Free Laird of the Game by Lori Leigh Page B

sing.
    “Her beauty in the moonlight overthrew you.”
    Alex bent his head to kiss her again. The warmth of her lips was gentle and searching. It was as if she too needed the reassurance that what they shared was real.
    She put her arms around him and he pulled back to survey the sweet innocent in his arms. For the first time in his life, Alex was truly terrified. It was a void in his life to have not known love, but to have found it and then lose it, would crush his spirit into a numb oblivion. He wouldn’t allow that to happen and would risk anything to keep her there with him. The fear that clenched his mind caused him to tighten his grip on her and bury his face in her hair. The night hid the torment on his face, and the anxious moments passed.
    She instinctively snuggled up against Alex, allowing his warmth to lull her to sleep.
    The last thing she remembered was Alex whispering hallelujah in her ear.

 
     
     
    Chapter Eight
     
    Laird MacKenna has managed to elude reporters and refused to comment on the lady or the progress of the game. MacKenna is still in the lead, but it’s early in the game and perhaps the Laird is a little distracted. Prince George has plenty of time for a few surprises.
    On the Streets, with Rosabel
     
    Melissa heard male voices from across the room, turned over, and stood up with a jolt. Her warm feet were on a cold wood floor. She was in a tiny cottage, and five men were standing around a table staring at her. The mist cleared slowly, and she remembered their late night arrival, and being tucked into bed. The dream was real. She sighed.
    “Sweetheart, um, ah,” Alex stammered.
    “Good morning,” Melissa said sleepily and stretched.
    They all pointed toward the water closet. She stumbled in and shut the door.
    “Ten seconds,” was the bet between Iain and Evan. She screamed in four seconds, and Evan won. She had just figured out she had nothing on but a blush.
    “Alex!” Melissa yelled. The door opened a few inches, and he handed her a wrapper.
    Gideon appeared unaffected and shrugged. “I went tae medical school. That’s nothing I haven’t seen before.” His hands were slightly shaking. “I’ve just never seen it look that good before now. Wow!”
     “Its not too late tae change my major. “ Iain stated in a harsh groan and stumbled blindly out of the cottage.
    “Did I miss anything?” William sauntered into the cottage, his head pounding from a hangover. Evan walked blindly into him and mumbled an explanation.
    Robert’s eyes were glazed over. “The sight of that wumman naked takes your breath away.”
    Melissa was mortified. She vowed to live the rest of her life inside that tiny room, too embarrassed to ever face his brothers again. Alexander coaxed her out of the water closet with an assurance they hardly noticed.
    Attendance at their morning battle meetings improved drastically during the next week. Every one of the ten commanders insisted on being included in the meeting. By Friday there wasn’t room inside the cottage to turn around, and Alex had to move the meetings outdoors.
    Melissa, they all noted, slept right through all the meetings, and didn’t have the decency to stand up and stretch even once. The anticipation had nearly driven them all to madness.
    Her clothing was packed away in her bag and a full-length dress was found on the table with a note from Daniel that the soft wool would keep her warm. His thoughtful gift brought a tear to her eyes, and she didn’t want to think of what he had to sacrifice to purchase the fine fabric. She put on the dress, and then hugged Daniel when she saw him by the lists, even though he told her the dress was actually from Alex.
    They were always so affectionate with her. It seemed as if he never wanted to let go of her. Alex had to yell at him several times to get Daniel’s arm pried from her waist. She had heard the camp gossip from Iain that the Laird was a raving, jealous maniac. She tried in vain to tell him