Chapter 51

51

" W hat do you have going on for the next week?" Henry asks me as I take my place at the dinner table. I ease myself down, mindful of the slight soreness from the thorough workover Theo gave me last night. I snatch a piece of fresh-baked bread out of the basket Dylan sets on the table, my ring catching my eye. Theo thought we should wait to mention it so it didn't pressure his brothers, but I refused to take the ring off. I told them over breakfast this morning, and they answered with whoops, hollers, and long, drawn-out kisses. It was the best response I could have possibly asked for. I blink back tears as I chew my bite of bread, stalling so they won’t hear the emotion in my voice.

"It will mostly be getting ready for the party. I have people to do the set-up and tear-down, but I still need to be there to make sure it's done right. Plus, I always make the flower arrangements myself."

"Why's that?" Dylan asks, sitting beside me as Theo brings a heavenly-smelling dish to the table.

"Because I've never felt like I got my money's worth when other people do it. It's not like they did a bad job, it’s just never what I envisioned. "

"In other words, you weren't in control," Henry says, his voice low and raspy. "Do you like being in control, Isla?"

I lick my lips, and his pupils blow wide. "It depends on the situation." I wink, smiling as an adorable blush creeps up his cheeks.

"So what does that mean for our date schedule?" Theo asks, plunking a glass of water in front of me and ordering me to drink as he sits down.

I obey, taking several gulps before I answer. "It means it's going to be completely screwed up. I don't know why I didn't think about that when I originally suggested it."

"We'll survive. Henry needs the time with you. Why don't the two of you take the weekend? Then we can focus on helping you get everything ready next week.”

"Really?" I ask, looking between him and Dylan. They both nod.

"It's important you're with Henry before next weekend, Isla. If this weekend is the only time you have open, then that needs to be a priority."

I look over at Henry, and I'm not going to lie—it looks like he's going to have a heart attack. "Are you okay?" I laugh, reaching over to pat his hand.

He swallows hard. "I knew it was coming, but I wasn't expecting the day after tomorrow. I have some planning to do."

"We can just stay here," I suggest, wanting to take the stress out of the situation for him.

"Absolutely not. This needs to be one of the best nights of your life. I want you to remember it forever."

"I'm sure I'll remember it forever, no matter where we are."

He lifts my hand to his lips, kissing the base of my thumb. "Only the best for my girl," he whispers, his lips moving against my skin.

"When you have time, why don't you write to-do list for next week so we can stay organized?" Theo suggests, motioning for me to take a bite of food.

"Will do. How are the guest suites coming?" I ask, taking a giant bite, chewing and then opening my mouth like a sassy brat to show him I swallowed it. I roll my eyes at his scowl .

"We only have trim left unless Jack comes up with a new project for us," Henry says, relief in his voice.

"Have you heard anything on the visa yet?" I ask, looking between them.

"We have an appointment in Glasgow in two weeks. They refused to give us a visa just for the pub. If we open a construction business, they'll allow residency. It has something to do with the skills needed in the community," Dylan explains.

"Seriously?" I squeak, bouncing up and down in my chair. "So I can stop worrying?"

"Were you worrying?" Theo asks, his brow creasing.

"Of course I was worrying!"

"I'm sorry we didn't tell you the second we found out. You seemed so confident that we wouldn't have an issue, I didn't think it was keeping you up at night," Theo says, reaching over and squeezing my thigh.

"Being confident and being sure are two different things," I protest.

"True."

"Does anyone want some brownies?" Dylan asks, stacking our dishes and carrying them to the sink.

"What kind of question is that?" I laugh. "Not sure I've ever said no to a brownie in my entire life."

Dylan grins. "Fair enough. Give me about an hour."

"Come with me," Henry says, grabbing my hand and dragging me out the front door.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see." He brings me into the garage and hands me the helmet from the back of the motorcycle before swinging his leg over, his jeans stretching tight over his ass.

"Get on."

Yes. Please, sir. Instead of climbing on the back, I set the helmet down and climb onto his lap, straddling him.

"Isla–"

"Henry–" I breathe, framing his face with my hands, staring at him, drinking in his dark blue eyes, the angular planes of his face, the dimple in his chin. I'll never have any idea how I managed to make this man mine.

"Kiss me," I demand. And god, he does. There's no hesitation, only unbridled passion. He moans into my mouth, catching my bottom lip with his teeth, his hands tangling in my hair, tugging my head back to expose my throat. The softness of his lips, coupled with the roughness of his stubble, has my nerves misfiring. My breath hitches, and I go limp in his arms, sinking into him. He chuckles against my throat, raising goosebumps all over my body.

I want him.

Now.

"Patience, Isla." He reaches back for the helmet and slides it down over my head, starting the motorcycle while I hang onto him like a koala. I squeal as he pulls out of the garage and onto the road.

"We’re only going to the castle. Hang on tight."

I cling to him, pressing my chin to the outer edge of his shoulder, our bodies plastered together, making it hard to think. Hard to breathe. Once we're parked in the castle drive, he plucks off the helmet and smooths back my hair. He wraps his arms around me and stands, his height making it easy for him to throw his leg over the motorcycle and step away. He releases me slowly, groaning as I slide down his body. I try to cling to him when I feel the bulge in his pants press between my legs, but gravity insists on pulling me down. I mewl in protest, and his answering chuckle is the sexiest thing I've ever heard.

"You'll get all you want in a couple of days, baby. We need to hurry before it gets too dark."

For the first time, I notice that the sun is close to setting. I swear everything else disappears when I'm with him. All I can think about is rubbing on him like a goddamned cat. He links his fingers with mine and pulls me toward the side yard, the pink and purples of the sky reflecting on the loch. I hate to admit it, but I miss living in the castle. I don't miss the lack of privacy, but the beauty is unmatched.

"Where are we going?" I ask as he tugs me through the orchard and toward the woods. "You're not dragging me out here to murder me, are you?" I tease.

"Not when we haven't even had sex yet," he says, winking.

God, he's so fucking sexy. All I want to do is push him down on the forest floor and ride him until we both sink into oblivion. I don't care about whether it's special or romantic. I want him. All of him. Now.

Henry stops suddenly, turning toward me. "Close your eyes."