Page 105 of The Icy Highlander's Virgin
"Brutish?" Lachlan raised an eyebrow, rising from his chair to move around the table toward her. "Is that what ye call me?"
"Among other things," she replied, standing to meet him halfway. "Though I suppose 'protective' and 'fierce' might be more accurate.
"I prefer fierce," he said, his hands settling on her waist to draw her closer. "It sounds more fearsome."
"Ye're many things, Lachlan Kinnaird," she said softly, her hands coming up to rest on his chest. "But fearsome to me isnae one of them."
When he kissed her, it was with the slow tenderness of a man who had all the time in the world and wanted to savor every moment. She melted into him, grateful for this peace they'd found together, this sanctuary they'd built from what had started as mere political necessity.
"We're goin' on a picnic today," Lachlan announced, appearing in their chambers as Erica finished brushing her hair. "Pack whatever ye need for a day outdoors."
Erica's face lit up with genuine delight. "A picnic? How wonderful! Where are we goin'?"
"Somewhere special," he said with a mysterious smile. "Dress for ridin'."
Her excitement carried her through the preparations—packing food with Mairi's help, choosing her most comfortable riding dress, even braiding her hair back practically instead of leaving it loose. It had been weeks since they'd had time for anything purely enjoyable, and the prospect of a day away from clan duties felt like a precious gift.
The ride through the Highland countryside was beautiful, with spring flowers blooming along the path and the morning sun warming their faces. Lachlan led them through winding hills and small groves of oak and pine.
But when they crested the final hill and she saw their destination spread out below them, her excitement died as quickly as if someone had doused it with ice water.
The lake.
The same lake where she'd nearly drowned just weeks ago, where panic and water had filled her lungs and she'd been certain she was going to die. Her horse seemed to sense her sudden tension, sidestepping nervously as her hands tightened involuntarily on the reins.
"Nay," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Lachlan, nay. I cannae?—"
"That's exactly why we're here," he said gently, dismounting and moving to help her down from her horse. "So ye can learn that the water doesnae have to be somethin' to fear."
"I daenae want to get in the water," Erica said firmly, backing away from the lake's edge as if it were a wild animal that might attack her. "I told ye I cannae swim, and after what happened..."
"Aye, I ken," Lachlan replied patiently, beginning to unpack their supplies on a flat patch of grass well back from the water. "That's why ye need to learn. A Highland lass should be able to handle herself in water."
"I handled meself just fine by stayin’ out of it for twenty-three years," she said, crossing her arms defensively. "I daenae see any reason to change that now."
"Because ye nearly died," he said bluntly, his blue eyes meeting hers with unwavering determination. "Because fear is a poison that spreads if ye let it. And because I willnae have me wife afraid of somethin’ I can teach her to master."
Erica shook her head, moving even farther from the water's edge. "It's too cold today. Look at those clouds—it might rain."
"The sun's been shining all mornin'."
"I didnae bring proper clothes for swimmin'."
"Ye can swim in yer chemise. It'll dry."
"Maybe tomorrow would be better. When we've had time to plan properly."
Lachlan stopped unpacking and turned to face her fully, his expression gentle but implacable. "Erica, love, ye could make excuses from now until winter, and they'd all sound reasonable. But the truth is, ye're afraid."
"Of course I'm afraid!" she burst out, her carefully maintained composure cracking. "I nearly died in that water! I felt it fillin' me lungs, felt everythin' going dark, and if ye hadnae been there..."
"But I was there," he said quietly, moving closer to her. "And I'm here now. And I'm nae goin' to let anythin' happen to ye."
"I ken, but I daennae trust that water."
"Even if I can promise that I'll teach ye to save yerself? That's what swimming is, Erica—it's not about trustin' the water. It's about trustin' yerself."
She wrapped her arms around herself, staring at the lake as if it were her mortal enemy. "I keep thinking about how helpless I felt. How completely out of control."
