlight streaming in through the small window.
The satin quilt covered them from the waist down.
Quinn lay asleep in his arms. A few scratches covered the creamy contours of her back.
Collin basked in her beauty, knowing that even though their time was limited, he still wouldn’t have changed what happened.
He could no longer deny the sparks, even if it meant sticking by her side the remainder of her stay.
No other harm would come to her. He wouldn’t let it.
“Get out of your head,” she mumbled, and he glanced down at her face to find her looking up at him. A lazy smile covered her lips before she kissed his chest. “Don’t overthink it, stud. It was sex, not a declaration of love.”
“Isnae that supposed to be my line?” He pressed a kiss to her lips as her stomach growled.
“I don’t suppose you thought ahead to bring my cookies?”
Collin rolled on top of her, pressing his body into hers for one last kiss before getting out of the bed.
He picked up her clothes and tossed them to her before pulling on his own clothes.
“I figured we’d save them for dessert in the room.
” He winked as he fastened his pants. “Right now, I’m going to make us a midnight snack. ”
Her eyes widened and she held her hand to her chest. “You cook? That kind of ruins your manly image.”
He chuckled. “Even us manly types need to eat, right?”
“I suppose. But do you cook in your skirt?” she asked, getting off the bed and shimmying into her panties and bra.
“Only on special occasions.” Quinn finished getting dressed and Collin linked his fingers through hers and led her out into the moonlight.
He warmed up leftovers and fed her properly before taking her cookies to his room and Quinn to his bed. Exhausted, with a full belly and feeling sated, she slept in his arms until the early morning hours.
Collin left Quinn sound asleep in his room as he jogged down the stairs and into the kitchen. He grabbed a piece of bacon, crunching into the crispy goodness, then winked at Mavis, making her smile.
“Someone is in a good mood. I donae suppose it has anything to do with a certain American.”
“She’s great, isnae she?”
“Aye, I like her very much. But, Collin Menzie, I love you like a son, and you should remember that she’ll be leaving soon.”
Her words deflated his sails. She meant well and true, Collin did know Quinn would be leaving soon, but she was here now, and that was all that mattered.
“Someone pushed her over the cliff yesterday.”
Mavis paused mid-stir and shot her gaze to Collins. “Who?”
He shrugged. That was the million-dollar question. “Someone disnae want her here.”
“There’s only one someone I can think of,” Mavis said and resumed stirring. “Margarete. Which reminds me, she was looking for you last night.” Mavis pointed her spoon in his direction. “You should be wary of that one. She’s like a vulture, she is.”
“Speaking of Margarete, she dinnae attack me when I came downstairs. Where is she hiding?”
“Ah…you two must be talking about Margarete,” Angus said, walking into the room.
He grabbed a biscuit and kissed Mavis on the cheek.
“I passed her this morning on her way out. She said she had a meeting in town but that she’d be back by the party.
She also said she gave the workers the weekend off so they wouldnae be in the way. ”
“The party.” Damn, he’d forgotten about that. “I need to call the boutique. Quinn’s going to need a dress.”
“And whose colors will she be wearin’?” Mavis asked.
“Mine.” The answer was quick and automatic. The thought of seeing her in any other plaid made his stomach clench. All of the women would be dressed in the clan colors they represented. The boutique dressed both clans for just this occasion.
Mavis chuckled. “She disnae need a dress. She has one.”
Collin’s brows dipped as he stared at her.
“It was made special just for her. Donnae you remember?”
A smile split his lips. His heart skipped a beat just thinking about seeing Quinn in the antique dress. She’d be the vision in the portrait.
“Donae be ridiculous, Mavis. She cannae wear that old thing. I can take her into town to try some on. Where is the lassie?” Angus asked.
“She’s sleeping. The dress should fit Quinn, but Mavis, please call the tailor and have him on standby just in case.”
“And how would you know what size she wears?” Mavis asked.
Collin couldn’t contain his grin. Even though a gentleman never kissed and told, Collin knew Angus could read the answer on his face. He grabbed another piece of bacon before leaving them to head into his office.
Collin plopped down in his da’s old chair.
Thinking of him made Collin’s gut clench.
His da would have never let anyone staying under his roof get hurt, least of all Collin’s mom, while he was laird.
Quinn would look like the lady of the house in the finest silk money could buy in that special dress, which was fit for a queen.
She would be the lady tonight, the one she claimed not to be last night.
How had she put it? She’d not only be the arm candy by his side, but so much more.
Collin whistled while working on the growing pile of bills and paperwork that Ramsey had left on his desk. Not even the mundane busywork could ruin his morning. A soft knock sounded on the office door as he worked his way through the middle of his stack.
“Enter,” he yelled, expecting to be greeted with Quinn’s smiling face, not Abigail.
“I’m sorry to disturb you, but Laird McDougall called and said you’re late.”
“Bloody hell.” Collin tossed the pen down. He’d been so preoccupied with thoughts of Quinn that he’d forgotten about meeting Ian at the pub to go over the list attending tonight’s party. “Tell Angus to meet me out front in ten minutes.”
“Yes, sir. And Mr. Ramsey wanted me to tell you he took the emerald to the appraiser for insurance purposes and has submitted a claim for your truck.”
“Thank you.”
She nodded and left just as quickly as she had entered.
Collin took the back stairs up to his room to find Quinn sleeping peacefully. He hated to disturb her, but he didn’t want her waking up and thinking he’d abandoned her, so he kissed her cheek. “Quinn, luv.”
She turned toward his voice and greeted him with a smile before she opened her eyes. “If you didn’t come bearing cookies or muffins, go away.”
“I have to run into town and meet Ian about the party tonight. Do you want to go with me?”
“To meet Ian and ruin my morning?” She shook her head and turned, snuggling into the pillow. “No, I’m good.”
“Yes, you are.” Collin ran his hand up her arm and placed a tender kiss on her flesh.
“Be careful,” she mumbled as he walked to the door.
“Please, donae leave the castle until I return,” he called back even as apprehension sat like a boulder in his gut.
She shot up and stared at him, teasing him with the sight of her breasts. The decision to stay warred with his duty to leave. He expected her to accuse him of being a caveman or something worse, and instead, she smiled a little too sweetly. “I’ll be in the library all day.”
“Promise?”
“Of course. Tell Ian I send my regards.”
Collin chuckled and opened the door, waiting until the last minute to look back, partly because he wanted to remember the vision of her well sated and lying naked in his bed. “He’ll never believe it.”
“Well, then tell him I said to bite my ass.” She grinned cheerfully.
“That he’ll believe.” Collin winked and shut the door.