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I surge to my feet and pull her into my arms like I've dreamed of doing for eight weeks, then I bury my face in her hair, loving the sweet, familiar scent of her.
She sags into me briefly, then wrestles free of my embrace while swiping tears from her face. "No."
Though I had expected that response, it still hurts like a sword driven through my heart. I nod, my shoulders collapsing, and rub the heel of my hand on my chest. My words come out as a monotone. "If you want me, you know where I am."
I turn to leave and hear the door shut behind me. Aye, she rejected me. And aye, it hurts like hell. But I haven't flown thousands of miles across an ocean to give up now.
No matter what it takes, I will win back her trust.
Chapter Thirty
While I wait to find out if Erica will change her mind about us, I continue making plans for my new life—our new life, I hope. What else can I do? I have to keep a positive attitude and assume she will forgive me, eventually. In the meantime, I still have something to wrap up. That means I need to call Rory, but before I can do that, my youngest brother, Aidan, rings me.
"What's Chicago like?" he asks.
"It's fine."
"Maybe I should go there sometime. Must be lots of sexy girls there if you loved it so much you had to go for another holiday."
I groan because I know Aidan is being sarcastic. Mostly. "Not sure if I like it here. Depends on what happens next."
"Oh, you mean the lass you met there. If she takes you back, you'll stay. If not, you'll come home with your tail between your legs. Aye?"
"No." I hold the phone away from my face just long enough to frown at it as if Aidan might see that and decide to behave. Then I realize what his sarcasm means. "How do you know I met a lass?"
He chuckles. "Everyone thinks I'm the one who can't keep a secret, but it was Rory who let that piece of information slip. I asked him what you were doing in Chicago, and he… Well, he didn't exactly tell me everything, but I read between the lines."
I groan again. "Who did you tell?"
"No one. My lips are sealed, Lachie."
"How many times have I told you never to call me that?"
Aidan chuckles again. "Too many to count. Might as well give up trying, eh?"
"I have important…things to take care of. I'll talk to you later, Aidan."
"Give your mysterious lass a big kiss from me."
I hang up without responding to his suggestion. Aidan is fifteen years younger than I am, but he's still a grown man who should behave like an adult. He won't, though. Aidan loves tormenting the rest of us too much.
Now that I've hung up on my youngest brother, I ring Rory.
He answers with a growl. "What do ye want? It's two o'clock in the morning, Lachlan."
"Sorry. It's important. I need to know the status of that purchase. Please, Rory, I need to know now."
"I meant to ring you in the morning." Rustling sounds indicate my brother is getting out of bed or at least sitting up. He yawns. "The sale was finalized this afternoon. You know this. You signed the documents digitally."
"And you're sure? It's mine now?"
"Bod an Donais. Of course I'm sure. You won't be haunting my castle without any trousers on anymore."
"I did that once. Thought you were in your office in the village."
"Good night, Lachlan." Rory hangs up on me.
And I haunt my suite at The Langham with no trousers on, though nobody cares because no one sees me. When room service brings my meals, I wear trousers.
