NIALL KISSED CHARLOTTE awake at four... however, not particularly successfully.

“What is this tom-foolery?” she snapped as she gently pushed his face away for the third time.

He kissed her fingers. “We need to head to the airport in less than an hour.”

She rolled away from him. “Five more minutes,” she grumbled.

Niall rolled her back toward him. “You’ve said that for the last fifteen minutes.”

“And you’re obviously not listening to me.” She yawned. “Bad husband.”

Niall chuckled, throwing back the covers. “Come on, love. Up we go.”

“Why are we going so early?” she complained as she sat up with her eyes still closed.

“Because you wanted to be there before lunch time,” Niall patiently pointed out.

She opened her eyes and wrinkled her nose. “And you have to give me everything I want, right?”

He leaned down and kissed her quickly. “Your wish is my only desire.”

She giggled. “Well, next time, argue with me a bit.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Charlotte slid from the mattress and headed to the bathroom. “What’s the flight plan?” she called.

Niall leaned against the doorjamb of the bathroom and crossed his arms. “We have to stop in Belfast, but it won’t be for long.”

She caught his eye in the mirror. “Nothing non-stop?”

“Not without my plane.”

“Oh,” she whispered.

He shook his head. “You’re not still afraid, are you?”

Charlotte bit her lip. “A lot a bit.”

Niall wrapped his arms around her and kissed the back of her neck. “You’ll be fine. I’ll make sure of it.”

She sighed and leaned back against him. “I feel better already.”

He chuckled and broke contact to start the water. “Okay, quick shower, love. We have to go.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” she retorted, as she pinned her hair on top of her head and stepped under the water.

* * *

Charlotte discovered she was extremely glad to have Keir close by as they traveled to Inverness. Niall had understated just how popular he was in Edinburgh, and they were inundated with fans, some old enough to be her parents, others as young as her sister.

The women in particular had no issue shoving Charlotte out of their way to get to Niall. Keir was quick to guide her away from the fray, speaking with one of the security guards at the gate, who graciously offered up a private room to wait. Niall finished signing a few last autographs and then followed the guard to the gate, Charlotte and Keir bringing up the rear.

“What are you doing flying commercial, Mr. MacMillan?” the guard asked, and closed the door of the bare room. “Don’t you have yer own plane?”

“Aye, I do,” Niall said. “However, it’s currently with my brother.”

“Ah.” The guard nodded. “Well, I’ll collect ye when we’re ready to board.”

“Thank you,” Niall said, and shook his hand after posing with him for a picture.

The rest of the trip, thankfully, wasn’t quite as eventful. Even though Niall could now calm Charlotte without touch, he kept hold of her hand until they walked off the plane and climbed into the car awaiting them, graciously sent by Max. Keir climbed into the front seat with Bruce.

Charlotte’s mouth dropped open several times as they drove from the airstrip to Max and Grace’s home. Inverness was stunning, with rolling hills and glorious landscape. She could imagine exploring on horseback, the terrain virtually untouched by motor vehicles. All too soon, Bruce pulled the car through wrought-iron gates and up a long road shaded by large trees.

“These trees are unreal.”

“These are Birnam Oaks,” Niall explained. “It’s an ancient Scottish tree. Max had them planted over a hundred years ago.”

“They’re very spooky looking.” She smiled. “In a good way.”

Niall chuckled. “Aye, lass, they are. Especially in the dark.”

The whitewashed brick of a massive house appeared before them. Ivy wove its way up one side of the house, adding to the historical façade, while the cobblestone courtyard offered the perfect welcome that led to the blue seven-foot-tall, six-foot-wide double doors at the front.

“Wow,” Charlotte said. “It looks like something out of a Jane Austen novel.”

“Max finished the house in 1900, I think. Maybe it was 1901. But he’s made several updates to it since then, obviously.”

“It’s a very Grace house.”

“Is it?” Niall asked.

Charlotte giggled. “Most definitely. She used to draw pictures of houses all the time. She’d sign her name Lady Grace Annabelle Wilson. I used to tease her mercilessly and then hide the same pictures I’d drawn under my mattress.”

“Oh, really? Why?”

“Because I’d draw castles, and believe me, they looked like really bad stick houses. I do not have Grace’s artistic bent.”

Niall chuckled. “How about I show you the real thing once we get this mess sorted out.”

“A real castle?”

He nodded.

“Like a tour of one?”

He shook his head. “No, like Kade and Samantha’s other home.”

