Ian (Las Vegas Sidewinders Book 15) Read online

  4

  Everly was too shocked to move at first, and the guy who’d just dumped a veritable bathtub of champagne on them looked up guiltily. She was up against Ian’s hard, strong chest and despite the ridiculous circumstances, her heart pounded a little harder from the feel of being so close to him. He was amazingly strong, every inch of his torso rippling with muscles. And he smelled good too. Wow, had she had too much champagne or what? She should have been embarrassed, but all she felt was giddy. And maybe a little warm.

  “Bloody hell.” Ian caught his friend’s arm, quickly stabilizing Everly, his friend and the big trophy all at once. “Sorry,” he said to Everly. “He’s had a bit to drink, but he’s mostly harmless. I apologize on his behalf.”

  “Jesus, Tore, what the hell, man?” Another one of Ian’s friends came over and grabbed the one named Tore.

  “I’m sorry.” Tore wrinkled his nose. “I mean, she was already wet, so…”

  “Here you go.” Len appeared with a handful of towels and a T-shirt. “Go on and clean up in the restroom—T-shirt’s on the house.”

  “Thank you.” She took the shirt and towels and reluctantly pulled away from Ian, who seemed to be looking at her with as much interest as she felt, and probably an equal amount of frustration.

  “Go get cleaned up, lass,” he said softly. “I’ll be right here.”

  “Okay.” She headed back down to the restrooms. She took off her T-shirt and got one of the towels wet so she could use it to wipe off the champagne. It would undoubtedly be sticky once it dried, so she wiped her arms and torso as best she could and then used a second towel to dry off. She contemplated taking off her jeans and holding them under the hand dryer but the thought of squeezing back into damp jeans wasn’t appealing, so she didn’t bother.

  Finally, when she’d done the best she could, she pulled on the T-shirt the bartender had given her and twisted her own shirt to get out as much champagne as possible. She stuffed it in an outside pocket of her backpack and stared in the mirror ruefully. She’d never wanted a hot shower so badly in her life, but since that wasn’t going to happen right now, she went back up to where Ian was waiting at the bar.

  “Everly, I think yer phone’s okay now.” Len handed it to her. “Looks charged.”

  “Oh, thank god.” She took it from him and glanced down. Then her eyes widened in shock. “Oh my god. We’ve been talking for nearly three hours!”

  How had so much time passed? Everly felt a moment of panic as she realized how late it was. Her car was in a ditch, she hadn’t checked into her hotel, and she still hadn’t called her credit card company.

  “What’s wrong?” Ian asked softly. He’d changed out of his wet shirt too, now also wearing a T-shirt with the pub’s logo on it.

  “I didn’t realize how late it was. I have to call the car rental company and my credit card company… I don’t know what I’m going to do if the rental company can’t send anyone. I’m going outside. It’s too loud in here. I’ll be right back.”

  “Take your time.”

  “Thanks.” She gave him a little smile before disappearing out the front door.

  “Scared her off?” Dax asked, grinning at Ian as he approached him. “Or did Tore do that for you?”

  “Bloody Tore.” Ian shook his head. “Just when I was getting somewhere.”

  “Uh-huh.” Dax cocked his head. “You gonna go for it?”

  “I was thinking about it, but now she probably can’t wait to get away from me.”

  “I doubt that.”

  Ian looked in the direction she’d gone and then turned back to him. “So, what happened to the brunette?”

  Dax shrugged. “A little too pushy.”

  “You’re not going to marry her, mate, and you’ve been in a dry spell.” Ian glanced over at the young woman who was still sending Dax flirtatious smiles. “It might be good to get it out of your system a few thousand miles from home, you know?”

  “True.” Dax looked over at the brunette too, who waved. “Yeah, maybe I’ll go talk to her again.” He walked in that direction just as Everly came back in.

  She sank down on the bar stool and gave Ian a grin. “Well, the good news is that my credit card is turned back on so I’m not vagrant anymore.”

  “And the bad news?” Ian cocked his head.

