Two Kinds Of Truth(65)

A flush creeps across Callum’s cheeks, and Maddie looks away. “You should be ashamed of yourself. You’ve betrayed us all.”

I stare at my brother, his eyes now shining like glass. His Adam’s apple bobs up and down as he tries to speak. “I’ll go and pack the rest of my things, then,” he finally manages. “There’s a hotel just down the road. I’ll stay there for the time being.”

Maddie continues to stare into the flames. “Why? Isn’t Ally accommodating you anymore?”

The silence that follows is deafening. Only the fire crackles with life as Callum turns and walks away.

The front door bangs shut and Maddie bursts into tears.

I reach out to comfort her, my arms pulling her close, and she wraps her own around my neck.

“It’ll be okay,” I sooth, and as she lifts her head, I wipe the tears from her cheek. I stare into her eyes. Even upset she’s still beautiful. My breath catches in my throat, then a desperate need wells up in my chest, threatening to overwhelm me. This woman is all I want, right down to the bones of my soul.

I hold her gaze as her dark lashes flicker, and to my surprise, she leans forwards and her mouth crushes against mine. I shudder with delight when I feel her cool lips upon mine, a sudden and intimate gesture that sparks a jolt of desire. I can’t help myself; I pull her closer and we both rise. The ferocity of her kiss is overwhelming; hard, passionate, yet controlled. I lift her up into my arms, crushing her body against mine and the blanket falls away. I carry her up the stairs and into the bathroom. The room is hot and steamy, and I place her feet gently onto the floor, but then she’s taking off my jacket and unbuttoning my shirt.

I grab her hand and hold it tight. “Are ye sure ye wannae do this?” I barely breathe.

She looks up into my eyes and sweeps her finger across my brow then down my cheek.

“Yes. I am,” she whispers.





Chapter 13


Maddie



“Guid mornin’, beautiful,” Jamie whispers into my hair and I look up and smile lightly at him.

“Hey,” I say, huskily. “I hope you slept well.”

He props himself up on one elbow and gently pushes me onto my back, then he lowers his face and his lips glide silkily across mine.

“Hmm,” he murmurs. “It took a wee while, but after ye had ye wicked way with me for the third time, I slept like a log,” and he chuckles.

“I guess I wore you out,” I say.

Jamie lets out a snort of laughter. “Aye, lass, that ye did, at no mistake.”

“Any regrets?”

He slides closer and his eyes search out mine. “Nae, lass. Although, if I’m honest, I wish I’d allowed this thing between us to happen sooner.”

“Me too. And there’s no going back.”

“But what about Callum?”

I squirm under the sheets. “We’re over. I’m asking for a divorce.”

“Are ye sure it’s what ye want? After all, it’s so final.”

I nod and wrap my legs around him. “Yes. I’ll not be his doormat for a moment longer. I guess I saw the train wreck heading my way. Of course, I didn’t think it would be because he’d had a child with someone else,” and then I swallow.

“It must have ripped ye heart out to learn such a thing after what ye went through.”

I push a blond curl behind an ear and let out a sigh. “If it had been anything else, I could have probably forgiven him. But not after such lies and deceit. No. He must be made accountable for such a deception.”

I turn onto my side and lie in the crook of his arm, taking a deep breath. He smells masculine, musky and woody with a hint of Hugo Boss. I kiss his neck and his skin tastes sweet, like honey. He drops his chin and I kiss him again. His stubble tickles my cheek as I sweep my tongue towards his ear.

“I’m crazy about ye,” he whispers.

“You don’t know that much about me.”

“I ken enough,” he tells me, brushing his thumb gently across my mouth, and my stomach lurches. There’s passion in his eyes and I lose myself within them.

An alarm goes off and Jamie reaches over to the bedside table. He picks up his phone and lets out a deep groan.

“Oh, no; have ye seen the time? I should’ve been up hours ago, and we need to go and see granda, too.” He pushes back the covers and dives out of bed. I enjoy watching his naked form clamber into a pair of jeans, my eyes devouring every part of his body, from his rippling torso to his strong muscular legs. There’s so much I’ve yet to figure out, and yet…we’re as one when we’re alone together. My head’s reeling with possibilities. Already, I’ve learned he’s clever, smart and fiercely passionate.

“You’re only a little late and I can help feed the cattle,” I say, punching a pillow and resting my head into it.

He stops and gives me a smile. It’s the way his top lip curls slightly at the edge that makes my heart skip a beat.

“Then get yir gorgeous arse out of bed.”

There’s a noise from downstairs, then a door bangs and footsteps come up the stairs.

I sit bolt upright and grab the covers, clutching them to my chest. Jamie quickly zips up his flies and then rushes to the bedroom door, but he’s too late. Callum comes barging in.