Page 62 of Love Bomb

Her father was nodding. “Whereas the folly is an original.”

She was about to argue when a hand curled around her shoulder.

She looked up to find Bain smiling down at her. “There you are, honey,” he said.

Honey?

“Bain?” Rona wasn’t sure what to say, but she had to admit she was relieved to see him.

She would go back to avoiding him later. For now, she was happy she wasn’t dealing with her parents alone.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” Bain said smoothly. “Forgive me?”

Then his hand clasped the back of her head and he angled her face up to him. And with a wicked gleam in his eye, he kissed her thoroughly.

Right in front of her parents.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Bain had only intended to kiss Rona in order to piss off her parents. He’d meant for it to be a light hello kiss, but as soon as he touched her lips, it turned into something much more serious.

At last, he felt the panic that had been building since Dougal’s call ease within him. Everything would be okay now because he was there to watch over her.

“Rona,” her father barked. “Do you mind!”

Reluctantly, Bain broke the kiss and was more than satisfied to find Rona’s eyes were heavy with desire.

“No, I don’t think I do,” Rona said, sounding a little dazed. But she also looked relieved to see him.

Dougal had been right. Rona needed the support.

He leaned down again to press a kiss to her cheek and whispered in her ear. “I’m here to back you up, not to take charge.”

“Not take charge? That’s got to hurt,” she whispered back.

“You have no idea,” Bain muttered as he took a seat beside her.

If it had been up to him, he’d have whisked her straight out of there as soon as he arrived.

“Lorna, George.” Bain gave the couple a chin lift, knowing they’d hate it. “I’m surprised to see you back in Invertary. I thought it would be, and I quote, a cold day in hell before you returned.” Not giving them a chance to reply, he turned to Rona. “What’d I miss?” he asked.

Surprisingly, she reached for his hand and threaded her fingers through his. She gave him a grateful smile, and something settled within him.

“My parents are trying to convince me that the folly holds more historical significance than Mack’s castle,” she said.

Bain cocked an eyebrow. “That’s a difficult argument to make, considering neither structure did anything to advance Scottish architecture. I mean, we’re talking about a fake castle and a big chimney. We’ve seen it all before.”

Rona’s eyes danced with amusement. “Did you get that from Conall?”

“Aye, he planned on doing his degree thesis on Invertary architecture. Turns out, there wasn’t anything to write about.”

“Excuse me,” her father said to Bain. “This is a private family discussion.”

“Oh, don’t mind me,” Bain said, relaxing back into his seat.

George didn’t seem to know how to reply and blustered for a second. “All right,” he said at last. “If you insist on being here for this, then so be it.” He dismissed Bain with a sniff and addressed Rona. “This silliness with the folly has gone on long enough. I forbid you from damaging it.”

Yeah, that ought to work, Bain thought.