Hello, my beautiful and wonderful readers and reviewers! I just wanted to pop in and say thanks so much for all the lovely reviews, follows, and favorites. I'm really enjoying this trip our Chelsie has me on, and am very glad you are all still sticking with us through these rough waters. I'm sure there will be happier times ahead for our favorite couple... just not yet :(.

Thanks again, Mona xo

Charles sat behind his desk. His face was flushed with embarrassment and arousal. He was shocked by his actions. What would she say to him? She had looked so pretty sitting across him as her cheeks turned pink, and her full breasts began to rise and fall rhythmically underneath her prim and proper dress. She had looked every bit a lustful siren, her eyes silently beckoning him to proceed. He tried to shake the thoughts from his head as he felt his arousal stirring beneath his desk. He was startled by Elsie at his doorway. He looked up, expecting to see a smile and was met with a look that could stop a grown man in his tracks. She shut the door behind her and turned to him. "And just what in Gods name did you think you were doing in there, Charles Carson?" Elsie fumed, her Scottish lilt thick with anger.

Charles stood and came around from behind his desk. He was glaring at her now. "You certainly didn't seem to mind at the time." He countered, his voice deep and throaty with anger and lust. "You didn't pull away from me. Did you?" He stated leaning against his desk. Feeling a bit hurt by her reaction to his advancement, he added snidely. "Or were you unsure of who it was?"

He looked so smug. Elsie wanted to smack the look right from his face. She moved closer to him. "How dare you! I don't even know who you are right now! I've never seen such arrogance! The way you've acted towards me, the way you spoke to Ia-Mr. Tavish!" She was shaking with frustration now. Her mind muddled by her love for him. Even as her anger built, she could still feel her desire for him burning through her core. His simple gesture had unlocked a burning need she wanted him so desperately to satisfy.

He couldn't keep his eyes from her. All anger and heat. Her chest rising and falling so close to him. Her teeth biting hard into her bottom lip. "Oh your 'Ian' deserved everything I gave him!" Charles spoke back angrily. "If you would have heard the things he said. He implied you've been 'entertaining' him during my absence. Said you were 'very kind'." Charles said emphasizing his words as Ian had. "But then again, perhaps you were! I don't even know who this woman is I've come home to!"

Elsie was enraged by his accusation. She instinctively raised her hand to slap his face and he caught it mid-swing. He pulled her arm, bringing her to him. Their bodies touching, his other hand wrapping around her arm to hold her to him. Elsie's mouth parted and she exhaled, shuddering deeply. The passion and heat of anger mingled with lust and want. Feeling his strong hands on her and his solid chest pressed against her breasts she lifted her eyes to his. She was on fire for him.

Charles held her tightly to him. He was burning with scorching fury and lust, jealousy consuming him. He couldn't speak his apologies. Words could never fix what was between them now. He looked down into her pleading eyes, and he melted into her, slowly resting his forehead against hers, sharing their breaths. Moving his face against hers, he lay his cheek against her cheek. He breathed in her soft lavender scent. Gods how he had missed her. His breathing was shallow and labored as his arms began to slide around her and his lips sought the soft skin of her neck.

"Boom, boom, boom!" They broke apart in haste as they heard the knocking on the backdoor. Charles looked down as Elsie quickly exited his pantry. He tried hard to control the raging erection that was now pressing against his trousers. He had always prided himself on being able to control himself, yet having her gorgeous body pressed up against had him losing all his good sense and decency. He had lost control. Was about to do something he never thought he would. And now the moment was lost. Who could be at the door at this hour? He could hear her small steps heading toward the door and the turning of a key in the lock.

"Oh, Ian!" Elsie said, surprised. "Whatever are you doing back?"

Ian could instantly tell he walked in on something. "Hello again, Elsie. I seem to have forgotten my hat." He said smiling down at her. He saw Charles walk out into the hall from his pantry as Elsie collected his hat. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

"No, no, not at all." Elsie lied. Not knowing Charles was in his doorway watching them.

"Well goodnight again, my beautiful Lass." He said softly taking her hand and bending slowly to kiss her lips.

Elsie pulled back instantly, but it was too late. Charles had witnessed him lean in to kiss her and was unable to look any longer. He retreated to his pantry and went to his desk. He pulled himself straight and began shutting out all thought and feeling from his mind. This would not happen again. He would not do this to himself. He would not lose himself and his pride to a woman. He should have known it would never work between them. It was just a foolish dream he had held onto for far too long. He started rebuilding his walls. He would not let her in again.

"I can't Ian. I'm so sorry. I just can't." She whispered so quietly to him.

"I will not push you, Elsie. But I'm not ready to give up on you." He said looking her in the eyes as he held tight to her hand. "I will be here for you if you need anything. I will be waiting."

"You are too good to me Ian. I don't deserve your affections." She spoke honestly to him. "You are a good man."

"That I am, Lass." He winked at her as he put on his hat. "Now don't you go forgetting that."

She laughed lightly at him as he walked out the door and into the night. She locked the door behind her, then promptly turned to lean against the cool wood. She was still on fire from her encounter with Charles. She could still feel the warm wetness of her center. The gentle humming in her chest. What would they have done if not for Ian's interruption? Should she go back to him? What would he say to her? What would they do? She needed to find out. She wanted him so badly. She walked into his doorway to find him at his desk. Papers strewn about the top as he pretended to be engulfed in his work. She knew he wasn't. That he was embarrassed by his actions and was making a retreat.

"Mr. Carson." She said softly.

"Yes, Mrs. Hughes." He said in a very dignified professional manner. Not looking up from his desk.

She waited a moment for him to say something...Anything. His silence hurt her more than any words he could have spoken. "Goodnight." She managed to speak softly, while inside her heart broke all over again.