Page 83 of The Dragon Laird’s Obsession

For one terrible moment, Gordon nearly lost the battle. His foot slipped, and Kerr’s blade came within inches of his shoulder, but Gordon twisted aside at the last instant.

Then instinct took over. He turned beneath Kerr’s guard, hooked the man’s wrist, and knocked the blade from his hand. It struck the ground, and silence followed before the yard exploded with cheers.

Gordon stood breathing hard as his gaze went immediately to Ailis.

Relief crossed her face as he saw her exhale, and a warmth stirred in Gordon’s chest before he could push it away.

The thought of winning her favor warmed him.

He hated that it did, and he knew he could not want more.

“Gordon,” Ailis began again when she neared him, but he handed his sword over to Malcolm who approached and stormed away from the yard before she got the chance to reach him.

She followed, but he didn’t slow his steps till he reached his study and pushed the door open.

“Ye are hurt,” Ailis observed, entering behind him.

“I am fine.”

“The cut is bleedin’, Gordon. Ye must see the healer.”

“It is nothin’.” His tone sounded harsh, and even though he did not mean to startle her, she flinched and drew back from him. “I am sorry,” he muttered in a shaky voice, turning to her. “I didnae mean to scare ye.”

The usual brightness in Ailis’ eyes had faltered, replaced by a quiet uncertainty as she looked at him.

“Why did ye join the Games?”

His throat tightened at the question. Gordon did not know the answer to that question. Not because he did not want to but because he could not understand the decision himself.

He never acted rashly, but today, he did. He only thought of Kerr winning Ailis’s favor, and that irritated him more than anything.

The sight of Kerr touchin’ her, kissin’ her hand.

A primitive sensation surged through him, one he could not shake off. One that made his muscles ache and his hands clench in a tight fist.

Ailis asked on another shaky breath. “Why do ye act as though ye want me one moment and as though ye cannae stand me the next?”

He said nothing still.

“It is confusin’, Gordon. Ye are toyin’ with me.”

“I am nae.” The words came rougher than intended.

“Then tell me what ye are doin’.”

He could not.

Heaven help me.

His breathing labored while he tried to gather his thoughts.

He could tell her that he was confused too. That every day she made him question things he had believed all his life. That he wanted her near him and feared wanting her even more. Instead, he looked toward the window.

“The bindin’ is soon,” he murmured, his jaw locked tight.

He felt the burn of Ailis’ gaze on his back.

“There is still time.”