Page 13 of Wedded to the Devilish Highlander
There was laughter in his voice, but he didn’t move away from her. It was as if he knew, no matter what she pulled, that she wasn’t capable of injuring him… or moving him.
Arrogant. Arse.
“Yeare the cheater!” she hissed, attempting a blow to his gut. Which turned out to be equally as marbled as his chest. “Argh! Damn ye!” she cried out, panting for breath.
A lump formed in her throat, overwhelmed by her effort and swarming thoughts.
Focus. Ye can find another way out. He cannae stay awake forever.
“Calm yer breathing, lass,” he said, grabbing her hands again and placing them on his chest. “Again.”
“What kind ofsickgame is this? Do ye make all yerprisonersfight for their freedom?” she snapped, changing her stance slightly.
“Aye,” Archer said plainly, not answering her questions but approving of whatever moves she was making.
Her eyes flashed up to his, but he was looking down at her legs.
“Ye are little. Ye cannae expect to match me in a fight. Use what ye have, lass.”
Eileen knew what he was talking about. She had seen Thomas and Reid wrestle in the courtyard many times.
Her eyes flashed down to assess which side his dagger was on.
Left.The hilt is facing forward, which means he grabs it with his right hand.
“Good,” she heard him say, but his voice seemed far away.
Her hands slid to his left side, one high just under his shoulder and the other low on his lowest rib.
She felt him hum with approval, but he made no other noise. His body tensed, and he leaned into her touch slightly.
Eileen slid her left leg out behind her, and she braced her weight forward as she jabbed her lower hand into the soft part of his side. She watched as he staggered forward, losing his balance, and her high hand pushed up with all of her might.
He stumbled back slightly, giving her a window to dart away. But the first step she tried to take was fully airborne.
Archer had twisted around, picked her up off the ground with one arm, and pulled her against him. Her back was now flush against his torso, and she was irate.
“Let me go! Ye brute! Ye cheater!” She thrashed fruitlessly as his other arm wrapped around her tightly, effectively holding her in place.
“I never said I wouldnae try to stop ye,” he pointed out.
His warm breath caressed the thin skin of her neck, leaving goosebumps in its wake.
“Wh—Why are ye doin’ this? Let me go!”
“Because if me own sister ever pulled such a foolish stunt, I’d hope there was a man out there willin’ to stop her.” The gravel in his voice raked down her spine devilishly.
She blinked, caught off guard. “So, this is what? Chivalry?”
He shrugged. “I reckon we are past chivalry. I already ken how ye feel under me?—”
The reality of the situation hit her like a ton of bricks. She was alone in her bedroom with a large brute. He owed her nothing,and no one knew she was here. She was all too aware of every single point of contact their bodies made, and her eyes went wide as he took a small step forward.
“What are ye—What are ye goin’ to do?” she asked, trying to mask the nervousness in her voice by wriggling again.
“Quit buckin’ around like a wild beast, lass. I’m tryin’ to put ye down without ye causin’ any injury.”
She inhaled sharply before her breathing slowed. “Ye willnae hurt me?”
