Page 30 of The Laird's Vengeful Desire
“There,” he said softly. “See? Ye’re floating.”
“I… I’m floating…” she breathed, wonder replacing the fear in her voice. “I’m actually floating!”
“Aye. Now try movin’ yer arms like this…” Ian demonstrated the basic stroke, and Rhona attempted to copy him. Her movements were clumsy at first, but gradually she began to find her rhythm.
“I’m daein’ it!” she exclaimed, and her delighted laughter echoed off the rocks surrounding the pool. “Ian! I am actually swimming!”
“Ye’re a natural,” Ian said, finding that he meant it. “Most people take much longer tae–”
An icy splash of water hit him square in the face, and he sputtered in surprise. Rhona was grinning at him like a saint who just realized that sinning was more fun.
“That,” she said sweetly, “is fer callin’ me afraid.”
“Is that so?” Ian’s eyes narrowed with mock menace. “Then ye’ll nae mind a little retaliation.”
“Ye wouldnae dare–”
Ian’s answering splash was perfectly aimed, catching her full in the face. Rhona shrieked with laughter and immediatelysplashed back, and soon they were engaged in a water fight that left them both gasping and grinning like children.
“Stop!” Rhona finally called, holding up her hands in surrender. “Stop, before ye wake every creature from here tae Edinburgh!”
Ian lowered his arms, his own laughter tapering off as he realized how close they’d drifted during their battle.
“We should… we should practice floatin’ again,” he said roughly.
“Aye,” Rhona greed, though her voice sounded breathless in a way that had nothing to do with exertion.
Ian positioned himself beside her, one hand supporting her back, the other beneath her knees. “Just relax and let the water take yer weight.”
Rhona closed her eyes and allowed herself to lean back, trusting Ian’s steady hands to keep her afloat. The sight of her face, peaceful and trusting, did something dangerous to Ian’s chest.
“Stay still,” he whispered suddenly, his voice barely audible over the waterfall’s song.
Rhona’s eyes opened, meeting his in question, but Ian wasn’t looking at her anymore. His gaze had fixed on something beyond her shoulder, and his entire body had gone tense with alertness.
“What–”
“Shh.” Ian breathed, “Dinnae move. Look there, by the falls.” His hands remained steady beneath her as he helped her remain perfectly still.
Rhona turned her head slowly, following his gaze, and when she saw them, she let out a small gasp. Two red squirrels had emerged onto the rocks near the waterfall’s base, their bushy tails twitching as they investigated the moss-covered terrain. One was smaller than the other – a mother and her nearly grown kit, Ian realized.
They remained frozen in the water, neither daring to breathe as the squirrels went about their business. The mother had apparently found something interesting beneath a fallen branch, and chittered to her offspring, who bounded over with the awkward energy of youth.
The squirrels stayed there for several minutes, scavenging, chasing each other across the rocks in a game as old as time. Finally, some instinct of sound Ian couldn’t detect sent them scampering back into the forest, leaving only the memory of their brief, perfect appearance.
“That was…” Rhona whispered.
“Magical,” Ian finished, and she nodded in agreement.
They remained still for a moment longer, both reluctant to break the spell.
“We should head back,” he said huskily, helping her stand. “Before we’re missed.”
Rhona nodded, though he caught a flash of disappointment across her features. They waded back to shore in silence, the easy companionship of moments before replaced by something charged and dangerous.
Ian turned his back while Rhona wrung out her shift and pulled on her dress, though the temptation to look was again nearly overwhelming. When she declared herself decent, he found her struggling with the wet laces of her bodice.
“Here,” he said, moving behind her. “Let me.”
