The Embrace by Vivian Wood
14
Kaia sighs for the hundredth time since we stepped on the plane. She's sitting in a window seat, looking out over the horizon as the sun sinks lower and lower. I'm right beside her, though I did doze off for a while. Scotland is far enough away that it requires some sleep, it seems.
I study her, wondering if I need to draw her attention away from her thoughts. No doubt she is still ruminating over her family issues.
Her honey hair falls down her shoulders, her body is exquisite in the slinky black camisole and black leggings she wears. Simple but elegant. But there is a look on her face, a faraway gazing frown that makes me feel a little anxious. It is catching, apparently.
I reach across her lap and take her hand, tugging it. She startles and looks at me, surprised.
“I didn't know that you were awake,” she says, pushing her hair back behind her ears. “I’m sorry. I wasn't trying to ignore you.”
I shrug a shoulder. “You didn't inconvenience me in the least. I was just wondering what was going on in your world. It seems like a lot.”
Her mouth pulls down into a gentle frown. She sucks in a deep breath and then releases a gust of air.
“I’m just trying to get a handle on my mom leaving my dad. I just… I never thought I would actually happen. And then they only resettled into the Hotel Esquire yesterday morning…” She wrinkles her nose. “It's just awkward timing for us to take off to Great Britain, that's all.”
I tilt my head to the side, pursing my lips. “This is the only weekend that you have off for a while. And it just so happens that Keir invited us to come visit a few weeks ago…” I shrug my shoulders and shake my head. “It's the only time in the foreseeable future that we could both get away from work and Keir would be at home.”
Kaia pulls the face. “How do you know this Keir guy again?”
“When I first started IndicaTech, he was brought in as a source of guidance. Keir started several new generation payment systems. FriendPay, for instance. He and I hit it off right away. He has earned several billion more dollars than I have. Oh, and we remain members of the same tiny gentlemen’s club.”
She raises a brow. “Oh?”
“Yes. Heaven and Hell. It’s…” I trail off, pursuing my lips. “How do I even start to describe it?”
There is a measured pause before she speaks up. “Is this one of the strip clubs you hung out at before you met me?”
I swirl the whiskey around in my glass. “Less strip club, more sex club. But yes, that’s generally the vibe.”
“Oh.” She looks down, seeming uncertain. “Honestly, you’re the only person I’ve ever had sex with. The only person I’m interested in, even. So what am I supposed to say to that?
“Don’t be weird,” I chide her gently. “I went there a couple of times and found out that it wasn’t for me. When I met you, a lot of my priorities changed. Okay?”
She wrinkles her nose. “I guess.”
I slides her a sly look. “Maybe I’ll take you there some time. If you’re good. But you have to let me tell you things without getting jealous.”
She rolls her eyes at me but smiles. “You wish I was jealous, Calum.”
I give her a devilish grin. “Maybe. It sounds hot.”
“I’m more worried about my mom and Hazel. Now there are more people to worry about than just you and me.”
I squeeze her hands and then let it go, picking up my glass tumbler of whiskey instead. Taking a sip, I give her my opinion. “It'll be all right. Besides, there is no way that your dad is going to show up out of nowhere. I hired a private investigator to follow him around. And I hired a security team to stay on the floor of the hotel where your mom and sister are. I think between the PI and the security team, your mom and sister will be fine.”
She heaves another sigh. “I know. You covered all your bases as usual. Unfortunately, that doesn't settle my nerves.” A uniformed stewardess makes her way up from the back of the plane. “Excuse me. If you don't mind, we are officially making our final descent as we arrive in Scotland.”
I incline my head and Kaia leans forward within a warm smile. “Thank you,” she says.
I fasten my seat belt as I look at her with a sigh. “You can call your mother when we get to the castle. Okay?”
Kaia looks at me, smiling faintly. “I know. And I know that you just want the best for me. I promise that I'll try to relax and let this weekend be fun.”
She leans her head against my arm and the plane begins its descent. It's takes a good couple of hours of driving out of the city and far up into the green foothills of some area. But by the time we are arriving at the Castle, Kaia is practically pressed against the window, her eyes lit up with excitement.
“It's so beautiful here,” she says. The rolling hills, a little mist, and everything is so verdant…”
“Just wait until you see the castle itself. It should be down this little road, any second now…”
We drive around several twists and turns, going gently upward all the while. And then suddenly we make a turn and Kaia gasps.
Before us rises an actual castle, something straight out of a history textbook.