Read Hot Blooded for Free Online

asking, “Do you intend to remain in town long?”
    â€œActually, no. Once everything is taken care of, I’ll be back to work.”
    â€œAnd where is that?” Laith couldn’t begin to understand why he kept asking questions. He told himself it was information for everyone at Dreagan, but in reality, he was more than curious about her.
    Damn, damn, damn.
    She laughed softly, the sound shooting straight to his cock. He glanced around and noted that he wasn’t the only one who couldn’t take their eyes from her. The rest of the patrons were staring with interest.
    â€œI’m a photojournalist. I travel the world taking photos of people and events.”
    â€œI’m impressed.” And he truly was. It couldn’t be an easy life, but she obviously loved what she did. “The arts run in your family.”
    It was the wrong thing to say because a small frown formed on her brow and the smile disappeared. She ran her fingers along the condensation of the glass. “I guess it does.”
    Laith gave a nod and reluctantly returned to his other customers. Several times he caught her staring at him through the mirrors behind the bar. No matter how much he tried not to look her way, he found himself doing it again and again.
    A little later he saw her with a camera as she scrolled through photos. Somehow he managed to keep his distance until her ale was almost finished.
    â€œWould you like another?” he asked.
    She glanced up and grinned. “Please.”
    He poured her another ale and placed it before her. Just as he turned to leave, she caught his eye. “Aye?”
    â€œHow well did you know my father?”
    Laith shrugged and leaned his hands on the bar. “Pretty well. He came in three times a week every week. There was a small group of men he was with, though occasionally he would be by himself.”
    â€œI’m having a bit of trouble reconciling who I thought my father was with who he really was.”
    Laith couldn’t imagine being in her shoes. By the pain she couldn’t quite hide in her dark eyes, he found himself wanting to give her comfort. The kind of comfort he’d seen Kellan give Denae.
    No’ good news at all. I’m getting in over my head.
    Why then didn’t he leave?
    If only he could answer his own question.
    â€œYour father spoke of you often.”
    A slight blush stained her cheeks. “You mean you knew I was a photographer?”
    â€œAye. Everyone does. John showed us your work often. You’re verra good.”
    She took another long swallow of the dark ale. “You seem to know a lot about me, and yet I don’t even know your name.”
    â€œIt’s Laith.”
    â€œLaith,” she repeated, letting it fall slowly from her lips, almost like a caress.
    He was instantly, painfully hard.
    It’s your last chance. Run. Run now.
    â€œAn unusual name,” she said.
    â€œIt’s a family name.”
    Her brows rose. “Do you have family around here?”
    â€œNo’ for a long time.”
    â€œI’m sorry.” She turned her glass around. “Can I ask you something?”
    He gave a nod. “Of course.”
    â€œThis pub borders Dreagan. What do you know of them?”
    Laith was completely taken aback by her question. He thought she might ask something about her father, but not about Dreagan this soon. Could she already know? Could John have told her?
    â€œThey distill the best whisky around, and they’re good to the people.”
    â€œAnd my father knew them?”
    â€œHe did. John knew everyone.”
    She worried her bottom lip with her teeth. “It’s odd, isn’t it? To think you know someone, only to learn everything you believed was wrong. Scotland isn’t my home. Hasn’t been for twenty years, but I don’t want to stay here.”
    â€œYou doona find it beautiful?”
    Iona smiled. “I took plenty of pictures today to