Chapter 9 9

'She's amazing, I'm lucky to have met her and we have so much in common.' Rose beamed, smiling at the mention of her new best friend. Rob smiled too, obviously pleased.

'She had a rough time when our mother passed, I like seeing her smile again, it's been a long time since she was this happy. I guess I have you to thank for that.' Rob's distracted by the counter assistant bringing him a large box, smiling his way with doe eyes.

'There you go Mr Munro, sorry it took a while. Aggy had'nae set up the regular orders yet.' The girl blushed his way and fumbled with the box a little as he took it in one hand. Nodding down with a casual gesture, oblivious of the girls blushing and obvious crush on him; he smiled back at Rose.

'Better get these up to the church, the old biddies will eat me alive if their book club meeting is biscuit less.' He waved at the girl behind the counter, causing another wave of furious blushing and placed a hand on the small of Roses back unexpectedly. 'I'll walk you out Penny.'

Rose was too stunned to resist and too homed in on just how many tingles his touch caused, to refuse, he guided her forward out the already open door into the blinding sun before he removed his hand as he went into his pocket for car keys; it was then that Rose spotted the familiar black car parked across from them.

'Where are you parked?' He asked absentmindedly as he pressed his key, the car beeped and flashed before making a tell-tale unlocking noise. Rose looked around for a moment, mind blanked and taking a second to actually think of the response.

'I'm not... I walked here for some exercise and a change of scenery after a morning of sketching over my desk.' She moved to walk off and leave him to get to his car, but that hot firm hand came straight back to the small of her back immediately.

'I'll drop you home if you want? It's hardly out of my way, seeing as the church is practically in the manor drive.' He smiled her way, giving her no choice as he was manhandling her effectively and as much as she wanted to refuse she found her feet following him to his car and standing politely back while he deposited the box in the boot. He ushered her around to the other side and opened her door for her, guiding her in effortlessly before closing it after she slid in.

Rose suddenly felt awkward, confined in the small space as he got in and realised she would rather have walked, had stupidly allowed him to coerce her without any resistance. She had no clue how to behave around him and up until ten minutes ago, had only felt hostility towards him. Now she was somewhere between shyness and well, nervousness. It was too late to refuse a lift now, she was sitting in his overly priced man machine and already scared to touch any of the array of buttons and levers littering the dash.

'That's a really pretty dress.' He cut into her thoughts, making her blush unexpectedly as she skimmed her hands over her lap nervously, to smooth out the floral summer dress; it was knee length and a little floaty. He was putting on his seat belt and she followed suit, aware that his eyes did a small skim over her legs.

'Umm thanks, I like vintage looking clothes I guess, girly clothes.' She couldn't look at him as he started the car, a hand coming to behind her seat as he turned to look out the back window and reverse out of the parking space; he felt a little too close for comfort and her heart rate was elevated.

'It suits you. I wish Abs would dress less like a homeless kid and dress a bit more like you, she has a severe weakness for ripped jeans and t-shirts with offensive logos. Maybe you will rub off on her in time.' He winked at Rose and this time she knew for sure she blushed, annoyingly so. She couldn't help but smile though, he was right about Abby, she did have a weakness for t-shirts with tongue in cheek prints and a tad rude. She was a student and she definitely dressed the part.

'Abby is a rebel, give her time to find her own style and she will eventually outgrow all her cannabis leaf tops.' She watched the road go by, the passing scenery as he got them out of town and knew this trip would be brief. It was only 2 miles to the manor opening and hers was less than 50 yards further.

'Yeah, I guess. She's a lot like my mum was. Feisty and stubborn and loves to get a reaction from people.' He smiled again, only it didn't reach his eyes and Rose felt a little tug of sadness for him, she couldn't imagine what losing your mother would be like; the thought didn't bear thinking about as her own sweet mother's face flitted across her mind's eye.

'She is that.' Rose giggled softly, trying to avoid the topic of death, which was still a sensitive area for her too. 'I have yet to see her dressed up for the dance though, I have no idea what to expect.' Rose tried to relax back in her seat, but it was proving difficult when a muscular arm was stretched beside her as he tensed it on his steering wheel and rolled up his sleeve, exposing tanned skin and well-defined forearms. He obviously worked out and Rose's instant reaction was to inhale quickly and look away.

'Knowing her, something revealing or outrageous.' He frowned and looked in his rear-view mirror, a serious look on his face.' Like I said... Abby likes a reaction.'

'In general, or does she just like winding you up?' Rose laughed, looking back at the perfect profile and square jaw. He was clean shaven but there was a hint of five o'clock shadow that gave him a rugged look.

'Oh, it's definitely to wind me up. She loves nothing more than sending me into heart failure. Payback for being a shitty brother when she was tiny.' He smiled Rose's way and then nodded as the opening to her cottage loomed before them too quickly. 'Home sweet home.'

Rose smiled and felt a tad disappointed that it was over already, from disliking him she was warming to him and wouldn't have minded a longer car ride to continue this chit chat. He pulled up in front of the cottage and jumped out as she was unclipping her belt. Coming around to open her door and give her a helping hand to get out of the low car. She felt another blush creeping up when her hand hit his and was enveloped by it as he pulled her up and out. He took the bag of confectionaries from her and walked her to her door.

Rose almost grinned with the sheer old-fashioned chivalry that was completely unexpected. Surprised with his gentlemanly manners. He waited on her unlocking her door before handing her back her bag and stooping to scoop up a suddenly appearing Muffin, who came running like a bat out of hell at the door opening.

'Whoa there tiny.' He smiled and ruffled Muffins fur. 'Cute and somehow you.' He smiled lazily back at Rose and then held Muffin out to her, accepting her little bundle of fur, who immediately went into licking overdrive, she smiled back.

'Yes, I guess he is. Thank you. For the lift.' She hesitated, unsure why this felt awkward and then held her smile frozen on her face as he made to leave.

'My pleasure Penny. Guess I will see you around.' He turned on his heel and walked off casually towards his car, the confident stride of a man with a lot of sex appeal. He turned when he got to his side of the car and waved, standing as she moved inside with a small wave of her own as she cuddled in her wriggly fluffball and shut the door to block him out, stretching at the spy hole to watch him slide into his car and expertly pull away smoothly.

Rose turned and sunk back against the door, only too aware of how her face was flushed and her breathing shallow. Her body a little too on high alert for her liking.

Okay, so he had an effect on her! She would have to be dead from the waist down not to appreciate his gorgeousness.