His heavy hand suddenly rested on her thigh, and she placed hers over it without thinking.
This was a dangerous game she was enjoying. Pretending to be Greyson’s wife made it easy to fantasize about what it might be like in reality. Again, she reminded herself that this was far from real.
That didn’t stop the rush in her pulse when he leaned over and brushed a kiss to her ear. “Scotland is at its most beautiful in the spring, but it’s got nothing on my wife.”
She grinned, meeting his eyes for a moment. “It’s gorgeous here.”
“I stand by my statement.” He winked.
God, he was sexy and dangerous and…not hers. She cleared her throat and looked back out the window. New high-rise condos lined the river in juxtaposition with the historic Scottish buildings as they drove through Glasgow. Her breath caught as the Glasgow Cathedral came into view.
Greyson leaned over and whispered, “It’s older than me, lass.”
She laughed before she could scold him about keeping to his backstory. She looked his way, and he took her hand, his Savannahian accent back in place. “I was picturing Scotland being full of kilts and highlanders.”
The cab driver peered at them in the rearview mirror but didn’t say anything.
She squeezed Greyson’s hand. “I think it’s beautiful.”
When they arrived at the rental agency, she paid the taxi, rented their blue Ford Focus, and then settled into the right-hand driver’s seat.
“Okay, I haven’t driven on this side of the road since I went to London for…a fashion show.” She checked the mirrors, eager to change the subject.
Amber Smith had never been to London. Shit.
She needed to keep her head in the game and finish this mission. She never should have allowed herself to get physical with him. It further blurred the lines between their undercover operation and reality.
Greyson’s gaze warmed her skin. She didn’t need to turn to know he was watching her. She’d never experienced anything like their connection. Was she going to miss him when he was gone? She pushed the thought away, not willing to think about it right now.
He broke the charged silence in the car. “What are you hiding from me?”
“Nothing.” She glanced his way. “Amber’s never been to Europe. I hate slipping like that.”
He chuckled. “No one else is in this car.”
“I know, but the mission is important to national security. I have to stay connected to my cover story.” She adjusted the mirrors, avoiding making eye contact. “The Tyrfing is dangerous. If I screw this up, people will die. Our whole country could be threatened if it fell into the wrong hands. I have to find the sword and lock it back inside the vault before someone gets hurt.”
She put the address of the rendezvous into her phone and sighed as she looked over at Greyson. “Apparently we’re a little ahead of schedule. According to Google, we’re only twenty minutes away, but the meeting isn’t for another two hours. We can’t show up this early without raising suspicions. We’re supposed to be a married couple on vacation.” She studied their surroundings from the parking lot. “Any suggestions to pass the time?”
He shook his head. “The only thing I recognized on the way over from the dock was Glasgow Cathedral.”
“That could work.” She looked over at him. “It’s probably open, and we could blend in as sightseeing Americans.”
He scratched his freshly shaved chin, his Savannahian accent firmly in place. “Works for me, love.”
There was the pet name again. She never should have told him to call her that. Now she couldn’t be sure if he was just playing his part or…of course he was playing his part, and she shouldn’t be even questioning it.
She put the cathedral in her phone and pulled out of the rental car lot, embracing the extra focus required to drive on the opposite side of the road. It kept her from looking at him. It was tough not to pepper him with questions about Scotland and how it had changed since he’d last been there, but she managed. Right now, he wasn’t Greyson Till, he was Greg Smith from Savannah, and he’d never been to Scotland before.
She parked in front of the cathedral and gasped. “It’s massive.”
He nodded and surprised her by saying, “Yes, it sure is.”
She’d gotten used “aye.” Hearing him say “yes” seemed foreign, but she appreciated his effort to maintain their backstories.
They got out of the car, and he came around and took her hand. “I’ve heard the stained glass is incredible.”
“Let’s get a selfie.” She took out her phone and held it out, checking for the right angle to get the cathedral spire in the picture with them.
“Want me to take it for you?”
She looked up to find a priest holding out his hand. Her heart raced. She couldn’t let him have her phone. There were too many secrets stored inside. Somehow, without a word, Greyson saved her. He handed his phone to the elderly man in the black robe with a grin. “Thank you, Father.”
Greyson slid his arm around her waist, his hand gripping her hip as they stayed close together. His thumb brushed her bare skin just under the hem of her shirt, reawakening her memories from their shower together earlier.
The priest handed the camera back to Greyson. “Honeymoon?”
Aura chuckled, shaking her head. “Vacation. We’ve been married for five years.”
He smiled. “Welcome to Scotland. I’m Father MacDairmids.” He scanned the area before looking at them again. “There are usually tours. Maybe you’re early?”
“Nah, we didn’t join a tour.” Greyson shook his head. His accent still surprised her every time. “We like exploring on our own.” He looked at her with a spark in his eyes. “More fun that way. Right, love?”
Way too much fun. She grinned and turned to the priest. “We can’t stay long. Is there anything here we should definitely check out?”
He had a warm smile and shiny blue eyes as he named off a few features, but she was barely listening. Aside from being keyed up about the meeting, Greyson’s thumb was tracing a lazy figure eight on her hip just above the waist of her pants.
She glanced over at him, but all his attention was on the priest. He had to know what he was doing to her right now. Two could play this game.
She wrapped her arm around him, trying to slide her hand up his back, but his polo was tucked into the khakis, keeping her from touching his skin. He stole a look her way and winked, confirming he was well aware of his intimate touch and that she couldn’t return fire.