Seizing this fleeting window of shock, I lash out with my boot-clad foot, landing a solid kick where it matters most. His face twists in agony as he lets out an ear-piercing wail:
“Aieeeee! Sassenach wench!”
His words hang suspended in mid-air like an unfinished melody before his body crumples onto the cold stone floor.
I don’t waste another second before sprinting out into the intimidating darkness of the Highland woods, choosing a path that appears untouched. My boots pound against the rugged terrain as I dodge underbrush and leap over fallen logs. Rogue brambles scratch my cheeks, and twigs whipat my legs, but I press on, ignoring the sting. There’s no room for weakness here.
As I delve deeper into the wilderness, each gasping breath seems to echo Cal’s warnings this last month about how to navigate these treacherous woods. I squint into the darkness, searching for moss-covered trees pointing north and constellations that could guide me back to my kilt-clad Highland heartthrob. Each scrape from a twig feels like an award for bravery; every step further from my kidnappers is one step closer to freedom.
The determination coursing through me is fierce and unwavering; there’s no turning back now. Despite everything—despite being stranded centuries away from home—I know all roads lead back to Cal.
To safety. To love.
Branches snag at my hair and clothes, but I push onward, driven by adrenaline and desperate need to find Cal.
“Just another day in paradise,” I mutter, dodging branches like Tinder matches. “Fleeing from kidnappers, sprinting through the Scottish wilds, and chasing a guy who feels like Mr. Right—all refreshingly better than decoding dating app texts. Fingers crossed that my gut’s right this time!”
I press on through the night, clinging to hope that somewhere out there, Cal is looking for me, just as determined as I am. And if not, well, I’ll have to be my own hero.
As I stumble through the underbrush, a voice slices through the night air like a warm breeze cutting through the cold.
“Mills! Is that you?”
I spin around, my heart stuttering, and there he is—emerging from the shadows with a look of relief, exhaustion, and something else I can’t quite put my finger on.
“Cal!” I exclaim as I fling myself into his arms. “You came for me!”
His green and blue tartan kilt, frayed at the edges from his rugged journey, hugs his waist like a medal of valor earned through untold adventures. His white shirt is slightly disheveled from the windswept path he’s crossed, adding an edge to his otherwise composed demeanor.
He wraps me in a hug, holding me so tightly that I can feel the rhythmic thud of his heart echoing through my chest, his muscles forming a protective cocoon around me.
As the world fades into the background, I feel an overwhelming sense of security and belonging. Nothing can touch me as long as I’m in his arms.
“Of course I did, you wee daftie,” he whispers into my hair, his voice a husky caress. “Ye’re my lass, aren’t ye?”
I pull back and look up at him, my delight mirrored in his sparkling eyes.
“Your gal? I could get used to that.”
Cal grins and gives me a wink. “Aye, well, dinnae get too cocky. But ye have to admit, ye were pretty badass back there, outsmarting those goons in nothing more than a sexy mini-nightie.”
A laugh escapes me, and I feel the spark between us burst into solid flames. “Well, you know me. Always armed with a snappy comeback and a well-aimed boot to the giggleberries.”
His smile is a slow burn, igniting something deep inside me.
“That’s my Mills. Irresistibly funny, delightfully fearless, and stunning beyond words.”
Without warning, he closes the gap between us, his strong hands cradling my face with a tenderness that makes my heart race. His touch is electrifying, sending shockwaves that settle into a delicious warmth low in my belly.
Our lips meet in a kiss that's both fiery and teasing, like we've been waiting for this moment our whole lives. As his tongue dances with mine, I can barely stand, overwhelmed by the intensity of it all. It’s a symphony of sensation that drowns out everything but us.
As reality fades, replaced by the intoxicating dance of our mouths, I realize that finding someone like Cal might just be my greatest adventure yet. Love is no sure thing, but right now, with him, I can't imagine wanting anything else.
"Yer kisses could my eternal undoing," Calmurmurs against my lips, his voice a seductive whisper that makes my heart skip a beat. I can feel his breath, hot and heavy against my skin, as he adds, "I cannae stop thinking about laying you down on a soft bed of moss, losing myself in ye completely. You’re all I want and more."
“Oh, trust me, the feeling’s mutual,” I reply, a sultry smile tugging at my lips. "But first, we’ve got Dumb and Dumber in kilts to outrun."
His laughter is a low rumble, thrilling and full of promise. “Deal. That image of us tangled up and bare will be my secret weapon.”
