Among the Heather (The Highlands, #2)

“Why, Theo”—I patted him on the shoulder—“a person might think you cared.”

He grimaced. “I’m just afraid if I spend any more time with you, I’ll find myself in your stalker’s crosshairs.”

“Aye, aye, keep telling yourself that.” I chuckled and strode toward the door. “Let’s eat. I’m starving.”

Thankfully, Theo didn’t mention the threats again as we strode downstairs. Instead, I asked what was causing the block in his script and suggested he talk it over. Before I became an actor, I was convinced I’d be a musician. I’d borrowed guitars from the music room at school and spent hours composing songs and writing lyrics. Even now, I wrote songs in those previously sparse moments of free time. Maybe I should have one of my guitars shipped to Ardnoch.

Theo was describing the journey he wanted his leading lady to take as we turned the corner toward the dining room and almost walked into Aria.

We halted as she drew up short.

Guilt from what I’d said earlier sat uneasily on my shoulders.

She pursed her lips as her gaze darted between us. “If you’ll excuse me.”

Theo made to move, but I didn’t. I held up a palm to stop her. “About earlier … I apologize for my behavior.”

“Accepted,” she replied coolly and moved to walk past me.

Irritated at her dismissal, I jabbed, “My balls are fine, though. Thanks for asking.”

Aria flicked me a look beneath those thick dark lashes as her perfume tickled my senses. “I was surprised you had any to hurt.”

I turned as she strolled away. “Charming as always, Ms. Howard.”

She waved a manicured, ring-bedecked hand without looking back. “Enjoy lunch, gentlemen.”

Aria was totally unaffected by me.

And I couldn’t drag my eyes off her curvy arse as her hips swayed from side to side in her tight skirt. My skin felt too hot, my mouth dry.

“Yes.” Theo stepped beside me. “She is rather luscious, that one, isn’t she? Frigid around men, though. I’d bet my fortune she’s gay.”

Despite having implied the same thing earlier, Theo’s words pissed me off. He would also lose that bet. I’d already googled the estate manager, and her last few relationships had been with male actors. “Just because Aria doesn’t fall at your feet doesn’t mean she’s frigid or gay, Theodore.”

He cut me a dark look for full-naming him. “No woman is immune to my charm unless they’re gay. I’m a spectacular lover, and everyone knows it.”

“That’s because you’ve slept with everyone.”

Theo narrowed his eyes. “Some of us don’t attach feelings to the sexual act like infatuated teenage girls.”

“I’m never fucking telling you anything ever again.” I marched toward the dining room.

“Oh, don’t be sore, old boy. Your serial monogamy is adorable. Really.”

He was such a prick. “You’re wrong about Aria.” I changed the subject as a waiter stepped forward to lead us to a table.

“What? That she doesn’t have a trail of gorgeous girlfriends in her past? God, there’s fantastic masturbatory imagery.”

Seeing the waiter flush at Theo’s comment, I shot the young bloke an apologetic look.

“We’ll have water for the table, with fresh-cut lime,” Theo directed.

As soon as the boy left, I replied, “She doesn’t have a trail of girlfriends in her past and if you even think about wanking off to her, I’ll cut off your dick.”

His grin widened. “Did you fuck her? Is that why she hates you?”

I wanted to punch him in the balls. Hard. “No.”

“Shame.” Theo perused the short menu the waiter had placed in front of him. “That woman needs a decent fucking. Maybe I should offer to bed her. Like I said, I’ve had no complaints.”

Something like fury clawed at my gut, but my tone was quiet as I looked over the menu and warned, “Try anything with Aria Howard, Theo, and I’ll break that pretty fucking face of yours.”

Silence fell over the table and then my friend murmured silkily, “We are territorial, aren’t we?”

I glared at him.

Theo chuckled and raised his palms in surrender. “I hereby promise to stay away from Aria Howard. And I’ll even be a good friend and not press you about why you’re so protective of a woman who punched your balls only a few hours ago.”

Good.

Because I honestly wouldn’t know how to answer that question.





Four


ARIA





Someone else could have gone to the main gates to receive the delivery. Wakefield. Jock. But no, I had to go. And Walker insisted on escorting me when he could have gone himself.

Why was I such a nosy parker when it came to North Hunter?

The delivery was for him and since he was still lying low, we’d agreed to sign the package. I’d agreed.

He was waiting up at the castle for it and …

I should have just let Walker handle this.

Especially when the delivery guy passed over a large box with an item that shook around inside it. Jordan, one of our valets, hurried out of the castle to collect the package. I practically ran inside to get out of the cold after him and Walker and then halted at the sight of North hovering over the valet.

“Can we just unpack it here?” he asked Jordan. “Are you able to recycle the packaging for me?”

“Of course, Mr. Hunter,” Jordan replied.

North studiously avoided my eyes as Walker produced a Swiss Army knife they could use to open the large box. My cheeks felt hot as North continued to ignore me. Asshole. Despite his apology, maybe he hadn’t forgiven me for punching him in the junk.

To my shock, a leather guitar case came out of the box. While Jordan strode off to dispose of the packaging, North laid the carrying case down on the floor and kneeled to open it. His fingers stroked lovingly over the acoustic guitar inside.

“It’s a guitar,” I said inanely.

He pulled it out and plucked a few strings. “It’s not just a guitar. It’s a Builder’s Edition Taylor.”

“I didn’t know you played.” Walker echoed my thoughts.

The corner of North’s mouth curled. “Few people do.” With that, he patted the guitar and placed it gently back in the case.

Again, he didn’t look at me.

He hadn’t looked at me once.

Irritation warmed my blood as North stood with the case in hand, ready to depart for his room without a word. “I assume I don’t need to tell you to keep the noise down with that thing. Our members don’t pay for the privilege of listening to amateur music.”

I regretted the comment as soon as I said it.

North finally turned, but it was only to glare at me like I was a slug before he stalked off, taking the stairs two at a time.

I could feel Walker’s attention. Daring to glance at him, I almost winced at his penetrating stare. The man didn’t need to say a word to make me feel bad for my unnecessarily mean comment. I already felt bad without his judgy eyes on me.