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Chapter Two
Catriona
Alex Thorne is the most beautiful man I've ever seen, and I get a flutter in my tummy every time I see him. I've only seen him twice, but the fluttering happened on both occasions. He makes me feel like a teenage virgin, which inspires my mouth to say silly things and my body to behave like a shy schoolgirl. What must Alex think of me? I've acted like an eejit. Maybe he wears pheromone cologne so he can seduce lasses more easily.
As we walk up the stairs toward the second floor, I can't help noticing his body. He clearly has muscles under his dress shirt and trousers. Since I'd gazed into his eyes while we had our wee conversation on that bench in the quad, I know he has gorgeous brown eyes that seem almost the same shade as his hair. Whenever he smiles, a tingly sensation sweeps over my skin, and I suddenly can't piece together a single word. How could any woman stay coherent in his presence? Alex reminds me of a Michelangelo statue, the picture of masculine beauty and angelic grace.
I wonder if his, um, private parts resemble the statue of David.
Oh, for heaven's sake. I am a grown woman, not a bairn, and a PhD student too. It's time I stop gawping at Alex.
He leads me into his office and sits down behind the desk, then gestures for me to take one of the chairs in front of him. The sunlight streaming through the windows paints his features in shades of gold, accentuating his full lips. What would it feel like if he kissed me? I'd wager he knows how to kiss a woman, not like the lads back home who can't figure out what to do with their tongues.
I'm sure Alex knows exactly what to do with his tongue.
"Catriona?" he says. "Are you all right?"
"What? Oh, aye." Settling onto my chair, I set my rucksack on the floor and fold my hands on my lap. "This is a nice office."
Maybe if I'd tried harder, I could've said something even stupider.
"Thank you." His lips kink up at one corner. "I've never been complimented on my office before."
"Well, I, um—"Haud yer wheesht, ye eejit.
Alex relaxes against his chair and raises his brows. "What did you want to discuss with me?"
"I'm bothering you. Aren't I, Dr. Thorne?"
"Not at all. And please call me Alex." He gives me a wry smile. "Dr. Thorne sounds like the name of a Victorian arse."
"I think it's a sexy name." Why the bloody hell did I say that? Maybe I should ask him for a roll of tape so I can seal my stupid lips.
"Sexy?" he says while smiling even more. His eyes twinkle in the sunlight. "Well, that name is beginning to grow on me. But I'd still rather you called me Alex. All right?"
"Aye."
He studies me for a moment while gently rocking his chair. "You still haven't told me what I can do for you, Catriona. I'm not your adviser, so…"
I have no idea what I wanted him to do for me. All I thought about was how much I wanted to see him again. "You teach archaeology. That's what I'm studying in my PhD program, so I hoped you might have advice or suggestions."
"For what? Those would be questions for your adviser."
"Oh. Aye, of course."
He tips his head to the side, gazing at me with curiosity. "How long have been in America?"
"Eight days."
"No wonder you seem ill at ease here. Do you have any mates in this country?"
I shake my head. "Donnae know anyone. Well, except for you."
"And your adviser."
Does he keep mentioning that because he wants me to go away and leave him alone? Maybe I do feel a wee bit out of place here in another country, far from my home. But I cannae tell Alex that.
"I've been in America for a few years," he says. "So I can understand what you might be feeling right now. Perhaps I could be your adviser on how to acclimate to a new and very different environment. It might be more accurate to say we could be mates."
