LATER THAT EVENING, having made it back to the flat in record time despite her busy workload, Payton slid on a wide bangle and secured her earrings. She’d chosen dark jeans and a silk top that fell just above her hips, and with her four-inch heels, she felt a little less tiny standing next to her mate. She needed to look her best tonight, especially competing with the likes of her drop-dead gorgeous sisters-in-law.
“No competition, love. You look beautiful,” Brodie said, leaning against the doorframe.
“Thank you.” Payton grinned. “So do you.”
He wore dark jeans as well, with a black button-up and biker boots. His hair was perfectly messy, and he’d kept a day’s growth of stubble on his face.
“Jack’s all prepared,” Brodie said. “We’re doing our best to sneak in through the back, but there might be paparazzi there anyway.”
“I’d imagine so.” Payton nodded. “How often do three handsome men of Scotland’s finest aristocracy go out together with their wives? I’d be surprised if there wasn’t any at all. Especially, considering the photogs hang out daily at Slàinte as it is.”
“I guess that’s true. I just hate it.”
Payton made her way to him and kissed his cheek. “I know you do. But we’ll deal. Too bad Max and Niall aren’t here. They’d be able to distract them.”
“We’ll plan better next time.” He crossed his arms. “I have some news about the flat.”
“Oh?”
“We got it.”
Payton clapped her hands. “We did? That’s wonderful. Did the sales woman calm down?”
Brodie scowled. “She was sacked.”
Payton gasped. “What? Brodie, you didn’t really have her fired, did you?”
“Absolutely. Bloody hell, if that’s the way they run their business, it’s unacceptable.” He shook his head. “Her boss wasn’t overly pleased to hear that she liked to flirt.”
Payton forced back a giggle. “Maybe they were a couple and you just broke them up.”
Brodie laughed. “I should probably feel bad about that, but her boss got the commission, so he wasn’t complaining too loudly.”
“So, what did you negotiate the price down to?” she asked as she shut the clasp on her watch.
“Six.”
“Six million? That’s higher than the listing!”
He crossed his arms. “Not for the building.”
Payton’s mouth gaped open. “What?”
“I bought the building.”
“Why? We don’t need the whole building, Brodie!” She waved her hands in the air. “Just the house inside of it.”
“This isn’t quite where I expected this conversation to go.” Brodie frowned, pushing away from the doorframe.
Payton laid her hands on her heated cheeks. “I know that you have more money than Croesus—”
“Actually, that’s Connall,” he said, interrupting her.
She couldn’t stop a grin. “Okay, more than Croesus, less than Connall, but even you must see my point that buying an entire building might be a tad overboard.”
He chuckled. “Not at all. If we bought just the flat, the rest of the apartments would be available for others, for instance, humans, to purchase or rent. With the building comes the freedom to expand when I fill your belly with babies, or offer up to other Cauld Ane when they need a place to stay.”
“See? You make everything sexy!” she accused as her body filled with desire. “I vote filling my belly with babies, please.”
Brodie laughed and wrapped his arms around her. “Your wish is my command.”
“What made you think about the building thing?” She raised an eyebrow. “Which is actually a really good idea, I might add.”
“Yes, I know,” he quipped. “It was a question Dalton asked, actually, about how we explain our longevity to people. In our world we don’t need to, but with the advances in social media, it’s getting harder to be anonymous. Think about Fallen Crown. They “formed” in the eighties. That was almost thirty years ago. They’re going to have to do something soon, or the world will start to suspect.”
Payton hummed in agreement. “Yes, they barely look out of their twenties now, and there’s no way they could pull off being well into their forties.”
“Exactly. Some humans age better than others, and everyone can suspend their disbelief to a certain degree, but then it just gets silly.”
“Golly gee willikers,” she said, in the worst American accent. “You’ve got a point. Okay, I’ll live in it.”
“Twist your arm, eh?” He laughed, and checked his watch. “If you’re ready, we should get to Kade’s.”
