Page 80 of Return of the Scot
This was one of Lorne and Jaime’s very favorite pastimes—besides the other activities they liked to enjoy in private, which were also as stimulating and vigorous. And tonight would be the icing on the cake—for they were going to have their ball on the ship and give the Shanna a new name—the Emilia.
“Ye’ve been practicing,” Lorne accused with a wide grin.
“Gordie makes an excellent sparring partner.” She feinted left and then gave Lorne a swift punch on the right.
Lorne laughed and jumped back, as he always did when she hit him. He claimed they didn’t hurt, but she’d never tell him she didn’t hit as hard as she could, just like he never connected at all. The only thing he did to take her down was wrap his arms around her and pin her either upright against him or down on the ring mat. And when in private, all he had to do was kiss her, and she lost all sense of time and place, sinking into pleasure.
They’d been back in Edinburgh for the last two weeks, after having stayed at Dunrobin an extra week getting Gordie settled and enjoying a bit of privacy themselves before their new lives would begin. It had also given their households time to move her belongings into Sutherland Gate. But rather than sell her flat, she kept it as an inheritance for her nephew.
Emilia had been a wonderful asset for Andrewson Shipping while Jaime was away. Jaime was so impressed that she added another woman to her staff, Emilia’s sister. Anastasia was doing splendidly, and Jaime was glad for the extra help now that she had Gordie to take care of. And one day, she’d have children of her own.
But that didn’t keep her from coming into the office each day, often with the young lad in tow. After all, Jaime had decided that one day, the company would be his. Lorne had even taken an interest in helping, and she’d been glad to show him the ropes too. It made talking about her plans much easier if he actually knew what she was referring to. And besides, Andrewson Shipping had always been a family company. Lorne and Gordie were her family now. And by extension, so were Emilia and Anastasia.
The thump of Lorne’s feet on the boxing mat brought her back to reality. He came barreling toward her, arms outstretched, ready to wrap her up. But Jaime bounced and twirled out of his way, a fake kick on his rear as she managed to get behind him. Their onlookers cheered and laughed at that. Taking a second too long to smile at her audience was her downfall, however.
Always quick on his feet, Lorne spun and enfolded an arm around her waist, lifting her into the air.
“Got ye,” he said triumphantly, spinning with her held against him.
“And so ye did.” She planted a kiss on his lips, all too swift with the company present.
“Who is next?” Lorne said to the crowd as he set her down on her feet. “They get to go against me, as I’ve won.”
Alec raised his hand. “I would have much rather gone against your wife, but I suppose ye’ll do.”
Jaime laughed. “Perhaps the duke will go easy on ye and simply hoist ye into the air rather than land a blow.”
Alec snickered, climbing up through the rings. “Do ye think he’ll expect me to kiss him too?”
“He might.”
“Try it and die,” Lorne threatened with a mock growl.
Jaime gave Lorne one last kiss and then scrambled out of the ring to stand with her nephew.
“I call winner,” Gordie shouted with glee.
Jaime smiled on with love at her new family, her new friends. In the grand scheme of things, she was the winner in the room. Before Lorne had come bursting back into her life, she’d not realized how truly miserable she was. Living only for work, for the comfort of an ungrateful sister, not partaking in the simple pleasures of life. Or boxing, for that matter, a sport she’d not even known she liked until Lorne.
Now her eyes were open, and she was filled with love and joy. With a bit of planning and some help, she intended to live every day the way she wanted—to the fullest. And with her heart bursting.
Jaime’s gaze settled on her husband as he bounced around the ring, dodging, blocking, passing blows. He was more handsome to her now than he’d been a decade ago. And she couldn’t help smiling, a soft sigh on her lips as the crowd let out a whoop.
This was her dream come true.
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