Fire Maidens Scotland (Billionaires & Bodyguards #6) - Anna Lowe Page 0,13
was morning, and the sun was shining. But when he spotted Holly, it felt as if the sun rose a second time. Her left arm stretched forward as a tall, wiry deerhound strained at its leash. Her right elbow was tucked in tight as she balanced a parcel, the urn, and a steaming cup of coffee. Her traveler’s rucksack stuck out over her head and on both sides. Lachlan’s unit commander would have thrown a fit at the jacket, spare shoes, and other loose bits strapped carelessly to the pack, but his inner dragon just heaved a dreamy sigh.
Holly.
“Wait, Mungo. I said, wait,” she called as the dog dragged her along.
As usual, his brain filtered out everything but the smooth, silky tone of her voice.
A voice fit for radio, Trevor had once said.
Lachlan shook his head, trying to focus. The voice didn’t matter, and neither did the circumstances. All that mattered was completing this mission and moving on to the next. And the next, and the next…
But bloody hell. She wore big, flouncy pants that danced as she moved. The pant legs were made of four different colored panels, with each leg cut wide enough to fit her entire body. So unnecessary. So overdecorative. So…so…
Mesmerizing, his dragon hummed.
She floated more than she moved, filling his mind with all kinds of dangerous ideas.
“No pulling. Good boy,” Holly told the dog as it dragged her along.
Lachlan looked around, waiting for someone to run out, hug Holly goodbye, and take the dog. But Holly just strode up and handed him the leash.
“Good morning. Whew.” She maneuvered out of her rucksack. “Wow. I forgot what a beauty this car is.” Then her chest rose and fell in a sigh. “Trevor loved this car.”
Lachlan nodded. Indeed, he had — and what an honor it was to be entrusted with its care.
The church bells struck eight fifteen, and Holly fluttered her hands. “Oops. Time flies. We ought to hit the road.” She placed the smaller items on the passenger seat, hefted her bag into the boot, then took the dog’s leash again. “I’ll be right back.”
Lachlan exhaled and circled to the driver’s side while Holly walked the dog back to its master, wherever he or she was.
But Holly only walked to the end of the block and back, letting the dog relieve itself. Then she backtracked to the car, opened the passenger door, and waved the dog in.
“Come on, Mungo. Hop.”
The dog stuck its wiry face in the car and sniffed.
“Go on, sweetie.”
The dog lifted one foot uncertainly, then switched to the other.
Lachlan stared at the dog, then at the spotless leather interior. “Wait—”
But Holly was already clapping and urging the dog in. “Hop. Hop. Go on, Mungo.” The deerhound leaped into the front seat and turned in circles, swatting Lachlan with its tail.
Holly grinned. “Good boy!”
Lachlan held up a hand, warding off that whip of a tail.
“Now, jump in the back…”
“Not the b—” Lachlan started, but it was too late. The dog was already clawing his way over the backrest.
“You all comfy?” Holly spoke to it in baby tones.
Mungo stuck his head over the front seat and panted in Lachlan’s ear.
“Comfy?” Lachlan grumbled.
Holly slid into the passenger seat, buckled in, and carefully set the urn between herself and Lachlan. “Ready?”
Lachlan stared at her, the dog, the urn, and the steaming coffee. Bloody hell. Was she serious?
Holly frowned. “Oh! Sorry. Should I get you a coffee? There’s a nice shop just down the road…”
He waved quickly. “No coffee. Thanks.”
“Then what’s wrong? Oh.” She unbuckled quickly. “You’re right. It would be criminal to drive with the top up on a day like today. Look at that blue sky.”
Lachlan hadn’t noticed the weather, to be honest. The moment he’d laid eyes on Holly, his mind had gone blank. Well, mostly blank, except for foolish, dreamy memories. Like showing her the secret path to his favorite Highland glen. Soaking in the joy of her laugh and the warmth of her smile. Walking her home and kissing her again and again.
His blood heated at memories of giving in to temptation for the most glorious night of his life — a night with his mate. But the next day…
It had been a beautiful, promising morning, waking up holding Holly. Eventually, he’d slipped away for a few minutes to plan what to do next. Could he delay entering the military? Renege on that plan altogether? Perhaps he could stay in Scotland longer to give himself time with Holly…