Free Her Fictional Fling: Scandals in Scotland Contemporary Romance Series Book 1 by Jo Summers Page B

never have to face the challenges that Colin endured on a daily basis. Yeah, he had plenty of advantages. He was rich, for one, and could have just about anything or anyone under the sun that he desired, but at the high cost of his privacy. The thought of that kind of existence brought so many questions to mind.
    “Colin?” she asked, and he stopped walking to give her his full attention, making her feel like she was the only woman on the planet. Jared had paid her plenty of attention, but not like this. Colin seemed to really want to hear what she had to say, rather than to break her apart. “Do you ever get tired of all this?”
    His forehead knit as he looked at her. “All of what?”
    “Just…all the fame. The people following you around with cameras and everything. Especially after what happened with your ex.”
    His eyebrows knit together and he gave her a funny look.
    Oops. She cringed and swallowed. “I…did a little research online…just to make sure you’re not, you know, a murderer or something.”
    He nodded but didn’t speak for a moment; Andi could tell that he was measuring his words carefully. “I wanted this life,” he said finally, “and I got it. Anything that comes as a result is something I asked for when I took that first major movie offer.”
    Andi waited for an explanation before realizing one wasn’t forthcoming. “That’s it?” she asked.
    “Yeah, that’s it,” he said, turning around to continue walking, his tone colder than she’d heard it since meeting him, as if her question had caused him to shut down, which of course only further increased her curiosity. How many regular people like her got the chance to spend time with a celebrity? She might even be able to use this experience in a book if she ever decided to write one with a contemporary setting. Colin still held her hand in his, so, despite his sudden change of mood, she had the gumption to probe a little further.
    “But what about the paparazzi? What if you ever decide to have a family and they won’t leave you alone? How could you stand it?”
    He kept walking for a few steps, staring straight ahead at the sidewalk toward their mystery endpoint until suddenly, he stopped and faced her, his eyes stormy and unreadable.
    “That’s not something I have to worry about, seeing as how I’m not interested in marriage, and I won’t have a child without it.”
    A flood of sadness came out of nowhere. What did she care whether or not he ever had a family?
    Colin’s eyes had softened by the time Andi looked back up at him.
    “It’s not that I don’t like kids—I do very much, actually—it’s just that I don’t see them in my future.”
    Andi shook her head as if to say it was none of her business, which it wasn’t. But for some inexplicable reason, the thought of Colin never having a child saddened her. “No, it’s okay. I shouldn’t have pried. I know how you feel, actually. I’m getting to the point where I’m not sure I’ll ever meet the right guy.”
    Colin nodded and reached for her hand again. They kept walking.
    “I do want a family, though,” she said, so quietly that she wasn’t sure he heard her.
    After a few minutes, he turned and flashed Andi the grin that women across the globe adored, the storm clouds from a few minutes ago gone from his eyes. “Here we are,” he said, slowing his steps to a halt.
    Andi looked over his shoulder as Colin held out an arm. The boutique behind him was definitely not what she’d expected. She squinted at him. “Are you sure this is where you meant to take me?”
    “Absolutely,” he answered.
    “You’re positive this is the right place?”
    “Andi, I don’t have time for games, so yes, I’m sure.”
    “But it’s a—”
    “A lingerie shop—yes, I know.” His voice softened. “Just trust me, Andi.”
    She shook her head, backing away from both Colin and the looming store, the windows of which displayed exquisite panties and bras in enticing jewel