Chapter 21 #2
“Loosen your grip,” he whispered in her ear, doing his best not to get distracted by her intoxicating scent. He adjusted her hands on the hammer before letting go. “Do it as we practiced. Ye will be fine.”
She nodded, looking up at him with a smile of gratitude, her face a little flushed.
She was beautiful at that moment, and she certainly was not immune to him. He had always known that, but it never ceased to please him whenever he confirmed it.
He could not believe she was going to be his. He could not wait for the Highland games to come to an end so that he could have her all to himself.
Even though the Highlands came together in harmony on days like this, he was not unaware that there were lairds who hated him and were willing to attack him with whatever they perceived to be his weakness.
His family and his daughter had always been his weakness, and more often than not, he did all he could to ensure they couldn’t take any of them to spite him. He suspected that one of his enemies would attempt to do the same with Violet.
At that moment, it became clear to him that he might not be levelheaded if she was hurt because of him. She had become the most tender of his weaknesses, and he suspected that losing her would break him in ways he had never imagined.
He loved her.
That realization came with fear, because even though he liked to believe himself strong, he had never been able to protect anyone properly, and he was bringing her into his life, into the danger he constantly lived in.
The choice felt selfish, and he knew that, but he could not bring himself to care. He needed this woman in his life, no matter what the fates decreed.
In this moment, he was going to enjoy having her in his arms, sweet and pliable, bask in her sweet smile, and hope that one day, when danger lurked, he would be able to protect her.
After patting her hand, he stepped back and watched her swing the hammer several times before letting go. It landed barely two feet ahead of her, and he could hear the crowd boo.
A frown creased his brow, and he turned to glare at the crowd until the boos died down. Then, he took her hand and led her away past the laughing lairds to the castle.
“Ye did well,” he said once they were out of earshot.
“I do not think so,” she muttered, looking down at her feet. “I think I brought Clan McLeod to shame.”
“Nay, ye didnae,” he soothed, lifting her chin so that she was forced to look into his eyes. “We are proud of ye. Remember, ye just started to learn last week. Ye have done really well for a beginner. I am proud of ye.”
“The other lady, she was a natural. I could not even throw properly after all your lessons.”
“The McGregor lass?” he asked, and she nodded miserably.
“She has been participating in this competition for the past five years, and this is the first time she has thrown the hammer perfectly. The first time she tried to pick it up, its handle hit her temple. She had a swollen face this big,” he said, showing her his fist.
He was obviously exaggerating, but it was clear Violet felt pity for the lass from the look of concern that crossed her face. He wished to remedy the situation and bring back the smile he liked on her face,
“The second time, the handle disengaged from the shaft, missing. It was very funny, and everyone talked about it for years. Of course, she didnae find it funny,” he continued with a smile.
“The third time, she attempted to throw it, but it landed in front of her, barely missing her toes. That one was ridiculous. I still cannae explain exactly what she did to end up with that result. The fourth time, she threw it, but it landed flat on its side. So ye see, this was the first time she got it right. Ye are definitely much better than she was at the beginning.”
“Thank you for saying that,” Violet said with a smile that tugged on his heartstrings
“I meant it,” he murmured, seeing the uncertain look on her face. “I’m nae saying this to flatter ye.”
She nodded timidly.
“If ye daenae trust yerself,” he teased, “then trust yer teacher.”
“Yes, very high praise, indeed,” she quipped, leaning into his touch.
At that moment, he wanted nothing more than to kiss her.
“McLeod,” he heard Logan call.
That tone usually meant he was with people from other clans.
It was time for Ruaridh to return to the games, even though he was unwilling to part from his betrothed.
“I have to attend to me duties,” he said apologetically.
“I understand,” she assured with a smile, stepping back. “It’s sparring, right?”
“Aye.”
“Prove Sienna wrong,” she said simply, with a mischievous smile.
“Looks like me sister has been talking a little too much.”
“I like it. How else am I to know all your little secrets?” Violet teased.
“Nae all of them, though, I hope.” He chuckled.
“I can be very persuasive,” Violet murmured.
“Well, ye can use yer persuasive skills on me, then,” he said with a laugh, before stepping out the door.
Logan was there alone.
“It is time. Ye will have enough time with yer lady later,” he said, earning a glare.
He simply laughed, enjoying his Laird’s annoyance.
When Ruaridh got to the arena, the other players were already there. McLeannen caught sight of him and guffawed.
“I hope ye have enough good luck from yer woman to save ye from defeat.”
“I daenae need it,” Ruaridh returned. “I can defeat ye in me sleep.”
“I think ye meant yer dreams,” McLeannen taunted, eliciting loud laughter from the other players.
Soon, the game began, and Ruaridh was matched against McLeannen. They took their stance, and the fight began.
While McLeannen was large, he was still quick on his feet and made sure to use his large bulk to his advantage. He kept attacking, keeping Ruaridh stuck in a defensive stance. Ruaridh hoped to use it to turn the tide, but he had not counted on the other man’s stamina.
They fought for so long and hard. Ruaridh gained the upper hand eventually, but before the count of three, he was underneath McLeannen again, rolling his way out.
Eventually, the judge called a draw so the others could spar. The judges then offered a repeat match, but Ruaridh did not take it. He had to be in one piece for his wedding.
“Ye are running with yer tail between yer legs,” McLeannen taunted.
“I am nae, and ye ken that.”
McLeannen ignored him, laughing mockingly at him.
Ruaridh did not even get angry. They had been friends since childhood and mocked each other mercilessly most times, but McLeannen remained one of his closest friends whom he trusted the most.
Scanning the crowd, he saw no sign of Violet, so he went to her room and knocked. She opened the door, her eyes dancing with joy.
“Did you win?” she asked, stepping back so he could come in.
“The judge called a draw,” he said with a chuckle. “At least I did keep me promise. McLeannen didnae defeat me. I deserve a reward.”
“What do you want?” she whispered.
“Well,” he purred, backing up against the wall. “I want ye. I have wanted to kiss ye for a very long time.”
“Well,” she drawled, hooking her arms around his neck, “what is stopping ye?”
The dam broke loose.
In the next moment, he took her lips, groaning at the relief that was immediately eclipsed by desire. He nipped at her lips until she opened for him, and he found his way in. Then he was lost, tasting her greedily.
This woman would be the death of him, but he could not summon the will to care.