Page 4 of Wild Scottish Gold (The Enchanted Highlands #7)

CHAPTER THREE

Kaia

I hadn’t expected to start my day with a full-frontal of my past choices, and yet, here we were. Just when I’d started to find my groove, feeling confident in my routine, growing some carefully managed bonds with the others at Blackwood Forge, Thane had to show up and throw everything into a tailspin.

Sure, I’d known the boss was called Thane. Enough people spoke of him that I’d been aware, in a vague sense, that the big bossman was off on a huge project and would return at some point. And every time someone said Thane’s name, a tiny burst of desire would detonate in my core, reminding me of one of the hottest nights of my life.

I’d told myself, repeatedly, that the chances of my new landlord being one and the same man that I’d met in Edinburgh were slim to none. In fact, I’d convinced myself so completely that I’d never see Thane again that I’d done a good job of burying the memory of him and had instead focused on starting my life over.

I could still feel the imprint of his hands on me, his lips at my throat, whispering words of desire.

My cheeks flamed and I busied myself with unpacking my bag at my workbench, my back turned to the bustling workshop, as I drew in one shaky breath, and then another.

Leave it to me to be impulsive for the first time in years and get slapped in the face with it weeks later. Well played, Universe. Thanks for the reminder that I make ridiculous choices.

It was true, too.

Historically, I collected red flags like prizes when it came to the men in my life.

I’d fallen fast and furious for my first boss outside of my apprenticeship, and had been convinced, down to the very tips of my sparkly painted toenails, that my life was finally falling into place. I’d been able to afford my own studio apartment, was gainfully employed in a job that I’d loved, and falling for the boss had seemed like icing on the cake. At the time, I’d been too blindsided by love to notice the gazillion red flags that I should have paid attention to.

He never took me to his place.

He never held my hand in public.

He never spoke to me in more than a professional manner in the workplace.

He never took me on vacations.

He never stayed overnight at my apartment.

He never wanted to meet any of my friends or family.

It had been my father, in fact, who had finally, gently , but firmly , called attention to all these issues about the guy I kept raving about that they’d never met.

My sweet parents had always been supportive of me, even when I’d followed a less traditional path into a career that neither of them identified with. Both academics, they’d initially been befuddled by my choice of metalwork, but once they’d seen my commitment and happiness, they’d been on board.

Until my first real job and my subsequent love affair, that is.

And that’s what it had been.

An affair.

Even now, four years later, the embarrassment and anger at finding out that my boss had been married still lingered. I’d been so blinded by his attention, by my attraction to him, that I’d missed even the most obvious warning signs. After I’d left that job, I’d gone on a string of rebound dates, increasingly more catastrophic in nature, that had concluded with an intervention from my best friend, Marisa, who’d insisted I take a forced sabbatical from dating until I could get my head on straight. Or as she’d so directly put it: “Get your shit together, Kaia.”

Since that time, I’d remained focused on my work, eschewing dating for late nights at my workbench, crafting jewelry, or working on intricate ironwork designs for my portfolio.

When the chance to move to Scotland had fallen in my lap, well, I’d jumped at it.

And apparently, into the arms of a delectable Scot. This could possibly be considered jumping right back into old poor decision-making patterns. However, there had been no one since Thane— so, technically, not a habit— and let’s be honest here, would anyone pass up one night with Thane Blackwood? Not only was the man sinfully gorgeous, but he knew what to do with those strong hands… not to mention his mouth.

Sighing, I stood, staring down at my workbook containing mock-ups for the Common Gin project, and tried to steady myself against the anxiety that almost had me running for the door.

It wasn’t the first of my uncomfortable experiences since moving to Scotland, and it likely wouldn’t be my last. As my parents reminded me on our calls, the entire point of moving was to experience change, and with change came discomfort. It was why people so often stayed rooted in one spot, picking the familiar over the unusual, unwilling to navigate the unease that came with new beginnings.

Despite my commitment to stay focused on my designs for Common Gin, when the office door opened, and then slammed, I glanced over my shoulder to see Thane’s retreating back. A truck engine revved, gravel spat, and he tore away from the workshop.

I guess I’m not the only one prone to dramatics.

Annoyed with men and their insufferable egos, I gave my worktable a small nod. This , I knew. My craft. My first love. Metal could be hard and stubborn, but much like a man, it softened under the right conditions. I needed to keep my head down and stay focused on work, and hope that I could make enough money to cement my stay in Scotland.

I hadn’t been here long, but hell, I’d fallen for this country hard.

How could I not?

