“Dodge,” Daniel whispered as he twisted her fist in his and lowered her arm to his side. “Defend.” He repeated the exercise of holding her arm away from his face with his right hand. “Attack.” He tapped her side gently with his left fist, drawing her slightly closer as he gripped her waist. “Now,” he said, quickly stepping backwards. “When throwing punches, it’s better to throw short and fast punches instead of long and powerful ones.”
“Why?” Melissa asked, breathless from the moment they had shared.
“Because short and fast punches aren’t easily noticed,” Daniel explained. “Making them even harder to dodge. Allow me to show ye.”
She waited for him to take up stance once again.
“Long powerful shots are great, but just like it’s important to nae take yer eyes off yer opponent, it’s equally important to try and attack yer adversaries when they least expect it.” He stepped closer to her. “A long-range punch like the one ye threw is easily visible and can be easily dodged.” He distracted her with his left hand. “But a short and fast punch in the right place.” He gently poked her on the ribs with his index finger before she could dodge.
She suppressed her giggles, trying to keep a straight face as he continued to explain the finer points of battle.
“Can easily incapacitate an enemy. Remember that ‘afore we move on.”
“I’ll try…” she said, looking him in the eye and noticing how his lips were moving closer and closer to her own. “What about this?” She gently placed the palms of her hands on his chest and drew near to his lips before giving him a shove.
Gripping her hands, Daniel pulled her to the ground with him and broke her fall as she landed on his chest. “That caught me by surprise,” he said with a big smile. “So, well done. But maybe don’t jump on top of yer enemies after ye’ve managed to bring them down,” he teased. “That disnae seem like a very effective strategy.”
“Lucky for me, we’re not enemies,” Melissa replied with a sultry smile and breathed harder as he brought his hand up and cupped the back of her neck, drawing her slightly closer to him.
“Aye, we arenae enemies.” His voice took on a lustful quality as he gripped her hip with his other hand.
Looking into his eyes, she felt herself melting against him as time ceased to exist.
The corner of his lips tilted into a smile as his hand left her hair and reached up to retrieve a cherry from her hair. “Cherry?” he asked in the same kind of sultry tone and dangled the fruit in front of her mouth.
“Sure,” she breathed as he held it out and placed it on her tongue. She opened her mouth, curling her tongue over the stem as she had done before. “Delicious,” she whispered as he removed the stem.
“I’ll believe ye once I’ve tasted for meself,” he growled and brought his lips closer to hers.
Closing her eyes, she leaned in and felt his breath against her lips. The tension was palpable as his body shifted beneath hers, bringing them even closer together.
Opening their eyes and staring at one another, they heard the unmistakable sound of boots crunching on gravel as someone approached.
Cursing under his beath, Daniel gripped her arms and gently rolled her off his chest before helping her to her feet. “Dinnae think this lesson is over,” he whispered in her ear as he helped her straighten her dress.
“I’m sorry for interrupting ye, Me Laird.” Ewan bowed respectfully as he approached. “But I’m afraid there is some urgent business you need to attend to back at the castle. The men are waiting for their training, an’ some of the merchants ye summoned are here.”
“Very well,” Daniel replied coolly as he removed his hand from Melissa’s elbow. “Ewan, please tell the men at the barracks to keep the usual training routine until I get there. I will see to the matters with the vendors first.”
“Certainly, Me Laird,” Ewan said with another respectful bow and left.
The man was always respectful whenever Mellissa encountered him, but there was something slimy and secretive about his character that she didn’t quite like. He reminded her of a younger version of her father. They both had that hungry look in their eyes that let you know they’d betray you for an extra piece of gold if it meant they could build their wealth.
“I will see ye later,” Daniel said and winked at her before walking off in the direction of the castle.
Watching him go, Melissa thought of the kiss they had almost shared and the heat that seemed to radiate from both of their bodies whenever they were alone. She bit her lower lip and leaned against the trunk of a tree as she watched his confident gait.
The smell of fresh cherries carried in the breeze, filling her senses and reminding her of the secret moments that they had shared. A sudden ache filled her heart as she remembered their conversation in the tower on the day of their wedding.
Ye can do as ye please, an’ so will I…
How many other women did he tease and frolic with in his orchards when she hadn’t been around? Was he merely playing with her as a way of passing his time? Or did he feel the same way that she had when their lips had drawn closer?
Swallowing hard, she pushed the invasive thoughts aside and wrapped her arms around her waist as she walked aimlessly along the trees. She needed some time alone as she wondered if he’d been with anyone since they’d gotten married.
Only time would tell if the infamous rake had changed his ways and settled down. The hope in her chest made her feel as if she had made a wish on an eyelash that would be blown into the wind.
17
