The Perfect Match

What kind of trouble, he didn’t say, but Janine could guess all too easily. “I agree with you.”

“The less time we spend together, the better.” He paused when he noticed that she was standing in front of the bus stop.

“If we allow Gramps to throw us together, it’ll just encourage him,” she said. “We’ve got to be very firm about this, before things get completely out of hand.”

“You’re right.” Without asking, he took the rest of the packages from her arms, adding them to the bags and parcels he already carried. “I rented a car. I don’t suppose you’d accept a ride back to the inn?”

“Please.” Janine was grateful for the offer. They’d started off badly, each blaming the other, but fortunately their relationship was beginning to improve. That relieved her. She’d much rather have Zachary for a friend than an enemy.

They spoke very little on the twenty-mile ride back to the Bonnie Inn. After an initial exchange of what sights they’d seen and what they’d purchased, there didn’t seem to be much to say. They remained awkward and a little uneasy with each other. And Janine was all too aware of how intimate the confines of the small rented car were. Her shoulder and her thigh were within scant inches of brushing against Zach, something she was determined to ignore.

The one time Janine chanced a look in his direction, she saw how intent his features were, as if he was driving a dangerous, twisting course instead of a straight, well-maintained road with light traffic. His mouth was compressed, bracketed by deep grooves, and his dark eyes had narrowed. He glanced away from the road long enough for their eyes to meet. Janine smiled and quickly looked down, embarrassed that he’d caught her studying him so closely. She wished she could sort out her feelings, analyze all her contradictory emotions in a logical manner. She was attracted to Zach, but not in the same way she’d been attracted to Brian. Although Zach infuriated her, she admired him. Respected him. But he didn’t send her senses whirling mindlessly, as Brian had. Then again, she didn’t think of him as a brother, either. Her only conclusion was that her feelings for Zach were more confusing than ever.

After thanking him for the ride and collecting her parcels, she left Zach in the lobby and tiredly climbed the stairs to her room. She soaked in a hot scented bath, then changed into a blue-and-gold plaid kilt she’d bought that afternoon. With it, she wore a thin white sweater under her navy-blue blazer. She tied a navy scarf at her neck, pleased with the effect. A little blush, a dab of eye shadow and she was finished, by now more than ready for something to eat.

Zach was waiting to be seated in the dining room when she came downstairs. He wore a thick hand-knit sweater over black dress slacks and made such a virile sight she found it difficult not to stare.

The hostess greeted them with a warm smile. “Dinner for two?”

Janine reacted first, flustered and a little embarrassed. “We’re not together,” she said. “This gentleman was here before me.” Anything else would negate the agreement they’d made earlier.

Zach frowned as he followed the hostess to a table set against the wall, close to the massive stone fireplace. The hostess returned and directed Janine to a table against the same wall, so close to Zach that she could practically read the menu over his shoulder. She was reading her own menu when Zach spoke. “Don’t you think we’re both being a little silly?”

“Yes,” she admitted. “But earlier today we agreed that being thrown together like this could lead to trouble.”

“I honestly don’t think it would hurt either of us to have dinner together, do you?”

“No…I don’t think it would.” They’d spend the entire meal talking across the tables to each other, anyway.

He stood up, grinning. “May I join you?”

“Please.” She couldn’t help responding with a smile.

He pulled out the other chair, his gaze appreciative. “Those colors look good on you.”

“Thanks.” She had to admit he looked good—darkly vibrant and masculine—himself. She was about to return his compliment when it dawned on her how senselessly they were challenging fate.

“It’s happening already,” she whispered, leaning toward him in order to avoid being overheard.

“What?” Zach glanced around as though he expected ghostly clansmen to emerge from behind the drapes.

“You’re telling me how good I look in blue and I was about to tell you how nice you look and we’re smiling at each other and forming a mutual admiration society. Next thing you know, we’ll be married.”

“That’s ridiculous!”

“Sure, you say that now, but I can see a real problem here.”

“Does this mean you want me to go back to my table and eat alone?”

“Of course not. I just think it would be best if we limited the compliments. All right?”

“I’ll never say anything nice about you again.”

Janine smiled. “Thank you.”

“You might want to watch that, as well,” he warned with a roguish grin. “If we’re too formal and polite with each other, that could lead us straight to the jewelers. Before we know what’s happening, we’ll be choosing wedding bands.”

Janine’s lips quivered with a barely restrained smile. “I hadn’t thought about that.” They glanced at each other and before either could hold it in, they were laughing, attracting the attention of everyone in the dining room. As abruptly as they’d started, they stopped, burying their faces in the menus.

After they’d ordered, Janine shared her theory with Zach, a theory that had come to her on their drive back to the inn. “I think I know why Gramps arranged for us to meet in Scotland.”

“I’m dying to hear this.”

“Actually, I’m afraid I’m the one responsible.” She heaved a sigh of remorse. Every part of her seemed aware of Zach, which was exactly what she didn’t want. She sighed again. “When Gramps first mentioned the idea of an arranged marriage, I tried to make him understand that love wasn’t something one ordered like…like dinner from a menu. He genuinely didn’t seem to grasp what I was saying and asked me what a woman needed to fall in love.”