The cottage I’d inherited, well, it would be a stretch to say it was charming. It was certainly cozy, with only two rooms to the place, and dearly worn around the edges. But it was endearing, it was mine, and I could take my time pulling out the green shag carpeting and peeling back the faded wallpaper. The fact that it had come with a pint-sized Ford Fiesta was a small blessing for me, though I was still in strong negotiations with the gearbox about shifting smoothly. It was a bit rough and tumble, much like the cottage, and frankly, much like me. I figured we’d sort it out together, and slowly I’d make a place for myself here, so long as I kept my head down and did a good job for my clients.

Client, that is.

Just one client at the moment.

But it was a significant one, and if I could just ignore the weird things I was seeing out of the corner of my eye on the worksite, I’d be just fine.

Just fine indeed. Closing my eyes, I took a steadying breath.

Ghosts aren’t real. You’re just jet-lagged.

Except I’d been here long enough that that excuse was wearing thin. I’d had a few, mmm, episodes , I suppose, where I’d caught movement in my peripheral vision. A woman drifting by in a green dress. A transparent highland cow poking his head around the corner of the castle. It was all very, well, Scottish , I guess. At least the mystical and moody Scotland I’d dreamt about as a kid when my parents had told me we still had a few relatives scattered about here.

And now here I was. In Loren Brae, planting roots for myself and making a name for my business, Iron & Ember, one day at a time. The village was pretty as a picture, and I’d even stopped into the pub after work a time or two with the lads from the forge. Though a few had made hints of flirting with me, I’d quickly discouraged any thoughts in that direction.

Work and sex did not mix.

I’d need a conversation with Thane at some point, if only to smooth his clearly ruffled feathers. It seemed he had more of an issue with our dalliance than I had. At least that was my story and I was sticking to it. Never mind that I could still taste the damn man’s kiss on my lips.

Never mind that at all.

I had an appointment to keep, and a client, well hopefully two, to impress. Gathering my sketches, as well as some metalwork samples, I tucked them in my leather work satchel. Waving to the others, I made to leave, but Ian caught me on the way out. A nice man, though introverted, he cleared his throat and gestured with one hand awkwardly toward the parking lot.

“Sorry about Thane. He’s…” Ian trailed off, trying to decide on a word.

“Tricky?” I asked and a small smile ghosted his lips.

“Aye, that’s one word for it.”

“I’m not easily upset by others. You need a tough skin in this game.” I shrugged and hitched the straps of the bag higher up on my shoulder. “I’m off for a meeting.”

“Where to?”

“Common Gin.”

“Shite,” Ian mumbled, and I tilted my head.

“Problem?”

Ian glanced around and lowered his voice.

“Thane just went that way. He’s, um, not happy.”

It took me a second to gather Ian’s meaning. When it did, my face flushed. It was always the same . No matter what, I constantly had to prove myself in this business. And now Thane, a local, was up at the distillery, likely trying to talk them out of working with me. Fury raced through me, and I tapped two fingers against my forehead, a silent salute to Ian.

“Appreciate the heads-up. I’ll handle it.”

Ian slipped back into the office as I stormed from the forge, annoyed that once more, some man thought he could one-up me.

The drive to MacAlpine Castle took about twenty minutes, mainly because my car shook so hard every time I shifted gears that I feared one bolt would go flying and the entire contraption would explode like a toddler kicking a tower of blocks. Even so, I still managed to enjoy the wide expanse of Loch Mirren, how the water shimmered and shifted under the mid-morning sun that shafted through the clouds, and that strange shifting in my soul every time I looked at the perfectly circular island smack dab in the center of the loch.

If I was a betting girl, which I wasn’t, I’d lay money on something being off about that island. Was it even natural? There was no way an island could form in a perfect circle, was there? Distracted by the view, I wound my way along gorgeous green hedges that lined an impressive drive that delivered me to a gravel parking lot next to the castle. Pulling up next to what must be Thane’s truck, based on the Blackwood Forge logo, I sniffed at his fancy tires as I rattled to a stop.

He probably had heated seats too.

Annoyed, I stepped out and took a moment, like always, to admire the castle. Though I was sure the Scots likely drove past castles without barely a second glance, as an American, I couldn’t help but internally squeal every time I saw a historic building of such grandeur. One of these days I’d take the tour, and likely fall in love with every curve and bow of the building.

But that was for another day.

Squaring my shoulders and hitching my bag up, I stomped across the garden toward the flurry of activity at the building site for the new Common Gin distillery. A stable conversion, they were blending both old and new to make a beautiful spot that would be welcoming and attractive for all. I was thrilled to be a part of what they were building here.

