Patrick, face flaming to match his hair, blows a breath through his nose as a bull would readying itself to chase the red drape.
I send a nod to Shark to let him know I’ll be right back, and to not fill in my woman. Yes, I can relay that in a single stare. Shark knows. That is what a brother does.
We round the corner where I’m led into a darkened storage room of sorts, a few folded tables sit propped against the wall, a stack of chairs beside them.
Patrick closes the door once I enter, his mask still in play. For now. For not having served in the military I give this man props; he’s ready to wage war with me. I’m ready,oh, am I ever. Time to play coy.
“What can I do you for, Patrick?”
“Dinnae be daft, ye ken why we’re here.” His accent is thick as he places his hands on his hips, the scowl he sent me might knock down someone with lesser strength. Lili has helped build this man back up.
I place my hands casually in my pockets and shrug, remaining silent. He’s quick to release a growl.
“The damn talk ye had with Gran earlier, what the shite?! A ring! Ye only just met.” His face flames hotter, “ye could’ve had the decency to me, too, seeing as I’ve known her the longest, can gauge whether ye are good enough.” He scoffs, “Honestly, ye suppose she’d say Aye, so soon?” He shifts on his feet, a fighting stance that I want no part of. “For feck sake, ye better mind yer heed.”
Patrick took in a deep breath then let it out slowly.
“Are you done?”
“Ye bloody well ken I’m not done! Were ye going to ask me?” Patrick questions then shakes his head, “never mind, Lili will be done with ye the second after ye ask. Mark my words.”
“Patrick. I wouldn’t ask Lili without her closest friend giving me his blessing.” This is the truth. I want to do this right.
“Oh,” He says weakly, his temper calming the slightest bit, “that’s good to know.”
I take out the box from my pocket and stride to his side, “I wanted to ask you tonight after the event, get to know Lili’s best friend, have a pint, shoot the shit, man to man.” My stare must say it all as his face heats now with a tinge of embarrassment.
“Ye mean it? Yer not just sayin’ that.
I open the box to expose the ring, the one Gran said Patrick had seen before.
*Awe* “Holy – shite. Ye are askin’ her then.” His eyes widen as he inspects the contents of the box, “if Gran gave ye this, then I can’t argue. Ye have my blessing, as long as ye can protect her. Lili deserves a man who can love her – material items are not her thing. It’s devotion she’s wanting.”
I nod, surprised that is all it took.Damn.I was expecting more fanfare. Lili warned me Patrick sometimes expresses his Scottish temper, mainly before knowing the full story. The saying, ‘all bark and no bite’ comes to mind. I can’t blame the guy; he’s only looking out for his closest friend, the one who knows about her monster and dark past. No harm, no foul.
Closing the box, I tuck it away and cup his shoulder, “how about we go get that drink. I’ll fill you in on my plan.”
“Nah, tis the first-time meeting ye. Wouldn’t be a proper Scotland greeting without a bit a whisky.” His grin is infectious.
“Now you’re talking. Lead the way.”
Tonight I learned the key to winning over a Scotsman. Women, wisecracks, and whisky.
Thank you, Grady, for your words of bartending wisdom.
_LILI_
We rush onto the lift, the doors closing ever so agonizingly slow, purposely torturing me. Our eyes lock in the mirrored enclosure as we begin our assent to my flat. His eyes are blazing with desire and his hand tightens in mine as the heat between my thighs kicks up a notch. I rub my thighs together, the delicious friction stirring my blood hotter.
He has that glint in his eyes like he’s enjoy nothing more than to pin me against this wall, run his fingers through my hair, and press his lips to mine in a hungry kiss. I bit my lip at the thought of his hands running all over my body, caressing and stroking me in all the right places only he knows will get me off. The heat intensifies in the tight enclosure and my breaths come out in little puffs of anticipation, sending jolts of want and need to pulse through me.
The lift dings and the door glides open. I pull him along then stop at my door, fumbling inside my clutch for my key. His body presses against my back as his hands trail down both my arms. His lips begin a trail along my neck, why didn’t I get this damned key out while in the lift? –Bloody thing-Ah-ha! Found it!The key slides into the lock ever too unhurriedly, my hand hardly steady enough to turn the handle from this man’s sucking and nipping.
I only remember the door opening, Alexander scooping me up under my knees and cradling me in his arms, then in a flash he set me on the end of my bed, and he stripped off his suitcoat, tossing it on the nearby chair. He crouched down at my feet, removed the tortuous high heel and pressed his thumbs into my arch.
“Why do women wear such things? I will never understand it.” He furrows his brow in concentration then takes off my other heel. I let out a moan when his fingers find the right spot near the ball off my foot.
“I dinnae think I’d make it to the car.” I try and remember the last time I wore heels. I can’t help that I’d rather be in my trainers, better yet, bare feet are more freeing.