Laird of the Game Read online

  Alex noticed that she was still very shaky and quickly lifted her into his arms. He stood still, awed at the gentle beauty in his arms. Her hair fell away from her face, and he noticed long silken lashes that framed her sensual blue eyes. She had to feel the strange sensation, too, because he was certain that a lightening bolt had just struck him.

  The warriors who rode with their Laird were witness to his claim. But what Alex would do with his prize still mystified him. He couldn’t seem to look away or put her down. At the moment, all he could think about was the enticing curve of her mouth. Alex bent down until their lips were a heartbeat apart. She gasped as his intention became apparent. Perhaps she really was an Angel or just adorably daft.

  The quirky, charming smile of his dimpled his left cheek. Perhaps he was the Prince of the Fenian warriors or just the sexiest man she had ever met.

  “Prince Alexander, it’s lovely to meet you.”

  So she felt the magic between them, too, he knew when he bent his head to kiss her. Their lips met, and she wrapped him in her enchantment. He caressed and claimed her hot, sweet lips.

  Alex advanced to taste and explored this exciting new world. His tongue pressed deeper into that warm luscious sanctuary and his hold on her instinctively tightened. His eyes closed, the sensations racing through his body ignited a smoldering passion.

  Her arm around his back pulled him closer. His lips tormented hers, and he bit her tenderly, causing a moan in the back of her throat. He lifted his head, to let her catch her breath.

  Her hand wound around his neck. The velvet soft caress of his kiss awakened something deep inside her that delighted and intrigued her senses until it became a tantalizing ache deep inside her belly that curled her toes. She teased his lips with feather-light kisses and then discovered a blazing passion when she delved into his warm mouth and caressed him with the tip of her tongue. His ragged, heated breath against her cheek verified the affect on him.

  She took his breath away. Alex knew one kiss would never be enough. He wanted everything she had to give and would give her anything she asked. He surveyed the response. Her lips were moist, flushed crimson, and slightly swollen. Passion simmered in her wide, misty gaze. At the moment, he wanted to devour her.

  He was an amazing man that showed only a hint of emotion if she looked deep enough into the soft shimmer of his jade colored eyes as his gaze held hers for what seemed like an eternity in an endless storm that sparkled and raged, whispered and caressed. She felt warm all over when he kissed her. But when he looked at her, forever and always twinkled in his eyes and wrapped her in his magic.

  She hadn’t believed in love at first sight until now.

  “I’m Melissa Johnson.”

  Alex felt like a blithering idiot. He defined the irritating new emotion that turned his loins to lust and his insides to jelly — it was joy!

  At the moment, Alex was mesmerized. He watched the unleashed emotions flicker across her features in absolute awe.

  Evan waited beside Alex. He scribbled notes in his journal about the battle, and the points to be claimed. “Dinna fash yourself abou’ all of us waiting for ye tae kiss the lass.”

  “I’ve never seen a man so smitten,” one warrior noted and shook his head.

  “Aye,” Evan agreed. “He looks as if he’s go’ moonbeams shoved up his arse.”

  Alex heard every word, but chose to ignore them. A thought crossed his mind and Alex had to stop himself from laughing out loud; 285 points and one heart won during the morning battle. It was a glorious day. Her capture earned them fifty extra points.

  But Alex refused to believe victory was assured. An Angel kiss had just claimed one of their mightiest warriors.

  Yorath would never be the same.

  Chapter Three

  Alex lifted her onto his saddle. He mounted behind her and pulled her close, circling her waist with his arms to hold her in place. The exotic scent of Iris and Patchouli wafted from her hair and filled his head with her luxurious scent. She rested her pale cheek against the warmth of his chest. The light touch of her small hand that slid around his waist caused a slow burn of desire to spread like wildfire through his body.

  He yelled out commands in Gaelic and the warriors quickly responded and circled their Laird to protect him and the lady in his arms. Evan signaled and they moved into two columns on either side of Alex. Not a trace of the battle remained behind on the shoreline. Twelve warriors would ride with their Laird while the others were sent out on patrol.