She clapped her hands. “Yes, please.”

“You’ll love it,” he promised as the car came to a stop and Grace rushed outside, followed by Max, despite the rain.

The driver pulled open the car door and Charlotte slid out into the waiting arms of her best friend and sister. “Hi.”

Grace smiled. “Hi. I missed you.”

Charlotte grinned. “It’s been all of two days.”

“So?”

“Yeah, yeah, I missed you too,” Charlotte admitted.

“Come inside. I’ll show you your room and then we’ll eat.”

“And when, exactly, will you tell me what’s going on?”

“When we eat,” Grace said. “We’ve promised Con and Pepper we’d all be there for dinner.”

Charlotte frowned but chose not to press Grace until lunch. She followed her up the winding staircase and to a door at the back of the house. Intricately carved wood stood before her, and when Grace pushed the door open, Charlotte couldn’t stop a gasp. “Wow, Gracie.”

“I know,” she said. “Isn’t it gorgeous?”

The bedroom was the size of Charlotte’s entire apartment in L.A., with plastered walls in a light yellow, almost cream, and ancient iron windows that took up an entire wall overlooking an expansive property with intricate gardens below. A large bed sat adjacent to the window wall, offering a pretty incredible back drop to wake up to.

“You have a full-sized bathroom in here,” Grace said as she walked through one of the doors. “And the other door houses a closet and dressing room. If you need anything, you can press this button here”—she showed Charlotte an old-fashioned intercom panel—“and someone will call to find out what you need. Seriously, Charlie, anything. It takes a little getting used to, but the staff is awesome.”

“Okay,” Charlotte said distractedly as she took in her surroundings.

“Chuck?”

“Hmm?” Charlotte glanced at Grace from the window and smiled. “Sorry, what did you say?”

Grace laughed. “Nothing. I’ll leave you two to get settled.”

Charlotte saw Niall standing by the bed. “I didn’t even see you come in.”

“I noticed,” he said good-naturedly.

“We’ll eat in twenty minutes, sound good?” Grace asked.

“That’ll be good, lass, thanks,” Niall said, and closed the door behind her.

“This place is unreal.”

Niall grinned and joined Charlotte by the window. “Aye, lass, ’tis.”

She looped her arms around his neck. “Did you ever live here?”

“No’ this house, no. But my childhood home still stands on the property.”

“It does?”

“Aye.” He slid his hands over her bottom. “It’s not really livable, but Max does his best to keep it from crumbling.”

“He didn’t want to restore it?”

“No.” Darkness flittered in his eyes. “The memories are unpleasant.”

“Oh, sorry.”

“Don’t be, love. It’s time to make new memories.” He smiled and kissed her quickly. “Do you want to visit it tomorrow?”

“Seriously?”

“Aye. I’d love to show you where I grew up.” He raised an eyebrow. “We could even ride over if you’re interested. Horseback, that is.”

“Oooh, I haven’t ridden since I was a teenager. Yes, please.”

He smiled. “Perfect. Let’s eat.”

“Okay. I’m starving.”

He pulled his shirt from his body. “Feast away, sweetheart.”

She giggled. “We are expected at the table. But I’ll make you a deal. For dessert, I’ll use your body as a plate.”

He nodded and she headed toward the door. “Are you coming?”

“Not quite.”

“Niall,” she said with a giggle. “I’ll take care of that later, I promise.”

* * *

Niall led Charlotte downstairs and into the kitchen. Max was setting the table while Grace put the finishing touches on what looked like a chicken Caesar salad.

“I made your favorite, Charlie,” Grace said, and handed the bowl to Max, who carried it to the table.

“Thanks,” Charlotte said. “What can I help with?”

“If you want to grab drinks from the fridge that would be great. We’re pretty much done here.”

Niall followed Charlotte and took a couple of beers for him and his brother, then the foursome took their seats at the table.

“Okay, so now that I’ve waited patiently,” Charlotte began, “What the heck is going on?”

Grace relayed the incident the day before, and Charlotte grabbed for Niall’s hand. He gave her a gentle squeeze as she processed the information.

“So, is this man trying to say that Pepper’s his daughter?” Charlotte asked.

“Looks that way,” Grace said.

“What does she say about that?”

“Connall’s investigating his claims, including a DNA test,” Max said. “He’s not happy.”

Charlotte frowned. “If the DNA results come back positive, what is Pepper going to do?”

