Read To Scotland With Love for Free Online Page B

scratch behind the ears.
    Graham got in the dog’s line of sight, and Precious lit up. Her backside wagged so hard, she almost knocked herself off her feet. “She’s fourteen, just about deaf, but I love her all the same. Come here, girl.”
    Cait stood back and watched with fascination as Graham took Precious into his arms and murmured sweet nothings into her perked-up doggie ears.
Mr. BBC actually has genuine emotions.
Huh. What would Cait do if he spoke to her like that? Would her tongue hang out, too?
    Envy rose inside her. Even the pooch got more love and attention than Cait. She was utterly alone. Cait rubbed her hand over the cool stones on the wall to divert her thoughts and keep herself from sinking into a deep depression.
    Graham finally looked up. “Come into the parlor and get warmed up by the fire.”
    She followed close behind him into the room. “The house is fabulous. I’d love to take some pictures.”
    He stilled and gently set Precious on the floor. The dog walked over to the fireplace and lay down on the big fluffy bed by the hearth.
    â€œNo pictures.” Graham’s words sounded as immovable as the stone wall she’d touched moments ago.
    She frowned at him. “I only want to get some ideas for my own cottage.”
    He turned to face her. “No. This is my sanctuary. The town is my haven. And my son is my business alone, no one else’s.”
    â€œQuite a lecture, but what’s that have to do—”
    He turned away. “No, and that’s the end of it.”
    God, how she hated getting cut off. Tom had perfected it, dismissing her out of hand, and she had lived with it for eight long years. Eight years of him telling her what she could and couldn’t do. Because of his edicts, she’d tanked her career and emptied her life of all her close friends. Cait mulled it over in her alcohol-fuzzed brain for a few moments and came to a conclusion.
    No man would issue orders to her ever again. Never ever.
    Graham slipped off his jacket and hung it over a chair. He went to the antique dry bar in the corner and pulled out two crystal tumblers. While his back was turned making their drinks, she pulled out her phone, clicked off the flash, and took a few discreet pictures of the crown molding, the massive stone fireplace, and one or two pictures of Graham’s derriere just for the heck of it. She had her phone back in her coat pocket before he had time to say
That’s the end of it
again.
    He handed her the drink. “Would you like to see the rest of the house?”
    She was still angry with him, but not drunk enough, or fool enough, to miss taking advantage of this moment. “Of course.” She took a sip.
    Graham placed another log on the fire and repositioned the screen. “Let’s go.”
    Precious got up to follow them.
    â€œYou stay here, girl, and keep warm by the fire.” The dog reluctantly lay back down.
    â€œThis place is huge. How many bedrooms?” she asked.
    â€œEleven. They’re nothing special. I’ll show you the main floor, though.”
    He took her through each room—the professional stainless-steel kitchen, a small bedroom off the kitchen, the huge dining area, the library, and a peek at the media room. She wished she could take more pictures. But as she followed him from room to room, her irritation with him faded. It was either the drinks she’d had this evening, or the fact that his voice soothed her into forgiveness. By the time they’d made it back to the parlor, she felt all warm and cozy. He took her glass and poured her another one.
    â€œLet’s sit by the fire and you can tell me all about yourself.” He looked like the perfect gentleman, but he could as easily have been the devil for the captivating look he gave her. He pulled two plush armchairs to the fireplace, set the bottle between them, and pointed to where she should sit.
    After settling in, she