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thirty-two
HadI really said I would give up men?
I woke to hazy gray light streaming through the hotel window, Duncan’s hand resting on my side. I’d been keenly aware of him beside me all night, like a wiggly tooth I couldn’t stop touching. Every time I woke in the dark, I snuggled against him, and in his own sleepy state he’d drawn me closer.
Last night replayed in my mind, and my stomach swooped low. If any man qualified as first rate, Duncan did. He’d wooed me slowly, sumptuously, knowing exactly where we were going but content to take every side trip along the way, unwilling to miss a single moment. He’d shamelessly obliterated the memory of every other man I’d ever known.
His fingers moved on my waist, letting me know he’d woken. I rolled over to face him and snaked one arm up his broad back. His eyes were still closed, but his mouth tipped up in a sleepy smile. I liked seeing him up close in the morning light, relaxed and happy.
“Good morning.” I tried to angle my breath away from his face. As comfortable as I was, he didn’t need to endure my gruesome morning breath.
“Mmm. I could get used to waking up like this.” He moved his palm along my back, his voice gravelly.
“I could get used to falling asleep likethat.”
“Yes?” He peeked open one eye and hugged me closer until no space remained between us. “Now I’m awake.”
Morning breath was no longer a deterrent.
Doggedly refusing to think about my flight home, I focused solely on Duncan for our last few, marvelous hours together. We called up room service and had breakfast in bed. We shared an indulgent, soapy shower. We made love like we were at the beginning of everything instead of the end.
“You’re missing out on Edinburgh castle,” he teased, propping himself over me. “A lot of photos to be had there.”
I pulled him back down to me. “Photos are overrated.”
Eventually, sobered by the late hour, we had to leave our cozy cocoon. I gathered the last of my belongings and stuffed them into my luggage, trying not to think about my flights. I pulled on theI Heart Scotlandshirt I’d bought my first day, the only real souvenir of my adventure. The only tangible one, anyway.
Duncan had slipped down the hall to his room to change back into jeans. When he returned, he had a brown paper box in his hands.
“What’s this?” I asked.
“Open it and see.”
I took it from him, my heart already doing little skips as I wondered what it could be. Beneath the lid lay a bundle of green and red tartan. I plucked it from the box, and it unraveled to reveal a fine cashmere scarf. I wrapped it around my neck, running the soft wool through my fingers. “Where did you get this?”
“On Skye.”
I snuggled my face against the soft wool, telling myself not to cry. It was a generous gift—I didn’t even buy cashmere for myself. The bright red would be striking in Seattle’s gloomy winter rains, a much needed reminder of our time here. “Is this Clan Stewart?”
“Oh, aye.” He laid on his thickest brogue for me, my Scottish GPS. “So everyone will know which clan you belong to.”
I might have turned into a fluffy cloud, all soaring softness over the idea of this man claiming me with a bit of tartan. I thanked him with a kiss, which turned into several kisses, until I grew too hot for the scarf and had to peel it off.
Duncan cradled my face in his hands, resting his forehead against mine as though we could communicate everything in that touch. My heart ached, and my eyes pricked with waiting tears. He’d said no more of London or Seattle—this morning was only about now.
We rode the elevator in silence, our fingers laced together. The airport shuttle would arrive soon.
Bea accosted me in the hotel lobby. “Must you go so soon, dear?”
The simple question hit hard. Must I go? Plastering on a polite smile, I said I must. “My flight leaves in three hours. I don’t want to miss it.”
I glanced at Duncan, who gave me the grimmest of smiles. Ididwant to miss it, but my real life was pulling me back home.
“Well, I’m sure you’ll be back. Scotland does grow on a person.” She air-kissed my cheek and trundled off again.
I didn’t see anyone else from the tour in the lobby. Bea would be my only goodbye.
Except for Duncan.