“That’s something we’re going to talk about tonight at dinner. They have invited Ari, although he’s staying at a hotel at the moment,” Max said.

“He’s not staying with them?” Charlotte asked.

“Why would he?” Niall challenged.

“Why wouldn’t he?”

“Because there’s something off with him, Charlotte,” Max said. “Connall doesn’t trust him, and quite frankly, I wouldn’t either. Lucky for them, Ari offered to stay in the hotel, promising not to intrude. Let’s hope he keeps his word.”

“Maybe he just wants to connect,” Charlotte pointed out. “Ari, I mean.”

“And if that isn’t his motive?” Niall asked.

“What else could his motive be? He hasn’t hurt me, quite the opposite in fact. Did he hurt Pepper?”

“No,” Grace responded, earning a scowl from her husband. She popped a bit of chicken in her mouth and smiled as she chewed.

“You can’t honestly expect you’re going into this with a big family reunion in mind, do you?” Niall asked.

“Why not?” Charlotte asked. “Maybe we can give this guy the benefit of the doubt.”

“Bloody hell,” Max snapped.

Charlotte scowled. “What’s with the judgy face, Max?”

“I hope you’re not serious.”

“Max,” Niall warned.

“I can fight my own battles, thank you very much,” Charlotte said, and focused back on Max. “Why wouldn’t I give him the benefit of the doubt?”

Niall noticed the temperature in the room drop.

Grace raised an eyebrow. “Well, for one, because it’s not you.”

“Maybe I’ve changed.”

Grace snorted. “You’ve suddenly decided you’re going to trust a man you don’t know?”

“Maybe I feel like I should at least try to open up a little.”

“And maybe you just want to get a rise out of Max,” Grace challenged.

“Maybe I don’t appreciate being told what I can and cannot do.”

“He wasn’t telling you what to do,” Grace snapped.

Charlotte jabbed her fork toward Grace. “Oh, he wasn’t saying it in so many words, but his disapproving face said everything he wanted me to hear.”

Niall could see Charlotte and Grace’s breath as they argued now.

Grace rolled her eyes. “So much for giving people the benefit of the doubt.”

“Are you seriously trying to tell me that wasn’t a Judgy McJudgerson expression?”

“Oh, my word, Charlotte!” Grace ground out. “What the hell is your problem? Max is just looking out for you. Stop being such a bitch.”

“You know what, Grace... you can suck it.” Charlotte pushed back from the table and stormed out of the kitchen.

As soon as Charlotte left, the temperature returned to normal. Niall sat in stunned disbelief as Grace sagged in her chair.

“What was that?” Grace said, bursting into tears. “Holy crap, why am I crying?”

“Sort this out, Niall,” Max demanded, and pulled Grace from her chair and out of the kitchen.

With a heavy heart Niall cleared the table and headed to his room. He had no idea what was going on, but his mate had the ability to literally change the temperature in the room.

He pushed open the door to find Charlotte curled up in one of the chairs by the window, staring despondently out at nothing. “Charlotte?”

“What?” she muttered.

He sat in the seat across from her, leaning forward, his elbows on his knees. “What happened?”

“Oh, other than acting the shrew to my best friend, nothing much.”

“You made her cry.”

“What?” She turned to face him. “I did?”

“Aye, lass. I don’t tell you that to make you feel worse, I’m just trying to sort everything out.”

“We have never, and I mean never, fought like that before.” Charlotte blinked back tears. “I was so mad at her, Nye. For no reason. Like I wanted to slap her, mad.”

“I know, love.” He stood and pulled her up and into his arms. “I think you were able to make her emotional as well.”

She dropped her head onto his chest. “I need to apologize.”

“Give her some time, eh? We need to find out what’s going on with you. You lowered the temperature in the room.”

She looked up at him. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, you literally changed the temperature in the room. You did it in the car a couple of times back in the States as well. We need to figure out how you’re doing it so we can work to control it.”

A knock at the door brought Grace, still in tears, with an irritated Max following. “I’m so sorry, Charlie.”

Charlotte pulled away from Niall. “No, I’m sorry. I was being defensive when all you wanted to do was make sure I was safe.”

Grace wrapped her arms around her. “I shouldn’t have pushed you. It’s your life.”

“Yes, you should. It’s part of your job description.”

As the girls went about apologizing, Niall pulled Max aside. “Stow the anger, big brother. It’s not all Charlotte’s fault.”

Max raised an eyebrow.

“It’s no’,” Niall pressed. “Did you notice the temperature in the room drop?”