  One blazing look from Alex and the warriors ceased their stares at the beautiful woman in his arms. The warmth from her full breasts against his arm became a torture that thrilled him. His arms held her tightly to his chest in an act of protection and possession that stunned him. Alex felt amazingly alive for the first time in a very long while.

  The strange new feelings and emotions annoyed the hell out of Alex. His pulse had gone completely haywire; and his stomach felt suspended in mid air as if he had just skied off the edge of a cliff and was airborne upside down and about to drop into an endless abyss.

  No one spoke the commands and yet the warriors changed direction at the same time and kept pace in perfect formation. She tipped her head to get another look at the man holding her tightly against his chest. His jade green eyes were fringed in dark lashes that made them appear even more striking. He is magnificent beyond belief, she thought, looking at the curve of his lower lip. The feel of his warm skin drew her closer to him. Taunt, rippled muscles under his shirt invited her touch and she realized she had been caressing his back while they rode.

  “Where are you taking me?” she asked above the thunder of horses moving fast over rocky terrain. “Am I your prisoner? Are you going to turn me in to the authorities for trespassing?”

  “You’re not my prisoner,” he answered, amused.

  His English was broken and spoken slowly, as if he struggled with the pronunciation. She shivered from the cold rain and he wrapped his tartan blanket from his saddlebag around her.

  Alex needed to get her to out of the battle quickly. If the Prince decided to counter-attack and try to reclaim her, she wouldn’t last through a second battle. He guided the powerful warhorse with his thighs and a flick of his wrist. Yorath responded as if he didn’t need to be told and tossed an indignant snort in the morning mist.

  Butterflies danced in her stomach as if they were performing some ancient rite of passage that left her feeling like she was floating on air. The next thought took shape. Melissa was lost in the mountains of Scotland. Her shoes and bag had been left behind on the shore along with her passport and identification. She had no way of knowing if she could contact her sisters. Her vacation had turned into an unexpected adventure in a very remote setting.

  It was unnerving to be held by a man who looked better in a skirt than she did. His muscled legs were warm against her backside. No matter how hard she tried to blot the thoughts from her mind, Melissa wondered what he wore under his Kilt.

  The horse was amazingly smooth for riding at a full gallop and had the beauty and power of a Jaguar. She reached down to pat his powerful neck.

  Yorath responded immediately, he snorted and tossed his head triumphantly.

  Alex groaned.

  She heard him groan and tried not to think about his affections or the kisses that could drive all thoughts from her mind. She was completely lost, and couldn’t figure out the directions their route was taking. They rode up and down hills until she was sure they must be in England by now. They rode past a church and Melissa felt drawn to the lovely Kirk.

  Thunder growled an ominous warning off in the distance. A light misty rain and intermittent sunshine turned the sky into a field of rainbows. The lush, emerald world around her held an ancient magnificence. They crossed an arched stone bridge. Melissa couldn’t help but notice the beautiful river scene and made a mental note to return there to capture the bridge in a painting.

  The view of the Manor house was spectacular from
the hill. Built in a meadow, tall peaks graced all sides of the massive structure. It appeared both magical and formidable at the same time. Clearly Victorian in design, it held grandeur from the past and no doubt was as lovely on the inside, as it was impressive from the lawn. She gasped at the enormity of the building. There were over a hundred more warriors camped beside the house.

  Alex finally stopped in front of the house, jumped down and reached up, took her into his arms again. She opened her mouth to say she could walk but he quickly silenced her.

  “Shhh,” he instructed. He didn’t want to talk at all. His mind raged with emotions all warring at once to be heard. He struggled to control his passion for the wee lass. If he had his way, he’d have her in his bed in five minutes, and then realized he really had gone daft because he didn’t think he could wait that long.

  He hadn’t asked, just commanded her silence. Her mouth closed, the anxious retort she had thought about giving him was forgotten as he walked up the stairs with her cradled in his strong arms. They passed two men and Alex gave orders for medicine and hot water.

