Can't Tie Me Down! (Sinclair Sisters 1)

“Not the order,” Keir said, and grinned at his cousin. “The Wookiee.”

“Aye,” Ewan said. “We’re wondering if he’s going to take the mask head off to drink.”

“That reminds me,” Sebastian said. “I’m going to need an extra straw for the Chardonnay.”

The cousins laughed, and Mairi rolled her eyes. “Is there one man left on this planet who isn’t an overgrown child?”

The men stared at each other before Sebastian turned to her. “I honestly can’t think of one.”

“Nope,” Keir and Ewan said at the same time.

“Mairi, my Scottish flower,” Amir called to her. “Come over here. We want to be talking to you about what you are needing in a husband.”

Mairi stood, perching on the rung of her stool, leaned over the bar and grabbed Ewan’s wrist. “If you feel anything for me at all, even a hint of friendship, please, turn off the football and put on the Sci-Fi Channel.”

Ewan let out a sigh, grabbed the TV remote and changed the channel. Doctor Who filled the large screen, causing a cheer.

“Oh,” Sebastian said. “It’s the one with van Gogh. This is my favorite.” He looked back at Ewan. “I’ll be back for the drinks.” Then he hurried over to the rest of the guys, who were now in a viewing trance.

“Bless you,” Mairi said. “Now give me something to eat. If I can’t drink, I need chocolate. Got any chocolate cake?”

“I’ll say it again,” Ewan said. “This. Is. A. Pub. We have bags of nuts, bags of crisps, and beef jerky. Take your pick.”

She looked at Keir, who was clearly amused. “Any chance you’d go to the corner shop and get me some chocolate?”

“No.” He leaned into her and put his mouth to her ear. “But I will take you out of here and get you fish and chips on the way home. Maybe even ice-cream for pudding.”

Oh, it was so, so tempting. After Jonas the Wookiee had snatched her out of the carpark and ruined their lunch plans, she’d ended up eating a soggy tuna sandwich in the hospital waiting room. It had been hell. Although, without the daisies this time.

“I can’t leave the boys,” Mairi said on a sigh.

“Rusty, they’ve forgotten you’re here. They’re arguing about who was the best Doctor. They’ve even forgotten they ordered drinks.”

Mairi bit her lip as she looked over at them. It had been an extremely long day. They’d barely settled Gladys back at the rest home before the boys were harassing her to do something romantic with them. She’d suggested the pub, because it was the least romantic place she could think of, and the boys had been very enthusiastic. Apparently, hanging out in a real Scottish pub was on their list of cultural experiences to be had while wooing her. Keir was right: she had lost their attention to the Doctor.

“Okay,” she said. “But I want cake, too.”

“You got it, gorgeous. Anything you want.”

Mairi wished that were true. Because in that moment, she wanted time to reverse and to find herself back in bed with Keir all those years ago. Only this time, she wouldn’t let him leave. This sort of thinking was exactly the reason she’d spent years avoiding him. He was like a tick. He burrowed under your skin and there was no way to get him out. Next thing you knew, you were running a fever and wondering if you were going to survive. She put her hands to her cheeks. Yep. They were flushed. The fever had started already.

“Let’s go,” she said grumpily as she launched herself off the stool.

This was what her life had come to. She could spend the evening with the only man she’d ever trusted enough to love—only to have him betray that trust—or with a crowd of geeks who lost interest in her as soon as Doctor Who appeared. At least Keir promised her cake.

“There had better be chocolate at the end of this ride,” she said as she stalked toward the door.

“Don’t worry, Rusty, I’ll take care

of you.”

Her stomach somersaulted at his words, but she knew he didn’t mean them. Not the way she’d felt them deep inside. In a place that shouldn’t be feeling anything for Keir at all.

He put his hand on the small of her back and led her to the exit. His touch seared, and Mairi fought back her reaction. He didn’t mean anything by it, and she couldn’t afford to lose her mind again, the way she’d done in the parking garage. Kissing him had been a mistake. It had dredged up feelings that were best left buried and opened the door to desires she’d long ago locked up tight. It was best for both of them if it never happened again.

At the door, she glanced back at her men—not one of them had noticed she was leaving.

Chapter 9