“Aye. I did, actually.”

“Her gift has something to do with ice, brother. If we don’t figure out what it is, Charlotte will never know how to control it.”

Max pinched the bridge of his nose. “If Pepper’s her sister—”

“You guessed that as well?”

“Aye, brother. And if Pepper has the fire gift, then with Charlotte having the ice gift—”

“There has to be a third,” Niall finished

“What?” Charlotte asked.

“There’s always a third. Fire, ice, and control of the earth.” Max tapped his finger against his lips in thought. “But I always thought the gifts were given to descendants of the same parents, so I must be wrong, since Charlotte and Pepper have different mothers.”

“I thought that was folklore,” Niall said.

Max crossed his arms. “It was. But I’d say we’ve moved from folklore to reality. This man claims to be Ari Baldursson, the second son of the oldest family in Iceland, right? If that is true, then Kade isn’t the rightful king. Whoever the Baldursson heir happens to be is.”

“Kade’s still king here.”

“Unless the Baldursson family wants to contest his reign.”

“Shite,” Niall said.

“Exactly.”

Niall rubbed his chin. “So, this is why Connall’s worried.”

“Aye.”

“What does Kade say?”

“Nothing to me,” Max admitted.

“But I’d imagine Connall’s taking the load.”

“Aye, I’d imagine so.”

“What the hell does this man want?”

Max shook his head. “Time will tell, because he’s sure as hell no’ sharing. I don’t want Grace anywhere near him.”

“I understand. I wish Charlotte wouldn’t go anywhere near him,” Niall said. “As far as I’m concerned, both of you can stay out of it completely.”

“Uh, no we can’t,” Grace countered. “I won’t go ‘anywhere near him’ unless you’re there, Max, but I have to be allowed to support Charlotte.”

“Grace,” Max said.

“No, Max, you don’t get to bully me here, buddy.”

“It’s fine, Grace,” Charlotte countered. “It would probably be a good idea that you not get on his radar anyway. Maybe you can meet him when we know what he wants.”

“Like hell I will. We’re sisters, Charlie. Sisters stand by each other even when it’s dangerous.”

“Bloody hell, Grace,” Max snapped.

“What? You’re not the boss of me.”

Max raised an eyebrow. “We’ll discuss this privately.”

“Oh, we will?” she asked, crossing her arms. “What makes you think ‘discussing’ it privately is going to make me change my mind?”

“If you’ll excuse us.” Max grabbed Grace’s hand, forcing her arms down, and walked her out of the room.

Niall locked the door behind them and leaned against it. “I don’t like this, Charlotte.”

“I know you don’t, but what other choice do we have?”

“Tell him you don’t want to see him.”

“It sounds like that didn’t work out so well for Pepper, babe.” She ran her hands up his chest and slipped the top button. “And I kind of like the idea of seeing if I have another sister.” She slipped the next button. “Aren’t you even the teensiest bit curious?”

“Not particularly, no.”

She slipped another button, leaning forward to kiss the skin she’d bared. “Really? Not at all?” She slipped the final button and then slid her hands under the waistband of his jeans.

Niall hissed through clenched teeth. Her hands were freezing, and it felt better than anything he’d ever experienced.

Sliding his zipper down, she knelt in front of him, tugging his jeans down his legs and leaving them to pool at his ankles as she ran her hand up and down the length of his cock, squeezing gently as it hardened.

Niall leaned heavily against the door to keep himself upright as Charlotte ran her tongue up the underside of him, then sucked the head into her mouth, adding pressure with her tongue as she took him deeper down her throat.

“Fuck, baby.”

She pulled back, spitting a little, then taking him in again, before wrapping her hand around his shaft and tugging down. As she fucked him with her mouth, one hand cupped his balls as the other ran up and down, up and down, and she took him deep enough to make her eyes water. He gripped her head and thrust harder into her.

I’m going to come, love.

Come baby.

He exploded into her and felt himself harden again as she milked him dry, then swallowed with a Cheshire grin. Pulling her up, he kicked off his jeans, lifted her off her feet, and took her to bed.

“Do you know what I wish we had?” she asked, as he tore off her clothes.

“What, love?”

“Nipple clamps.”

He was so shocked by her confession, he laughed. “Seriously?”

“Is that weird?”

“No, it’s fuckin’ sexy as hell. Just was surprised you’d go there.”

She bit her lip. “I have a small obsession with romance novels and those parts always turn me on.”

