Ava, what are ye saying?
Caden walked back to the chair across from her and leaned on the back of it, the skates dangling from his fingers. “What do ye need to ken?”
Ava could not tell his moods, besides the obvious anger, and it bothered her. If she was going to spend the rest of her life with this man, she wanted to figure out how to navigate him. It would help her understand why she could not resist him. It might as wellhelpher resist him.
She enjoyed holding a grudge, and she knew it would be no different with her husband. So why could not she stop thinking about him?
“How come ye didnae wait to care for a lass in order to marry her?” She was surprised by her own question.
Caden eyed her suspiciously, but then set the skates on the floor and sat in the chair across from her. He stretched out his legs in front of him and rested his elbows on his knees.
The sight of him in such a powerful position, looking ready to pounce at her at any moment, was disarming.
“Ye want the truth?” he asked.
“Aye.” She nodded.
“I just needed a wife to raise the bairn.” He looked her dead in the eyes. “I’ve already told ye as much.”
So, ye are gonna play this the hard way, then.
Ava loved a challenge.
“Many lasses would be happy to do that for ye. Nathan is a very lovable boy. Ye would have had scores of women at yer door.” She furrowed her brow.
Caden shook his head and stared at the fire. “Scores of women would tremble in fear before they did anything the Masked Laird asked of them.” He looked at her again. “But nae ye.” Something akin to confusion crossed his face.
Ava decided to take it as a compliment. “Well, dealing with a savage brute like ye isnae easy, me Laird, so I daenae blame them.” Her lips quirked into a smirk.
Caden inhaled sharply, before pushing to his feet and stepping toward her. He pinned her with an intense look, such that the air rushed out of her lungs.
Is he going to kiss me again?
CHAPTER 13
“Whiskey, wife?”Caden offered, walking to the side table.
He poured two glasses, before walking back and handing her one.
“Aye, thank ye.” Ava folded her legs beneath her skirts and took it.
Maybe this will clear me head of whatever spell he’s cast on me.
She had to remind herself that she was furious with him for what he had done to Nathan.
He hasnae apologized. Daenae back down, Ava. Stand yer ground.
She downed the whiskey and held out the glass for him to fill her glass again. He did so without a word. She noticed that he had changed into a puff-sleeve white shirt. It was rather distracting.
“Would ye like to play a game?” she heard herself ask.
What are ye doing, Ava? Ye’re supposed to be furious with him!
“What kind of game?” his voice rumbled as he returned with her glass full.
“A question game,” she replied, raising her chin in challenge.
He dipped his head in agreement. “If ye wish.”
