My Seductive Highlander (8 page)

“I don't even know you,” Lilia whispered, blinking hard and fast against the moisture shining in her eyes.

“Ah…but ye do.” Graham drew closer. “Ye need only search yer heart and yer memories. Our souls met afore time began. We merely need t'rekindle the memories for our hearts to know each other again.”

Lilia abruptly drew away, rising quickly from her chair. Avoiding Graham's gaze, she hurried over to the silver machine holding the pitcher of coffee and added a bit more of the steaming dark liquid to her nearly full cup. “After my morning visit with Eliza, I'm going to meet Alberti and Vivienne at the center—a workout arena Alberti owns. We've got to practice our battle for tomorrow night's competition and then we plan to relax with a friendly paintball war. You're more than welcome to come with me and join in if you'd like.”

So that's how it is to be
. He had no idea what the hell she was talkin' about but he kent for certain she was changin' the course of their conversation and runnin' away from whatever demons only she could see. Graham slowly rose and hooked his thumbs in his belt, determination clenching his teeth until his jaws ached. The lass thought to avoid anything that made her feel. Aye—well—she'd soon discover he'd no' tolerate being avoided for verra long. “I fully intend to stay at yer side. Where'er ye go, I shall follow.”

Lilia's eyes narrowed above the rim of her cup as she took a sip.

Graham chuckled.
Good.
She recognized his challenge.

Mother Sinclair and Trulie's advice floated through his mind. If he was to firmly take hold of Lilia's heart and conquer her world, he'd need to embrace the ways of this time. The man Alberti had descended from his chambers smelling of soaps and oils. Before they'd left his house, the man had ensured his black hair was well slicked back and neatly combed.

As Lilia avoided his gaze and busied herself plucking the chunks of wet black bread from the sink and dropping them into a round metal bin, Graham inconspicuously turned his head to one side, lowered his nose, and sniffed.
Humpf.
He'd smelled worse but he definitely didna smell as though he'd bathed in quite the while. He'd best see to cleanin' up before he followed Lilia about her day.

Mother Sinclair and the Lady Trulie had gone into great detail regarding quite a few things of this time and cleanliness was one of them. In fact, just before he and Angus had jumped into the portal, Mother Sinclair had firmly lashed a pack to both their backs with the instructions that the items contained in the bags were to be used once they'd found Lilia and settled in. As she'd tightened the straps across his shoulders, Mother Sinclair had winked and said Lilia was going to love the clothes she and Trulie had obtained.

Graham glanced down at his tunic and plaid, wondering what sort of attire the Sinclair women had selected for the enticement of Lilia's affections. Mother Sinclair had said something about a shopping spree across the centuries. He didna ken what the hell the old woman had meant by such.

“I'm going to hop upstairs and get cleaned up.” Lilia dried her hands on a bit of brightly striped linen then hooked the cloth through a metal ring hanging beside the sink. “Once Vivienne and Angus get back, we'll figure out the details of the day.”

Lore a'mighty.
She sounded like Cook parsing out the day's chores to the kitchen lads and maids. Graham stepped forward with a decisive nod. If this was to be a battle of the wills, the lass would soon discover she was sorely outplayed and her heart was to be his prize. “Angus and I will be a needin' our things—our packs. Would yer friend Alberti be so kind as to bring them here so we can clean up as well?” He lifted his chin and took another step forward. “After all, I wouldna wish to shame ye as I accompany ye about yer daily tasks.”

Lilia leaned back against the counter, a dubious look on her face. “I can call Alberti and ask him to bring your packs by once he's finished opening both stores. But I'm a little confused. Why didn't you just clean up at Alberti's since you're staying there?”

“Two reasons, lass.” Graham closed the distance between them. “I needed to be here with ye and I didna wish to tarry.” He reached out and smoothed a wandering curl away from her cheek.
Such silk
. He'd known from the first moment he'd seen her that her hair would feel like the finest silk. “And I'll no' be a-stayin' another night at Alberti's.”

Lilia shifted and caught her breath. Did he imagine she leaned forward the slightest bit? Dare he move even closer? Aye…he dared. Else how would he ever win a taste of her tempting mouth? He laced his fingers into her hair, barely brushing the soft curve of her cheek with his thumb.
Lore help me.
She shook him to the verra core. He leaned in and brushed his lips across hers.

