“I’m just enjoying my last few moments before you infiltrate the bond for eternity,” Greer says, and Lain slaps his arm. “Have a good time. I’ll see you both tonight.”
I give him another quick kiss back and take Lain’s hand. Fergus goes to follow us and Lain sighs.
“Lad, you know you’re a part of this pack, but well, you’ll need to stay back for this one.”
Fergus huffs indignantly, like he understands every word and quickly jumps on the couch, plopping his head on his paws as Lain puts on cartoons for him to watch while we’re gone.
We get into the truck and I glance over at Lain.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” I ask, and he glances over at me.
“Dinnae fash, I’m not taking you out to the woods to murder ya.”
“I haven’t even listened to a single murder podcast since I’ve been in Scotland, I’ll have you know.”
“That’s good,” he says, but I can feel how tense he is. I reach out and take his hand in mind, our interlaced fingers sit gingerly against his thigh.
“I’m sure whatever you have planned is perfect, Lain.”
His palm is kind of clammy and I’m almost positive I’ve never seen this Alpha nervous since I’ve arrived. It makes him even more endearing.
The drive is longer than I’m expecting, but as we pull into the parking lot I remember the park we’re at. He doesn’t look at me as he gets out of the truck and comes to get me out of the passenger’s seat.
“We’re going on a hike?”
“Something like that.”
“There aren’t any other cars here…wait, murder is definitely on the table now.”
“Just come on,” he says, grabbing my hand and walking me down the trail to the waterfall. As luck would have it, there’s a trickle of rain that starts up as we walk.
“Are we going to the waterfall?”
“Mostly,” he says, still not looking at me as if he’s so nervous about this grand plan. I know that we’re getting closer when I hear the whoosh of the water in the distance and Lain finally slows his pace.
“I brought you back here because I’m pretty sure this was the place I knew I had to keep you, that you would somehow be the love of my life. When it was pouring rain and you just smiled and looked up at the sky, I realized you were the most beautiful woman in the world and I wanted to put that look on your face forever. I’m not proud to say that I was plotting all sorts of ways to make you stay.”
He’s speaking so fast and my heart races as I listen to his words. We finally approach the waterfall, but there’s something on the edge. It’s a clear tent, filled with blankets and pillows on the inside.
I turn to meet Lain’s eyes again, and he swallows thickly before he speaks again.
“I love you, Maisie, and I want to spend forever getting stuck in the rain and laughing at the sky with you, if you’ll have me.”
I all but leap into his arms, and he catches me before bringing us into the clear tent. Rain splashes against the sides and it’s definitely the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me.
There’s a small spot for our shoes and jackets, and we place them there before lying down on the pillows and blankets he brought.
The tent is unbelievable. It’s like we’re truly in our own little bubble. We’re still able to see the outdoors, but sheltered from the rain that taps against the clear plastic.
“I love you too, Lain, so much,” I say as our heads land on the plethora of pillows here. “This is…perfect, wonderful, just amazing, Lain. Thank you,” I say, tears welling in my eyes because my heart is just so full.
I run my hand through his hair, and he leans into my touch.
“I’m so glad I found you. I didn’t come here looking for a romance, but I found it with you. Not only did you make me fall for you, but for the Highlands. You mean the world to me.”
It’s not even a second after I finish the last word that Lain is pressing me back against the blankets and covering my mouth with his. Our scents mingle together in the tent as we kiss leisurely. Neither of us are in a rush to pop this bubble and want to make it last.
Realizing that I have a lifetime with Lain, that he’s about to be my bonded Alpha, has my heart pattering rapidly in my chest. This sweet man, the one who helped a couple of strangers on the side of the road with a flat tire and then promptly made it his mission for me to fall in love with this place, has completely won my heart.