“And you told him a trip to Scotland?” Zach’s eyes sparkled with the question.

“Of course not. I told him a woman needed romance.”

Zach leaned forward. “I hate to appear dense, but I seem to have missed something.”

Pretending to be annoyed with him, Janine explained, “Well, Gramps asked me to define romance…”

“I’d be interested in learning that myself.” Zach wiped the edges of his mouth with his napkin. Janine suspected he did it to cover a growing need to smile.

“It isn’t all that easy to explain, you know,” Janine said. “And remember this was off the top of my head. I told Gramps romance was forbidden trysts on Scottish moors.”

“With an enemy clan chieftain?”

“No, with the man I loved.”

“What else did you tell him?”

“I don’t remember exactly. I think I said something about a moonlight stroll on the beach, and…and desperate passion.”

“I wonder how he’ll arrange that?”

“I don’t think I want to find out,” Janine murmured. Considering how seriously Gramps had taken her impromptu definition, she almost dreaded the thought of what he might do next.

When they’d finished, their plates were removed by the attentive waiter and their coffee served. To complicate her feelings, she was actually a little sad their dinner was about to end.

They left the dining room, and Zach escorted her up the stairs. “Thank you for being willing to take a risk and share dinner with me,” he said, his voice deadpan. “I enjoyed it, despite the, uh, danger.”

“I did, too,” Janine said softly. More than she cared to admit. Against her better judgment, her mind spun with possible ways to delay their parting, but she decided against each one, not wanting to tempt fate any more than she already had.

Zach walked her to her room, pausing outside her door. Janine found herself searching for the right words. She longed to tell him she’d enjoyed spending the evening with him, talking and laughing together, but she didn’t know how to say it without sounding like a woman in love.

Zach appeared to be having the same problem. He raised one hand as though to touch her face, then apparently changed his mind, dropping his hand abruptly. She felt strangely disappointed.

“Good night,” he said curtly, stepping back.

“Good night,” she echoed, turning to walk into her room. She closed the door and leaned against it, feeling unsettled but at a loss to understand why.

After ten restless minutes she ventured out again. The country garden was well lit, and a paved pathway led to rocky cliffs that fell off sharply. Even from where she stood, Janine could hear the sea roaring below. She could smell its salty tang, mixed with the scent of heath. Thrusting her hands into her blazer pockets, Janine strolled along a narrow path into the garden. The night air was cool and she had no intention of walking far, not more than a few hundred feet. She’d return in the morning when she planned to walk as far as the cliffs with their buffeting winds.

The moon was full and so large it seemed to take up the entire sky, sending streaks of silvery light across the horizon. With her arms wrapped aroung her middle, she gazed up at it, certain she’d never felt more peaceful or serene. She closed her eyes, savoring the luxurious silence of the moment.

Suddenly it was broken. “So we meet again,” Zach said from behind her.

“This is getting ridiculous.” Janine turned to him and smiled, her heart beating fast. “Meeting on the moors…”

“It isn’t exactly a tryst,” Zach said.

“Not technically.”

They stood side by side, looking into the night sky, both of them silent. During their meal they’d talked nonstop, but now Janine felt tongue-tied and ill at ease. If they’d been worried about having dinner together, they were placing themselves at even greater risk here in the moonlight.

Janine knew it. Zach knew it. But neither suggested leaving.

“It’s a beautiful night,” Zach said at last, linking his hands behind his back.

“It is, isn’t it?” Janine replied brightly, as if he’d introduced the most stimulating topic of her entire vacation.

“I don’t think we should put any stock in this,” he surprised her by saying next.

“In what?”

“In meeting here, as if we’d arranged a tryst. Of course you’re a beautiful woman and it would be only natural if a man…any red-blooded man were to find himself charmed. I’d blame it on the moonlight, wouldn’t you?”

“Oh, I agree completely. I mean, we’ve been thrust together in a very romantic setting and it would be normal to…find ourselves momentarily…attracted to each other. It doesn’t mean anything, though.”

Zach moved behind her. “You’re right, of course.” He hesitated, then murmured, “You should’ve worn a heavier jacket.” Before she could assure him that she was perfectly comfortable, he ran his hands slowly down the length of her arms, as though to warm her. Unable to restrain herself, Janine sighed and leaned against him, soaking up his warmth and his strength.

“This presents a problem, doesn’t it?” he whispered, his voice husky and close to her ear. “Isn’t moonlight supposed to do something strange to people?”

“I…think it only affects werewolves.”

He chuckled and his breath shot a series of incredible light-as-air sensations along her neck. Janine felt she was about to crumple at his feet. Then his chin brushed the side of her face and she sighed again.

His hands on her shoulders, Zach urged her around so that she faced him, but not for anything would Janine allow her gaze to meet his.

He didn’t say a word.

She didn’t, either.

Janine experienced one worry after another, afraid to voice any of them. Zach apparently felt the same way, because he didn’t seem any more eager to explain things than she did. Or to stop them…

After a moment, Zach pressed his hands over her cheekbones. Leisurely, his thumbs stroked the line of her jaw, her chin. His eyes were dark, his expression unreadable. Janine’s heart was churning over and over, dragging her emotions with it. She swallowed, then moistened her lips.

