7

 

Why did Harrison have to touch her face? Trouble was, not only did Shelby like it, she’d wanted more. She needed to resist this man. Easier in theory than practice. Those deep, blue-green eyes invited her to dive in with an undeniable lure.

Walking back to the car, Shelby enjoyed the teasing banter between the two men. The kind of easy, comfortable friendship they shared was rare. As Robert drove them back to the Radisson, he was quiet. His bags of food sat on the passenger seat, and he’d encouraged her to sit in the back with Harrison. Interesting arrangement, but why resist?

On the short drive, Harrison shared amusing stories of a few language blunders he’d made in Scotland. Most men she knew wouldn’t be so free to admit their shortcomings or mistakes. Then again, Harrison was nothing like most men she’d known—in all the best ways. She’d sensed it from the moment she’d first spied him in the Castlehill Gardens.

After Robert pulled the car to the front entrance of her hotel, he gave her a warm smile. “I’ll arrange for you to tour the castle, if you’d like, Shelby. Does Thursday morning work?”

“Sounds terrific. I’ll look forward to it.”

“I’ll call you, and we can make plans. If it fits in your schedule, I hope you’ll stay for lunch.”

“Lunch at the castle?” she said. “That’s an offer a girl can’t refuse.”

While she thanked Robert, Harrison slipped out of the car and walked around to open her door. “Talk to you tomorrow,” he said to his friend before walking with her into the hotel lobby. “Thanks for not letting on to Pops that you know about his job at the castle.”

“Like you mentioned, Robert’s private. I respect that, and I don’t want to overstep my bounds. After all, I barely know him. Or you, for that matter.”

Shelby could tell her comment made him curious.

“How long do you think you have to know someone to care for them, Shelby?”

Stepping to the side of the lobby, Shelby faced him. “You’re very direct, aren’t you? Define ‘care.’”

When Harrison moved closer, she hardly dared to breathe. His blond hair was slightly mussed from the breeze, and she resisted the impulse to smooth it down.

“The kind of caring where you offer to show someone around the city,” he said. “The kind of caring where you want to spend as much time with her as you can while she’s here.” When she hesitated, he must have taken it as indecision. “I’m a decent tour guide and have a lot more free time than Pops since I set my own schedule.” His smile melted her, found its way into her subconscious. “I promise not to bore you.”

“I’d really like that, Harry.” Wonderful. She’d said the same exact thing several times during the course of their afternoon together. “I do have other words in my vocabulary.”

“I know. You’ve used quite a few of them today.” The familiar smile teased the corners of his mouth and reached his eyes. “Shall I meet you here at eleven tomorrow then? The weather’s supposed to be perfect, sunny and warm with a light breeze. We can walk The Royal Mile and grab some lunch. Take it from there and make a day of it.”

“I’d really like that.” It was simply all she could manage.