Thane paused mid-sentence on my approach.

Was I imagining things or did his eyes heat when he saw me? Ignoring the brush of desire, I squared off, ready for battle.

“Excuse me, Thane, but I have an appointment with Orla.” Turning to the diminutive construction manager, I smiled, keeping my tone even.

“Oh, you two know each other? That’s grand,” Orla said, her face alight with interest.

“Aye, she rents space at our forge.” Thane shocked me by touching a hand at the small of my back, as though to guide me away for a moment. “If you’ll excuse us, Orla?”

He was going to hijack my meeting?

Absolutely not.

“Actually, it’s you that will have to be excusing us .” I stepped out of his touch and glared up at him, fury heating my temper. “I’m here to speak with my client, Thane, and I ask that you not be taking any more of her precious time.”

Thane’s brows dropped, a mutinous expression flashing across his face, before he gathered his control and smoothed his features out. Turning, he flashed a smile at Orla, holding his hands in the air in front of him.

Work-roughened hands that had wrung pleasure from my body.

Tearing my eyes away from them, I looked at Orla, who was now seemingly captivated by our interaction.

“As I was saying, Orla, we’ve worked together in the past and you’re well aware of the quality Blackwood Forge can provide for you. For a project of this scope, might I suggest that my team would be better suited to the needs of Common Gin than…” Thane trailed off, seemingly unable to land on a way to voice his thoughts.

“Than what, Thane? A woman?” I crossed my arms over my chest and angled myself slightly closer to Orla, forming a team of two women who were used to men being jerks in our respective professions.

“Than a solo entrepreneur,” Thane finished. “I suspect you’ll be hard-pressed to deliver everything that Common Gin needs on your own.”

He wasn’t wrong, which made his words sting even more, and I turned to Orla, opening my mouth to plead my case.

“Just a moment.” Orla squeezed my arm, giving me a sympathetic look, and I winced. She was going to side with him, wasn’t she? “Tell me more about your partnership.”

There was no partnership. I’d signed a simple tenant’s lease, providing access to their equipment. My blood chilled as I realized he could probably revoke my lease and then I’d be unable to fulfill my side of the project for Common Gin anyway. I truly hoped he wasn’t that kind of man, as I’d actually enjoyed his company in Edinburgh, but it was hard to say. We’d never touched on work or anything too deep, and one could never tell what a man would do to protect his livelihood. If I was a threat, he could eliminate it.

But I hoped he was a better person than that.

Even if just to assuage my personal shame for not picking the worst of the worst for a one-night stand.

“Kaia has leased space at our workshop, however she is independent of Blackwood Forge,” Thane said, his voice clipped. “She joined our space while I was away in Edinburgh, working on Holyrood Palace.”

Oof. That was a direct hit. Here I was coming from the States with a small portfolio and Thane was working on castles.

“I see.” Orla tilted her head, her gaze bouncing between the two of us. “Didn’t you mention you had spent some time in Edinburgh prior to coming to Loren Brae, Kaia?”

Despite myself, I locked gazes with Thane. Desire warred with anger, my stomach twisting in knots, and I raised my chin at him. He could stare all he wanted, but he wasn’t going to rattle my cage.

“I did. Lovely city, but I do prefer the charm of Loren Brae.”

“Mmm, is that right?” Orla tapped a finger at her lips, considering, and tilted her head to one side. “Here’s the way of things, Kaia. I loved your portfolio that you showed me when we first met, and I’m looking forward to seeing your designs. However…”

I flinched, my shoulders slumping.

“I also understand what Thane is saying about the scope of the project. He’s not wrong,” Orla said, her finger still tapping at her lips.

“You’re my only client.” It came out as a whisper, and I cleared my throat, speaking louder. “I would live, eat, and breathe this project. My time and attention would be solely given to you, not divided across other clients. I can promise you, that I will deliver on your needs with an exacting and impeccable attention to detail.”

Orla smiled, lines fanning out from the corner of her eyes as she did, her face softening.

“I don’t doubt it. However, we are on a tight timeline. So here’s what I think will be best. We need designs for the gates, the tasting room and pub, and the gift shop. I’d like to hire you both to do the work?—”

At that, we both let out a soft exhale, our frustration evident. I refused to look at Thane, my blood boiling.

“Just wait,” Orla said, her tone gentle. “We’ll do a walk-through today, and you can both take a few days to come up with your designs for the different spaces. Kaia, when we originally spoke, the project’s scope was just for the main gates, so you’ll want to see the other spaces now. And once we see the designs, I’d like for you both to work on the project. Even if the design is not one of your own.”

