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I sank onto the edge of the bed and groaned. The dream was obviously the result of stress brought on by Josh dumping me. I didn’t need a psychologist to explain why my brain had pounced on Alec and Lachlan for my forbidden fantasy. They’d rescued me from an intolerable situation. They were rich. Gorgeous. Wealthy. Scottish.

They were also unattainable. Even if they were into women, they would never choose someone like me. I didn’t even have a college degree. After high school, all my friends rushed off to universities, their lives mapped out. But I’d had no idea what I wanted to be. My mother’s real estate career held little interest, and none of my stepfathers’ jobs ever seemed all that exciting. At eighteen, I’d assumed I had plenty of time to figure out my path. Then a year passed. Then two. Then I met Josh and his legal ambitions took center stage. Yale didn’t come cheap, so I’d worked while he studied. It made sense. Why force him to put his dreams on hold when I didn’t even know what I wanted out of life?

I’d wanted a life with him, and look where that got me. Four years down the drain. I was an idiot for neglecting my future so he could seize his.

The scent of bacon drifted under my nose, drawing my gaze to the door. If I didn’t obey Alec’s summons, he would probably come looking for me—and I did not want to end up in a bedroom with him. Swallowing hard, I forced myself off the bed and across the room, glancing in the dresser mirror as I went.

My cheeks were flushed, but my appearance was otherwise acceptable. No one would know I’d spent the past two hours reliving an X-rated dream.

“You’re a stunning woman, Chloe Drexel. Damn near irresistible.”

I shoved Dream Alec’s voice from my head as I opened the door and stepped into a broad hallway lined with suits of armor. He’d never said those things to me, and I had to keep that reality front and center in my brain.

I followed the smell of bacon down the hall to a grand staircase that opened onto a black-and-white checkered foyer. Awe filled me as I descended the stairs, and I couldn’t help gawking at the castle’s lush interior. I’d known Alec and Lachlan had money, but I didn’t realize just how much. I was so busy admiring the banister’s intricate carvings, I didn’t notice Alec until he spoke from the foot of the staircase.

“There you are, sleeping beauty.”

I stumbled the last few steps, lost my footing, and pitched forward.

He caught me easily, his broad chest absorbing the impact as our bodies met and our feet tangled. The scent of forest and cologne filled my nose, and his green eyes smiled down at me. “Och, lass, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

My heart raced from a combination of desire and mortification. I stepped back before I could do something stupid like stroke my hand over the bristly reddish-brown hairs that shadowed his jaw. “You didn’t,” I said, my cheeks burning. “I’m just clumsy.”

His eyes softened. “Surely not, Chloe lass. You’re probably just getting your land legs back after the long flight.”

For a second, I could only stand there, mesmerized by his roguish grin and masculine beauty. His thin black sweater turned his red-gold hair to fire, and his worn jeans clung to his hips. Even in the casual, American clothes, there was no mistaking him for anything but a Highlander. His shoulders stretched his sweater, and his big hands looked like they could rip a man in two if necessary.

Out of nowhere, an image of his glittering green eyes boring into mine as he thrust inside me popped into my head. I sucked in a sharp breath.

What was wrong with me?

His smile faltered. “Is something wrong?”

“Not at all.”

Sympathy filled his gaze. “Do you think you’re up to eating? You had quite a shock yesterday.”

My stomach growled so loudly, we both looked at it.

I slapped a hand over my midsection as he chuckled. “I’ll take that as a yes.” He proffered his arm in a courtly gesture. “I hope you’re ready for the best breakfast you’ve ever tasted in your life.”

There was no way to gracefully decline. He’d just heard my stomach trying to claw its way from my body. And I hadn’t eaten since yesterday. So I took his arm and let him lead me across the foyer. “You don’t have to cook for me.”

“Nonsense. You’re a guest. Besides, it was either me or Lachlan, and I’m a far better cook.”

My stomach did a flip. I’d been so preoccupied with the dream, I forgot to worry about Lachlan not wanting me on the trip. “Is he eating with us?”

“Afraid not,” Alec said, afraid sounding like afreed. “He had some business in Inverness. He’ll be back later this evening. But don’t you worry. I’ve got plenty of activities to keep us busy.”

At the mention of activities, a flurry of erotic images flooded my mind. I stumbled again and might have gone down if not for his grip on my arm.

“Whoa, lass.” He stopped, steadying me. “You sure you’re all right? Maybe I should take you back to bed.”

“No!” My protest rang off the stone walls. I couldn’t let him get anywhere near a bed in my presence. My brain would melt.

Meanwhile, his eyes had gone wide.

I took a deep breath. “I mean, no thank you. I promise I’m okay. Like you said, it’s probably just jet lag.”