Page 40 of Love Bomb

“It’s Rona,” Bain said wearily. “She drives me mad.”

“Aye, I can see that.”

“She’s come back different,” Bain said as the priest opened the doors. “And I’m not just talking about the new boobs.”

“I understand,” Father McMurtry said gently. “Now, is there anybody who can drive you home? I’m not sure you should be on the road right now.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

After a decent nap and a good lunch, Bain was feeling much more himself—and a little mortified over his conversation with Father McMurtry. But he figured the priest would keep it to himself. After all, didn’t they sign a contract with God not to gossip when they joined the priesthood? Or maybe it was with the Pope. He wasn’t sure. All he knew was that the priest was the least of his problems because he still had to deal with Rona. But, he had a plan.

All he had to do was keep Rona at arm’s length until she left Invertary, and then whatever strange effect she was having on his ability to reason would leave along with her.

Easy.

It was late afternoon when he opened the door to the demon. Bain smiled politely and gestured for her to enter. See? He could be mature, distant, professional.

Unfortunately, Rona wasn’t on the same page.

“Before you say anything,” she said by way of hello. “The kiss was no big deal, and I don’t want you reading anything into it. It was a simple thank you kiss. Nothing more. Got it?”

On the one hand it was exactly what he wanted to hear. The sooner they put the anomaly behind them the better. On the other hand, he was offended.

“That wasn’t a thank you kiss, simple or otherwise,” he found himself saying, instead of agreeing and going on his merry way. “I’ve had thank you kisses, and generally women don’t climb all over me to give me one.”

“So, it got a little out of hand.” She made a dismissive gesture. “We were tired, it was late, and mistakes were made. Whatever. It was just a kiss and it’s not like it’s going to happen again.”

It was on the tip of his tongue to demand why not, when he realized she was handing him an out.

“Exactly.” He nodded instead. “We aren’t even attracted to each other.”

Her eyes narrowed. “How could we be, when you see me as a little sister, and I see you as a walking STD?” She breezed past him into the house.

Bain’s jaw tightened as he closed the door behind her. “I don’t have a sexually transmitted disease. I’ve never had one.” He felt the need to set the record straight.

“That’s quite a miracle considering you’ve bedded half the town,” she said.

So much for keeping his distance. How was he supposed to do that when every word out of her mouth wound him up?

He took a deep breath and tried to sound reasonable. “I haven’t slept with half the town. I stopped dating local women years ago.”

“Ran out of suitable candidates?” she said. “Or didn’t want to go back for seconds? Also, you can have an STD and not know it. You might think you’ve never had one, but how can you be sure? That’s why you should have regular checkups.”

“I don’t have an STD,” Bain ground out as he followed her into the living room.

“Well, good for you,” she said with a smile as she shrugged out of her coat. “I’m sure that will be a great relief to the next woman you manage to talk into bed.”

Whoa. Insulting.

“I don’t have to talk women into bed. I don’t have to chase them at all,” Bain drawled. “They come to me.”

“Poor baby,” she said sweetly. “Isn’t it better if they come for you? I think you might be doing something wrong there.”

Someone cleared their throat, and it was as though the room suddenly snapped into focus. Bain glanced around to find his three brothers, sitting in the sofas, grinning at him.

Great.

They’d heard every word uttered since he’d opened the door for Rona. He was getting far too old to be sharing a house with his brothers. If only he hadn’t sunk all his money into starting up their company. Otherwise, he’d have been living alone, with no opinion in his head but his own.