“I’m ready.” She grabbed her purse. “Let’s go.”
Payton led Brodie next door and had a brief second of insecurity when Kade answered the door and they walked inside to find Sam and Pepper in all their glory. Pepper wore a high-waisted, cobalt blue dress that fell just above her knees and showed off her knee-high boots. Despite the fact she was over half-way through her pregnancy, you couldn’t really tell. Samantha wore a black, shimmery short dress with strappy heels that accentuated her killer legs.
Oh to be tall and thin, Payton wished quietly.
Stop it, Brodie admonished. You are perfect. Far better looking than your sisters.
You’re biased.
Hey, you’re insulting my woman, Payton, and I’ll have none of it. Got it?
“Payton!” Samantha exclaimed as she hugged her. “My word, you are gorgeous. Shirley Manson gorgeous. I may have to hate you.”
Payton giggled. “I was just thinking the same thing, little miss Kate Beckinsale look-a-like.”
“Since we’re comparing each other to celebrities,” Pepper said as she hugged Payton, “does that make me Shamu?”
“Pepper!” Connall snapped.
“I’m joking.”
“It’s not funny,” he pressed. “You’re beautiful.”
Pepper blushed. “Sorry, baby.”
“He’s right, Pepper,” Payton said. “I hope I look half as good as you when the time comes.”
Wow, you boys are super serious about this, aren’t you? she projected.
And you better not forget it.
“Just so we’re all clear,” Brodie said. “When you make a comment about how ugly or fat you feel, you are insulting the women we love, right? So, I’d say all three of you just need to remove that line of thought and conversation from your repertoire.”
“Amen,” Kade said. “Now, let’s go have some fun. I would venture a guess we’ll lose Brodie for part of the night once folks get wind of him being at the club, so be prepared for him to mingle.”
Brodie frowned. “I don’t mingle. I abhor mingling.”
Kade chuckled. “But you’ll still do it, because you own the most exclusive club in Edinburgh and it will be expected of you.”
Brodie sighed. “You got me. I do need to check on a few things while we’re there.”
“A few things,” Payton said. “And within reason, love. It’s not a work night. It’s a family night.”
“Aye.” Brodie wrapped his arm around Payton and the couple followed the rest of the group downstairs. Dalton and Cole were waiting for them in the garage, so the group piled into one SUV, while another identical one, driven by Alasdair, led the way.
“Are you really so popular you need a decoy?” Dalton asked from the passenger seat.
“Rich, young, and drop-dead gorgeous aristocracy?” Pepper retorted. “Hell, yeah, they’re popular.”
Connall rolled his eyes. “And very, very taken.”
“That too,” she said, and kissed his cheek.
“It’s nice to have so much more interest on Will and Kate right now. Other than a couple of instances of late, we’ve been able to move pretty easily in public without folks hounding us,” Kade said.
“Very, very true,” Connall agreed.
“Still hate it,” Brodie grumbled.
Payton giggled and squeezed his hand. “It’s good that you’re a shut-in, then.”
How about we go back to the flat and I’ll show you just how good of a shut-in I am, he said.
Payton felt her face heat. Brodie!
He grinned, leaning over to whisper, “Just wait for tonight.”
Payton closed her eyes briefly to calm her heart.
“We’ll wait here,” Cole said, pulling over several cars behind Alasdair’s. “Let’s hope this works.”
Payton watched as a hoard of people went rushing after the SUV, but her heart dropped when a smaller group stayed put.
“Well, at least, it’s not as many,” Kade said.
“Let’s go in through the back,” Brodie said.
“You can’t drive inside,” Payton pointed out.
“I’m aware, love. I do own the building,” he retorted. “It’s not far to walk and if Cole waits and drives through the front, it will distract the rest.”
Payton groaned. “Walking, really, Brodie?”
Samantha giggled. “Come on, Pay. It’s less than a block.”
“I’ll carry you,” Brodie offered.
