Grounded By Love (The Giant Wars #2)(40)

As the rest continued, Kaeldar decided he should make yet another claim to her in front of all the rock giants. It would be good to ensure they knew he was serious about his claim on her.

Standing he yanked her arm, bringing her up beside him, wrapped an arm around her waist, and drew her sharply against him.

Kaeldar looked down into her wide jade eyes and growled down at her. He told her in his language that she was his, and there was a tone in his voice that made even him know there was an absolute truth to his words.

A twinge ached in his chest. She was his to protect. He wished human words had the same sincerity the words in his language carried.

Within the blink of an eye, she jerked out of his grasp and whipped a danger into her hand. With a leap, she slashed out at him.

Kaeldar leaned back to dodge her slice.

Kaeldar and Claira now had the attention of all the rock giants who were standing nearby. Some of them made callouts, when she pulled the dagger, but none of them were concerned. She’d pulled a dagger on a larger and much more experienced opponent.

“You want to fight me?” He laughed. Even Kaeldar wasn't concerned, but he did dodge the next two lunges she made for his arms.

“You had best take me serious.” Claira warned him.

He had no intention at all to fight her, even though the other rock giants were yelling for him to show her place in the picking order.

Instead, he decided to pretend fight her. He pulled out his own dagger and let her lunge, and then he would play lunge at her. If he wanted to kill or harm her, she would be on the ground dead, but he didn't want to.

Kaeldar was actually curious if she knew how to use the dagger she was brandishing. It would be a great benefit, if she did.

After another lunge, he knew she had no idea what she was doing. She probably found it, at some point, in their travels and decided to arm herself. He was disappointed she had no idea how to use the dagger, but he was sure with some practice he could get her up to par.

On her next lunge, he turned swiftly and caught her in his arms, pressing her into his chest. Her hands were trapped next to her sides, so she couldn’t move them. He didn't want to take the risk that she would actually stab him, if he allowed her an opening.

Holding her tightly, he bent his head down and gripped her blonde hair in a fist. Then he came down to press his lips against her soft ones.

The cheering from his fellow men was deafening.

As he deepened the kiss, his heart stopped, and then beat rapidly. She tasted so sweet against his lips, like honey. He couldn't help but slip his tongue into her mouth, as she melted against him. Her body felt so right to him, he liked it, and he wanted her.




Claira was shocked, when he gripped her hair and pulled her head back for his kiss. She was also surprised when she found herself enjoying his kiss, especially when he deepened it by slipping his tongue into her warm and waiting mouth.

It crossed her mind that she could bite down on his tongue, but she was enjoying it too much. She could feel the emotion behind the kiss, almost as if he had been waiting to do this, since meeting her.

The warriors around them gave another cheer, and Kaeldar broke away from her. Claira wanted to yell at the rock giants for ruining such a perfect moment. That is until Kaeldar waved her dagger in front of her.

Frustration bubbled up inside of her.

“You rotten...”

“Uh uh, don't be rude now.” He teased her.

She felt insulted she’d been so distracted by the kiss that he’d been able to steal her dagger. He fooled her, and she was pissed she’d been that completely stupid.

“You are such a rat.”

Kaeldar only shrugged his large shoulders, not seeming bothered by the fact he had tricked her out of her only weapon.

The rock giants around them roared with laughter and held up cups of their ale, as they applauded the show that had unfolded before them. They knew she’d been no challenge for Kaeldar.

Claira felt her cheeks heat. He’d just been playing with her. What had she been thinking? Of course, she was going to be no match for him in a fight. She hadn't been trained to be a warrior.




Kaeldar guided her back to the tent, with a few of the rock giants trailing after them. Even his glares couldn't get them to go away. They were probably hoping for yet another show.

Kaeldar closed the tent flap, after shoving her inside, and then turned to the men.

He handed the dagger over to them. “Give that to someone who wants it.” There went his spare dagger, but he didn’t need her stealing it again.

Claira must have found it in his pack of clothing he’d left in the last tent. She was sneaky, he would give her that. He had to wonder how long it’d been on her person, and he hadn’t suspected a thing.

Slowly, the rock giants trickled away, as they realized there wouldn't be another show for them to witness. He knew they were disappointed, but they’d get over it.

He was feeling a bit hot and bothered, after his kiss with Claira, and he didn’t need an audience. He’d been too long without the companionship of a warm female. He was like a randy lad, hard after just one kiss with Claira. She really affected him, and he was tempted to follow her into the tent and continue their moment.

But he decided he shouldn't. Instead, he walked in the opposite direction. He needed a way to get this excess energy out of his system with some practice fighting.