He seemed to find her mouth mesmerizing. Somewhere deep inside, she discovered the strength to warn him that her grandfather’s plan was working. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could utter a single word, Zach’s arms came around her and drew her close against him. She felt his comforting warmth seep through her, smelled the faint muskiness of his skin. The sensations were unlike anything she’d ever known. Then he lowered his mouth to hers.

The immediate shock of pleasure was almost frightening. She couldn’t keep from trembling.

He drew back slightly. “You’re cold. You should’ve said something.”

“No, that’s not it.” Even her voice was quivering.

“Then what is?”

In response she kissed him back. She hadn’t meant to, but before she could stop herself, she slipped her arms around his neck and slanted her mouth over his.

Zach’s shoulders were heaving when at last she pulled her mouth away and hid her face against his chest.

“What are we doing?” he whispered. He broke hastily away from her.

Janine was too stunned to react. In an effort to hide his effect on her, she rubbed her face as though struggling to wake up from a deep sleep.

“That shouldn’t have happened,” Zach said stiffly.

“You’re telling me,” she returned raggedly. “It certainly wasn’t the smartest move we could’ve made.”

Zach jerked his fingers roughly through his hair and frowned. “I don’t know what came over me. Over us. We both know better.”

“It’s probably because we’re both tired,” Janine said soothingly, offering a convenient excuse. “When you stop to think about it, the whole thing’s perfectly understandable. Gramps arranged for us to meet, hoping something like this would happen. Clearly the power of suggestion is stronger than either of us realized.”

“Clearly.” But he continued to frown.

“Oh, gee,” Janine said glancing at her watch, unable to read the numbers in the dark. Her voice was high and wavering. “Will you look at the time? I can’t believe it’s so late. I really should be getting back inside.”

“Janine, listen. I think we should talk about this.”

“Sure, but not now.” All she wanted was to escape and gather some perspective on what had happened. It had all started so innocently, almost a game, but quickly turned into something far more serious.

“All right, we’ll discuss it in the morning.” Zach didn’t sound pleased. He walked through the garden with her, muttering under his breath. “Damn it!” he said, again shoving his fingers through his hair. “I knew I should never have come here.”

“There’s no need to be so angry. Blame the moonlight. It obviously disrupts the brain and interferes with wave patterns or something.”

“Right,” Zach said, his voice still gruff.

“Well, good night,” Janine managed cheerfully when they reached the staircase.

“Good night.” Zach’s tone was equally nonchalant.

Once Janine was in her room, she threw herself on the bed and covered her eyes with one hand. Oh, no, she lamented silently. They’d crossed the line. Tempted fate. Spit in the eye of common sense.

They’d kissed.

Several minutes later, still shaking, Janine got up and undressed. She slid under the blankets and tried to find a relaxing position. But she didn’t feel like sleeping. Tomorrow she’d have to make polite conversation with Zach and she didn’t know if she could bear it. She was sure he’d feel just as uncomfortable with her. She’d seen how he could barely look at her when they entered the inn.

Tossing aside the blankets, Janine decided she had only one option. She’d leave Scotland, the sooner the better. Grabbing the phone, she called the airport, booked a seat on the earliest flight home and immediately set about packing her bags.

Not bothering to even try to sleep, she crept down the stairs a little before midnight and checked out.

“You’re leaving sooner than you expected, aren’t you, Miss Hartman?” the night manager asked after calling for a cab.

“Yes,” she said.

“I hope everything was satisfactory?”

“It was wonderful.” She pulled a folded piece of paper from her purse and placed it on the counter. “Would you see to it that Mr. Thomas receives this in the morning?”

“Of course.” The young man tucked it in a small cubbyhole behind him.

Satisfied that Zach would know she was leaving and wouldn’t be concerned by her hurried return to Seattle, she sat in a chair in the small lobby to wait for her cab.

About fifteen minutes later, Janine watched silently as the cabdriver stowed her luggage in the trunk. She paused before climbing in the backseat of the car and glanced one last time at the muted moonlit landscape, disappointed that she wouldn’t have an opportunity to visit the cliffs.

The ride to the airport seemed to take an eternity. She felt a burning sense of regret at leaving Scotland. She’d fallen in love with the country during her short visit and hoped someday to return. Although the memory of her evening stroll through the garden would always bring with it a certain chagrin, she couldn’t completely regret that time with Zach. In fact, she’d always remember the fleeting sense of contentment she’d felt in his arms.

Janine arrived at the airport long before her flight was scheduled to leave. She spent an hour drinking coffee and leafing through fashion magazines, several of which she took with her to give to Pam later.

A cup of coffee in one hand, she approached the airline counter with her passport in the other. The bag she had draped over her shoulder accidentally collided with the man standing next to her. An automatic apology formed on her lips, but before she could voice it, that same man turned to face her.

“Zach,” she cried, nearly dropping her coffee in shock. “What are you doing here?”

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