Page 17 of Utterly Dauntless (Return to Culloden Moor #3)

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

A fter lunch, the Muir sisters, who had rented a suite at the hotel, started handing out room keys and insisted everyone join them in the swimming pool. All excuses were rejected since the hotel had swimsuits to let in all sizes and was eager to accommodate them. They even had a key for Tristan and his wife when they showed up with Aries' things.

Grey's stomach plummeted when he saw Aries' eyes light up. She claimed her joy was at having her grandmother's Royal Dalton back, but he knew differently. It was her freedom that had just been handed to her. He was going to lose her for good.

The late summer sun warmed the flagstones around the pool, making this rare Scottish afternoon perfect for swimming. And more than one man wondered aloud if the Muir sisters might have some power over the weather. Steam rose from the heated water and created an almost mystical atmosphere.

"The magic will be if his suit stays put," Jake said, watching Shug execute a perfect cannonball that sent waves crashing over the coping. The big man surfaced with a roar and shook water from his hair like a massive dog.

"That's just physics, lad," McHenish called from where he lounged against the wall in the shallow end. "Mass and velocity and—" His scientific explanation was cut short when someone grabbed his ankles and yanked him under. It was Wyndham, who emerged from the water in a great whoosh and roared in the same manner as Shug had.

The teens shrieked with laughter when McHenish flew up out of the water to land on Wyndham's back. The two men wrestled and sent more waves across the pool. Craig tried to maintain his dignity but soon joined in, teaming up with Carson to dunk the Highlanders.

Aries floated on her back at the quiet end, trying not to stare at Grey's broad shoulders as he pulled himself up to sit on the edge. Water streamed down his chest, and she forced herself to look away.

"Chicken fight!" Jake shouted. "Emma, get on my shoulders!"

"I will not," his sister replied primly, but squealed when Carson scooped her up and deposited her on Craig's shoulders instead.

"Right then," Shug said, "who's my partner?" His eyes landed on Aries. "Come on, lass. Let's show these youngsters how it's done."

Before she could protest, she found herself hoisted onto that wet, shaggy dog to face off against Emma. The competition was on. They locked hands and tried to topple each other while Craig and Shug did their best to help.

"That's it!" Wyndham called. "Push left, Aries! She's off balance!"

Grey's low chuckle sent shivers down her spine that had nothing to do with the water temperature. "Too late. She's goin' down."

"Never!" she shouted, but Emma took advantage of her distraction and gave a mighty shove. Aries toppled backward and took Shug with her. Water flooded her ears and face and drowned out most of the shouting. When she came up gasping and laughing, the volleyball floated nearby. She grabbed it and hurled it at Grey, smacking him squarely on the side of the head.

When he found the guilty party, his brows flew high, then his head lowered like a bull. "Oh, aye?"

The game that followed was part keep away, part rugby, with alliances forming and dissolving as the ball was passed and stolen. Betrayal seemed to earn the most laughter. When Grey finally got his hands on the ball, Aries knew she was in trouble.

Shug bellowed, "Run!"

She didn't need to be told twice. She hauled herself up the steps, hurried to the grass, and sprinted as fast as she could, driven by pure adrenaline. Grey hopped smoothly out the side, already cutting the distance. With his longer stride, he gained quickly. He caught her arm, dragged her to a stop, then threw her over his broad wet shoulder.

She squealed and laughed and pretended to struggle. Back at the pool, everyone cheered, but their voices died quickly when Grey continued around the corner of the building.

"Breathless and panting," he growled. "Exactly how I wanted ye."

Strong hot hands lifted her hips and lowered her to the ground. Instead of letting her go, he pressed her against the sun-warmed wall. She was solemn as the grave when their eyes locked.

"Time to pay the piper," he murmured, as he lowered his head and claimed her mouth.

The kiss was familiar, like coming home—the remembered taste of him, the way his hands cradled her face, the solid warmth of his body against hers. She melted into him, forgetting everything else as the years apart began to contract.

How had she ever walked away from this?

When they finally paused to catch their breath, Grey rested his forehead against hers. "Don't run," he whispered. "Please. Not until I've had my say. Then I promise...I will let ye go."

Before she could respond, he stepped away, leaving her gasping.

Leaving her.

Shug scowled at Grey when he came back to the pool alone.

"She gone?"

He shrugged, not daring to hope out loud. But resigned all the same.

A body came whizzing past. Aries' bum, strapped in a too-small, hot pink swimsuit, bounced only a few times before she flew out over the water.

"Cannonball!"