“What about Pepper? She’s very, very pregnant,” Payton countered.
“Then I’ll carry her,” Connall said, and opened his door, sliding out.
“Ha! You will not. Nice try, Payton, but you’re outnumbered,” Pepper said, and followed her husband.
“Fine.” Payton groaned and joined the rest of the group. Once Cole drove off, Payton declined Brodie’s offer to carry her, and they made the short trek to the rear of the club. Brodie scanned his keycard and the door buzzed open, granting access to the secret offices that housed some of Brodie’s more senior employees.
“I’ll just check on a couple of things,” Brodie said, turning toward his private office. “Won’t be long.”
“No,” Payton stressed as she grabbed his arm, dragging him back toward the entrance to the club. “This is not a work night, love. It’s a play night.”
“I agree,” Kade said. “We are taking the night off, so are you. Mingling and greeting a few key members isn’t the same as paperwork.”
“Okay, okay.” Brodie took Payton’s hand. “I’ll walk you up to the table and then let Jack know we’re here.”
Payton pulled out her phone, typed something in, and waved it at him. “I just let Jack know we’re here. You’re off the hook.”
“Way too good at that,” Sam quipped.
“Yes, she is.” Brodie rolled his eyes. “Why won’t you come and work for me?”
“Because she works for me,” Kade said. “And I’m nicer.”
Payton laughed. “He’s got you there, love.”
“All right, let’s go.” Brodie guided them to the VIP section of the club. Two of the five tables were already filled with folks who liked more than a little privacy and paid heftily for the option. They were seated in high-backed booths that offered the ability to have somewhat decent conversation, regardless of the amount of people in the room at the same time.
“Make yourselves comfortable. I’ll be right back.” Brodie grabbed Payton’s hand and pulled her toward the table closest to the balcony.
“Brodie!” A tall man with short blond hair stood and reached out his hand. “I didn’t think I’d see you here of all places. You were just here a few weeks ago.”
Brodie chuckled and shook his hand. “It looks like I’ll be here more often now.”
“Oh? Are you moving to the city, then?”
“Part of the year.” Brodie guided Payton forward. “I’d like you to meet my mate, Payton. Payton, Thane Allen.”
Payton shook the man’s hand, surprised that she wasn’t assaulted with some form of a vision. “It’s lovely to meet you.”
Thane Allen was a young Scottish actor who was rapidly becoming the next Ewan MacGregor. But he would never age the way Ewan would.
“Payton McFadden?”
She turned to find Genevieve Banks walking toward them. Genevieve was Duncan’s equivalent at Adair Medical, however, she was human.
“It’s Gunnach now.” Payton shook her hand.
“Yes, I heard you got married. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. How are you, Genevieve?”
“Very well,” she said. “I miss speaking with you every now and then.”
“I bet.” Payton smiled. “Duncan’s not as… .ah…”
“Warm?” Genevieve supplied.
“Sure, we’ll go with that.” Payton chuckled. “This is my husband, Brodie.”
Genevieve shook his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Brodie smiled his princely smile. “It’s nice to meet you, too.” He dropped Genevieve’s hand and laid his other on Payton’s back, turning to speak with Thane again.
Payton smiled at Genevieve. “I didn’t realize you knew Mr. Allen.”
Genevieve grinned. “No, I do try to keep the fact I know him a secret. He’s a bit of a ratbag, and I’m not overly impressed.”
“Is he?” Payton tried to bite back a smile.
“Not really, and admittedly I’m impressed most of the time,” she said with a sigh. “But I do like to give him a hard time. For a sex symbol and even better actor, you’d think he’d be a little more conceited. I’ve known him for ages, and everyone throws themselves at him, but he just shrugs it off. He also never ages. It’s ridiculous, not to mention wholeheartedly unfair.”
“I know what you mean. I think men just might have it easier.”
“Yes they do. How long have you and Brodie been together?”
“A long time.”
