Millionaire's Society Mistress (4 page)

“I do not like the idea of Fiona being used and hurt…as you most probably know there is nearly 11 years between us, a big age gap and sometimes I feel more like a father than a brother to her and to be honest Craig I am very uncomfortable about this”.

Sitting back Craig had regarded the other man carefully.

“Well this arrangement is one of convenience. Not something I had foreseen, but the only real explanation that anybody is going to believe to justify why I don’t put somebody else in charge of the Company. To be honest Scott, I have neither the time nor the inclination to look for your replacement and if we can work together then I would rather go down that route”.

Scott had nodded softly

“I understand that” his look becoming softer

“And If as you say you really do not want to strip the Company down or make huge sweeping changes, then yes I think that we can work together….I just do not want to see Fiona hurt”

Giving a smile Craig had chuckled softly

“Nope…I have zero interest in stripping down your company, and having it as is will actually add a nice exotic element to my portfolio. As for Fiona” his eyes meeting Scot’s

“She is more than capable of taking care of herself. It would take a braver man than I to try and hurt that young lady”

Scott Campbell’s loud laugh had filled the room as he had relaxed visibly in his seat

“You have known her one day and realised that…in that case good luck Mr Thompson…my sister is hell in high heels” the two looking up as she had entered the dining room, frowning.

Having rushed putting the flowers into a vase, not sure how the two would react on their own she had placed the large spray on the chest of drawers looking at the two men with confusion

“What is so funny?” she had demanded, as they had both laughed again, a knowing smile passing between the two.

The breakfast had been surprisingly fun Craig had realised later. The brother and sister had been attentive hosts, the conversation quickly turning friendly as the two men had seemed to settle into their unspoken truce. Craig surprised to find that it had been Fiona herself who had prepared the sumptuous feast, complimenting her as her brother had given her a playful look.

“Do not be fooled Craig…she burns more. I sometimes think that the smoke alarm is the dinner bell” Fiona giving him a withering sisterly look as she had raised her chin in mock indignation.

“Well you don’t look so bad on my cooking” Craig laughing at the siblings’ interactions, once more enjoying her sense of humour.

As Fiona had hesitantly turned the conversation to her part as his “mistress” she had looked warily at him.

“How should we play this?”

With a small look over at Scott Craig had laid out his plan

“It would be best if you moved into my home” quickly adding seeing the way brother and sister had looked at each other “I have had a room made up for you…but it will give the story some credence”

Fiona had nodded slowly

“Yes…I guess that is true”

Craig relieved that she was being so pragmatic

“Do you have a live in housemaid…cook?”, she had asked warily, seeing as he had shaken his head.

“No, I prefer my privacy, which will make it even easier to pull off than gossipy staff ruining a good cover story”.

Nodding she had felt a small prickle of unease, not sure why the thought of spending so much time alone with the enigmatic and attractive American should bother her so much.

As he had left Craig had felt more confident that the plan and the agreement with himself and Scott would work. He had been surprised to be invited to tour the Company later that day, Fiona giving a shy smile as she had explained.

“Well it would be nice for you to actually see what we do…many people will ask, plus it will give us a chance to be seen together”.

With a small smile he had agreed, arranging a time for later that day, as he had also recommended that she move into his house after the tour.

As the door had closed Scott had regarded his sister with a small frown.

“He is not exactly what I expected” his comment as with a raised eyebrow she had asked him to elaborate. Looking carefully at his sister he had hesitated before continuing

“He actually seems a nice enough guy, but you do of course realise that his intentions towards you are not as innocent as he would make out?”

Blustering slightly at her brother’s declaration she had given a small nervous laugh before lifting her small chin defiantly.

“After all he has put us through he cannot believe that I would do any more than the minimum that is expected of this deal”

Scott Campbell giving a loud laugh

“Poor Craig. He has no idea what he is getting himself into”.

However as she had disappeared back up the large hallway he had given a small frown. His sister was smart and able to handle the many men who had tried to catch her attention, but Craig Thompson was very different from those men, Scott wondering if she truly knew what she was letting herself in for.

Later that day Craig had entered the main showroom of the Company he had just bought over. The area was laid out in true Scottish manner, even the carpet brandishing a tartan design. He had never really taken the time to research the Company, solely interested in the fact that it was the main provider to all of the top families in the country, but he had eyed the show room with appreciation.

His eyes had taken in the many wonderful furnishings, recognising the unmistakable design of Mackintosh furniture, instinctively knowing that they were the originals and worth a considerable amount of money. The two young assistants had looked at each other with surprise as he had entered, both he knew already realising that he was the new owner. Together they had stepped forward, both dressed in traditional kilts, Craig having to admit that they looked good in the outfits as he had smiled warmly at them both.

“Welcome Mr Thompson” one had said with a shy smile Craig returning the look and greeting.

“I have an appointment to meet …” stopping as Fiona herself had moved into the area. She looked breathtaking. Also dressed in a tartan skirt and crisp white blouse, her long black hair falling around her shoulders pulled up at the sides in ornate Celtic clips she had moved forward to greet him.

“Craig…punctual as usual”

With eyes that had travelled appreciatively down her he had stepped forward to meet her, surprising Fiona as he had pulled her in closer dropping a small kiss on her large red lips. While he had felt her surprise, she had played along, falling against him before pulling back and giving a small blush as the two assistants had stared open mouthed at the way the two had greeted each other.

“Darling…you should warn me” she had drawled softly, her eyes flashing a small warning at him as he had grinned back “Sorry … but you know what you do to me” his twinkling mischievously as she had held out her hand for him “Let me show you around”.

As they had moved from the main entrance, he had given a small grin, already seeing as the two young women had started to whisper fervently to each other, knowing that his plan was going to work.

