Page 103 of A Scottish Highland Hideaway

Zach’s intense brows gathered. “All the while, I’ve been investigating Bain’s shenanigans, the phone hacking allegations against Stargazer, what Corrie’s been up to, and also trying to look out for you.”

He let out an infectious laugh. “You could say I’ve had rather a busy in-tray.”

I felt my shoulders slump under my strappy dress. “I’m so sorry, Zach. I’ve been such an idiot.” I threw my hands up in the air. “But now I don’t care who knows about me. Not anymore.” I shot him a dreamy smile. “All I care about is you.”

Zach’s fingers brushed my shoulders. His touch made my skin prickle. “You’re a wonderful, gorgeous, brave woman with a kind heart.” His expression softened even more as he gazed down at me. I could hear the ceilidh band firing up downstairs and there were hoots of excitement from the guests.

An involuntary gasp escaped from my throat as Zach placed one hand at the base of my back and pulled me to him. “Lovely dress.”

We were hypnotised by each other, reading every detail of each other’s faces. I admired the arch of his dark brows and the deep curve of his mouth.

Our lips moved closer until they were inches apart. At last, they met, before I reached my arms around his neck and our kiss deepened. After what seemed like ten minutes, we parted.

Zach grinned against my mouth. “I’ll have to kick more doors down if that’s the response I get.”

Now it was my turn to grin at him. Then my mind turned over everything Zach had just told me. “So, what happens now with your Bain investigations?”

“The proverbial is about to hit the fan,” admitted Zach with a twinkle. “Just got to get a lawyer to go over the details and then it’ll all get published.”

Zach gave me a wink. “Working for Stargazer and reporting on Z-list celebrities gave me the cover I needed, not only to check out Bain and his misdemeanours, but also this phone hacking scandal.” Another smile toyed with his lips. “Could you see me giving up on a good story?”

We took each other’s hands and moved out of the guest room. Marcus was standing outside gazing down over the banister. He turned and looked at me. A watery smile spread across his face. “I was so worried about you.”

I held out my hand and he took it. “I’m so sorry, Marcus. I should’ve told you straight away when Mum revealed she’d given Samuel money to vanish out of your life with Jabob, but you don’t know the whole story. She begged me not to tell you.”

“I know,” he smiled softly.

I gawped at him. “You know?”

“Mum collared me when I arrived. Told me all about that snake asking her for money, otherwise he’d go to the press.” Marcus nodded. “He put Mum in a difficult position and she did what she thought was best.”

I gripped my brother’s hand. “I was just worried that after Finn Coulter, Mum might’ve been up to her old tricks again.”

Marcus was puzzled. “What’s Finn got to do with it? “

“Let’s just say Mum encouraged him to find employment elsewhere.”

My brother looked appalled. “Are you being serious?”

“I’m afraid so.”

I squeezed his hand and promised to tell him about it another time.

Marcus rubbed my fingers. “God. I’d no idea.” He searched my face. “Perhaps in an odd way, she did me a favour with Jacob. I was just so hurt when I thought Mum was interfering behind my back.”

“I know she loves us both, but she has to stop with the incessant meddling,” I said.

Marcus sighed and shook his head in disbelief. “When I found out about what she’d done, I thought Mum had offered Samuel the money and paid him off. I didn’t know Samuel had bloody blackmailed her for it in the first place!” He blushed. “Siobhan tried to tell me as much, but I was so shocked, I pretended I wasn’t feeling well and left the meeting.” My brother snatched up my other hand. “When Ezra called me…”

My mouth dropped open. “Ezra?”

“Who’s talking about me?” A deep, crumbly voice travelled to us from the top of the stairs. “I say, it’s all kicking off tonight! I just saw Corrie being manhandled by two security guards.”

Ezra was dressed in his tux and accompanied by Denise, Caroline, and Laura and a couple of harassed-looking young ladies in glittery frocks, who I presumed were from his management team. And behind them, was Joshua in a very similar suit to Ezra.

My mouth sprang open. “Joshua?”

Joshua gave me a wink. “Och, Ezra thought it might be a good idea to bring me along as a decoy, if things got a bit tasty.” He let out a chuckle. “I did wonder why that dark-haired young woman kept bobbing up wherever I was.”