Laird of the Game (20 page)

Daniel had Iain’s Power of Attorney in hand when he walked in to the Registrar’s office and got a marriage license. He could take care of all his problems at once. Iain would finally have only one woman in his life and would be a happy man to have his Bonnie. Alex would be delighted, and the arrangements were already made.

Daniel returned to the game grinning like a bobcat with his tail on fire.

Chapter Twenty

The Prince pulled off an amazing upset in the MacKenna camp and now has the lead with a one hundred and fifty-point advantage over the Laird. It is rumored that the youngest MacKenna has been leading more challenges than the Laird this year. It’s my guess the Laird’s just too busy with his lady to pay attention. The Prince is going to win if the MacKenna boys don’t have an amazing upset of their own to retaliate.

On the Streets, with Rosabel

It was long after dark had settled on the tiny village that one dark figure moved silently to the hospital door and walked into the MacKenna wing at the hospital. Her small body was covered in a black velvet cloak lined in white satin. The full-length cape touched the tops of her toes, and the hood pulled low concealed her identity. She made her way past the nurse’s station and down the hall to his room. She already knew where to find him and eased the door open to peer inside the darkened room.

The nurse just raised her eyes heavenward and went back to filling in her charts. Iain had already told her that he was getting company late that night and then wouldn’t want to be disturbed until morning.

Bonnie draped the velvet cloak over the chair and quietly eased into bed next to Iain. He was asleep when she walked in, but the warmth of her body woke him. He reached out and pulled her into his arms. She had on a black lace teddy under the cape, and the soft body that snuggled up to Iain was already flushed with excitement. He had called her the moment his brothers had left the room, and Bonnie drove from London to join him for the night. Her scent of wild roses surrounded him, and he brushed her soft, tempting mouth with his lips.

He groaned when he moved his head. “Hello, Bonnie, my love.” Iain lay back on the pillow and closed his eyes but the spinning only got worse. “The world slides away from me if I move my head, lass.”

Bonnie was in tears. “Iain, you’re really hurt!” She kissed his cheeks and eyes and then gently kissed his lips. Long golden-brown hair spilled over his arm as she reached for the nurse’s call button. “You need a doctor.”

Iain caught her hand as she reached over him and brought her fingers to his lips. “Later, my darling. Right now the only cure I need is right here beside me. I’d be delighted if ye’d kiss me again,” he said dreamily. “My sweet Bonnie lass, I want tae marry ye. Will ye have me for your husband?”

Bonnie couldn’t believe what she had just heard. Iain had many women falling all over him. She smiled and kissed him happily. There were tears streaming down her cheeks and blended into the kiss. “I will marry you, Iain, and I’ll love you all the days of my life.”

Iain reached under the pillow beside his head and took out a ring box. “Good thing ye want tae marry me,” he said softly against her ear and took out the three carat pink diamond solitaire, slipping the ring on her finger. “Daniel is taking care of the license for me, but you’ll have tae stop and sign the papers. We’re getting married at the Kirk right before the party.”

“We are?” Bonnie brushed the hair from his face and kissed him everywhere she could reach. “Why marry me now, Iain? Is it for the bairn?”

“No lass, it’s not for the child, although I am delighted. I’m in love with ye. Melissa helped me see how much I wanted ye in my life. She’s such a fine lady.”

“Should I worry about this fine lady?” Bonnie bit her lip, already worried.

“No’ unless ye are in love with Alex, too, lass. I want a life with our family. I offer ye my heart and soul, love.”

Bonnie bent down to kiss his lips, and her warm body covered his. “Then I will have you forever and always, my handsome love.”

It didn’t matter how much he hurt. Iain wanted to make love to her and ease the agony in his body. She kissed his closed eyelids. He whimpered slightly, just enough to get her attention. He was enjoying her attention and couldn’t think of a better way to spend the night in the hospital.  In fact, he was feeling better by the moment.

His Bonnie loved him gently, and he was grateful. Iain couldn’t open his eyes when she collapsed on him, exhausted from pleasing him. He wrapped his arms around her and fell asleep instantly.

Bonnie adjusted the covers around them and thought she would put her head down on his warm chest just for a few moments. Her eyes closed sleepily, and it was the last thing she remembered.

***

Gideon found Iain and Bonnie wrapped around each other the next morning. They were both sound asleep, and a black lace teddy was hung over his intravenous stand next to the bed.

The nurse called on the room intercom. “Dr. MacKenna, are you in the room with Iain?”

“Yes I am,” he said softly so not to jolt Iain and Bonnie awake.

“There’s a Rosabel here inquiring about Iain’s injuries. We thought you might want to answer her questions while I take care of matters in the room.”

Gideon understood exactly what she was talking about. They had to get Bonnie out of the room before Rosabel spotted her, and Bonnie ended up on the front page of the tabloid.

Gideon walked out to the hall, just as the nurse passed him and went into the room. He stood in front of Rosabel, blocking her view of the room.

“It’s good to see you again Dr. MacKenna,” Rosabel said and was amazed her voice sounded clear. When he stood so close to her, she couldn’t stop a slight tremble in her hands as she reached for her notebook.

Gideon smiled but said nothing. He towered over the beautiful Malaysian woman. Her long black hair was straight and hung down to her waist. Her eyes were dark pools of simmering liquid ink that sparkled when he got near her. The desire she felt for him was obvious, but so was the fact that she refused to follow the reaction to his bed. He wanted to feel the warmth of her naked body against his, and the thoughts nearly caused a groan.