Finally alone she had dropped his hand, turning to fix him with eyes which held a more dangerous light

“In future Craig, I would very much appreciate it if you did not do that…at least not without discussing it with me first”

He had chuckled

“Now how else would your boyfriend meet you Fiona?”

Surprised to see discomfort in her eyes, looking disbelievingly at her

“Seriously…do you make them bow and scrape to you?”

Fiona giving him a haughty look “I expect them to be respectful…not provide public shows for all and sundry to gossip over”.

Giving another smile he had moved forward

“Good job this is under my rules then…and I do like public shows of affection, especially when the point is to start gossip…I hope that you can deal with that because believe me we are doing this under my rules”

Balling her hands by her side she had glared back at the man before her, he holding her look with one full of mockery, Fiona wanting to scream at him, before she had turned calming herself. It was for a month, only a month she had told herself. She could play the game if it meant saving their Company.

“Fine” she had managed to bite out moving forward to where her brother waited for them to give the tour of the large production Company.

Craig had no idea that there were so many different tartans. Finding the tour both fascinating and interesting as the brother and sister had explained the significance of the brightly coloured cloth. As they had reached the fitting room a fitter had moved forward towards Craig with a respectful smile.

“Did you know that you have your own family tartan?”

Fiona had asked, Craig looking over at her with surprise

“No…I had no idea. Thompson is not exactly Scottish sounding” his voice questioning, wondering if she was joking with him

Pulling open a sample book he had been surprised to see the material with the Thompson name over it.

“Actually you have many different patterns to choose from…….but I thought that this was the most attractive”

Her lovely face smiling as he had looked at her in confusion

“Well…yes…I like it”

With a large smile she had beckoned the fitter forward

“Good, in that case we will get your measurements for a fitting and make sure that you have everything you need”

Looking at her with a determined shake of his head he had made to move back

“No….I really don’t think I would suit a kilt”

Fiona looking him up and down with a mocking look of her own

“Oh I don’t know…. you have the build for it” her tone becoming more business like

“Besides…if you really want to be taken seriously Mr Thompson…then you will need to dress the part. After all you did just buy yourself the biggest tartan suppliers in the world”.

Giving a sigh of frustration he had pulled off his suit jacket inclining his head in defeat

“Well when you put it like that Miss Campbell…”

Fiona giving a small laugh as she had moved from the fitting room to allow him privacy for his fitting.

Craig had been surprised with all the bits and pieces which accompanied the traditional outfit. The array of accessories: belts, buckles, hoses, brogues, kilt pin not including the outfit itself which consisted of kilt socks, sporrans, prince Charles jackets and waist coat and even the small knife which he had struggled to pronounce, the sgian-dubh. He had tried on a full outfit the fitter calling Fiona in when he was ready.

As she had moved back into the room, her eyes had grown wide seeing the man before her. He was stunning, the most handsome man she had ever seen, resplendid in the highland outfit. Seeing her reaction Craig had been glad that he had gone through with the fitting.

“Do I look OK?” he had smiled seeing as Fiona had dropped her eyes, moving around him in the need to pull herself together, her voice husky.

“Y…yes…you look good” stopping before him her eyes full of a fire he had not seen there before, whispering softly “Very good” dropping her look to hide the embarrassment which had filled her.

With a small groan he had hooked his finger under her chin, lifting it to look down into those warm green eyes. This time as he had moved his head to kiss her she had risen to meet him their kiss soft to start, before he had deepened it his arms pulling her in harder to him. The small cough of the fitter had seen the two break apart, Craig confused with the desire for this woman tearing through him, glad of the weight of the sporran, hiding his need at that moment.

With a flick around her she had given a small laugh, stepping quickly back from the American who was bringing such chaos into her normally so orderly life. Scott who had left them briefly to take a phone call had moved into the room also, his face smiling seeing Craig in full traditional dress.

“You look great” he had cried, his tone genuine as the other man had grinned back, Scott’s tone full of fun “Want to be the new poster boy of the Company?”

Craig chuckling as he had shaken his head with determination.

“Got to tell you Scott…not hating it…kind of like it…never thought I would say that about myself in a skirt”

The three other people in the room had taken deep breaths as they had shaken their heads

“Never refer to the kilt as a skirt Craig…never, never, never”

Craig surprised at the reaction, giving a smile.

“OK…lesson one…never liken a kilt to a skirt” the others smiling and nodding as finally having pulled herself together Fiona had moved to the door her voice once more officious.

“You need some ghillie shirts too” her eyes moving to the fitter who was trying to hold down the smile.

“Gavin…make sure Mr Thompson had several ghillie shirts…make them black…We will wait outside” leaving to allow him to change back into his suit.

As she had waited Fiona had paced backwards and forwards not understanding the way this man, this despicable man who was more interested in who she knew than who she was, could make her feel so…she had stopped not able to precisely put a word to how he made her feel – angry, frustrated, irritated yet all he had to do was to look at her with the darkest eyes she had ever seen and her whole insides seemed to flip. Breathing deeply she had muttered to herself

“Keep it together Fiona. Do not let him get to you” Spinning around and blushing as the man so in her thoughts had whispered so close to her, praying he had not heard her.

“I have a question for you?” Craig having entered the room unheard had asked with humour in his tone.

“A…anything” she had managed trying not to show how flustered she was.

“Now is it true what they say about what a man wears under his kilt?”

Fiona’s mouth twitching at the question

“Well yes…true Scotts men wear nothing under their kilt…but I would not advise it”

Craig raising his eyebrow in surprise

“Oh? And why is that” seeing as she had smiled broadly back.

“Well firstly…you are NOT a true Scotsman but most importantly Scottish girls have a tendency of looking”