Free Kilted Lover by Nicole North

boyfriend. Scott’s conscience pricked him for stealing intimacy from another man’s lady. Scott was just like the bastard Isabel ran off with. That thought almost made him nauseous.
    In the galley, he opened the hatch for Paul and squinted against the bright sunlight.
    “Man, you’re the laziest SOB I’ve ever seen,” Paul said.
    “What time is it?”
    “Almost ten.”
    “Hell, I never sleep this late.” Scott turned on the lights and ambled past Paul, toward the counter. “I need some caffeine.” He was slightly stiff and sore from the sexual frenzy with Leslie. Or maybe it was the caber tossing.
    Paul whistled. “Damn!”
    Scott turned. “What?”
    His friend’s face showed amazed glee. “Your back is carved up like a side of beef.”
    Scott reached around to touch his back. Oh, yeah, he remembered that now, Leslie’s nails digging into his back during an orgasm. It had been worth it. He gave Paul the finger and turned on the coffee maker.
    Paul howled with laughter.
    Dammit, Scott hadn’t wanted Paul to know. He should’ve put on a shirt.
    “Way to go, man,” Paul whispered.
    “Don’t say anything to Leslie. You’ll embarrass her.”
    “If you don’t want to embarrass her, you should put on a shirt.”
    “Shh.”
    The bathroom door opened and Leslie stepped out.
    “I brought y’all some bagels for breakfast,” Paul said. “Morning, Leslie.”
    “Good morning,” she said in a shy tone, a blush spreading over her face. Her lips were swollen and red, her wide eyes luminescent. She looked fulfilled and glowing. Had he done that to her? Pride spread through him along with goofy happiness.
    Paul elbowed him and held up a brown bag. “Bagels, caber-man.”
    Scott snatched it. “Thanks. You know I’ll repay every penny.”
    “No, you won’t. You’ll accept it as a gift, or you’ll find yourself another flunky.”
    “Did Murphy check out the bullet holes in my truck yet?”
    “Not before I left. I called the Sheriff’s Department but most of the deputies had been sent out on an emergency call.”
    “Damn, I wish he’d hurry.” Scott washed his hands and put the blueberry bagels on a plate. “We’ll go back with you this morning.”
    “Why?”
    “I can’t just hide out here forever. I need to talk to Murphy about setting up some kind of sting where we lure the thieves out and the cops nab them.”
    “That’s a great idea.” Leslie stopped beside him.
    “But you can’t go.” Scott opened the cream cheese.
    “Yes, I can!”
    “It’s too dangerous, Les. You’re staying here.”
    Fiery Scottish temper gleamed in her eyes. “I refuse to stay here like a wimpy little sniveling violet while you, big Tarzan, go out and fix everything.”
    “You’re not being reasonable! I don’t want you to get hurt.”
    The hatch closed with a bang.
    Paul was gone. A second later, an engine cranked. Scott ran up the steps. When he reached the deck, Paul roared out of the parking lot, burning rubber.
    “Bastard!” I’ll choke him for stranding me here. He hated being manipulated.
    Scott slammed back inside and dialed the Sheriff’s Department number on his cell phone. Murphy wasn’t in, but the dispatcher said she’d relay the message.
    “We’re never going to get out of here.”
    “Sure, we will.” Leslie spread cream cheese on a bagel half and handed it to him.
    “Thanks.” He was almost starved after all the exercise last night.
    “I’m sorry about scratching your back.”
    “It’s okay.” He’d gladly put up with a little pain in exchange for the incredible pleasure she gave him. But that was over now. Disappointment descended like dark clouds.
    “Do you want cream and sugar in your coffee?” she asked.
    He noticed the cup of black coffee sitting on the counter and kissed her forehead. “Thank you. I’ll finish it.”
    “Don’t trust me, huh?” She slipped her arms around his waist for a hug.
    He complied, disturbed by the possessiveness surging through him. Her