  He put her down on the edge of the dining room table and ran his hands down her arms to steady her. She was thoroughly inspected from head to toe.

  Melissa blushed profusely when he noticed two buttons on the front of her dress had come undone and the gaping fabric revealed a lacy white slip and an intense amount of cleavage. Melissa tugged the dress back in place. He moved his hands down her legs and she winced when he touched her feet. His warm hands were strong, and yet very gentle.

  “I’m all right.” She argued.

  “Ye’re injured.”

  The two men who stood on the steps when they arrived entered the room and brought the requested hot water and medicine. Alexander began his careful ministrations on her foot.

  They look so much alike and yet very different, she thought as they stood behind Alex. Dressed in saffron shirts, blue and red Kilts, and black riding boots they looked every bit the Highland warriors she had read about in books. Their hands were clasped behind their back and their feet were spread apart in an arrogant stance. It was their height, she noticed, that made them resemble monoliths. They were all over six feet tall and the term lean and mean came to mind. They exuded power with their honed physique and devastating good looks. They watched every move she made and Melissa soon found their scrutiny unnerving.

  “Who are they?” She whispered, watching Alex intently. He had her bare foot in the palm of his hand.

  “My brothers.” he answered her question without looking up at her. Both men continued to stare. Alex pulled thorns from her foot and rubbed out the sting.

  “Do ye want my help, I am a doctor.” Gideon asked in Gaelic. He grinned, amused at the personal attention the lady received.

  “No.” The tone of Alex’s voice was loud and direct. He knelt on one knee in front of her and resisted the urge to slide his hands up her legs to explore the hidden treasures that lay within he folds of her dress.

  Melissa pulled away when he yelled and Alex smiled to reassure her. “It’s all right,” he said gently. “I willna’ hurt ye lass.” Alex turned his head to glare at his brothers and said in Gaelic. “But I may beat ye all senseless if ye don’ find something else tae do.”

  Daniel and Gideon exchanged a smirk and ignored the threat. “Ye don’ ha’e tae grope the lass, Alex.” Gideon snickered. “Jus’ ask her where it hurts.”

  “I’d be happy tae take care of this situation for ye,” Daniel offered, speaking in Gaelic.

  “No thank ye,” Alex said softly, trying not to frighten her again.

  Evan brought in her shoes and bag that were found by their patrol. He joined his brothers. Iain also strolled in to see for himself what they had found, as did Robert. They all had the same reaction and stared as if she were the last, living female on the earth.

  William sauntered into the room. “I jus’ beat the hell out of a mon who told me Alex found an Angel. I set him straight, that if there’s a lass with Alex, she’s no Angel!” Seconds later his mouth dropped open and he couldn’t speak at all.

  Alex spoke in Gaelic. “I hope she doesn’t understand what ye said, William, because if ye say one mean thing tae her….”

  Melissa was becoming unnerved. “Are those men also your brothers?”

  “Aye. There are six of them tae pester me.”

  “My word,” she said, looking them over as they crowded in to see her.

  “She’s American,” Daniel said quietly to Gideon.

  “Damn.” Gideon passed an ancient Roman gold coin to Daniel. He lost the bet with a good nature. “My guess was Swedish from the pale blonde hair and blue eyes.” The doctor’s reply was also coached in their language, as was necessary during the game.

  Alex hoped they would get the hint and leave. “Don’t ye all have something else tae do?”

  “No.” They answered in unison extremely curious about the woman Alex pawed.

  Melissa could hear the warning in Alexander’s voice, even if she couldn’t understand the language. Their undivided attention intimidated her, and yet she was instantly curious about all of them. They wouldn’t stop staring at her no matter how fiercely he growled at them.

  He knew what claimed their attention, as afternoon sunlight streamed through two large floor-to-ceiling windows and cast an ethereal glow around the blonde woman. The impact of her blue and violet gaze amazed him. Her face reflected her innocence. There was no come-hither look in her eyes when she looked at them, just an honest curiosity. He could tell they frightened her, just a little.

