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Jaedin could tell by the layout of the room
that she wasn’t in her solar. “Whose room is this?” she asked the
servant girl.
There was no
answer. “Katie, whose room have you brought me to?” Jaedin
inquired again.
After a slight
pause, the girl finally answered, “Tis Laird MacAlister’s chamber,
milady.”
“I thought I was supposed to be taken to my
room?” she asked the girl, afraid of finding out the answer.
“Laird MacAlister instructed me to bring ye
here.” the girl said sheepishly.
Jaedin drew in a deep breath. “So, I’m to be
taken directly into the lion’s den, am I?” she jested with a slight
snicker, as she felt around the wall to find the window.
“If I may, milady, why do ye always go to the
windows?” the timid girl asked.
“Good question.” Jaedin thought for a moment
of why she did seek out the windows. “I suppose it’s because without my
sight, I feel closed in. The air from the windows allows me to
breathe. The breeze calms me,” she admitted as she took a deep breath.
“So you see, Katie, I’m not as strong as you may think.”
“Dinna let her fool ye Katie. I have the
bruises on mi body that tell a different tale.” Aiden proclaimed as he
walked in the room.
“You deserved every single one of them,
MacAlister.” Jaedin justified her previous actions.
“Ye may go now, Katie. Lady Jaedin willna be
needin’ yer assistance tonight.”
Jaedin heard him behind her and then the
closing of the door. Was that the lock?
Then there was silence. She turned around to
lean her back against the window. She heard something heavy being hung
on the wall, and then she heard the sound of metal on metal. Buckles,
the sound she heard were buckles. Dear God, her heart began to race!
Then Jaedin heard the splashing of water and
a slight groan from Aiden. She quickly turned around to face out the
window, knowing she couldn’t see him; it was still unsettling to her.
She closed her eyes as she envisioned him in the tub, water and soap
streaming down his muscular body, his dark hair slicked back, her hands
kneading his hard…
“Turn around Jaedin.” Aiden said in a low
tone of voice, interrupting her fantasy.
“This was not our agreement, MacAlister.”
Jaedin said as she crossed her arms in defiance, trying to maintain
composure.
“Ye canna see me, lass, now turn around.
I’ll not talk to ye through yer back.” He said with as much patience he
could muster.
Jaedin collected herself then slowly turned
around to face him with her arms still crossed.
“Why am I here and not in my own room?” she
asked.
“We have guests, ye ken that. I gave them
the best chamber in the keep… yers.” He stated. “While they are here,
ye’ll be stayin’ in here with me.” She heard the water sloshing around
again. “Tis after all what a man and his bride would do.”
Taking a deep breath, “Don’t think we’ll be
sharing a bed, MacAlister.” she spat, not quite accepting her
circumstances.
“Dinna fash that hot head of yers, lass.
I’ve no wish to play with fire.” he bit back, beginning to lose his
patience, he stood up. “A man, who plays with fire, gets burnt.” He
stepped out of the tub and grabbed a cloth. “Besides, if and when I need
to bed someone, the lass will come to me willingly. Now help me dry
off.” He ordered as he tossed her the cloth, startling her.
Absolutely stunned by his remarks, she threw
the fabric back across the room, hoping it would hit her intended
target.
“You are the supreme master, Laird MacAlister.
I’m sure women weep with yearning for you.” She turned back around to
face the window. “You’ll not find me begging for your…”
“That’ll be enough outta ye.” Aiden
interrupted as he closed the distance between them by walking up behind
her and grasped her hips tightly and pulled her close, holding her
firmly against him, causing him to instantly grow hard. “I dinna ken
about other women, but by mornin’, ye’ll be the one weepin’ with yearnin’
for my cruaidh breall.” He growled into her ear, slowly grinding his
hard root into her backside while nipping at her neck, sending chills
down Jaedin’s spine. He heard her take a deep breath and she leaned
back further into him. He took that as his invitation, continuing to
nibble down her neck. He grasped the yoke of her chemise and slowly
slid it down her shoulder so he could continue to trail kisses on her
bare, soft skin.
Jaedin closed her eyes. This shouldn’t be
happening. She’d done everything she could to ward him off and to cause
him to hate her. She’d been horrible to him, yet now, his lips and teeth
were causing her heart to race with lightning fury. She should stop
this…she should…
“Now’s the time, Jaedin,” he purred into her
ear in that oh so sexy deep brogue of his, using her name. Oh, she
loved the sound of her name across this man’s lips. “Stop me now lass,
for I’ve not the will to stop myself.” |
