Free Loch and Key by Shelli Stevens Page A

her mind and heart wouldn’t allow her to simply jump into bed the minute her hormones begged for it.
    “Did he apologize?”
    Kenzie glanced up to see Delonna pulling her blonde hair back into a ponytail.
    “Brett?”
    “Brett and Carl both owed you one it sounds like.”
    “Carl, somewhat. Brett, aye. He did.”
    “Did he explain why he disappeared on you?”
    “Said something about him not doing serious.”
    “And he figured you were looking for a ring?” Delonna rolled her eyes. “Typical guy.”
    “Who’s looking for a ring?” Aleck wandered out from the room at the back of the pub. His gaze skimmed the dining room before sliding back to Delonna and Kenzie. “Not one of you, I hope.”
    Delonna gave a low laugh. “Bitch, please, I’m not getting married until I’m at least twenty-six.”
    Kenzie smirked. At any other job, someone might’ve gotten fired, if not written up, for calling their boss a bitch, but for these two it was everyday banter.
    “Twenty-six?” Aleck arched a brow. “That’d be in, what, ten years or so?”
    “Right, because I just had my sweet sixteen last week.” Delonna swatted a towel at his arse as he walked by.
    He laughed and deftly avoided the stinging slap. “Watch it, or I’ll have to properly discipline you.”
    “Oh, you’re not offering to turn me over your knee are you, boss boy?” She batted her lashes. “Because, I gotta say, I’m kind of into that kind of thing.”
    Kenzie glanced over at her brother just in time to see shock and a tiny bit of interest flicker in his eyes as he stared at Delonna, but then it was gone and he gave a small shake of his head.
    “You are the epitome of trouble, Delonna.”
    “So I’ve been told.”
    When Aleck disappeared out onto the dining floor again, Kenzie turned to her friend.
    “I swear you have some sick reverse sexual harassment thing going on here with him.”
    “He likes it.”
    “I have no doubt, actually. It’s probably a good thing you’re involved with someone or he’d be tempted to go after you.”
    Delonna snorted and glanced off to where Aleck had disappeared. “He’s so busy chasing skirts he doesn’t even notice me.”
    Kenzie gave a small grunt in reply. Delonna was safe from her brother for the time being. Not only was she a bit young for him, but he stayed away from taken women and Delonna had been in a relationship for the past year.
    “Speaking of being involved with someone.” Delonna cleared her throat. “Did James and I keep you awake last night? We were a little loud.”
    Oh yes, Kenzie had heard Delonna and her boyfriend being a bit noisy in bed on more than one occasion. But then that was likely the joy of having a roommate.
    “Not last night. I was out like a light from exhaustion.”
    “Okay, good. I always get worried…”
    “No need to apologize, Delonna. You’re having fun and I have nothing against that.”
    Delonna grinned. “Oh, James is most definitely fun. He does this thing with his beard—”
    “And you can stop at fun!” Kenzie ran the words together, covering her ears with her hands. “I can’t unsee that shite in my head now, damn you.”
    Delonna’s laughter followed her as Kenzie made her way back into the dining area. Her footsteps faltered at the sight of the vase of gorgeous flowers on an empty table and the card next to it.
    Flowers that hadn’t been there a few minutes ago.
    Frowning, Kenzie moved to pick them up and spotted her name on the card.
    Her gaze flew to the table across the way where an older couple sat eating.
    “You didn’t happen to see who dropped this off, did you?”
    The pair shrugged.
    “I think I saw a young man come in a moment ago,” the woman replied, “but we were enjoying our fish and chips and didn’t pay much attention. But those are lovely flowers, dear.”
    Aye, they were.
    “Thank you,” Kenzie murmured absently and carried the card and flowers to the back room.
    She set them down at Aleck’s desk and admired