  Mesmerized by the lovely lady, Alex could hardly breathe, let alone think. When she looked at him, she could see into the depth of his soul. He thought her smile could warm the coldest feet in Scotland. She was lovely, and he held on to her foot to still his shaking hand.

  His brothers were acting like idiots. “She’s mine, ye ken?”

  Iain was completely enchanted with a stupid grin on his face. “Where did ye find her?” Iain asked in Gaelic. His twin brother, Evan, exchanged a look with him that was incredulous.

  William could finally speak again and asked. “Are there any more?”

  Melissa laughed softly. “Let me guess. I hit my head when I fainted and I’ve just stepped into the ancient past with seven Celtic Gods.”

  They laughed in a deep, rich sound that brought the house to life. It had an amazing affect on her and she couldn’t help laughing too. “Can you understand me? You all know English?”

  They shook their heads, and didn’t want to correct her that English and American were the same language.

  Melissa was certain they didn’t have a clue about what she had just said. They were the most interesting group of men she had ever seen.

  Alex noticed that when she looked at him, it wasn’t the same look she gave his brothers. Perhaps it was just a trick of light, but her eyes sparkled when she looked down at him, he was certain.

  “Her name is Melissa, and she’s in shock,” Alex said softly in Gaelic. He knelt to complete the task, certain his brothers would behave, and pulled a thorn from her foot. She flinched and he gently rubbed the pain away.

  The tender touch of his hand on her foot was driving her to madness. She could feel the tremble in his hands and wished he would hurry.

  “Hell,” Evan groaned and spoke in Gaelic. “I’d be in shock if ye kissed me like that Alex. Let go of the poor wee lass.” Evan’s tone indicated he was genuinely concerned for the beautiful lady. “Alex hasn’t let go of her from the moment he first laid eyes on her.”

  “Alex kissed her too?” Robert asked innocently. “I heard that Yorath go’ the first kiss.”

  They had to turn aside to hide the smirks.

  Alex growled out a warning. “We have a lady in the house. Try tae act like gentleman.”

  Daniel couldn’t wait to hear how the lady entered the battle from Evan.

  Evan sighed, exasperated. The warriors were already making crude jokes abou
t the little lass that captured the passion of their Laird.

  “Interesting,” Daniel said softly to Gideon in Gaelic, knowing Alex could hear him. “Alex and his horse are both very protective of the wee lass.”

  They couldn’t hide the chuckles this time and Alex was certain he would have to beat them all senseless to shut them up. She looked down at her hands folded in her lap. He could tell their comments were making her uncomfortable. Even if she couldn’t understand the language, their intent was obvious.

  Melissa could hear them speaking softly in what she presumed was Gaelic. Alexander had removed all of the thorns from her foot and dabbed on a medicine that stung. She flinched but then relaxed as he caressed her foot in the palm of his hand. Her cold, wet dress caused another shiver and the misty rain had her hair curling into a thousand ringlets.

  “Ye’ll be fine now,” Alex assured her in English.

  He looked up when he spoke to her and that quirky smile of his nearly had her sliding off the table. His eyes lit up like a hunter’s moon in the dead of night.

  Alex stood and decided to redirect his brother’s interest in other ways. He spoke in Gaelic, “William, our cousins have arrived.”

  “Aren’t they the U.S. Marines, James and Jonathan?” Daniel asked in Gaelic.

  “Back for more and ready for a fight,” Robert announced, taking the hint that Alex wanted to be alone with the lady.

  “Och,” William bristled and turned on his heel.

  “It will be a good fight,” Iain said and followed.

  “He’ll probably try tae take them both at once.” Evan walked out behind William.

  “Are ye sure ye don’t need any assistance with the lovely lass?” Daniel offered.

  “Be off with ye!” Alex yelled.

  Gideon went to get his medical bag certain someone would need stitches within the hour.

  Robert followed Gideon. “No need tae throw me ou’. I had plans tae meet with the carpenters this afternoon.”