Clan Ross: His Heart's Desire Part 15

The stores that lined the famous streets were as eclectic as the wares that were offered within. One could find anything they wanted on the old streets of the French Quarter. s.e.x shops, high-end boutiques and tourist shops could all be found right next door to each other. It was definitely a city that could accommodate any type of person or taste.

It was probably due to all of these things and more that Cat loved her city. That and the fact her family had been living there for generations.

She and Braden enjoyed a bit of walking and window-shopping for a while before they decided to head over to the Riverwalk, a long tunnel-like marketplace housing hundreds of specialty shops right along the river. They stopped for something to eat at the food court then headed back outside to the bandstand to enjoy the local jazz band.

Cat's cell phone rang and she checked the caller id, before flipping it open.

"Hey, Meags, what's up?"

"Hey, sorry to interrupt."

"You're not interrupting anything."

"Okay. Well, don't be upset, but Alec stayed over here last night."

"Why would I be mad? I'm not his keeper."

"Oh, good. Anyhow, he's the most delicious thing I've ever seen."

Cat laughed. "That's what you said about the football player before I went to Scotland."

"Yeah, but that guy didn't make my toes curl in my Docs. Oh, and the man can kiss like a . . . there are no words."

"I know what you mean. Glad you're enjoying your time with Alec."

"Do you care if he stays here? He's not really up to sharing quarters with you two."

"What? This coming from a woman who said she didn't really care for the whole Scottish guy thing? Remember he's not an elf or a naughty bad pirate."

"Very funny. I know what I said, but Alec is not like anyone I've ever known."

Cat didn't want to admit it, but she liked the idea of having Braden all to herself. Now they could get to know each other properly. Not that she didn't enjoy Alec; she did. But she and Braden had a past they needed to sort out and a future that was too uncertain for words.

"I think that would be a great. Let me check with Braden."

Cat covered her phone. "Do you care if Alec stays with my friend, Meagan?"

"Not at all. Now I'll have you all to myself."

She loved the way that man thought. "It's fine, Meagan. Take care of him for us."

"You don't have to worry about that." Meagan screeched and then giggled. "Talk to you later, Cat."

Cat stared down at her phone. "Alec's wasted no time." She laughed.

"He never did." He took her hand. "Come on, la.s.s. I have a powerful hunger."

"You just ate piglet." She laughed.

"I'm not hungry for food." The dark promise in his eyes made her weak in the knees.

"Now, why didn't you just say so?" she teased.

"Sa.s.sy wench. That's going to cost you." He wiggled his eyebrows up and down.

"Promises, promises."

"Aye, la.s.s. 'Tis a promise I plan on keeping."

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE.

Braden had kept his promise. The promise to pleasure Cat had been an easy one to keep.

As much as he wanted to keep her in bed and hide away from the world, he knew that wasn't possible. They had a great deal to address. The problem with this was, he knew Catrona had questions, and he didn't have the answers. He hated the not knowing.

One thing he did know was he loved Catrona and would do anything for her.

"Hey, handsome." Cat kissed his cheek.

He rolled over and brushed a curl off her forehead. "h.e.l.lo, beautiful." He loved how her face colored. His Catrona was not used to receiving compliments.

"I don't know about you, but I could spend the rest of my life right here in your arms."

Braden stiffened at her words.

"What's wrong, Braden?" Catrona propped herself up on her elbow.

"Nothing. Nothing's wrong."

"Don't lie to me. I felt your response to my words. You're not sure about our future together or what will become of us, are you?"

The questions and doubt in her voice were too much. Braden tossed back the covers and stalked to the French doors, throwing them open. The cool breeze drifted over his nude body. Panic and frustration were a potent combination that sent adrenaline pumping through his veins. He wanted to spend the rest of his life by her side but there was a hitch. How long was that going to be? And, although things were perfect in the privacy of their bed, he knew they couldn't spend all their time ensconced in their private world. Life never worked that way.

"Braden, why won't you look at me? Why won't you just tell me what's going on?"

Each of her words cut like a sharp knife. "Because I don't have the answers you're looking for. Why do you have to ask so many b.l.o.o.d.y questions? Why can't you simply accept things as they are?"

He regretted the words the moment they pa.s.sed his lips. He was acting like the perfect a.r.s.e. Her worries were understandable. Braden cringed inwardly at hearing the anger in his voice directed at Catrona. "I'm sorry."

He turned and faced her. She was sitting up, her glorious dark hair falling down around her in waves. Her fist clenched the sheet up to her throat, and the wounded look in her eyes almost brought him to his knees. "Catrona . . ."

