“You’re no’ lookin’ so scunnered.”
“So … what?” She couldn’t help but smile.
“Grumpy, upset.”
“Maybe because my toes are warm again.”
“Aye, that’ll do it.” He reached across the table, held her hand, regret and worry in his gaze. “I’m grateful for your help, Lilibet. I’m sorry it’s been so difficult.”
She looked straight into his eyes. “It hasn’t been all bad, you know. Some of it has been really good—incredible, mind-blowing, fantastic.”
His lopsided grin told her he’d caught her meaning. He leaned closer. “I love to hear you screamin’ my name.”
Heat rushed into her cheeks. “I love to feel you, the big tough operator, breaking apart in my arms.”
He insisted on paying for the meal, and they walked back to the car together, Quinn opening her door. “Where next?”
“All that’s left is the location in Edinburgh.”
“Let’s leave that for tomorrow. You’ve spent enough time muckin’ about in the wet. We can see Edinburgh Castle during the day and head over in the evening.”
Elizabeth liked that idea. “Jack was always there on Friday evenings until late. Maybe that’s what we should do.”
“Och, well, that’s it then. I’m takin’ you out tonight. Do you have a nice dress?”
“Yes.” She’d brought a little black dress just in case.
Not that she’d planned on sleeping with him or anything.
“I’ll drop you off back at the Fortress and go and get somethin’ for myself. We’ll go after supper.”
The Fortress was their nickname for their new abode.
“Go where?”
He grinned. “To the dancin’, aye?”
He dropped her off in front of the building, watching until she was safely indoors. Then he disappeared around the corner.
She took a hot bath and shaved, then did her best to make her stick-straight hair look stylish, tying it in a kind of messy bun. She’d just put on the dress and started on her makeup when she heard him enter.
He looked in on her. “Och, you’re bonnie.”
“What did you get?”
“No keekin’—no’ yet.” He disappeared across the hall.
She finished her make up and went to sit in the living room, imagining him in a suit like the one he’d worn in Afghanistan while escorting the senator—very GQ with that beard and his red hair.
It was almost twenty minutes later when he stepped out into the hall.
A bolt of lust shot through her, making her belly clench.
“Oh. My.God.” Elizabeth stared.
He was wearing a kilt.
* * *