Page 95 of Delicious Surrender
Suitable: Intelligent. Kind. Successful (this doesn’t mean money). Honest. Preferably Scottish. Preferably Dominant.
Dominant? He’d known Josie was a firecracker and liked her the moment he met her. But why did she think her niece needed a dominant Scotsman? Yet another mystery to unravel.
They shared many a cup of tea while discussing their mutual love of travel, books, and the Isle of Skye. He only wished he’d discovered sooner how critical her land was to his plans—and that she was terminally ill. In April, he noticed how quickly she tired, but she dismissed it and told him she’d just gotten over the flu.
Imposing those requirements on Brynne was highly manipulative. He could just imagine her reaction. Josie had unwittingly given him the power to get what he wanted. Brynne was in for thousands of dollars of repairs and couldn’t access any real money.
The sun had almost set when he saw the MG fly past his house and down the hill. He smiled, knowing she was as shocked as he was today. It was only a matter of time before he regained control. He went into the house to pour a drink and plan his next steps.
24
Advantage: MacLeod
Brynne navigated her way to the front porch entrance using her phone’s flashlight. Since Logan had torn the drywall off, the back door was impassable. She needed a drink but had to get out of the tight-fitting dress and killer high-heeled boots first. It was time for flannel Scottie dogs and a double gin and tonic. After changing, she poured herself a tumbler-size cocktail and made some crackers and cheese.
She needed the fire pit and a talk with Auntie Josie. Declan had prepared the logs and kindling when he came to run the car. What would she do without him?
She lit the fire, wrapped herself in a blanket, and stared up at the stars dotting the black night sky.
How could you do this to me? Why those stupid conditions? I can’t fix this house without surrendering to that bastard up the hill. How could you have trusted him?
She stared into the darkness and waited for the answers she knew wouldn’t come. To the spirits, she muttered, “How do you expect me to find a suitable man on this tiny island of thirteen thousand people? If I couldn’t find one in London, there is no chance of finding one here.”
Brynne had to consider her options. Did she want to live down the hill from the bane of her existence? Seeing the hatred in his eyes today had cut her to the bone. How could she still want him? Unless she really was a masochist? She remembered when he asked that very question.
Maybe I am, since I choose unsuitable men who inevitably hurt me. Not the good hurt like an erotic spanking, but hurt like “you’re sick” or “you’re fired, and you’ll never work in this town again.”
Lights suddenly glowed on the ground beside the house. Brynne heard the car engine and jumped up, her heart hammering in her throat. She grabbed an old canoe paddle to use as a weapon. The interloper came around to the deck and she prepared to swing.
Gage raised his hands in defense. “Whoa, it’s only me. I saw your lights on.”
“You scared the hell out of me. Why are you here? I have nothing to say to you.”
“I thought we could talk and find a compromise.”
“How do you plan to do that? Your trio of suits aren’t here to help you bulldoze me—like you want to do to this house.”
“Brynne, I don’t want to bulldoze the house. I just want to bring decent network capabilities to the islands. Can you not seethe benefits of that?”
“I might have if you hadn’t threatened me. Instead, you want to tie me up in court and suck all the money out of my inheritance.” Her face heated at the double entendre, and she hoped he couldn’t see it in the firelight. He smirked, but it was gone so fast it might have been her imagination.
“Your aunt agreed to let my company lay cable down to the shoreline. We talked about it in the spring, but I hadn’t gotten the chance to bring her the paperwork.”
She stared at him and shook her head, regretting the gin and tonics that had scrambled her thoughts.
His tone turned softer. “I didn’t know she was sick. And I wanted to tell you how sorry I am for your loss.”
“Don’t. You don’t get to say that. I don’t want your sympathy or your stupid money.”
“It seems you need my money. The house needs extensive repairs.”
“I’ll find a way. And how do you know that? Are you digging into all my business?!”
“Relax. Your contractor Logan helped build my house and is still finishing a project for me. He told me about your plumbing issues.”