A Highland Wedding

Interrupted

Anna

Sawyer moved us to an apartment he has in the city where we will be staying until Claire rears her ugly head. I hoped it wouldn’t take too long because I wanted to go back home and I am sure Jer wanted me to plan his wedding.

I was also tired of traveling. The wanderlust has fizzled out and I now wanted to go home. I smiled to myself as I thought of Holly Hall and my family. Then thoughts of Sheeps Lodge filled me with sorrow.

I was told there wasn’t much left of the place and I still couldn’t do anything about it because Claire had a claim on the place. Alexei was fighting with her lawyers and I told him I would even pay her to give me the place back.

He fixed me with a look and shook his head. I knew that determined stubborn look; it was the same one Jer gave me when he didn’t want me to give up. I was tired of fighting though. I was doing better, there were a few hiccups along the way but things were going well.

“Anna, I just got a call from Sawyer’s men. Mack should be here in a few hours. Are you sure you don’t want me to stay here with you?” I really did but if I wanted people to believe we were reconciling I needed Alexei to not be around.

“I want you here, I want you by my side through this. It won’t work if she knows that you are here though. Claire might be delusional but she is smart.” Alexei’s phone rang and he frowned.

“Excuse me a minute Anna.” I waved him off and went back to staring out the window at the crowd below. The city was too busy and I yearned for the quiet of the country again. It was one of the things I hated about my hometown as well.

Also, the fact that everyone was in my business and blamed me for the breakup. Shaking my head it is in the past and while I still feel somewhat nostalgic about my home, it will never be my future. I will go back and visit because my parents are there.

Scotland is where my family is. I must have zoned out because Alexei was shaking me gently and I shook my head.

“Did I fall asleep? It didn’t feel like I slept.” He was giving me a worried look but shaking his head.

“No, you were just staring into space and not responding to me calling you.” That was worrisome, I didn’t hear him calling me.

“I’m going to send a text to Doctor Jericho about this.” I nodded as he typed away on his phone. It was concerning but it could also just be a side effect of the medical detox.

Alexei wrapped his arms around me and rested his chin on top of my head. For a brief moment, I could forget about the drama and just relish the warmth of his skin and the slight scratchy stubble of his beard.

I closed my eyes and smiled. “You should keep the stubble it is quite sexy.”

His laughter rumbled through my body and ignited my senses. It was there briefly and then gone like a spark. I sighed and slumped in his arms.

“It is just the stress and the medications, they shut off a lot of the feelings and synapsis to different parts of the brain.” I giggled and turned to face him.

“That almost sounded like you knew what you were talking about Alexei.” I cupped the side of his cheek and he leaned into my hand and smiled sadly.

“I kind of wish things were different and this was our honeymoon instead of a plan to lure out a crazy lady.” I smiled as I snuggled into his chest.

“I think Jer would have an issue with you honeymooning in Italy. It was always his dream to have a honeymoon here.” He laughed again and then pulled away slightly.

“Speaking of Jer, he is coming with Mack. Apparently, he doesn’t trust Gregor Mackenzie to keep you safe.” I squealed again and he winced.

“Sorry, you are probably going to be deaf by the time we get back to Scotland.” He nodded and dug his finger in his ear grimacing.

“I’m going to brief Mackenzie on what is going on when they get here so you and Jer can have girl time. I also know there will be a lot of screaming and squealing so I would like to be out of earshot when that starts.” I slapped his chest and he grabbed my hand and kissed my fingers.

“We will get her this time.” That wasn’t what worried me, it was what happens to her once we get her back to Scotland and she has to face charges.

“Ok, what is that look for?” I sighed and felt my eye start twitching.

“You know me too well and Jer is right I would suck at playing poker. What happens when she has to face charges? You know how manipulative she is.” His face grew shuttered and dark and I know he went somewhere he didn’t like.

“We will have to have a long talk about my family when we get home. Don’t worry, no matter what Claire will be dealt with.” He gave my hand a squeeze and stared out the window.

“Speaking of family, your grandmother, is there anything I should know about her?” I wanted to change the subject and his grandmother seemed the safest bet.

“She will love you. I am sure she has lots of questions for you. I also heard she led a bunch of women during prohibition.” I frowned they had a prohibition in Russia?

“That’s interesting, I didn’t think there was Prohibition in Russia though.” He smiled and shrugged.

“Baba said there was, but sometimes I think Baba just likes to tell stories. She is a fascinating woman and if you talk about her shawls, you will have a friend for life.” He grinned and I loved the way his face lit up when he talked about his grandmother.

I sighed and looked around the apartment, there wasn’t much here. We needed food, Sawyer’s wife furnished the place and made sure I had everything I needed which I was grateful for. Alexei would be staying in the apartment next door.

“I’m going to shower, maybe make a list of stuff that you need and we need here to stock up on. Then we can go shopping later. I’m sure Jer and Mack would like some alcohol and food.” He nodded and kissed my forehead.

I started toward the bathroom and he was following me and started shedding his clothes. I blinked and stared at his abs as they flexed while he shimmied out of his pants.

“Umm what are you doing?” he quirked an eyebrow at me.

“Why it looks like I am stripping my clothes off for a shower Anna.” I laughed and shook my head.

“You think that is a good idea?” He closed the space between us and pushed my back up against the wall. Bracing his arms on either side of my head he brushed his lips against mine.

“Once Jer gets here, I’m going to be stuck with him ogling my body and him taking all your attention. So yes, this is a very good idea.” I ran my hands down to the waistband of his boxers and then the doorbell rang.

Groaning, he slumped against me and I laughed as I hugged him.

“I will go see who it is and you go put some pants on.” I smacked him on his delicious ass and he wiggled it for me.

I was a little ticked off about the interruption but it could be Jer and I really wanted to see him.