The soft weight of her hand settled to the center of his chest. But she didna push him away and for that he was sorely glad. He nibbled gently at her lower lip then kissed her again, firm and possessive yet still chaste and careful. He daren't push her further. Not yet. He'd win her bit by bit, gentling her skittish heart like calming a fearful colt.

Graham stepped back. His heart and hopes lifted at the lovely color riding high upon her cheeks and the swift rise and fall of her chest.
Aye.
He'd done well enough for now. Best allow the seeds he'd planted time to set down roots and take firm hold.

“I'm…I'm gonna call Alberti.” Lilia pushed around him, scooped up the small square oddity…the phone…she'd kept tucked in her corset the night before, and hurried to the kitchen door. “I'll have him bring your things.”

Graham nodded. “I thank ye, lass—for everythin'.”

“I suppose they did need a bath.” Vivienne tore a bite-sized chunk off the bagel on her plate, smeared a dollop of clotted cream across it, then pointed it at Lilia. “But ye must admit, even though they were a bit gamey—their wild and wooly look was sexy hot.” She leaned back in the chair, grinning as she popped the morsel in her mouth and chewed. “There's nothin' hotter than knowin' a man's best bits are a mere thin plaidie away.”

Lilia had been quite aware of Graham's
bits
when he'd kissed her. Even though he'd not pressed against her, nor touched her except for his mouth and his hand in her hair, she'd been keenly aware of every square inch of him. She huffed out a silent laugh. Every square inch of him—uhm…right.

Lilia pushed her untouched plate to the center of the table and folded her hands in front of her, patiently waiting until Vivienne had scarfed down the last bit of her breakfast. When Vivienne finally refolded her napkin and tossed it to the center of her empty plate, Lilia asked, “So are you coming with us to visit Eliza or are you just going to meet us at the center?”

“I'd never noticed it before but Alberti is right.” Vivienne scooped up the plates, slid Lilia's untouched bagel back in the box, then set the dishes in the sink.

“What?”

“Whenever ye dinna wish to talk about something, ye completely ignore it and change the subject.”

The pound of heavy footsteps thumping down the back staircase echoed into the kitchen. Angus bounded around the landing, grinning broadly as he slicked a hand back across his still-damp hair. Chest puffed out and flexing his muscular arms, he sauntered over to Vivienne. “Tell me, lass. What do ye think?”

Lilia bit her bottom lip and rubbed the end of her nose to hide her smile behind her hand. Angus reminded her of a hormonal schoolboy determined to shed his virginity with the lovely Vivienne. He marched back and forth in front of her, strutting first one way then the other so she'd benefit from a full panoramic view of his well-fitted jeans and tight gray T-shirt.

Vivienne grinned as she winked and cupped a hand atop one of Angus's bulging biceps. “Verra nice, indeed.”

Angus's chest swelled even more, his face glowing as though someone had flipped his light switch to high beam.

“Where's…” Lilia lost the ability to speak as she turned back to the raised landing at the end of the stair.

“Aye?”

Totally climbable, ripped abs seemed even—

Lilia closed her mouth and swallowed hard, struggling to recover from the exquisite example of male hotness right in her own kitchen.

Hard ridges of muscle shimmered and teased beneath the silky black tee stretched tight across Graham's chest. Black jeans showcased the rest of his body. The material hugged his hips and thighs and the lovely bulging package in between. The man looked like he'd been poured into his clothes and polished to sculpted-god perfection.

Holy shit. Where the hell did Granny learn to dress a man like that?

Graham stepped down from the landing, lifting his hands as he turned. “I've no idea why the woman selected black but this is what yer grandmother stowed in me pack. Will it do for the day's errands?”

“Uhm…” Lilia rubbed her thumbs across her fingertips, her hands itching to trace and explore.
Wonder if he feels as good as he looks?

“Lass?” Graham moved closer, his heavy black biker boots thumping with each step. “Does this suit ye?”

“If it doesn't, she's a feckin' daftie.”

Lilia turned away from Vivienne, hid her fist against the small of her back, and saluted Vivienne with her middle finger. She inhaled a deep breath and weakly waved at Graham's attire. “You look…fine.”
Fine? Bullshit. More like fine-fucking-tastic.