"Don't. Don't say anything else." She wrapped the sheeting around herself and escaped to the bathroom.

The slamming of the bathroom door echoed in the stillness.

Braden looked back out over the street and wondered if he'd just thrown away the only happiness he'd ever known. Had he just blown the one thing he'd waited centuries to have?

Cat sat on the edge of the bathtub and wondered how their perfect afternoon in bed had turned into such a mess. She'd always had a talent for pus.h.i.+ng when she should sit back and wait. Did this qualify as their first fight?

The question of why she'd kept pus.h.i.+ng bothered her. Truth was . . . she didn't want to hear the answer. Not really. Her intuition was telling her she wouldn't like it by half.

So what should she do now? Should she walk out of the bathroom and pretend nothing had happened? Was she a talented enough actress to pull that off? Cat highly doubted it. She'd never been one for the stage and in order to be convincing she'd have to deliver an Oscar-worthy performance. Admittedly, she didn't know Braden. Not really. She knew what it felt like to have him deep inside her body. But what about the silly little things? What was his favorite color? What was his childhood like? Oh, he'd shared a little bit with her when they were still in Scotland. But she didn't know if he was a serious little boy, mischievous, or thoughtful.

What was more incredible than anything was the fact they'd shared a past. A past she didn't remember. A huge part of her worried that he was still in love with the old Catrona. Maybe the person she was now would not hold him in thrall. Another worry to add to a very long list.

Wiping away the tears that slipped down her cheeks, she stood and dropped the sheet. Before she did anything else, she'd take a shower. There were things to do like going and getting food, and checking on Meagan and Alec. When backed into a corner she'd do what she did best-find other things to focus on.

Braden heard the shower start and contemplated going to her and picking up where they'd left off . . . minus the argument.

He was in the process of doing just that when the phone rang. "h.e.l.lo."

"Braden, it's me, Alec."

Braden pinched the bridge of his nose. This was not what he needed to deal with now. His silver-tongued cousin wouldn't have made a mess of this situation. No, he'd have seduced the la.s.s into forgetting what she'd been talking about. "What do you want, Alec?"

"Meagan and I were thinking you probably hadn't filled the larder." There was whispering in the background. "I mean the kitchen, and would want to grab a bite to eat."

"Ah. Aye, we haven't any food in the place. We've been busy."

"Me too, cousin. I must say, I love the hospitality of this place." Alec chuckled.

"Alec," Braden warned.

"What is your problem? You sound grumpy."

"I'm not grumpy."

"Right. You always sound like you're chewing on nails. What did you do now?"

"What makes you think I've done something wrong?"

Alec laughed. "Ah, let's see. You lack any tact, and I know you."

"Well, either way, it's really none of your business."

"You've already made her angry and had your first fight. That didn't take long."

"What do you want, Alec?"

"You need my help. Meagan wants us to go on a tour of the Quarter. Come with us. We can grab something to eat first. I'll work my magic and help you fix what you broke."

"My, aren't you sure of yourself? And I don't need your help with Catrona."

"Yeah, buddy, you do," Alec said.

"Buddy?"

"Forget it. We'll be over in a bit."

Braden looked at the phone after Alec hung up on him. The day was going from bad to worse.

"Who was that on the phone?"

Braden spun around and faced Catrona. "Sorry, hope you don't mind. It was Alec."

She roughed the towel over her wet head. "Is he all right? What did he want?"

"I guess your friend wants to take him on a tour of the Quarter. We're going with them."

"Oh, those tours are fun."

"La.s.s . . ."

Catrona held up her hand. "We better hurry and get ready. Meagan doesn't live far from here."

Braden watched as she dropped the towel and pulled on lacy panties and bra. He wanted her again. She was so fine; a beauty inside and out. There were changes with this Catrona. She was strong and able. He liked that about her. But at the same time these changes only seemed to magnify his shortcomings.

"Are you sure you want to go? We can just tell Alec to go without us."

Catrona pulled out a s.h.i.+rt and pair of jeans. "Don't be silly. These things are fun. I wanted to take you on one too, remember?"

"I thought we could talk."

"About what, Braden? You told me you don't have the answers and there is nothing I can do to change that. Our situation is not a common one and I'm going to have to work on keeping my patience."

"You know that if I could give you a guarantee, I would."

Catrona gave him a sad smile. "Life doesn't come with guarantees."

"I guess I'd better get dressed, huh?"

"Yeah, you'd cause a riot right now and I'm not interested in watching women pawing at you."

Braden walked over and cupped her face. "You don't have to worry about my head being turned, la.s.s. You're the one I want." He sealed his words with a tender kiss, ending it before things got out of hand. "I'll be out in a minute."