Page 18 of The Devil’s Detail (The Greystone Family: Greystone Brothers #2)

“Wow, honey, I’m sure glad you talked me into coming. I know I’m going to love it.”

I spin around to find he’s watching me. I think I see something beyond the security care in his eyes, but it’s fleeting, like the clouds.

“It’ll be good for you to take time out. You’ve had a lot going on. Chill, Carter, take time for you. Ash and I will help, whatever you want.”

And just like that, he’s back to the security guy.

Ash and him equals security, welfare check-ins.

But I smile, pushing positivity into my voice.

“I’ll do it all, sugar. Let me at it. I’m ready for my Highland experience.

Sun, sea, sand, and se—. Sorry, got a little carried away there.

But you catch my drift.” I’ll take whatever contact I can get, professional or not.

I’m developing a penchant for brown. Not a colour I ever thought of as good to wear.

Always thought it was too drab. Montone.

But I’ve never seen so many variations as I have recently.

Brown plaid on his shirts and trousers. Even his boots, hats, and coats carry myriad patterns in various shades.

And Jackson’s eyes. That is the best use of the colour ever.

They change from liquid chocolate, to light caramel, to nearly black.

I’ve watched the seasons through them, and I think we’ve had all four since I arrived. Sometimes within one hour.

I know Ash knows, and I can see Evie watching me. She can probably tell I like her brother. Sometimes she’s too intuitive. But who the hell cares. I feel as insignificant as a pebble on that mountain.

Because as the days go by, other than to check in that I’m okay, and having a great time, he absolutely takes no notice of me.

“Carter, I’m walking to Xan’s workshop. Do you want to join me with Rio?” Evie’s engineered being on our own, using my love of Rio as bait.

“It’s so beautiful here,” she continues her narration, pulling my attention fully her way.

“When I first came, I spent days in an old Land Rover, Xan showing me around, Tarron demanding I see this and that. But it’s the calm I love the most. The majesty of those hills and mountains.

” She spreads her arms wide, and I take over pushing the pram around the lake path.

“Sugar, I feel it. Every morning it’s brand new.

You never know what the day will bring. I love the surprise of it all.

I went out on the water yesterday with Jackson.

” Because I have to bring him into every conversation.

“I had jeans and a sweater on, and by the time he rowed me out, it was a hundred degrees out there.” I start fanning myself dramatically.

“Are you sure it wasn’t the sight of Jackson rowing that got you hot and bothered? I never took my coat off yesterday.” She’s giggling gently at me, starting to do an impression of Jackson rowing.

“Honey, that man could turn opening a bottle into a hot event for me.” I’m throwing caution to the four winds now. She knows I like Jackson, I might as well embrace it.

She’s really giggling now. “Yep, I was getting that. You look at him every morning like he’s your favourite hot buffet.”

“Well, shit, is it that obvious?” She nods her head. “Do you think he’s offended or bothered by me? He’s being such a good sport.” I’m trying to fish for information, and she side-eyes me because she knows it.

“He hasn’t said it bothers him, and he would never be offended.” She looks at me through her lashes. “But he also hasn’t said that he’s interested either.” Oh, okay, she’s going there.

We walk on in silence. Only the birds in the trees and the sound of the waves on the loch filling the void in my ears.

Eventually, I blurt out, “Ahh, to be honest, I’m too scared to ask. I need him in my life. He makes things easier, and I feel safer with him around. I won’t jeopardise that.”

She nods. “I can see that. Take it easy, Carter. You never know.”

I stop and look at her. How can she say that? Does she know something? I decide to go for it.

“Do you think he’d be interested in a man?”

She says nothing, and we carry on walking at the side of the lake at a sedate pace. It’s ages before she speaks again.

“My brothers are very positive men. They’ve lived very interesting lives, and are far from judgemental.” She gives me a knowing look. “I would say, for all of them, it’s more about the person than the gender.”

I want to ask her more. I want to grill her on if he’s had full relationships with men. But I don’t. It would put her in an awkward position, and I value her friendship more than that.

“Jackson is an interesting character. On one hand, he’s so regimented. Calculated, cold and ruthless. And on the other, he’s the most likely to do anything. The wilder the better. He’s more bonkers than Jonno on occasion.”

I gasp, “No way.”

