The MacGregor Brides by Nora Roberts

better than that.” With a laugh, Diana shook her head. “Sweetheart, Daniel MacGregor wouldn’t have put anyone in your path—particularly an attractive man—unless he knew all there was to know, and then some. According to him, Royce Cameron comes from strong stock.”
    “That’s just his Scottish bias.”
    “And you’re his eldest granddaughter.” Diana’s smile softened. “A delicate position your father and I put you in.”
    “I don’t see what— Oh.” She stood when she caught the movement in the doorway. “Royce.”
    “Sorry, your receptionist said you weren’t busy, and to come up.”
    “That’s all right, I …” She detested being flustered. Was uneasy acknowledging that he could fluster her simply by existing. “Mama, this is Royce Cameron.”
    “I’m so pleased to meet you.” Diana rose from the desk to hold out a hand. She found herself being assessed by cool blue eyes.
    “I’m sorry.” Royce smiled at her. “I was just seeing what Laura’s going to look like when she flowers. She’s very fortunate in her heritage.”
    Smoothly done, Diana mused. “Thank you. My husband says that the Comanche wear their bones well. I’m sure you want to speak with Laura. I hope to see you again, Mr. Cameron. Laura, I’ll have a word with Ian on that matter we were discussing.”
    “Thanks.”
    “Your mother is … impressive,” Royce murmured when Diana slipped out and shut the door. Then he turned to Laura. “Comanche?”
    “Yes, my mother’s part Comanche.” She rose slowly, almost in challenge. “So am I.”
    “I’d have to agree with your father. You wear your bones well.” He stepped closer, moving around the desk until they were face-to-face. “Is your brother hiding in the storage closet?”
    She had to chuckle. “Not at the moment.”
    “Well, then.” Watching her, he slipped his arms around her waist and drew her slowly close, closer, saw her lashes flutter as he lowered his mouth to touch hers. “I’ve got to see you, Laura. Alone.”
    “I know. I want … It’s just that everything’s so complicated now, and … Kiss me again. Just kiss me again.”
    Not patient this time. Not gentle. She could taste the impatience, the frustrated desire that echoed inside her and the promise of heat and speed.
    “I should have hit him harder.” His hands slipped to her hips to bring her more intimately against him. “I’m going to go find him and hit him again.”
    “No.” Laura tangled her fingers in his hair. “Let me do it.”
    “Tell your secretary you’re going to lunch.”
    “It’s ten in the morning.”
    “A really early lunch.” Royce nipped her jaw, then went back to her mouth. “And it’s going to last most of the day.”
    “I really can’t.” His lips trailed down her throat and made her skin sing. “I shouldn’t.” Then came back to hers and set her heart leaping. “Okay, just let me—”
    “Laura, do you have the file on—” Caine MacGregor froze, the doorknob still in his hand. And stared narrowly at the man who was currently devouring his little girl. “Excuse me,” he said, just coldly enough so that no one would suspect he meant it.
    “Dad.” Laura cleared her throat, wiggled free of Royce and cursed the flush that burned her cheeks. “I was— We were—”
    “Were what, Laura?” Dismissing her, Caine measured the man. “And you would be … ?”
    “Royce Cameron.” A well-toned wolf, was Royce’s impression. He didn’t think the gray at the temples of the bronze hair would affect the man’s fangs whatsoever. “And I was kissing your daughter.”
    “I’ve eyes in my head, Cameron,” Caine said, in a tone that would have made his own father swell with pride. “Security, right? Shouldn’t you be making someone’s business safe, instead of kissing my daughter in the middle of the morning?”
    Royce tucked his thumbs in his front pockets. He hadn’t gotten around to shaving yet, certainly hadn’t intended to see Laura