Bound by Blood (Cauld Ane Series) by Tracey Jane Jackson

I love red.”
    Sam followed him to the kitchen and watched as he pulled cabinet doors open looking for glasses and plates. Then it dawned on her that he’d hijacked her evening.
    * * *
    Kade watched her surreptitiously, hoping she wouldn’t object to him being there. When Payton delivered the message that Samantha had wanted a quiet night in, he’d been philosophical about her decision…for about an hour. Then he’d realized he had no idea how he’d get through the evening without seeing her.
    Payton mentioned she’d given Samantha the number of the local pizza delivery place, and he’d called the store at least four times before her order was confirmed. Once it was, he changed the delivery address to his and put his plan in motion.
    He was somewhat taken aback by how fast his heart raced as he waited for her to open the door. He felt like a teenage boy with his first crush all over again. She’d answered the door, and he’d nearly bound her right then and there. She was stunning in no make-up and her hair pulled away from her face.
    Kade went through the kitchen looking for what he needed. She watched him, but not in suspicion. More like curiosity with a little confusion mixed in.
    He set the corkscrew on the counter and glanced up at her. “I’m sorry, Samantha, have I pushed my way in? Would you like me to leave?”
    She seemed to contemplate the question for a few seconds and then she leaned over the counter and hummed. “That depends. If you leave, do I get to keep the wine?”
    He shook his head. “No. It’s a package deal.”
    She wrinkled her nose. “In that case, please stay.”
    Kade laughed. “I see where I lay in your list of priorities.”
    “What can I say?” She grinned and opened the pizza box. “I’m ruled by food and drink.”
    He grinned and poured her a glass of wine. She grabbed serviettes and took two large slices of pizza, setting them on her plate. Carrying her wine and food to the sofa, she set everything on the coffee table. Kade followed.
    She sat cross-legged on the couch, her back against the armrest, and smiled. “So, is there something new with the blood samples?”
    “Hmm?”
    “Why you’re here. I thought maybe you needed to discuss work.”
    He shook his head as he sat facing her. “Honestly, I just thought we could get to know each other.”
    “Oh. Okay.”
    “Is that all right?”
    Sam reached for her plate. “I guess that depends on what that means. I don’t like to mix business with pleasure, so to speak.”
    This was going to be harder than he thought.
    “Well, we’ll keep it professional, then.” He sipped his wine. “You had some questions that I thought I might be able to shed some light on.”
    “The royalty one?” Sam grimaced. “Just ignore that. I’m chalking it up to my ignorance of the Scottish monarchy.”
    “No, you’re not entirely far off.”
    “Oh, really ?”
    “My lineage is long and complicated.”
    “What do you mean, long and complicated?”
    “Well, from what I understand, it started in Iceland over a thousand years ago and brought our clan, our family, here.”
    “You have roots that far back?” she asked.
    He refrained from telling her that his lineage went back a lot longer than that. He wanted to ease her in. “Yes. Fiona’s doing some research, and that’s what we’ve found so far.”
    “Wow. History fascinates me.”
    “Me too.”
    “I can trace my ancestors back to the Civil War, I think, but that’s not nearly as impressive.” She sipped her wine. “Tell me about yours.”
    “I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours.”
    Samantha chuckled. “I’ll tell you what I know, but seriously, I don’t think it’ll have much of a wow factor.”
    Kade shifted in his seat. She was going to drive him mad before he could bind her, he was sure of it. “Let me be the judge of that,” he said.
    “Okay. Fire away.”
    “Iceland was under Norwegian rule until 1380. That’s when we came under the control of the