Page 5 of Love Bomb

“You sure? Because I remember a time when you tried to convince me we were destined to be together. If I remember right, you’d just turned thirteen and had started reading a series of romance books with werewolves or something in them.” He grinned wide. “You said I was your fated mate.”

“I. Was. Thirteen,” she gritted out.

“And I was seventeen. That didn’t stop you from ordering me to stay away from other girls because I was yours.”

Oh, he was having far too much fun at her expense. “I had a childish crush. It could have been on anyone. I have no idea why I picked you.”

“Clearly I was irresistible. It’s no wonder you’ve come back to try again. After all—” he lowered his voice, affecting a dramatic tone “—I am your destiny.”

“What you aren’t, is funny,” she said, trying to sound bored. “Are you done now?”

“I don’t know. How can I trust that you’re here on business and not just using that as an excuse to get into my pants? It wouldn’t be the first time you got me alone under false pretenses, just to jump me when I least expected it.”

“I didn’t jump you,” Rona could feel anger build. Which was no surprise seeing as she was dealing with Bain. “I misread the situation and tried to kiss you. I was thirteen. Get over it.”

“Not sure I can,” Bain said. “I’m pretty sure I still have PTSD from the experience.”

“I’m not here for you. I have no interest in you romantically. In fact, I’ll have you know I’m in a relationship.”

“How is that possible when you were saving yourself for me?”

Rona silently groaned. She’d forgotten she’d said that. Bloody Bain had the memory of an elephant. She had two options—die of shame or come out fighting.

“Obviously, I didn’t think you were worth the wait,” she said, choosing the latter.

“So, who’s the guy you replaced me with?” Bain handed her a mug.

At last, a question she’d prepared to answer.

“His name is Tom,” she said with a smug smile. “He’s the love of my life. We’ve been together five years now and we’re very happy.”

“Tom, huh? Sounds English. Does this Tom have a last name?”

She smiled confidently, knowing she was on solid ground now.

“Stubentiger,” she said.

“Weird name.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “He’s half German.”

Bain sipped his tea while he watched her. Rona tried not to squirm.

“And where’s Tom right now?”

“In our hotel room at The Scottie Dog pub.”

Pleased with herself, Rona sipped her tea. The room fell silent as Bain studied her. Rona thought innocent thoughts.

“Have to say,” Bain drawled. “I’m kinda disappointed not to be a fated mate—whatever the hell that is.”

“Get over it. Can we get back to the reason I’m here?”

“Sure.” He shrugged. “But it won’t change my mind. I’m not blowing up the folly. Caroline McInnes would hire a hitman to take me out if I did…” His eyebrows shot up his forehead. “That’s why it has to happen this weekend, isn’t it? Caroline is out of the country. Oh, you’re still sneaky, I’ll give you that. Without the president of the historical society in town, you have free rein to do whatever you want. I wondered why it’d taken you two months to get here. I’d have thought you would have been eager to get the job done as soon as you inherited, but you were waiting for Caroline to leave.”

Now he was just pissing her off. The fact he was right had nothing to do with it.

“I don’t give a hoot about Caroline or the historical society. The folly belongs to me—” for now anyway “—and I want it gone. You’re going to help me with that.”