  “The rental car company can’t send anyone out until tomorrow sometime and they don’t have any more cars with automatic transmissions. I don’t know how I’m going to get around.”

  “Can’t drive a stick?” he asked.

  “I can, but it’s been ages. They’re not as popular in the U.S. and, honestly, relearning how to drive a stick while also driving on the left side of the road in a place where I don’t know my way around seemed too much for me. So I might be screwed.” She sighed.

  “I’m sure one of the lads here can give you a ride to your hotel.”

  “My suitcases are still in the car,” she said, “and I need to get them before the rental company sends a tow truck.”

  “I can’t drive you myself,” Ian said regretfully, “since I’ve been drinking all day, but let me call my sister and we’ll get your stuff and take you to your hotel.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Don’t give it a second thought.” He pulled out his phone and called Isla, his twin sister.

  “You’re done for the night already?” she asked as she answered, a hint of surprise in her voice.

  “Maybe,” he hedged. “But I need a favor. Can you come up to the pub? I’ve a friend whose car broke down and we need to get her to her hotel.”

  Isla hesitated. “A friend? A female friend?”

  “Can you just come down? Thanks.” He disconnected. If he hadn’t cut her off, she would have asked him a dozen questions he didn’t want to answer in front of Everly. His twin was a great lady, and they were close, so she would come and help him just because he asked. He’d undoubtedly pay for it in questions once they were alone, but he definitely didn’t want to do it now.

  “Boy, if it wasn’t for bad luck, I wouldn’t have any luck at all today,” she said sadly.

  He reached out and gently lifted her chin. “It hasn’t been all bad, has it?”

  She shook her head and then her smile was back. “No. Not at all. It’s been kind of wonderful. Except for the car. And the phone. And the champagne tidal wave.”

  He chuckled. “But the steak and ale pie—come on, that was a highlight.”

  “And a very cute Scottish hockey player.” She nodded. “Things might be starting to look up.”

  Despite her smile, Ian noticed Everly was shivering. He reached for his leather jacket and slid it around her shoulders.

  “You look cold,” he said quietly.

  “Thank you.” Her eyes met his. “Meeting you definitely turned my day around, despite all the mishaps.”

  “It’s honestly been my pleasure. Isla will be here any minute and we’ll pick up your stuff and get you to your hotel.”

  “I’m sorry to ruin your evening and put your sister out.”

  “Believe me, you’ve been a bright spot in my evening too. And anyway, I’ve been partying with these guys for three days and we started drinking at nine this morning… I’m ready to get some rest.”

  “I’ve been up since yesterday,” she admitted. “I slept a few hours on the plane, but I’m wiped. I can’t wait to get to my hotel, take a shower and crash.”

  “There’s Isla.” He squeezed her shoulder as he waved to his sister.

  “Hello!” She came over to them smiling, looking at Everly with open curiosity.

  “Everly, my sister, Isla. Isla, this is Everly. She’s a photojournalist here on business and had a bit of bad luck. Do you mind taking her to her hotel?”

  “Of course not.” Isla smiled. “Nice to meet you.”

  “You’re very kind,” Everly said. “Both of you. Today could have been a lot worse if not for your brother.”

  “Ian’s a good lad.” Isla grinned. “Are you ready to go?”

  “Yes.” Everly got to her feet and started to hand Ian back his jacket.

  “I’m coming too,” Ian said, “so keep it on. You’re still cold.”

  “Thank you.”

  Ian went over to tell the guys he was leaving and then followed Isla and Everly out to the car.

  “Do you remember where your car is?” Ian asked her.

  “It was on the main road,” she said. “I walked about fifteen minutes to get here. I was heading toward Edinburgh when I went off the road. It looked like farms on both sides.”

  Ian was thoughtful. “Probably east.” He gave Isla directions and let Everly sit in the front so she would be able to see better. It was raining and pitch-black out, so finding her car might not be that easy, which was why he’d opted to come along. He was also holding out hope that perhaps he could get the car out of the ditch himself, depending on where it had ended up. And if he couldn’t do it tonight by himself, he could probably get the guys to help in the morning so Everly wouldn’t have to deal with the rental company.

