Page 54 of Long Live the King

He said, “That’s not really something I can talk about.” Then he added, “See?”

“Yeah, good point.” I huffed. “So what you’re saying is he might have very good reasons why he had trouble answering me, and I let my imagination get the best of me. You’re saying I might have let a hottie who seemed to genuinely like me get away?”

“He also kissed your knuckles, I saw it at least once.”

“Drat. I messed up.”

He began wiping the bar again, from one end to the other, as was his habit when he was bored, polishing it to a shine. “How’d you end it?”

“He kinda ran from my place, because the conversation had turned so antagonistic, it was so awkward. We didn’t make any plans to see each other or...” I huffed again.

He said, “You could call him?”

“Yeah...” I sighed. “But I don’t want to come off as desperate, you know?”

He teased, “You should be better than this — a hottie kisses your knuckles, and you don’t pin him down, much less invite him to stay the night? I thought you would have better instincts.”

I said, “Ha!”

Then the door of the Palace opened.

The two tables of guests and Don and I all turned and looked as, out of the dark rain and wind, Lochie blew in.

“Oh,” I said.

He waved at me from across the room with a sheepish grin, and wiped at the rain dripping down his long overcoat. He unbuttoned the front, swept it off, and hung it on the coat rack by the door.

He was so freaking hot. He was wearing a dark coat with silver buttons. There were medals on his left chest. He wore a starched white shirt and a dark plaid kilt, white socks up his calves, a pair of Doc Martens. There was a sword at his hip and a fur bag on his front.

Our bouncer hefted himself up from a stool and approached him. “Sorry, can’t bring that in.”

Lochie ran his hand through his hair. “What, the sword? Tis part of m’uniform. I canna take it off or I am not in m’dress.”

“You can’t have it in here, but Don can keep it behind the bar. And no trouble,none. If you get drunk I’m not letting you have your sword back.” The bouncer sat back down on the stool.

Lochie unbuckled his belt and took off his sword as he walked toward me. I stood speechless because he was so handsome — Don behind me said, “Careful, close your mouth, you’re drooling.”

“Am not,” but I wiped my mouth to be sure.

Lochie passed the belt and sword to Don. “Good evening, Don, will ye hold m’sword for me?”

Don said, “Sure, Lochie, welcome.”

He said, “Tis verra quiet here this evening.” Then he took my hand, bowed and kissed my knuckles. “Good evening, Mistress Ash, are ye well?”

I nodded.

He met my eyes and held them.

I said, “I wanted to talk to you.”

“I wanted tae speak tae ye as well. I apologize for the way I left ye last night.”

“It’s okay, it was a misunderstanding, I think — this is your uniform, you’re a soldier?”

“I am a captain.”

“Oh... so when you said that you duel and you fight and you... You meant that you were in the military?”

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