“Really? That may have been the best kept secret,” Genevieve said. “I always thought you’d end up with that drummer, what was his name? Neil or something like that?
“Niall,” Payton said, glancing at Brodie when she felt him stiffen beside her. He said nothing, so she turned back to Genevieve. “No, he and I have never been anything more than friends. Brodie and I have been ‘complicated’ for years.”
“Oh, men. They’re a pain in the arse, aren’t they?”
Payton nodded. “They certainly can be at times. Brodie figured it out, though.”
“I’m happy for you.”
“Thank you.”
“We’re ignoring our family, sweetheart,” Brodie said. “We should return.”
“Let’s have lunch soon,” Genevieve said.
“I’d love to. I’ll call you.” Payton hugged Genevieve and then led Brodie back to the table.
Brodie held Payton’s chair for her and waited until she was settled before taking his own.
What’s wrong? she asked.
Nothing I want to get into at the moment, Payton.
Before she could respond, Jack arrived with two young people who would be their servers for the evening. Joanne took their drink orders while Richard poured water, and Jack set a few of Brodie’s favorite appetizers on the table.
“You were prepared,” Brodie said with a smile.
Jack grinned. “When am I not?”
Payton sat quietly as conversation continued around her. She hated when Brodie was brooding. Others may not pick up on it, but his irritation screamed at her and she wasn’t good with unresolved issues, especially, when a conversation would probably fix what ailed him. She stood, grabbing Brodie’s hand as she pushed back her chair. “I’m sorry. I just need to borrow Brodie for a minute.”
Payton, he projected.
She gave him a sweet smile. “Just for a minute, love.”
He laid his napkin on the table and rose to his feet. “Excuse us for a ‘minute,’ please.”
Payton dragged him downstairs and back to his office, frustrated when she had to wait through two doors for him to let them in with his keycard. Once inside, she crossed her arms. “Okay, what’s going on? I’m not going to sit through dinner with you sulking.”
He shook his head. “I wasn’t sulking, and for the record, I didn’t want to do this now, because it’s something that can wait.”
“What can wait?”
Brodie sighed. “Genevieve’s comment about you and Niall. It just hit me wrong. But I will get over it.”
“In the next five minutes?” she challenged.
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “I’m trying here, Pay, but sometimes it’s harder for me than I’d like to admit. I hate that your life didn’t revolve around me back then.”
“I hate to burst your bubble, love, but it doesn’t now.” She looped her arms around his neck. “I know you’re trying and I appreciate it, but I think you need to understand that even if Niall was there physically, you were here,” she tapped her temple and then her heart, “and here. No one will ever have that part of me.”
“I suppose I forget that sometimes.” He smiled and leaned down to kiss her. “I just don’t like to share you.”
“Ditto.”
He lifted her to his height for better access to her mouth, and kissed her to the point of breathlessness. “Brodie,” she rasped.
“Hmm?” He kissed her neck and then her jaw.
“Wait. Brodie.” Her breath was coming in pants. “We’re in public.”
“My office is not the public, love,” he said as he slipped the buttons on her top.
“Someone could walk…” She couldn’t finish her thought as his mouth continued to explore.
“No one has access but me,” Brodie said, but he did step away from her and drag his hands down his face. “But we should stop and get back to our family. You drive me batty, love.”
Payton smiled, righting her clothes. “Same, baby.”
“Raincheck on this, because now I won’t be able to think about anything else.”
Payton giggled. “I’ve been in your head, and, newsflash, you can’t think about anything else, period.”
“I suppose you’re right.” He slipped her hair behind her ears and kissed her again. “That’s what happens when you’re forced to wait ten years for your mate to come around.”
“Come around?” She snorted. “Oh, please. Like I had any control over my age. Besides, even if you’d been able to bind me immediately, things would have been just the same.”
“Aye. You’re probably right.” He gave her bottom a gentle smack. “Come on, strumpet of my heart. I’m starving.”