Page 24 of Wicked Kilted Highlander

"I guess I'll have tae be," Lara replied, trying to keep the nervousness out of her voice.

She could feel her heart pounding in her chest as Darragh slowly leaned in, his warm breath caressing her cheek. His eyes locked with hers, and a shiver ran through her body. She felt like a deer surrounded by hunters.

"Here," he said, his voice firm but gentle as he drew a gleaming dagger from its sheath at his hip. "I'm going to teach ye some basic moves, so ye can defend yerself."

He took her hand and placed it on the handle of the knife, curling her fingers around it.

"Keep the pointy end out," he instructed. "And dinnae forget tae aim fer the soft bits."

"Like where?" Lara asked, trying to concentrate on his words, but finding it difficult as she became lost in the depth of his gaze.

"Well, a kick in the balls is usually pretty effective," he smirked.

Lara couldn't help but smile, although slightly embarrassed by his language.

"Now, let's try a few things. Stand with yer legs apart and bend yer knees a bit."

Darragh demonstrated for her, his strong body moving with grace and confidence. He looked completely at ease, like it was second nature to him. Lara tried to imitate his movements, but she felt clumsy and awkward in comparison.

"That's it," he encouraged. "Now, raise yer arms up and block this."

Before Lara could respond, he brought his fist up, aiming for her face. She barely had time to react, raising her arms and deflecting his blow.

"Good," Darragh nodded, looking pleased.

"Try tae stay on yer toes," he advised, "and be quick on yer feet."

He struck again, and Lara was better prepared this time, dodging and blocking his blows. Her pulse quickened, and her muscles tensed with excitement. It was exhilarating to be learning something new, and even more so because Darragh was teaching her. He was patient and encouraging, and Lara could tell he was enjoying himself as well.

Lara's gaze remained fixed on Darragh's swift and fluid actions, her shyness momentarily forgotten. Each movement he made seemed like a well-rehearsed dance, captivating her attention and igniting a spark of admiration within her. She marveled at the way his scars seemed to fade into insignificance as he moved, a silent testament to his strength and resilience.

"Fight me," he said, his tone firm but not unkind.

Lara's eyes widened in surprise, her heart pounding against her chest as she struggled to process his words. The idea of fighting him, especially with a knife, was intimidating and frightening. But the way he looked at her, with a mixture of challenge and desire, stirred something deep within her.

Taking a deep breath, Lara steeled herself and lifted her knife. The metal glinted in the sunlight as she raised her arm, pointing the tip of the blade towards him. She knew it was silly.

"Dinnae hesitate," Darragh cautioned, his expression serious. "If someone's attacking ye, strike first. They'll kill ye if they get the chance."

With that, he lunged at her, and Lara reacted on instinct. She ducked under his arm, narrowly avoiding his grasp. As she spun around to face him, she saw a look of surprise on his face. But it was quickly replaced by a smirk, and he came at her again.

This time, Lara was better prepared. She blocked his attack, but he then pushed her away.

"Almost," he encouraged her, shifting to stand behind her so that he could gently guide her arms through the correct motions. "Keep yer elbow tucked in and remember to use yer whole body when ye strike."

"Like this?" Lara asked, her eyes bright and eager.

"Aye," Darragh nodded, watching her with an appraising eye. "Ye're a fast learner."

"Let's try this one more time," Darragh suggested, his voice betraying no hint of the emotions she knew swirled beneath the surface. They moved in perfect unity, their bodies like two halves of a well-oiled machine.

Lara could feel the weight of Darragh's stare as they practiced, but when she glanced up at him, he quickly averted his gaze, focusing on the distant horizon instead. She knew that he felt it too—the magnetic pull that drew them closer together with each passing moment. "Focus, Lara," Darragh encouraged, his voice tinged with amusement as he easily deflected her strike. "Ye're getting better, but ye need tae keep yer eyes on the target."

Her breaths came in short, ragged gasps, but she refused to let exhaustion deter her. Lara gathered all her strength and swung the dagger one last time, her movements swift and precise. To her surprise, the blade grazed Darragh's arm, leaving a thin scratch upon his skin.

Darragh was overjoyed.

"Ye did it!" he exclaimed, his eyes shining with pride, and without thinking, he hugged her.

Lara gasped, her breath hitching in her throat as his strong arms enveloped her in a warm embrace. The feeling of his muscular body pressed against hers sent a wave of desire coursing through her, and she enjoyed the sensation as his fingers trailed lightly across her back. Their lips were close, very close, but before they could meet, Darragh released her and stepped away, a hint of embarrassment coloring his cheeks.

"Well, done," he murmured, his gaze flickering to the ground for a brief moment before returning to meet her own. "That's enough for today, I think."

"But I'm nae tired," Lara protested, her voice sounding much younger than her years.

Darragh chuckled softly and shook his head, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Neither am I," he replied, a mischievous glint appearing in his dark eyes.

Lara bit her lower lip, unable to suppress the small smile that played across her lips. "Let's get some rest and rise early to continue our journey," he said, a hint of urgency in his tone.

"Aye," she said with a sigh, her voice tinged with both disappointment and anticipation.

The two of them began to walk, side-by-side, a comfortable silence settling between them. Their fingers brushed lightly against each other’s, and Lara's cheeks burned with the memory of the embrace they had just shared. There was something different about Darragh.