Rosabel noticed something peculiar. “Mind telling me why you have Iain MacKenna on the ObGyn floor? I thought he had a concussion not a baby.”

“I don’t mind telling you. Iain donated this wing of the hospital.”

“From what I’ve heard, he needs an entire wing of a hospital to deliver all the babies he’s fathered this year. Is that correct? The rumors are astounding. He must be a Celtic God to have four paternity law suits at once.”

The door to the hospital room opened, and a cloaked figure walked out with the nurse. She took the lady out the side door, and Rosabel couldn’t help but smile. “This must be a full-service hospital?”

“Only the best,” Gideon said quietly. “Will you have a cup of coffee with me, Rosabel?”

“Coffee?” He wanted to sleep with her. It glimmered in his gray-green eyes. He towered over her, and she was a little apprehensive, especially since she had walked out on him at dinner.

Gideon took her arm and led her to the elevators. They waited until they had their coffee and sat down at a table in the outside courtyard where it was quiet. Her exotic beauty and dark eyes had haunted his nights since they had dinner together before. The lush scent of lilies wafted over him and reminded him again how much he wanted to make love to her.

Rosabel felt the heat of his ardent stare. His gaze devoured her, caressed her, and made love to her without a blink of his eyes. His tall, sexy body was within a few inches, and her knee brushed against his leg. She felt warm all over and desired. It had a heady affect on her senses, and she wanted to reach out and touch his cheek. His presence made her blush, knowing he wanted to make love to her and also that she desired him. She envisioned him lounging on a bed after making passionate love for hours, and the heat rushed to her cheeks.

Her imagination raced to what it must be like to be touched by a man so powerful and intimate. He was, from all the years of reporting the MacKenna playboys, one of the quieter men in their family. His brothers, Robert and Iain, were infamous with several lusty affairs, some with married women, but Gideon’s love life was very secretive. He didn’t kiss and tell or parade the notches on his bedpost in public.

“I’d like tae kiss ye,” he said quietly to Rosabel. “But, I’m going tae wait until ye kiss me.” His face was set in a dead-serious look that made her blush even more.

“What incredible arrogance!” Rosabel stood to leave and dropped her notebook on the terrace stone floor.

“Nevertheless,” Gideon replied. “Ye want me tae kiss ye, so you can tell yourself it wasn’t your decision. Ye will kiss me, Rosabel. And then I will make love with ye until ye fall asleep in my arms, exhausted and smiling.”

Her eyes closed just thinking about his muscled body naked and pleasing her. She opened her eyes, and he was gone. His movements were silent and dangerous, like a prowling cat that had just spotted his prey. Rosabel suddenly felt very self-conscious. She couldn’t let herself get involved. The memory of him caused a jerk in her belly, and she wanted to caress that lean body.

Rosabel suddenly realized he had managed to avoid even one question. “The bastard!” She took her coffee to leave. The distraction of his sexy body had completely unnerved her, and she forgot to do her job. Now, she had no idea if Iain MacKenna had a concussion or not. One thing was certain; she wasn’t going to end up a momentary diversion for Dr. Gideon MacKenna. The disappointment was almost unbearable.

***

Their scouts raised an alarm. Alex was on his feet a moment later, shouted commands, and the warriors scrambled to find their swords.

They were under attack from what Melissa could understand of the shouting men around her.

William had his scouting party ready to ride out when the alarm sent the camp into battle preparations.

Evan ran to the stables and brought out Alex’s stallion. The horse was saddled moments later and reared up in the excitement. He took the reins and led the horse out to Alex.

Melissa stood silently in the center of the maelstrom and watched the enemy ride over the ridge. The sight of the Prince and his army was enough terror to get a scream out of her.

Daniel stood beside Alex. “It’s a good day for a fight.”

“It’s always a good day for a fight,” Alex agreed.

“Melissa?” Daniel asked.

Alex looked down. Melissa was firmly attached to him with her arms around his waist. He put his arm around her to protect and comfort her. “Don’t worry, sweetheart.”

Evan brought the stallion up to the clearing and then took a defensive position beside William. Alex eased into the saddle, and Daniel lifted Melissa up with two hands on her waist.

Melissa held on tightly to Alex. “You’re very relaxed for a man who just got ambushed,” she said testily. The Prince’s men were fighting their way into camp.

“I’m taking her back tae the Manor House, Daniel.”

“I’ll send her things along.” Daniel smiled and casually dropped one of the Prince’s men with a kick.

William met the oncoming warriors at the edge of their camp and landed the first blow of sword against shield that knocked the Prince off his horse.

“Daniel doesn’t have a sword,” Melissa said frantically to Alex as they rode away.

“He doesn’t need one,” Alex answered. He rode to the top of the Western ridge and turned back to watch the battle.

William had already turned the Prince around and now had the offense. Alex felt a twinge of pride. He had taught William everything he knew about how to gain an advantage in a battle. The lad had learned how to turn a battle and gain victory even in a surprise attack. It was as if he were looking at himself, eighteen years ago, as William commanded the warriors, and they obeyed without question. Alex felt content that he had made the right decision.

William met the Prince on foot, and the warriors were pressed back beyond the edge of the camp. The Prince conceded the battle and rode back to the opposite ridge on the eastern side of the loch to watch the battle. Gideon had also joined the fight and stood next to William to fend off any rear attacks.