Chapter 18
No sunrise had been more glorious. Hamish rested on one elbow and looked at the orb rising gold in the distance. The breeze was cool, but with two brats cocooning them, and the heat of their bodies, he and Annis were perfectly warm despite their nakedness. He should be tired after a night that involved precious little sleep, but he’d never felt more awake.
Annis stirred, causing Hamish to shiver with lust as her hand brushed against his thigh. She rolled so she was lying on top of him, legs stretched either side of his. They’d lain like that as they had made love for the third time, and the memory was making him stir again.
“I don’t know about fighting, but Lochmores are better at that than McCrieffs,” she purred.
Hamish held her close. One night would never be enough to discover everything he wanted to about her.
“Will you forget Malcolm now?” Hamish asked.
“I’m not going to try to shame him,” Annis said.
Hamish let out a breath he hadn’t realised he was holding, but when she looked him in the eye his bones turned to ice.
“I’m going to kill him.”
Hamish’s heart stopped. “I won’t let you do that.”
Annis sat up. “You have no right to interfere! Besides, your clan is no friend of his.”
“Aye, Lochmores and McCrieffs have been enemies for centuries.”
Hamish thought back to the secrets his father had mentioned. What lay in the tombs that could explain the hatred between neighbours? He wrapped his arm around Annis, pulling her close.
“But I won’t let you become a murderer. No one should take life lightly.”
Annis squirmed angrily. “He used me. He hurt me when he knew who I was. I have a knife.”
She fumbled in her pile of clothes and produced a slim knife. Her ferocity was irresistible and her body pressing against his drove Hamish wild. He wanted her again so badly it hurt. He took the knife from her hand and laughed at the handle.
“I cannae deny I’d like to see him stabbed with something that looked like that, but if McCrieff didn’t kill you, ye’d be caught and executed. Your life is worth more than his.”
He stroked her cheek and the fury in her face softened. She rested a hand on his chest, sending waves of pleasure through him.
“I’d at least like to know he failed to get what he wanted.”
“Aye, we’d all like that.”
“If you win the games, he’ll be shamed.” Annis’ eyes gleamed.
“I’d be saddled with a wife I don’t want,” Hamish pointed out.
“But a wife you need,” she answered.
His father could die knowing the Lochmore name would carry on. Hamish would learn the secrets, prove himself as a worthy chief and humiliate a McCrieff. But once he was wed, Annis would be beyond his reach. If it kept her safe, however…
“Would it stop your foolishness?”
Annis pursed her lips. “I’d be satisfied.”
“Then I’ll think on it.”
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