“Hold that thought,” he said, and walked into the bathroom.

“Um, what are you doing?” she asked, as he returned and climbed onto the bed with her.

He’d grabbed two of her hair clips that clamped, and grinned. “I’m improvising.”

Leaning down, he sucked a nipple into his mouth, then clamped it, repeating the action with the other.

Charlotte mewed, her body arching as he kissed her. “Too much?”

“Oh my god, no. This feels amazing.”

“I can see that,” he whispered, cupping her mound before pressing two fingers inside of her. “You’re soaked.”

She licked her lips, pressing against his hand and nodding.

“Mouth or dick, baby.”

“Dick. Definitely your dick,” she rasped, and he knelt between her legs and slid into her.

And she came.

Brilliantly and abundantly before he’d even gotten the chance to move.

She whimpered as he pressed his thumb to her clit, burying himself deeper and being rewarded by her body cooling. It was like his dick was wrapped in a frozen condom and he nearly came himself. “Fuck, baby.”

She moaned, sliding her hands to her tits and squeezing as he continued to thumb her clit, hovering over her and watching her body shake with desire.

“Move, Nye,” she growled, and he didn’t need to be asked twice, bracing his hands on each side of her and slamming into her.

He continued to bury himself inside of her until she cried out his name and her walls contracted around him, bringing him to climax with a brand-new rush of cold that made his body react faster than he could have ever imagined.

Gently releasing her nipples from their clamps, he pulled her over his body and held her close as they tried to catch their breath.

Charlotte grinned, leaning down to kiss him deeply. “I can’t wait to do that again.”

He chuckled. “Give me a second. I need to recover.”

“Ohmigod, those little clip thingies were awesome.”

“Aye, they were. I’m going to buy you some proper clamps, though...maybe something pretty that I can dial in tighter.”

She shivered, licking her lips and kissing him again. “Yes, please,” she whispered.

He pushed her onto her back again and started the whole glorious process over again, but an hour later, Charlotte kissed him quickly and slid from the mattress. “Time to get ready to go.”

Niall ran his hands through his hair. “We’re really doing this?”

“Yep,” she said, and headed to the bathroom.

He sat in bed for several minutes, contemplating how he could possibly stop this meeting from happening.

“You can’t,” Charlotte called. “Now come and join me.”

Niall did as he was told, managing to delay the meeting with Ari, even if it was briefly. Once they were dressed, they headed downstairs and discovered Max pacing the foyer.

Niall cocked his head. “You okay, brother?”

“Where’s Grace?” Charlotte asked.

“She’s coming. She just had to grab something for Pepper.” Max crossed his arms.

“So, you’re coming with us then,” Niall observed.

Max nodded with a frown. “Ground rules.”

“Aye,” Niall said.

“Even the glimmer of trouble and she’s out.”

“They both are,” Niall agreed.

“If he does anything I don’t like, she’s out of there.”

“Aye, brother. As is Charlotte.”

“What’s going on?” Grace asked as she descended the stairs.

“Our husbands are making decisions for us,” Charlotte said.

“Oh, how nice of them,” Grace droned.

“Right?” Charlotte laid her hands on her chest. “I feel so much better knowing that they take the thought and guesswork out of my daily life. Can you imagine how difficult it would be if I had to think for myself?”

“Charlotte,” Niall said in irritation.

“It’d be unbearable, I’d say,” Grace agreed, ignoring her brother-in-law. “We are just girls after all.”

“And you know my opinion on women.”

“I sure do, Charlie,” Grace said, as if in a really bad commercial.

“All right, Grace, that’s enough,” Max said.

“Oh, is it?” Grace asked. “Are you sure, my liege? Because I can keep going. But only if it entertains and pleases you.”

“I can make you stay home, love,” Max threatened.

“You can try to make me.”

“Okay,” Charlotte cut in. “Let’s just see where this goes. I don’t want you guys to fight over something to do with me.”

Max raised an eyebrow at Grace and she mirrored his expression. “I’m driving,” Max said, and pulled open the front door.

Niall grasped Charlotte’s hand but she pulled away. He took a deep breath and followed her out to the car. Her hands were freezing, and he made the choice not to irritate her further.

Hey, I love you.

That’s debatable, she grumbled.

I want you safe, love. If I’m being an overbearing sod, then I apologize, but you know that it’s motivated from a place of protection, right?

She shrugged, but relaxed against him. He linked his fingers with hers, noting they were no longer ice cold.