Graham smiled a seductive, knowing smile, one that glinted pure mischief clear to his eyes and promised so much more. “ 'Tis well and good then. Shall we be on about our day?”

On about their day.
He really did mean to accompany her everywhere she went.
Shit
. A wicked idea sprouted. “Do you want me to put the oil of peppermint in my purse or are you going to keep it in your pocket?” Lilia lifted her keys off the hook beside the door as she tucked her purse into the crook of her elbow.

The phases of realization, abhorrence, and downright fear flashing across Graham's features gave her a victorious rush.
Ha! I win.
She couldn't resist. She held up the keys, rattled them again, and smiled. She was okay with his tagging along to the stables, the center, or the paintball field but her visits with Eliza were private. Lilia glanced at the time backlit on her phone. She was already late. She should've been to the hospital and had their morning visit a long time ago. She held up the keys and nodded toward the garage door. “Well?”

Graham's Adam's apple skittered up and down his throat as he swallowed hard, his unblinking stare locked on the keys. “Could we no' walk?”

Lilia shook her head. “No. The hospital's too far to walk. Especially with some of the streets blocked off because of Fringe. I'll have to take a longer route.” A belated pang of sympathy softened her resolve—a little. Poor guy. He was already getting a little green around the gills and they hadn't even gotten out of the kitchen. She'd be generous and give him an easy out. No sense in being
overly
cruel. “The center and the stables are only a few blocks away. If you and Angus want to walk over there and wait for me, I'm sure Vivienne wouldn't mind escorting the two of you.”

Vivienne looped her arm through Angus's then beamed her best smile at Graham. “Absolutely. There's no finer way to walk through the streets of Edinburgh than with a handsome man on each arm.”

Graham's scowl deepened, his moustache twitching as he appeared to be gnawing on the corner of his lip. His gaze slid from Lilia to Vivienne then back to Lilia again. He sucked in a deep breath, then noisily blew it out. “Nay. I canna go with Mistress Vivienne and wait. 'Twould no' be honorable. I must pay m'respects to Mistress Eliza.”

A sense of protectiveness for her ailing guardian flared. Lilia lifted her chin and shook her head. “That's really not necessary.” She fisted the ring of keys so hard, the bits of metal chewed into her palm. “She might not even know you're there. Her sleep is…uhm…deeper…these days.” More like drug-induced to give her a brief reprieve from the pain, but some things were just better left unsaid.

Shuttering away that thought, Lilia spun about and headed to the door leading to the garage. She locked her focus on the worn brass doorknob, squeezing it hard as she struggled to get a grip on the new wave of despair threatening to overtake her. Her hand shook until the metal latch softly rattled. Tensing against losing control, Lilia forced her hand to still. Graham needed to back off. “I'll meet up with everyone at the field in a few hours,” she said without looking up.

Before she could pull open the door, Graham's calloused hand covered hers, holding her fingers firmly in place. His warm breath tickled across her nape as he leaned in closer. “I said I'll be a-goin' wi' ye, lass. Ye'll find I always keep to m'word.” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and barely nuzzled the tickling softness of his short beard across the back of her neck. “Yer Mistress Eliza will ken I'm there. I feel certain of it,” he whispered.

Lilia closed her eyes, concentrating on slowing her breathing and praying Graham couldn't hear her pounding heart.

“Let me in, lass,” he coaxed in an even lower whisper. The raw huskiness of his voice stroked her, implored her to give him a chance. “I'm here for ye. I swear it. All ye need do is give me a chance. Ye have nothin' t'fear, ye ken?”

Staring down at their clasped hands atop the doorknob, Lilia gave in to the slightest glimmer of hope as Graham's emotions washed across her like a warm gentle caress. The tensed knots in her shoulders lessened the barest bit. Maybe she should let Graham visit Eliza. Maybe, even in her current state, Eliza might rouse enough to know he was there and find some small comfort in knowing Lilia wasn't alone anymore—even though she'd just met the man and he'd probably be hopping back to the past again very soon.

Lilia nodded. “I can give you
for now,
” she forced out in a strained whisper
.
“That's it.”

Graham pressed a soft kiss atop her shoulder. “I'll take
for now
and make it
forever.
Ye'll see
.
”

“For now,” Lilia repeated a bit louder, reinforcing the phrase more for her own peace of mind than for Graham. “Now let's go.”