Banished by Tamara Gill Read Free Book Online

was there and
jumped out of sight when the delicious highlander came into view.
    She checked her
clothes and cringed. Having not expected company she’d dressed for comfort not
visitors. Sweatpants, t-shirt and socks wasn’t exactly how she wished him to
see her. Taking a calming breath, she opened the door. “Hello,” she said.
    “Afternoon,
lass. I thought I’d drop by and invite you out for dinner this evening?”
    Chloe swallowed
the nerves which assailed her at the mention of dinner ... with Cian ... “At
your home?” Please say no. The last thing she needed was to be with this man,
alone and in his home having an intimate dinner. Who knew what her body’s needs
and desires may lead her to the next time. The image of Cian laying over her in
his large four-poster bed, his muscular arms supporting his weight as he
brought her to orgasm bombarded her mind. Oh yes, dinner definitely needed to
be in the public arena.
    “I thought
perhaps the local bar,” he replied, his hands fisted at his sides.
    Chloe watched
the muscles in his lower arms flex at his actions. She shut her mouth with a
snap. She didn’t need to buy any sweets today, he was a chocolate bar on legs. “That
sounds really nice. Saves me trying to find something here to cook.”
    “Edward is
invited as well of course.”
    Heat bloomed on
her cheeks. How had she forgotten to tell him she’d broken up with Eddy? “Eddy
and I have decided to go our separate ways. He left for London yesterday.”
    “I’m so sorry. I
didn’t realize.” Cian clasped her hand and a shiver stole straight to her
abdomen.
    “It’s okay. Our
separation was amicable and had been a long time coming. But thank you.”
    He shuffled his
feet and met her gaze. “I’ll pick you up in an hour then?”
    Chloe nodded. “That sounds great.” She watched him walk to his car,
his delectable arse fitting his jeans to perfection. Wowsers, he was hot. Too
hot for her. She shut the door and leaned against the wood before panic
assailed her. She only had an hour.
    ***
    Chloe seated
herself next to a window but close to the fire and waited for Cian. He stood at
the bar ordering drinks from the same middle aged bar lady Chloe had seen the
first night she was in town.
    She smiled as he
walked over to her, bringing two beers with him.
    “I hope you like
McEwan’s Scotch ale?”
    “Yes thank you.
That’s fine.” Chloe took a sip and looked about the small room. It was free of
guests this evening and so tonight it would seem she had Cian to ogle all to
herself.
    He looked at her
and the heat from his eyes almost singed her skin. “You look very beautiful.”
    She shifted on
her seat, warmth spreading to all her extremities. “Thank you.”
    “I hope you
don’t think I’m being too forward asking you out a day after you broke up with
your fiancé?”
    Guilt pricked Chloe’s
conscience over her current situation. Should Eddy find out where she was she’d
undoubtedly hurt him. Yet, they were over, had been emotionally distant for
months now. But still ... “It’s okay. We’re only friends. No harm done,” she
lied.
    Cian reached out
and clasped her hand. “I’d like to be more than friends, lass.”
    Butterflies took
flight in her stomach and she sat back, laughing to dispel her nervousness. The
thought of being more than friends with this man who could have stepped out of
a highlander novel made her dizzy with desire. Oh, to sleep with him just once would
be amazing. Her gaze slid to his large hand clasping hers and she pulled it
away. “I’m not looking for a one night stand, Cian. I’m sorry.”
    “Neither am I,”
he said, his heated gaze boring into her.
    “Stop looking at
me like that.” Chloe took a fortifying sip of her drink. “I’ve only known you
two days.”
    He shrugged. “I
feel like I’ve known you a lot longer than that.”
    Chloe was saved
from replying when a waitress came over and took their meal order.
    “So tell me what
you do for a living,”