Chapter 6
So Long
Raven
Rachel picks that exact moment to come over, likely saving me from my own self-destruction. We can dive deep into that mind-fuck later. Maybe if I'm lucky, she didn’t notice.
But the second I look at her, I know with absolute certainty, that she definitely noticed. And, judging by the barely-contained grin stretching across her face, she’s ready to talk about it right now.
I shoot her a pleading look that screams NOT RIGHT NOW!
She clears her throat dramatically. “Okay, time for us to go home. It's late, and we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow with our friends.”
We don't.
We don’t have any plans tomorrow. And we definitely don’t have any friends here. They don’t know that, though.
But before I can fully detach myself from this moment, Cam speaks up. “Why don’t you let us give you a ride?”
I freeze, glancing at Rachel, hoping she’s about to bail us out of this mess, but she tilts her head looking intrigued. Of course she does. I brace myself for whatever is about to come out of her mouth.
“Thank you, but we’re fine,” Rachel tells them. “Our place isn’t too far, just a few blocks.”
Thank Fuck.
Kane just stares at me, not saying a word.
“What?” I frown. “Why are you looking at us like that?”
He huffs, shaking his head. “A few blocks? You can’t seriously think we’re going to let you just walk home. Especially when you’re drunk in a foreign country.”
His tone is final, like this is not up for debate.
I fold my arms, trying to ignore the way he’s looking at me. He’s acting like he's already decided how this is going to go.
“I appreciate the concern,” I try to keep my voice level. “But it’s really not necessary. Plus, it's a nice night.”
Rachel shifts beside me, her eyes flicking between us like she’s debating whether or not she should step in or let me dig my own grave.
Before I can say anything else, Cam grins and shakes his head. “For real, what kind of men do you think we are? Letting two beautiful women walk home alone in the dark? That’s how horror movies start. Next thing you know, you’ll turn into pumpkins.”
I snort. What?
Rachel, on the other hand, thrives in moments like these and doesn’t miss a beat. “First of all, it was just the carriage that turned into a pumpkin, not Cinderella,” she corrects, hands on her hips. “And second, we’re not even remotely Cinderellas. We don’t need saving.”
She flashes a wicked grin. “But hey, close enough. Anyway, bye!”
Before they can argue, she grabs my arm and starts to drag me down the sidewalk.
Kane clears his throat. “We insist. Excuse me, ladies. Right this way.”
His hand touches the small of my back for just a second longer than necessary, guiding us down the street like he’s completely unbothered by the fact that we already said no.
I spin around, placing a hand over my heart. “Goodness,” I say, pretending to be shocked. “You really should work on your people skills.”
His lips twitch and he exhales sharply, shaking his head like we’re both insufferable. “Okay. But don’t think for a second that we’re letting you walk just because you’re determined to be stubborn.”
His smirk is lazy, but no less confident. “Consider it my good deed for the evening.”
I arch a brow. “A good deed? Wow, how selfless of you.”
Rachel hums thoughtfully. “We wouldn’t want you to ruin your fancy shoes.”
Cam bursts into laughter. “Fuck, I like you two.”
Kane’s eyes gleam with amusement as he watches me like he enjoys getting under my skin.
“Fine,” I mutter, cutting my losses. “You can walk us home. But you’re not driving us anywhere.”
Rachel grins. “We’re not about to give you an opportunity to kidnap us with your car.”
Kane scoffs, shaking his head. “Christ, you two are exhausting.”
I flash him a satisfied smile. “Not even sorry. You’re the ones insisting on walking us home.
Rachel leans closer, whispering just loud enough for me to hear, “You know, you really do have a way of making things interesting wherever we go. Maybe Scotland during your No Boys Era should be reconsidered.”
I roll my eyes, but a smile tugs at my lips. “Yeah, well, let’s just hope the rest of the trip doesn't involve more unexpected makeouts.”
Rachel laughs, and I swear her eyes sparkle with amusement. “I wouldn’t hold your breath, and I still want the details later.”
“You coming?” I ask over my shoulder, walking with a little extra sway to my hips. What can I say? A girl’s gotta use what she’s got, even if nothing’s coming of it.
They catch up in two strides, effortlessly matching our pace. “You realize it’s a little odd to assume everyone is out to kidnap you, right?”
I laugh, shaking my head. “True. Better safe than sorry, though.”
I mean, he does have a point. For how worried we are about being kidnapped, we caved in less than two seconds when they offered to walk us home.