She laughs. “Yep, he’s a dark horse. Seen and done lots of things.” She grimaces at that. “I begged him not to re-enlist. It was killing his soul.” I watch as she looks out over the mountain, pain etched across her face. Love in her eyes. “So be gentle with him, Carter.”

She turns her beautifully haunting grey eyes on me. I’m in shock. I thought she was going to give me a grilling, warn me off. But all she’s done is kick my protective instincts into gear. I see her feelings for her brother on her face. She will definitely see mine, laid bare for him.

“I will. I’ll take the best care of him, sugar.” My voice is not much above a whisper, but I hope she hears the power in that statement.

She smiles gently. “That’s all we can ask of each other.”

When we reach the workshop, both Marcus and Xander are there. Marcus is cleaning fishing gear, while Xander’s working inside. We hear a boat approach, and we all stand and shade our eyes.

“Is that the twins driving the boat?” I can hardly get the words out. Jackson sits at the helm, both the boys on his lap, their hands on the wheel, his on his head. And Ash is waterskiing behind the boat.

“Honestly, if my kids get out of childhood in one piece, it’ll be a fucking miracle. Jackson’s bad, but Marshall is the worst,” Marcus states, waving crazily at them.

The boat turns and heads towards us, Ash trying to stay upright on his skis behind as the boat slows towards a small dock and beach area.

“Ahoy, are you coming in, Carter? I got you a wet suit.” Jackson is waving at me.

“They don’t drive very fast, do you boys?

” They’re waving at their dad, and they try to climb out when the boat pulls up to the jetty.

Both the twins have tiny wet suits on. It is the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen.

Jackson helps the boys, then drops his wet suit top. Good lord . I flinch physically, and see Marcus catch the motion.

He just starts to grin. “Put it away, Jax, you’re scaring the birds.

” Marcus side-eyes me and then points to the trees.

I shake my head, trying to curb my embarrassment, but it doesn’t last long, my attention once again pulled to the twins.

Both boys are trying to tell the tale of their boat ride at once. And yep, it’s adorable.

Just then, Xander comes out with sweets, and they rush inside the building, abandoning their tale mid-sentence.

“That’ll be them, they like the sofas in there. The fire’s on and Xan has marshmallows and chocolate for them,” Evie states. “You might as well go on the boat. Get changed in there, Carter.” She points to another building that looks more like a little house.

“I don’t think you can ski, Carter.” Ash has pulled himself out of the water.

He’s dripping and Marcus fetches him a towel.

“Insurance. And you need both legs fully working next week.” He gives me a look, as I lazily watch him dry his uber fit body.

But my eyes are a tractor beam on one body and one body only—Jackson’s. Nobody eclipses him.

“Well, damn. Yep. Sorry sugar, I’d love to, but I can’t.” I look longingly at the boat. Yet again my job is getting in my way of me having a good time. With a good time.

“Well, we’ll do jet skis. Get the suit on and we’ll go fetch them. I’ll do you a jet ski safari instead. We’ll go slow, no rush. The weather is set fair this afternoon.”

I cave. He’s got his brown eyes on me, his gorgeous torso on display, front and centre. How can I say no to the man?

I feel like I’m in one of my movies. I’ve jet skied and now we’re cruising the loch. I lounge in the boat as the most glorious man on this planet stands and drives it. Even the most divine scenery I’ve ever seen can’t drag my eyes from him. I’m not sure how I’m going to last without saying a word.

At the jetty nearest the house, he hops out of the boat to grab some beverages, his wet suit hugging every aspect of him. I don’t know where to look. Well, I do, but I think I’m going to get punched.

“I think you need sunglasses, Carter.” Ash holds some out for me. “At least try and hide where you’re looking.”

Oh my God, another one who has got to the end of their tether.

“Does it bother you that I think your boss is the cat’s meow?” I bat my eyes at him. Playing up my diva side. I don’t want him to be offended by it.

“Nope, just…be careful.” I think he’s going to say something else, but Jackson comes back. Another shock. I thought I would be warned off. Told to back off and remember the client-bodyguard relationship in play. But he never does.

“I’m just looking, honey. I may be on a diet, but I still like to peruse the menu,” I whisper at him.

He grins at me, shaking his head. I know I can trust Ash, he won’t out me to Jackson.

But as everyone else seems to notice it, I’m sure Jackson has as well.

I actually feel lighter for everyone knowing.

I know it probably won’t get me anywhere, but I feel better for it being out there just the same.

