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"Technically, you didn't. We didn't actually ... You didn't. .." I wanted you to.
His gaze slid over her, and even though she was covered up to her chin, she could feel the
touch of his fingers, remember the pressure of his body, the coiling want in the pit of her
stomach.
"But we will."
"If you're so confident, then why're you taking so long? If you wait, one of your brothers
might win."
His lips lifted in the smile that turned her insides to mush. "Mayhap I enjoy the challenge.
Mayhap I deny the pleasure so 'twill be sweeter when finally tasted." He glanced over at
his brother.
"Ye would do what to me?" Neil looked truly shocked.
Ian returned his attention to Kathy. "I dinna need to worry about my brothers for a while
yet."
Neil's laughter caught their attention. "Ye sound like a bonny lass. I would meet ye. When
Kathy of Hair returns to her land, I will go wi' her." His voice lowered, grew husky. "Tell
all other men they willna be welcome any longer. Ye'll need only me to warm yer bed."
Kathy glanced at Ian. "You can officially start worrying." She motioned to Neil. "Bring
me the phone so I can talk to Coco."
She took the phone as she watched Ian guide Neil toward the tunnel. "What's the date,
Coco?"
"And hello to you, too. It's January twentieth. I lied to the police and had your car towed
to Mel's. He says you need a new radiator. You don't want to know how much. I called
your job and put them off for a while with a story about you being called away because of
a sick relative. I've been going to your apartment and watering your plants. Your ivy
looked lonely so I talked to it for a while. Your mom left a message on your machine from
one of her cruise stops. I figured you didn't want their trip ruined with the piddling news
about their only daughter disappearing to Scotland and living in a cave with a primitive
Highlander. Did I forget something?"
"Sounds like you've covered all the bases. Thanks." She watched Ian crouch to stir the fire
and enjoyed the flex of muscles across his back, the long line of his spine, the strong curve
of buttocks and thighs. And thought about last night.
"So what's Neil look like?" The eagerness in Coco's voice surprised her. Coco's contempt
for men was legendary. That was why Kathy had wanted her to take care of the divorce.
Coco was like a piranha where cheating husbands were concerned.
"He shaved off his beard, and he's. . ." She cast Ian a worried glance. He didn't seem to be
paying attention. "He's gorgeous. Dimples, green eyes, knife-edge cheekbones. Real
model material."
"Hmm." There was a world of interest in the comment. "You know, I haven't had an alpha
male in ages. Bring him along when you come home."
"Sure." Right. Like she didn't have enough trouble figuring out how to get herself home.
"Talk to you later."
"Wait, Kathy." Coco's voice grew serious. "I don't know why you've made up this story,
but I guess you need some time to yourself. If you decide to chuck the time-travel tale,
give a yell, and I'll come get you."
"Thanks." She blinked back sudden tears as she put her phone back in her purse, then
looked up to find Ian staring at her.
"What did Coco say?"
"She thinks Neil sounds like a really fine man. That spells trouble for you. By the way,
how do you decide when someone wins? Coco wants me to bring Neil back with me."
"She must tell all that she will lay wi' him." He didn't seem overly concerned.
"That's not really fair. She won't know anything until she meets him in person."
His smile was wicked. " 'Tis a hard task I've set Neil, but if he is worthy, Coco willna
need to see him." His smile softened. "Would ye not wish to take me home wi' ye?"
"Don't play games, Ian. I know you'd never come." She wanted to go home, but to go
home without even a snapshot of Ian left her with a hollow feeling in her stomach.
"I know you don't believe I traveled from another time, but just for a moment assume I'm
telling the truth. Help me brainstorm ways to get back. You don't think it was just a
random blip in the universe, do you? Sort of like God burping?"
" 'Tis a wondrous moment when ye ask my opinion on any matter." His smile was open, a
hint of humor glinting in his eyes, and Kathy wondered how often he allowed himself to
speak with a woman just for fun, with no agenda.
"I believe all things happen for a reason. I believe ye came from a distant land, but I dinna
believe ye came from a distant time." He shifted his gaze to where Malin was taking his
usual position atop Peter. "And if ye dinna remember traveling here on yer own, then
someone or something brought ye."
"You think Peter's responsible." Not Peter, really. There had to be some intelligence, some
life-force guiding Peter. But why?
Ian shrugged. "All yer toys seem strange, but only Peter speaks words that make sense wi'
what's happening."
She nodded. "And there has to be something keeping my cell phone working. Talk about
roaming charges."
Ian's puzzled frown reminded her how really far apart they were.
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