looked down at the dinner table. ‘I think you’ll also find that the entrées have already been served. Take a seat, Mr Deveraux.’
From the corner of the room he could almost see the Murder Mystery Weekend organiser clapping his hands with glee.
Craig looked momentarily confused, then obviously realised he was supposed to be in character. ‘You’ve monopolised Laurie—I mean, Ms Clark’s attention all day. It’s time to let her mix with some other company.’
Callan wondered exactly how far he was supposed to go with this. As Laurie lifted a glass of wine to her rose-red lips he had an instant spark of inspiration. Or maybe it was her scent that was still permeating his skin? Whatever it was, he reached down and pulled her to her feet.
After all, he had agreed to play along.
‘I think you’ll find Ms Clark is already spoken for, Mr Deveraux. I suggest you take your seat.’ And at that, he bent down and brushed his lips next to Laurie’s.
He felt her instantly stiffen in shock. He hadn’t given her any warning. He hadn’t given it much thought himself. He was just playing along and it seemed like the natural thing to do.
Bartholomew Grant would surely want to stake his claim on his girlfriend?
His hand was around her waist, supporting her as she leaned back a little. Across the table Auntie Mary burst into a round of applause.
Her lips were soft and pliable, but, oh, so inviting. He meant just to brush the slightest touch, but his lips caught the taste of wine from her and his gentle brush became instantly more intense. He felt her hands place on his chest. For an instant he wondered if she was going to push him away, but she didn’t. Instead her hands rested lightly—just as they had done earlier that day on the steps.
Her scent wound its way around him, rich, sultry and exotic. It was truly intoxicating. If he didn’t stop now, he never would.
Only the briefest few seconds had passed but he was conscious of the audience around them, and conscious of the fact if she did object, she might not want to do so in front of others.
He pulled back but felt her lips still connected with his. It was as if she didn’t want the kiss to end. Had she felt the same connection he had? As their noses brushed against each other he opened his eyes. Her dark brown eyes were already open, staring straight at him.
She looked a little stunned. As if she didn’t quite believe the kiss had happened. Her hand came up automatically to her lips, which seemed even redder, even fuller than before.
Her eyes still hadn’t left his. All he could see was how chocolate-coloured they looked in this light and a definite dilation of her black pupils. His body reacted instantly—a natural response. Her hips were still pressed against his and her eyes widened, but the smile that appeared on her face was one of pure mischief.
As if on cue, one of the other guests stood up and started shouting—obviously all part of the activities. Callan stepped back, releasing his hand from around her back, and reluctantly sank back down into his seat. ‘Sorry, if I took you by surprise,’ he murmured.
She lifted her glass and took another sip of wine. There was a cheeky glint in her eyes. Laurie Jenkins wasn’t upset or offended. Quite the opposite, in fact. It made the blood race through his body. ‘Seems like it was surprises all round,’ she said softly.
Up close the green dress was perfect for her skin tone and chestnut-coloured hair. Her cheeks glowed and the red gloss on her lips shined. The beads around the neckline caught the candlelight in the room and dazzled. She looked as if she belonged on a magazine cover, or an old-fashioned portrait. But here she was sitting at his side.
He wanted to sweep the rest of the guests away. He wanted to erase the Murder Mystery Weekend completely. He wanted the chance to get to know Angus McLean’s granddaughter on his own, with no distractions.
But the long evening stretched ahead of them.
From the corner of the room he could almost see the Murder Mystery Weekend organiser clapping his hands with glee.
Craig looked momentarily confused, then obviously realised he was supposed to be in character. ‘You’ve monopolised Laurie—I mean, Ms Clark’s attention all day. It’s time to let her mix with some other company.’
Callan wondered exactly how far he was supposed to go with this. As Laurie lifted a glass of wine to her rose-red lips he had an instant spark of inspiration. Or maybe it was her scent that was still permeating his skin? Whatever it was, he reached down and pulled her to her feet.
After all, he had agreed to play along.
‘I think you’ll find Ms Clark is already spoken for, Mr Deveraux. I suggest you take your seat.’ And at that, he bent down and brushed his lips next to Laurie’s.
He felt her instantly stiffen in shock. He hadn’t given her any warning. He hadn’t given it much thought himself. He was just playing along and it seemed like the natural thing to do.
Bartholomew Grant would surely want to stake his claim on his girlfriend?
His hand was around her waist, supporting her as she leaned back a little. Across the table Auntie Mary burst into a round of applause.
Her lips were soft and pliable, but, oh, so inviting. He meant just to brush the slightest touch, but his lips caught the taste of wine from her and his gentle brush became instantly more intense. He felt her hands place on his chest. For an instant he wondered if she was going to push him away, but she didn’t. Instead her hands rested lightly—just as they had done earlier that day on the steps.
Her scent wound its way around him, rich, sultry and exotic. It was truly intoxicating. If he didn’t stop now, he never would.
Only the briefest few seconds had passed but he was conscious of the audience around them, and conscious of the fact if she did object, she might not want to do so in front of others.
He pulled back but felt her lips still connected with his. It was as if she didn’t want the kiss to end. Had she felt the same connection he had? As their noses brushed against each other he opened his eyes. Her dark brown eyes were already open, staring straight at him.
She looked a little stunned. As if she didn’t quite believe the kiss had happened. Her hand came up automatically to her lips, which seemed even redder, even fuller than before.
Her eyes still hadn’t left his. All he could see was how chocolate-coloured they looked in this light and a definite dilation of her black pupils. His body reacted instantly—a natural response. Her hips were still pressed against his and her eyes widened, but the smile that appeared on her face was one of pure mischief.
As if on cue, one of the other guests stood up and started shouting—obviously all part of the activities. Callan stepped back, releasing his hand from around her back, and reluctantly sank back down into his seat. ‘Sorry, if I took you by surprise,’ he murmured.
She lifted her glass and took another sip of wine. There was a cheeky glint in her eyes. Laurie Jenkins wasn’t upset or offended. Quite the opposite, in fact. It made the blood race through his body. ‘Seems like it was surprises all round,’ she said softly.
Up close the green dress was perfect for her skin tone and chestnut-coloured hair. Her cheeks glowed and the red gloss on her lips shined. The beads around the neckline caught the candlelight in the room and dazzled. She looked as if she belonged on a magazine cover, or an old-fashioned portrait. But here she was sitting at his side.
He wanted to sweep the rest of the guests away. He wanted to erase the Murder Mystery Weekend completely. He wanted the chance to get to know Angus McLean’s granddaughter on his own, with no distractions.
But the long evening stretched ahead of them.
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