Chapter 26 Mac
MAC
Sliding my arm around Arro’s waist, I eased her back down onto the grass by the loch so we could watch the display.
The drones’ colors changed to blue and white as they moved into a new formation—the St. Andrew’s Cross flag.
To my relief, Arro didn’t struggle or bolt.
In fact, she rested her head on my chest and let me slide my fingers between hers to hold her hand.
I couldn’t quite wrap my head around what had happened. When she’d left the party, I’d intended to follow to keep her safe, but seeing her in the moonlight, looking like a stunning loch nymph, years of wanting had driven every thought from my mind.
Anyone could have come across us, but I’d genuinely lost sight of anything other than Arro and the need to be inside her.
If I was honest with myself … maybe even the need to claim her.
As she had claimed me. Branded me. Hers. Forever. No woman would ever compare.
Which was the reason I’d lost my mind and done something, as head of security, I’d either fire someone else for doing or have Lachlan warn a guest over.
Somehow, I couldn’t dredge up enough guilt about it—and definitely no regret.
The drones formed a Highlander in his kilt, then the Loch Ness monster, and finally returned to the thistle, ending the display. We heard the cheers of guests in the distance.
“I can’t go back in there.” Arro lifted her head. “My dress is covered in grass stains.” She laughed softly. “Everyone will know what I’ve been up to.”
I grinned, feeling more than a little satisfied by the reason for those grass stains. “You can wait at the door while I have a car brought around.”
She studied me. “I’m going home alone tonight, Mac.”
My stomach dropped. “All right,” I replied. “Does that mean you don’t want to give me a chance?”
Tears brightened her eyes as she tugged her hand from mine. “I don’t know what to do. I’m terrified of walking away from this, but I’m also scared that if I give you a chance, I might realize I can’t trust you, and then I’ve just messed you about.”
“Arro.” I grabbed for her hand again, holding it tight between both of mine.
“Let me take that risk. I’m willing to take it.
Just try … We’ll go on dates, we’ll spend time together, we’ll see how it goes.
And if you decide after that, you don’t want to be with me, I’ll abide by it.
No questions, no pushing you. I just want a chance. ”
Her mouth, swollen from my kisses, trembled. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
Heart pounding, I answered hoarsely, “Any time I get to be with you—a day, a week, a few months—it’ll be worth it. I’d rather have a moment with you than nothing at all. It’ll last me a lifetime.”
Arro’s eyes turned smoky with tenderness and desire. “Sometimes you say the most perfect things, Mackennon Galbraith.”
Relief trickled through me as I tugged on her hand, bending my head to hers. “Go on a date with me, Arrochar.”
She nodded slowly. “Okay.”
My grin was so big, I was sure I looked like an idiot, but it made Arro’s laughter light up the night, and that was all I cared about. “Come on.” I helped her up. She held her shoes in one hand but reached for mine with the other. “Let’s get you home.”
When we reached the castle driveway, I swept her into my arms.
“Mackennon!” she cried, half fright, half laughter, as she clung to me.
I grinned at her. “You can’t walk barefoot on that gravel.”
“I could get used to this,” Arro teased. “You’re very strong, Mr. Galbraith.”
Suddenly, an image of carrying her across the threshold of a honeymoon suite hit me hard, and I had to force myself to reel the fantasy back in. It became easier when we rounded the corner of the castle and found Lachlan and Thane outside, talking.
“Oh, fuck,” Arro muttered.
“Aye,” I agreed with a sigh.
I knew by the time I lowered Arro onto the smooth slabs of the portico beside her brothers that they knew.
“You’ve got grass stains on the back of your dress,” Lachlan told Arro conversationally, but there was a glint in his eyes I couldn’t work out, even after all these years of knowing him.
Arro gave her brothers a quelling look. “And those stains are none of your business.”
Thane nodded, seeming a little green. “I’d prefer it to stay that way, to be honest.”
“So …” Lachlan glanced between us. “Is it official, then?”
I turned to Arro as she turned to me, and she said, “We’re … going on a date.”
“Bit late for that, isn’t it?” Thane said dryly.
“I thought you didn’t want to talk about it.” Arro raised an eyebrow. “But we can if you like. We did it by Loch Evelyn—”
“Arro.” Amusement and horror filled me.
“Best sex ever,” she continued. “There was this moment—”
“Stop.” Lachlan glowered at her.
“Where I thought—”
I covered her mouth with my hand, drawing her back against my chest. She laughed, feeling the vibration of my own laughter. “You’re evil.” I chuckled.
She pushed my hand away and glanced up at me, eyes sparkling with humor.
Fuck, I loved her.
As if she could hear those words, she melted against me.
Thane cleared his throat. “So … are you going back inside?”
Arro shook her head. “Of course not. Everyone would know what we’ve been up to.”
Lachlan pulled his phone from his sporran and swiped the screen a few times before lifting it to his ear. “Dave, can you bring a car around for Ms. Adair? I need you to take her home … good. Thanks.” He hung up. “Dave will be here in a few minutes.”
“He can drop me off at mine too,” I said.
Lachlan grunted.
I glared at him. “Have him report to you if you’d like. Arro wants to go home alone.”
“Why? What did you do?” Thane demanded.
Arro groaned. “Oh my God, either you don’t want to know what happened between us or you do.”
“Arro …” Thane warned.
“I’m not five anymore, Thane. I’m not obligated to tell you my business, but since I’m afraid you might torture Mac as soon as you get him alone, if you must know, it happened in the heat of the moment. But for now, we’re taking things slow.”
“Jesus Christ, is this how it’ll be?” I huffed. “Detailing every second of our relationship to you two?”
“Not every second,” Lachlan grumbled boyishly.
“Aye, not the bloodcurdling parts,” Thane agreed.
“Bloodcurdling—” Arro moved as if to shove her brother, but I held her back.
“Let’s just agree that is all you get to know about it for now,” I said sternly.
They considered this for a few seconds, then Lachlan said, “Fine. And you have my best wishes.”
“Mine too.” Thane nodded.
I relaxed into Arro, and she grabbed for my hand, as if sensing my tension deflate. Lachlan and Thane were my family, too, after all. I didn’t want to ruin our friendships.
Then Lachlan eyed me, his expression grim, and he warned, “Hurt her, and I’ll kill you.”
“And I’ll find a magical shaman to bring you back to life just so I can kill you harder,” Thane added with absolute seriousness.
Lachlan cut him a look. “Always got to one-up me, eh?”