Page 7 of Dear Kilted Scotsman
I turn and see concern creased on Brianna's face. All the men here couldn't have stopped me from getting to Magnus, but one look from her, and I'm stopped dead in my tracks. The corner of her mouth curls up slightly like she’s happy that I stopped. There is no way that I’m going to disappoint her now. I’ve never been so interested in winning since the first time I participated in the games.
Ainslie leads Brianna off the stage, and they take their seats near all the action. My eyes find Brianna whenever it isn't my turn. I watch her as she listens to my sister explain the rules of each event. More often than not, our eyes will lock, and it's like the rest of the people here just melt away.
We work our way through each of the events—Tossing the Caber, Hammer Throw, Shot Put, Weight for Height, and Tug O’War. My motivation for a kiss from Brianna helps me sail through the competition. It also helps to see Magnus struggle after messing up his shoulder during the Hammer Throw.
“And the new champion,” Ainslie shouts excitedly into the microphone. “Unseating last year’s champion Magnus MacDonald. My brother, Colin McTavish!”
The villagers cheer from the stands, and Dougal claps me on the back, but all my attention is on the beautiful woman standing on the stage. I wipe myself down with my towel and take two steps at a time up to Brianna. I can tell she’s trying not to look too pleased with the results of today’s games, but the smile creeping up in the corner of her mouth is a giveaway.
“Are you alright with this?” I ask so quietly that only she can hear.
Her smile breaks through, and she nods.
"Give the lad his prize," Ainslie calls out, making Brianna giggle.
She pushes up on her toes and leans in to press a kiss against my cheek. I have to use all the strength in me, not to turn my head and steal a kiss from her lips that I couldn’t get out of my head last night. She pulls back, and I can see it in her eyes that she’s feeling something for me too.
“Oh, go on, Lady,” Ainslie chides. “Give him a kiss worthy of the champion he is.”
I want to scold Ainslie for embarrassing Brianna, but I would give any and everything I own to feel those full lips pressed against mine. I can see in her eyes the moment she decides to give in to Ainslie’s pressure.My cock twitches when Brianna's tongue pokes out and licks her lips. I lean down, meeting her halfway, unable to wait for a second longer. The surge of electricity that courses through me could power the whole village when our lips meet.
The sound of the villagers cheering around us seems to fade away, and it's only the two of us here.
BRIANNA
I’ve read thousands of books trying to describe a kiss like this, but it wasn’t even close to what I felt today with Colin. And I know that he felt it too. But I don’t understand his distance from me after the games. The food and drinks are served, and the whole village lets loose. Very few people talk to me at the feast. I even hear a few could talk about how they are scared of me.
Colin and Ainslie’s attention is in high demand, so I make my way down to the loch to think about the last twenty-four hours.
I couldn't have imagined everything that would happen when I stopped here yesterday for what I thought would be just for the afternoon. I dreamed of coming to Scotland for an adventure, but deep down, I never thought I'd find anything. I go to reach for my book in my back pocket but remember that I'm not in my clothes, and the book I like to lose myself in is sitting on my nightstand in my room.
I suddenly remember how I lost the letter in the trees when Colin frightened me, and I bolted. I backtrack my steps as best I can and look for the missing letter. My attention is so focused on the search that I don't hear the footsteps behind me until the last moment.
I gasp and spin around, knocking into Colin’s hard chest. His strong hands reach out and catch me before I fall on my ass.
“What are you doing out here?” he asks, his tone a bit harsher than he’s ever used with me before.
I narrow my eyes at him. The irritation and hurt I felt earlier from him ignoring me after that kiss coming full swing.
“None of your business.” I snap back.
“It is my business when you are a guest on my land.”
"Well, you won't have to worry about me being on your land much longer.” I turn around and start searching again for my letter. It’s probably mush by now after the rain that passed through last night, but I’m holding out one last sliver of hope.
“What are you doing?”
"I dropped something last night, and I want it back," I call over my shoulder without looking at him.
I feel him move up beside me. He reaches his hand out in front of me, holding my letter. I reach for it, but he pulls it back, so I can’t get it.
“That’s mine.” I turn to face him.
“What do you mean you won’t be a guest much longer?”
I try and grab for it again, but this dress is not easy to move around in, and he's quick.
“It’s time for me to move on.”