Damn. That was not what I’d wanted out of this job. Receiving credit for both the design and creation of the gates had become my ticket to future work in Loren Brae. I knew that Blackwood Forge produced incredible work, so I couldn’t lie and say I didn’t feel that my position was threatened here. Could I compete with Thane and secure subsequent prospects?

“Do you think that will be a problem?” Orla asked, her head swiveling between Thane and me. “Will you both be able to work together?”

I tried to put myself in her place. The scope of the project had changed since we’d last spoken, she had a finished project to deliver to her client, and it was possible I would delay her progress. She was being fair to me, while also including a local team she’d worked with previously and had an existing relationship with. I couldn’t say I was particularly happy about this decision, but I also couldn’t fault her for it.

I likely would have made the same choice in her position.

“Not a problem at all, Orla. I look forward to working on my designs for Common Gin. I’m certain I’ll, I mean, we’ll , be able to deliver a finished product that you’ll be ecstatic about.”

Thane bristled beside me, and I bit back a grin, knowing I’d annoyed him.

“Aye, Orla. It’s always a pleasure working with you.” Okay, Blackwood, we all know you have a good working relationship with Clarke Construction. Like I needed the reminder. The man had his hands in every project in the village and surrounding areas, and I knew it was going to be difficult for me to make a toehold in the business here. But still. There was work to be had, and I’d be happy to have it. Even if I had to share the project or fight for it.

“That’s grand, then. All right, come along.” Orla nodded to a pile of hard hats in a box. “Hard hats are there. I’ve got twenty minutes for a quick walk around to give you the scope of our needs and then I have a meeting. And I believe Kaia does as well.”

“Another meeting?” Thane glanced at me, lines hardening in his craggy face.

“Aye. With a potential new client. None of which is any of your business.” I sniffed as Orla pressed her lips together, swallowing a laugh, and I took the hard hat she handed me. Taking a deep breath, I gave myself a mental kick. I needed to do better and not bicker with Thane in front of a client.

“I wish you good luck then,” Thane said, strapping his hat on, and I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.

I didn’t want to fight with him. I didn’t want to have to prove myself to a client, or work side by side with a man who’d forever eradicated past lovers as mere jokes, nor fight my desire for him every time he unintentionally stepped close to me. Heat radiated from him, his presence hovering over me, as he walked behind me during Orla’s tour of the tasting room. My insides had grown liquid, my body betraying me at his proximity, and I couldn’t even begin to contemplate how we were going to work together over the next few months and pretend like nothing had happened.

Except maybe it was nothing to him. It hadn’t been all that hard to pick him up, and he’d gone along with me readily enough to have a few drinks and a quick tumble in bed. Was I the only one who was quietly freaking out about being in his proximity again? His expression was guarded, and with only a quick ripple of awareness in his eyes when I’d first walked in, I couldn’t be certain he was even particularly affected by my presence.

In fact, he’d seemed more upset by the fact that I’d taken a job from him than anything.

I needed to be an adult here, own my reaction to him, and just move on with my new life. Thane was a mere speedbump on my path to building a new foundation for myself and I wasn’t going to let him slow me down.

By the time we’d finished our walk around, I was buzzing with ideas for the spaces that Orla had showed me. She left us at the front, with a promise to check in soon, and went off to her meeting. Checking my phone, I took off my hard hat, shook my hair out, and turned to Thane.

For a second, something flickered in his expression, before it smoothed out once more.

That something, though, had my mouth going dry.

Damn it, I had to stop imagining things on his part. Assumptions were not the way forward here.

“Best of luck with your designs,” I said, pasting a fake smile on my face, letting him know that he was far from forgiven for this stunt he’d pulled today. “I have to get to my next meeting.”

“Who are you meeting with next?” Thane’s eyebrows drew up.

“That’s hardly any of your business, is it?” Turning, I blew him a smooch with my hand and then walked toward the front door of the castle.

“Is it with the castle?” Thane called behind me, frustration soaking his words.

“Again, none of your business. Toodles.” I waved my fingers at him and strode off, rolling my eyes at myself.

Toodles? Who even says that in real life?

I was off my game, and it was a stark reminder that my focus needed to stay on building my business one design after another. I’d never again lose sight of my goal due to a handsome and charming man. Been there, had the heartbreak and humiliation to show for it.

I needed to not let a man interfere with my dreams.

Even if he raided them every night while I slept.