Good Girl Gone Plaid Read Online Free PDF Page A

anger through his blood.
    He didn’t think about it much. Couldn’t go there in his head, because it was all such a mind fuck.
    “There’s a reason the past is behind you.” Aleck’s quiet words resonated through the warm haze the Glennfidich had left.
    “Aye. And it’ll stay there, no need to worry about that.”
    “Good. No need to be digging up old dirt. Besides, you’ve got Gina now. I’d almost wager you’re serious about her.”
    Ian’s lips quirked. Almost serious meaning he’d been casually dating her for two months. Or really, they’d mostly just hooked up. Though in his world, that was nearly a lifetime.
    The only exception had been Sarah. They’d been together for almost seven months. His half-smile faltered and he shook his head. That didn’t mean much—only that he’d been young and stupid.
    “Damn, Ian. Who shit on your parade?”
    The soft feminine question had him glancing up and giving a slow grin to Delonna, the bartender scheduled to work the swing shift.
    “A fourteen-thousand-pound elephant, if you’d believe it,” he murmured and gave her a glance over. “Hello, Delonna.”
    Her wavy blonde hair was drawn up in a ponytail and her blue-green eyes were narrowed on him with open curiosity.
    She was young, maybe twenty-three, and an absolute stunner. She always brought in a good amount of tips on the nights she worked. Or at least she had when they’d worked together years ago. Who knew how she did now, though he assumed just as well. He hadn’t worked at the pub in years. Except for helping out if he was available now and then on a busy day.
    He’d asked her out several years ago. Once. And she’d turned him down gently, using the “better off friends” line. It had been hard not to take offense at the time, even if nowadays she was just like another little sister to him.
    “Seriously. You look all brooding and scary. Like, more than normal. Are you and Gina fighting?”
    Gina. No, they hadn’t been fighting. Hell, they hadn’t even spoken in days.
    “No, we’re doing grand.” Though grand might’ve been pushing it.
    “He ran into an ex-girlfriend,” Aleck called out from the other end of the counter.
    Delonna glanced down his older brother’s way. “Really now? That can have the potential to wreck anyone’s day.”
    “It didn’t wreck my day, dammit. It just threw me. I haven’t seen her in years.” And then when he did, first chance he’d got, he’d made her feel like shit.
    “Wait, is this the ex-girlfriend? Like, the one from your teenage years who left you a complete mess?” She cleared her throat when Aleck shot her a sharp look. “Or, ugh, so I heard.”
    “A little discretion, Delonna?” Aleck muttered as his scowl darkened.
    She had the decency to flush. “Right. Let me just look that word up again. Always good to see you, Ian.” She shook her head and moved out from behind the bar, making her way to the kitchen.
    “Sorry, sometimes her filter is a bit rusty,” Aleck apologized as he stared after the blonde bartender.
    “It’s Delonna. Not much of a surprise there. We forgive her because she’s got a lovely arse.”
    “Watch your mouth,” Aleck grumbled, glancing away from the retreating blonde. “You shouldn’t be checking out her arse.”
    “I’m not. Actually haven’t in years. She’s all yours.”
    His brother grunted and shook his head. “She’s practically a child. Far too young for my liking. Besides, the last thing I need is a woman right now.”
    “Ballocks. You should be getting laid, and often.”
    Aleck threw his head back and laughed—a low, rumbling sound that resonated in the bar.
    “I never said I wasn’t enjoying the female companionship, little brother.”
    Ian grinned and shook his head. “Aye. You’re a true McLaughlin. You taught me everything I know.”
    “Not everything.” Aleck’s amusement seemed to fade some and his eyes clouded. “You should go see Gina. It’ll take your mind off