  “There!” Everly pointed excitedly and Isla eased her car onto the shoulder. The three of them got out and looked down at the compact car firmly settled in the mud. Though it wasn’t deep enough to cause a bad accident, the incline was certainly steep enough to be difficult to drive the little car back onto the road. Ian figured he’d come back tomorrow with a truck and a tow chain. They dealt with this kind of thing often around here, so it wouldn’t be a big deal. Unfortunately, he couldn’t do it tonight.

  “Let’s get your things,” he told Everly. “And tomorrow, I’ll come back with a truck and get it out of the mud for you.”

  “I can follow up with the rental company,” Everly said automatically.

/>   “Don’t be silly.” Isla nudged her. “Let him be a gentleman—it’s such a rare sight.”

  “Thanks a lot!” Ian called to his sister, laughing. “Toss me your keys, Everly.”

  She did as he asked and he made his way down to the car, opening the trunk and pulling out her suitcase. It was a big one and fairly heavy. His feet sunk into the mud, covering his running shoes and seeping into his socks. Under any other circumstances, carrying it would have been no problem, but in these conditions, he had a feeling it wasn’t going to go well—neither for him nor the suitcase.

  “You’re going to fall,” Everly said, quickly coming down the incline and joining him.

  “I’ve got it,” Ian said, lifting the suitcase over a rock and trying to pull his foot out of the mud.

  “Here, let me—” Everly began, reaching for the suitcase.

  “No, I’ve got it,” Ian protested, as he tugged his foot harder.

  The rock against his foot broke free, sending a bunch of surrounding rocks in every direction and causing him to lose his balance. Everly reached for his arm but he was so much bigger and heavier that as he toppled over, she went with him, sliding through the mud and landing on top of him just as the suitcase bounced off another rock and burst open.

  5

  Everly cried out as she landed against Ian’s rock-solid chest and they both settled into the wet mud. Holy hell, had she ever touched a man as rock-hard as he was? This was the second time tonight she’d been up against him and it was a phenomenal place to be. They were pressed together, from shoulders to hips, and she didn’t feel anything but muscle. Was he even real? She had the craziest urge to press her hands on his torso and cop a feel right here. Which was ridiculous considering the circumstances.

  “Are you all right?” Ian looked up at her worriedly.

  “Yes. You?” She reached out to brush a drop of blood from his lip. “I’m sorry, I think I got you with my elbow. Your lip is cut.”

  “It’s nothing.” He gave her a lopsided grin.

  “Bloody hell, what did you two do?” Isla came down the incline from a different angle, where it wasn’t quite as steep or wet.

  “Oh, no.” Everly’s eyes widened as she focused on her suitcase. “My clothes…”

  Isla looked toward the suitcase and grimaced. She hurried in that direction and did her best to put everything back in before she closed it. “You’re going to need a new one,” she said slowly. “Looks like the zipper’s broken.”

  “Shit.” Everly slowly got to her feet, almost wiping out again, but Ian grabbed her and they found a flatter place to get their footing.

  “I’m sorry,” Ian said quietly. “I’ll buy you a new suitcase. That was my fault. I’m not all that drunk, but I guess the day caught up to me and the weight of the suitcase with this mud was too much.”

  Everly sighed. She wasn’t sure what to say since it wasn’t anyone’s fault and her bad luck seemed to be back in full force.

  “All right, time to call in reinforcements,” Isla said quickly. She went back up the hill and to the car, while Ian and Everly did their best to get out of the mud.

  “I’m so sorry. I’m not usually a disaster like this but…” Everly’s voice trailed off and she suddenly hung her head. Twenty-four hours of one mishap after another was starting to overwhelm her and tears crept out before she could stop them. She leaned against the car, trying to hide her face from Ian.

  “Are you crying?” Ian’s voice was soft, close to her ear as he slid an arm around her. “I’m truly sorry, Everly. Please don’t cry. Everything’s going to be okay.”

