Page 49 of Snowy Surprises in the Highlands

The room to which he was referring took up a third of the top floor and was actually known to her and the team as the Bridal Suite and the design had already been agreed, in fact it was the first of the upstairs rooms that was to be worked on in readiness for the photographs for the new website. Bella had figured it would have the biggest appeal considering the stunning views and dual-aspect windows, perfect for a wedding night.

She narrowed her eyes. ‘You’re wanting to change the design? It’s the one you seemed happiest with when you saw it initially. It’s the one the team were due to start on today, in fact.’ She couldn’t help the twinge of annoyance that knotted her stomach.

‘Oh, I’m happy with it. I just want to go over the wallpaper samples again. I think I found one I preferred to the one you originally suggested.’

He was clearly trying to assert his dominance. The paper had already been delivered but it was fairly neutral, so could be utilised elsewhere, if necessary, she just hoped that didn’t have to be the case because in her mind it was perfect.

She lifted her chin and forced a smile. ‘I see, okay, well, the samples are through in the foyer on the old reception desk so we can just go look there.’

He stood. ‘No, they’re up in the suite. I took them up when I went up there earlier before you got here, so I could hold them against the wall to see which worked best with the natural light that comes into that room. It won’t take a minute.’ So, you’re a designer now, are you? was what she wanted to say.

Something felt off. Her stomach was knotted, and her heart rate had picked up. But he was her boss, and she possibly was overreacting. Although her Granny Isla had always told her to listen to her gut – if something felt off it probably was. Nervously, she followed him back through to the foyer, partly dreading what could happen to her alone in this place in the middle of nowhere and it would be her word against his, and partly dreading which paper he was going to ask her to order. Some of the samples were quite bright and didn’t at all gel with the calming, romantic aesthetic she had gone for on her mood board. The previously agreed and signed off mood board.

‘You can leave your bag. We’re just looking at paper.’

Not on your nelly, pal, she thought as she slung her bag across her body and followed him, I’m keeping my phone to hand. He paused at the single elevator in the foyer. A rickety old thing that had been installed in the seventies and that Bella wouldn’t trust with a tray of food, never mind a human being.

‘I’ll be taking the stairs,’ she informed him. ‘The lift hasn’t been serviced yet and it’ll definitely need work, or even to be condemned and removed. That’s why the hazard tape was on it.’

‘Oh, that? Yeah, I took that off.’ His words were slurring a little now. ‘I’ve been using the elevator all week and it’s been fine. My legs are tired from my workout, so I don’t feel like stomping up three flights again. Come on. Live a little.’ The door opened and he stepped inside. ‘Bella?’

She stepped forward but hesitated. Wait, why the hell am I actually considering this? Wasn’t I just comparing him to Ted Bundy? And wasn’t I just telling him this lift is a death trap?

She shook her head. ‘Nah. I’ll meet you up there.’ She turned to walk away but he reached out and grabbed her hand, laughing as he yanked her inside and into his arms.

As the door closed, he pushed her against the fake wood-panelled wall and pressed his mouth to hers.

She shoved at his chest and reached up to scratch his face, then swiftly kneed him in the crotch as she screamed, ‘Get off me!’

He stepped back and dropped to his knees, holding his groin. ‘Ow! What the hell was that for?’ He coughed, his voice was strained and his face red.

The lift was moving now, and she yelled at him, ‘You arrogant shithead! How dare you⁠—’

He clambered to his feet. ‘Oh, come on, I’ve only done what you wanted me to do.’

‘I didn’t want any such thing, Carlton. I haven’t exactly been subtle about things. I told you in no uncertain terms that I’m not interested!’ There was a loud clunk, and the lift halted with a judder, shunting her towards him once more.

He grabbed for her again and held her tightly. ‘You don’t need to carry on playing hard to get, Bella. Harris isn’t here; it’s just us, so give in to it. I’ve seen how you look at me.’ He laughed, reminding her of a movie villain.

She flailed, kicking his shin. ‘Let go of me!’ she squealed.

He continued to laugh but released her. ‘Ow! Take it easy. I’m only messin’ around. I just wanted a little kiss, that’s all. Don’t tell me you haven’t thought about it.’

Bella’s chest heaved as she glared at him, wide-eyed. ‘My God, you’re so conceited. No. I have not thought about kissing you. What part of no do you not get? You do know that was assault, don’t you?’

He rubbed at his cheek where visible red lines had formed. ‘Says the woman who tried to scratch my eyes out and then kicked me in the nuts.’

‘In self-defence!’ she yelled.

He held out his arms. ‘Why would you need to defend yourself against me? I’m not gonna hurt you. It was just a kiss.’

‘It was an unwanted advance, Carlton, and that is absolutely not okay!’ He didn’t speak, instead he stood there with a smug smirk on his face that she was desperate to slap away. She tried to take deep breaths to calm herself. ‘I honestly can’t believe your behaviour. In this day and age too. You’ve heard of the “me too” movement, I presume? Do you even realise how serious this is? My fiancé is⁠—’

He rolled his eyes and huffed. ‘An officer of the law, yeah, yeah,’ he mocked in a childish tone. ‘I’m no criminal so that’s your word against mine. Jeez, you sound just like Helena.’

‘Yeah, well, I know who he’ll agree with, because I’m not the conceited arse forcing himself on someone!’ Her chest heaved, partly in fear and partly in anger. How dare he? Realising he had mentioned, potentially, another of his prey, she scowled. ‘Hang on, who’s Helena?’

His smile disappeared and he appeared shocked. ‘What?’ He clearly hadn’t meant to say her name out loud.