The ruined orgasm still flutters through my muscles, pulses sweetly through my veins, and I’m hyperaware of how wet I am as we move silently back to the path that leads to the house.
He stops at the gate to open the padlock that will allow us into the small cattle field where cows graze lazily on tall, sweet grass. He takes my hand and pulls me through the gate. I can’t stop looking at it wrapped around mine as he practically drags me from the cliffs back to the cottage.
My name, permanently marked onto his skin. My ring on his finger. I shouldn’t like anything about it, but it makes something inside me twist with pleasure. It feels a lot like claiming someone. Having power over them. And for someone who has had very little power, it’s an addictive thought.
Dangerous.
CHAPTER 28
AIDEN
Amillion shopping bags are scattered in the living area, ones that I must have missed when I got back to the cottage and realized Catriona wasn’t there. I hadn’t been thinking straight when I burst inside and found it empty. I’d been stupid to leave her, even with Bren and Tadhg watching, but the meeting with Niall couldn’t be postponed. I should have brought backup with me. I’m getting arrogant and sloppy. And I can’t afford to be. The thought of leaving her alone haunts me worse than Cian’s specter ever has.
“Hope you don’t mind,” she says when she notices where I focus my attention. “I took myself on a little shopping trip today. You’ll be pleased to know how much your money has gone to support the local community.”
If Cian weren’t waiting on us, I’d give her plenty of suggestions, all right.
Tugging her forward by her wrist, I move to the bedroom, where a dress I picked out for her waits with all the appropriateaccessories. “You should get changed. Dinner is tonight. I thought we’d have more time, but apparently, he can’t wait.”
Catriona plants her feet, stopping in the doorway to the bedroom. “Aren’t you going to tell me what happened? Is that his handiwork? Why were you late?”
I could lie and come up with something plausible. But… she’s been calling me Aiden. I can’t remember the last time she called me by my first name. Is that all it takes for me to be on my knees for her?
“Aiden,” she barks.
And I know my answer.
She brushes by me and notes the clothes with a raised eyebrow. I move to give her privacy, but she’s already peeling off her sweater, kicking off her boots, and pushing down her jeans. She unclasps her bra and her tits bounce free, tipped with berry-pink nipples already twisted into points.
The sight of her practically naked withers my demands, and I sink to the bed. My throat goes dry. The thoughts of making her come again come roaring back from where I’d buried them way, way down. Along with it comes all the emotions I didn’t want to feel. The fear of finding the cottage empty. The stomach-dropping realization that I couldn’t just push the threat of losing her to the side. That it would matter to me if she wasn’t here. How disappointed I am in myself for letting her matter, even the slightest bit. When I’d found her on the cliffs, I nearly wilted with relief.
“Your man, Devin? Devin Franklin?”
She scoffs, standing only in her light blue panties that complemented her blue sweater. There’s a wet spot that outlines every delicious curve of her lips. It takes every ounce of my self-control to keep from pushing her to the bed so I can feast.
“He’s not my man,” she’s saying, but I’m still talking.
“He followed us here.”
“He… what?” The last is said with a growl.
“I noticed the tail when we left the airport. Thought it was a coincidence until it stuck close until we reached the cottage. I left this morning to see if they’d stayed overnight and if they’d follow me out. They did.” I keep going, mostly because she’s so shocked she’s standing there, tits out, and I get to look my fill. It makes admitting my mistakes a little easier. “He walked right up to me at a pub in town. Admitted your father told him to come, to stop you from asking about your mother.” I manage to tear my gaze from her body. “Want to tell me what that’s about?”
“Why should I?” she challenges, lifting her chin. Defiant. Fuck. I’ve never seen anyone so strong and sexy. This woman hasn’t given me an inch since the day I met her. She’s fought for everything she’s wanted, no matter the cost. Is it any surprise I’m obsessed with her?
But I know if I force her, if I move too fast, she’ll balk, like a colt. She’s brave and determined, but she’s also guarded. And so fucking stubborn. I want her to come to me more than I want to break her again.
“Because he didn’t come alone, someone was with him.”
She studies the dress and the lingerie laid out on the bed. Mara chose them for me, knowing what would be required, and sent it along before we’d flown out. She’d also helped me pack a bag for the short overnight stay. The dress is another in white, this one simple silk with thin shoulder straps. The lingerie is nude and designed to be practically invisible underneath.
I’m already seething at the thought of Cian’s eyes roving over her, drinking in her bare skin. It will be a monumental test of my self-control to make it until morning without putting a knife in his gut or a bullet in his brain. Over the years, I’ve fantasized a thousand different ways for him to die and, despite my extensive education in murder, I’ve never settled on a favorite.
Her feet pad lightly against the wood floors as she crosses the room until she’s standing in front of me. Her nipples are nearly eye level. The mattress strains under my grip.
“What happened next? How did he hurt you?” Against my command, my body sways toward her like I’m a plant and she’s the sun. I nuzzle between her breasts, hands going to her hips to tug her against me. The scent of her arousal teases my nose.
“I’ll tell you if you tell me why you keep asking him about your mother.” I give in, kissing the soft, creamy skin and feel her breath catch under my lips. “What is it you think you’re going to find?”