  “It’s not your fault,” she sniffled. “I did it to myself. I worked right up until my deadline and was up half the night packing. Then my Uber didn’t come so I almost missed my flight and I think I left my charger in the cab. I should have taken the time to exchange dollars for pounds at the airport but I was tired and then I totally forgot to call my credit card company before tonight…” To her horror, she burst into tears.

  “Hey, it’s okay. Nothing has happened that we can’t fix. Really.” He pulled her close and she sobbed into his chest, mortified to be doing this with a guy she barely knew but had already started to like. Instead of portraying the strong, independent woman she usually was, she was falling apart and making a fool of herself.

  “It’s going to be okay,” Isla called down to them. “Phay’s coming.”

  “Who’s Phay?” Everly asked in a whisper.

  “He runs our estate,” Ian said quietly. “Kind of like a housekeeper, but for the outside stuff. Cars, the lawn, maintenance… He’ll bring the truck and get us sorted.”

  Everly didn’t even try to wipe her eyes as she moved away, unwilling to look at him after losing her composure like that.

  “It’ll be okay,” Ian said again, looking down at her. “Trust me.”

  For some reason, she did. She didn’t know this guy from Adam, and with the luck she’d had today, he was probably a serial killer, but at this point she didn’t even care. She just wanted to be warm and dry again. If he killed her, well, at least he was cute.

  Within ten minutes a pickup truck rolled up and a balding middle-aged man in overalls got out. He had what looked like a chain and wore high rubber boots, so he came down the embankment grinning at Ian. He handed him a couple of large plastic garbage bags and told him to put the suitcase in one so it didn’t mess up the rental car, and the other on the passenger seat so Ian could steer. Then he hooked up the chain to the back of the car, climbed back up the embankment and started his truck.

  Ian got in the rental, put it in gear and managed to get it out of the mud and up the embankment. Everly and Isla climbed up on foot and then they stood together on the shoulder of the road.

  “If you come out to the house, miss,” Phay said, “I can clean up the car for you and it’ll be right as rain.”

  “Oh, I couldn’t—” Everly began.

  “Don’t be silly,” Isla interrupted her. “You’ve had quite the day. Come on out to the house, and let Phay clean up the car. I can throw your dirty clothes in the washer and by morning you’ll feel like a million bucks.”

  Everly looked from Phay’s earnest face to Isla’s friendly one, to Ian’s, which now had streaks of blood mingled with the mud. Boy, when she messed up, she really messed up, and these people were offering her a way to get her trip back on track. Part of her realized how stupid it was to go home with these strangers, but at the same time, she wasn’t getting any creepy vibes, and if she’d been at home in Seattle, she might have gone home with a guy like Ian. He was special, even though she normally didn’t trust people in general. It was the sad reality of her life because of her family’s past, but Ian was different. Not just rich and handsome, but kind and caring, with the ability to make her feel safe for some reason.

  “Okay,” she said softly. “I really appreciate all the help.”

  “We’ll go with Phay and then he and Isla will come back for your car since we’ve both had way too much to drink.”

  “I feel terrible inconveniencing everyone.”

  “We’re not going far,” Ian told her, taking her hand and guiding her to Phay’s truck. “You sure you’re okay?”

  “I’m getting there.”

  “Well, you can relax when we get to the house… It’s just up here.”

  They got in the truck and Phay guided them down the two-lane highway for about a mile. Then he turned right, onto a small road, and up ahead in the distance was…a castle? She squinted. “Is that your…house?”

  “It is.”

  “Holy shit.” She cut a quick glance in his direction. “Seriously?”

  “Seriously.”

  “Wow. You actually live in Huntington Castle?”

  “I do.”

  “You’re not going to shove me in a dungeon somewhere, are you?”

  He chuckled. “Only if you ask nicely.”

  Their eyes locked for a brief moment and she quickly turned away, hoping she wasn’t blushing. She was too tired for that kind of sexual innuendo, so she focused on the beautiful structure before them as Phay pulled the truck to a stop.

  “If you give Phay your keys, he’ll take care of everything.”

  “Let’s bring her suitcase into the work shed,” Phay called out to them. “We’ll put it up on the table and she can see what’s what.”