Sticks and Balls

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: Kathani Bridgerton
Note: Better layout coming soon!

i will

ALWAYS PROTECT YOU

Anthony had done exactly what he said he would not do: marry Katherine Sharma. While he knew they were left with little other choice . . . it was still a decision that he knew would come with repercussions. Or perhaps not. If he set limits between them, boundaries . . . made the expectations clear, then surely, this arrangement would work. It was after all, the only way to save her own honor. Had Portia not been one of the three that witnessed the scene, then perhaps they would have been alright. But thanks to her and her gossiping ways . . . there was not much of an alternative.

❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖ 

Time spent together now as fiancées was indeed important. Here at Aubrey Hall, and enjoying the pleasant weather . . . and each other's company. To help avoid any sort of, awkwardness -- though Anthony was determined not to let it linger -- they decided to practice a game that Kate had just recently played for the first time and -- much to Anthony's annoyance -- won at his expense. She had seemed to fit in quite nicely when playing with his siblings, but some more practice could never hurt. Especially now as she would be his wife. "Beginner's luck stays true to it's name," he told her -- playfully warned her.

❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖ 

Suggesting that she should not expect to win again, and implying that her previous victory was just luck. Anthony Bridgerton was indeed a sore loser. As he pulled out the selection of mallets, he extended them to her for her to pick, though abruptly jerked it back for a brief moment as he gave her a warning look that matched the tone of his earlier words. "Don't even think about it." The black mallet was his. He would not relinquish his ownership of it twice. The fact that his siblings allowed it to happen for a first time was unforgivable.

[Kathani Bridgerton]

Kate was walking with Anthony toward the area they would play in. She was still trying to deal with the fact that he was all but trapped with her as a wife now, and she felt guilty for it. Pushing these thoughts to the side she found a corner of her lips twitching when he told her that it she had been lucky. "I believe most call that skill, but if you wish to call your playing luck I shall not stop you." She barbed back, letting the challenge of the game get her in the mood to win!

Anthony pulled out the mallets and then jumped for his prized one. "I shall best you with the same one you used." She informed him reaching for the same lightered colored mallet that he used during their game, and then smiled up at him at the memory of him using it. "When I do, then I shall get to use your mallet without protest at the next family game." Her prize for winning. "And should you decide to begin showing me these skills that brought such arrogance, then you may claim a prize too."

^{Anthony Bridgerton}

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: Kathani Bridgerton
Note: Better layout coming soon!

i will

ALWAYS PROTECT YOU

Anthony practically scoffed at the idea of Kate possessing the skills that fluked her into a win. Yes, Anthony knew this his intolerance for losing was perhaps a bit juvenile . . . but he was not accustomed to it. And it had been worse that it was Kate who beat him. Worse . . . and glorious at the same time. How did this woman cause so many contradictions within him?! "Should you be able to perform the exact same winning move that you deem as skill--" His voice was a bit sarcastic upon saying that last word.

❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖ 

"Then I will concede that perhaps you have a natural talent for this game." And just because he had said that, and would refuse to concede to anything with her . . . he was going to do all that he could to ensure he won this time. As if that was not enough incentive, his determination increased significantly when she spoke of him claiming a prize. His lips curved into a smile, watching her pull out the pink mallet and ball as he reached for the black one, setting the bag that held the rest to the side. "You will be at my complete mercy today, Kate," he told her, flirtatious threat in his voice.

❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖ 

"For the thought of claiming a prize, is too good an opportunity to forgo." Meaning, he was not going to go easy on her . . . at all. Once they had their mallets, he brought out the wickets, taking them in his hand. "And to prove that I am not entirely unfair, I will even let you set the course." He paused to stand directly in front of her, leaning toward her, close enough that he could feel his breath upon her.

❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖ 

How he managed to avoid kissing her right then and there, was a wonder. Especially now as they were engaged and there was less to battle this kind of physical intimacy. "It will be all the more sweet when I still win." The words said with continued confidence before he draw back from her, leading her out of the shed and onto the field. That, was perhaps even worse for him than it was for her . . . which only caused him to silently curse himself. But still. It seemed he was a constant dance, a constant game with Kate and . . . he would not lose.

[Kathani Bridgerton]

Daphne had taught her somewhat of what setting the course meant, so Kate knew how she wanted to make it. Everyone single one of them were going to face the water so if he hit it too hard . . . bye bye black ball.

Yet, she was distracted by his nearness. The smell of him here in the shed. The way she wanted him to kis--and he led them out of the shed. Unkissed. Kate wondered if he was making the best of things since getting caught, or if he still regretted not getting to wed Edwina. She was going to try to make the best of things, however, she had wanted to marry him. Only not by trapping him.

"I shall set the course then. Do that I may claim my prize." Turning she picked up the wickets, and then looked back at him. "You never did say what you're prize might be." While waiting for a response--if there would be one--she begin setting up what she assumed would be a hard course, having them face roots, trees, and of course the water.

🌷🏑🐝💕
^{Anthony Bridgerton}

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: Kathani Bridgerton
Note: Better layout coming soon!

i will

ALWAYS PROTECT YOU

Anthony gave a short chuckle at her words of claiming a prize and with the confidence and certainty in which she said them in. As they exited the shed, wickets in her hand, Anthony followed behind her, some distance between them. And . . . well, he found himself quite enjoying the view. Particularly when she bent over to secure the wicket into the ground. He could not help it as his gaze ran over her curves, knowing that if they weren't engaged . . . then this would be most inappropriate. But then, it was not as if he had not thought about such things prior to their engagement. Of her body, of what it would look like undressed.

❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖ 

Temptation was starting to burn through him, desire starting to overcome restraint -- "You never did say what you're prize might be." Anthony's eyes quickly darted to her face as she asked him this question, fortunate that he was able to guard his expressions otherwise . . . she may know she had won before they even got started. "Now where would the fun be if I were to tell you now," he teased. "You will know when I win." Spoken with the same arrogance he always approached Pall Mall with. Yet he knew that if he was in fact to win, then he should start focusing on the course and not on her . . . . . . this was going to be damned harder than he thought.