The next day I reflect on yesterday's entertainment—boat rides, jet ski safaris, with me on the back of Jackson’s at one point. It was a dream come true. Today we’re looking around an old Highland Lodge. Evie has helped renovate it and I am in lurve.

I’m gushing over the high ceilings, the plaster work.

The furnishings. I sit in a chair and refuse to move.

The whole back of the house has been opened up, revealing a view of the hills and mountains in the background.

This view has no houses, or people, for miles.

The sky is the entertainment, the flowers icing on the cake.

“We can stay if you like.” His low voice hits me in the stomach and keeps travelling downwards. “Walk back later. It’ll take a couple of hours, but I’m happy to if you are.”

“Will they mind?” I nod towards Evie and Tarron Barclay, standing outside looking at brickwork.

He shakes his head. “They’ve got a couple of other building projects to check out. It’s fine. We can walk back in time for dinner. Then it’s the pub.” He smirks. Tarron has been trying to get me to taste all the whiskey. I’m drowning in the stuff.

“Is it just us?” I know I sound hopeful. But he nods.

“Yep, I’m sending Ash with them. They need a driver. Tarron drinks at every stop, and Evie needs the comfy seats.” He grins, showing his perfect white teeth, and his dimples pop out.

Every day we’ve been here, I’ve seen a new facet of him. And every day I fall more under his spell.

We walk in companionable silence for a while, then the easy flow of chatter from him takes over.

His family, his nephews and nieces. I let his voice roll over me.

It fits with this landscape. It’s earthy, full of power.

Wild reckless power. It feels unstoppable, and I’m happy to be swept away with the surge. I don’t want it to stop.

We talk about my lack of family. My momma. My feelings towards Christmas because of it. I slip the conversation towards relationships.

“I thought you were in a long-term relationship when I first met you?” I question him, hoping to sound curious rather than prying.

“I was, but, well, it never worked out.” He doesn’t say anything for a minute, then clarifies. “She thought it was love, I didn’t. You see love here this week. Kell, Xan, Evie. I’ve never had that. That level of love. So I wasn’t going to commit to anything.”

Wow, so much to unpack there. He’s all or nothing. How am I going to navigate that sort of search for love? But he doesn’t give me time to dwell on it, cleverly moving the conversation to me and mine.

“Don’t tell me you really wanted to marry Gary?” He’s dragged us back to the superficial. It’s safe there.

“Honey, that man was so far away from marriage material, he might as well have been on the moon. It’s always the same in my world.

Either they want you because you can get them something”?—I’m wafting my hands theatrically—“money, fame, connections. Or they want to take it from you. The fact that you actually worked for it, not an issue for them. They just want it, and assume you will give it to them.”

He nods sympathetically. “It’s tough out there. Even for a Hollywood A-lister. You want me to feel sorry for you?” He’s busting my chops, his playful smirk making my knees go weak.

“Sugar, I’m telling you, even Carter Fucking Maywood can’t get laid just for the fun of it.”

He throws back his head and laughs. It reverberates around us. Hits me square in the chest. “Man, you’re funny. I see them queuing up. One look from you and they’d be there.” He’s grinning at me.

“Well, I don’t want any of them. I want me a real man, sugar. Not a matching outfit. I’m holding out for that.” He stops in his tracks. “Have I shocked you?” He nods, his face showing his surprise. “Don’t get me wrong, I like to flirt. It’s my favourite thing.”

He snorts a laugh at that. “Yeah, I’ve seen.” But he looks indulgently at me. “Ash keeps me up to date as well.”

“I knew that man was a snitch.”

His eyes widen at my playful words. “No, no. He doesn’t snitch, not unless it’s security.” He gives me a stern look.

“Urgghhh, security. I’m so fed up with it all. I’ll be happy when I'm past it, and nobody gives a shit if I rock up to the 7-eleven in my PJs.” I smirk and add, “And a feather boa. Maybe a pair of pink silk slippers.”

He’s laughing so hard, and it’s so free and genuine, I want to hear that sound forever. So I continue to regale him with outfits that I could wear to various convenience stores. Even my Walmart special. As if.

I don’t think I’ve had a day like this in my life. I’m just being me, and he seems to love that.

Well, shoot. I know I’ve fallen in love with Scotland. And now I think I’ve fallen in love with my brown-eyed boy, too.