“You’re walking us home, then turning right back around, getting in your car, and driving home. There’s a difference.”
I glance over at him, and sure enough, he’s raising an eyebrow.
I sigh dramatically. “Okay, fine. I know. If you really were a killer, it wouldn't matter. Yeah, yeah, we get it.”
Then again, with the books we read, who’s to say we wouldn’t secretly enjoy being kidnapped by two hot men in the middle of Scotland? Like, yes please, take me into the woods. Oh no.
“Okay, Princess. Whatever you say.”
I blink, my brows lifting. “There you go again, with that Princess thing.” I side-eye him, refusing to let him see how much it gets to me.
The corner of his mouth twitches with amusement. “You don’t seem to mind.”
I roll my eyes but can’t help the little smile tugging at my lips. “Sure, keep telling yourself that.”
We fall into comfortable silence as we walk, the cool night air settles between us and I start to wonder just how far our place really is.
As if reading my mind, he says, “I thought you said it was only a couple of blocks?”
“I’m sure we’re almost there. Don’t you worry your pretty little face about it,” I shoot back, flashing him a sweet smile. “Are you in a hurry to get rid of us?”
His gaze sharpens, the playful glint in his eyes shifting into something that makes my pulse stutter.
I instantly regret the teasing. Not because I don't mean it, but because I have the sinking feeling he’s about to flip this whole conversation on me.
“You know,” I continue, desperate to regain control, “I heard once that if you make a face too much, it’ll stick like that forever.” I shoot him a grin, and right now, it's the best defense I have. “Which would be a shame.”
He doesn't miss a beat. “Oh yeah? And why’s that, Princess? Because you think I’m pretty?”
I groan internally. Walked right into that one. Rookie mistake. His grin deepens as he leans in slightly.
“You know you’re not unattractive.” I aim for nonchalant and fail miserably. “Don’t get all shy now. I’m not blind. So yes, you’re a pretty boy. It would be a shame if your face got stuck like that though.”
Oh my God. Why would I say that?
Of all the possible responses, that's what I went with? I mentally smack myself. Clearly, I drank too much. Who needs advanced interrogation tactics when a couple drinks or three can turn you into an open book?
Then he laughs, a sound that I absolutely shouldn’t enjoy as much as I do.
“Pretty boy, huh?” He repeats, amused.
Using his own words against him, I glance sideways and smirk. “You don’t seem to mind.”
His chuckle is warm. “Well, I guess I'll take the compliments where I can get them.”
“Good idea,” I reply, trying to ignore what he's doing to me. “Or I might just have to call you something else next time.”
His brow lifts. “Oh? And what would that be?”
I shrug, keeping my expression perfectly unreadable. “Guess you’ll just have to wait and see, won’t you?”
His smirk deepens, but he says nothing. He just watches me, eyes flickering with something unreadable of his own. I mentally curse my inability to quit while I’m ahead. Seriously, Raven. Learn when to shut up. My smart mouth is going to get me in trouble one of these days.
“You're something else.” His voice is softer, the teasing edge momentarily gone. “It’s actually quite refreshing.”
The words slip out like he hadn’t planned on saying them, and the second they do, he looks like he wants to take them back.
Interesting.
Before I can push, he changes the subject. “So what else do you have planned while you are here?”
I let him have the out, but his comment lingers, poking at me in a way I don’t entirely understand. I have to think for a second, realizing I’ve completely zoned out. Damn that accent. He could be reciting the ingredients on the back of a cereal box, and I’d still be standing here, mesmerized.
Focus, Raven.
“Well, I know we want to do some hikes. Hopefully, they won’t be too crowded with tourists… but, knowing our luck, they absolutely will be, and I’ll hate it,” I grumble.
His expression shifts slightly, like he’s already wishing me luck because I’m doomed.
“I know, I know,” I sigh. “We probably won’t get that lucky, but still. I love being outside.” I hesitate before adding, “If it wasn’t frowned upon, I probably wouldn’t even wear shoes.”
As soon as the words are out, I cringe internally. Another overshare. Why am I like this? I can practically hear my brain keeping score: Vodka-6, Raven-0.
His lips twitch like he’s holding back a laugh. “No shoes, huh?”
“Not in a weird way,” I clarify, suddenly needing to defend my stance on foot freedom. “Just, I don’t know… I like feeling connected.”
The second it leaves my mouth, I wince. Jesus, Raven. Might as well start juggling crystals, burning sage, and howling at the moon.
To my surprise, he doesn’t laugh. He just tilts his head slightly, studying me.