“I think ye ken, and ‘tis drivin’ me insane,” he explained, his voice low, their bodies dangerously close.
“You can’t have me,” she protested, her eyes narrowing. “You’re rude, unkind, demanding, and painfully careless with my feelings. I don’t desire you in any way,My Laird.”
“I dinnae think you mean that lass,” he responded, his hands circling her waist, pulling her against him.
The bright pink blush on her cheeks made him smirk as he leaned in, his lips hovering over hers.
“Unhand me…”
“And if I refuse?”
“I’ll scream.”
“Truly?” he asked, his lips trailing over her cheek and jaw before they caressed the soft skin of her neck. “Scream, push me away…”
“Stop…”
“Ye’re flushed, and ye’re breathin’ so heavily. Is it too much for ye, Me Lady?”
“It’s because of you,” she replied shyly, the sweetness in her voice drawing him in.
He held her close, the warmth of her body against his own sending a shiver through him. He wanted to protect her, wanted to stop hurting her, but no matter what he did, she became upset with him. He pulled back, looking into her eyes, and she sniffled as his finger rose to brush away the tears lingering on her lashes.
She froze at this, her big eyes reflecting the pain he felt inside for hurting her once again. His lips hovered over hers, and for a moment, it seemed they would kiss. He desperately wanted to kiss away the sorrow and bring her nothing but pleasure. The things he would do to this young, supple, fiery woman would make the most heinous sailor blush.
The air was charged with tension, and he was about to lose himself in her when a knock at the door made them jolt. Katie pulled away quickly, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and a touch of disappointment. She walked briskly to the door and opened it to reveal Aiden’s middle brother, a tall man with a knowing smirk.
“Ah, there ye are,” Oliver said, glancing between Katie and Aiden with a look of mild amusement. “I was lookin’ for ye both. Dinner is almost ready.”
Katie forced a smile and stepped aside to let him enter. “Aiden is inside,” she said, her voice steady despite her inner turmoil.
She gave Aiden one last fleeting look before slipping out of the room and down the hall, disappearing around a corner.
Aiden watched her leave, his frustration mounting. He wanted to follow her, to explain everything, but he was interrupted by his brother’s arrival. The door shut behind them with a heavy thud, and Oliver’s smirk widened as he took in the scene.
Aiden turned to face him, his expression a mix of irritation and helplessness. “What do ye want?” he snapped.
His brother’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Just checkin’ in on me dear braither. I see ye’ve been busy.”
Aiden’s fists clenched at his sides, and he turned away, his anger simmering just below the surface. His brother continued to smirk as he settled into a chair by the fireplace, leaving him to wrestle with his conflicting emotions as he poured himself a whiskey.
“Everyone in the castle kens what ye’re up to, Aiden,” Oliver said, his voice carrying a sharp edge. “And ‘tis nae workin’.”
Aiden stared over at him, irritation seeping into his voice. “I dinnae ken what ye’re talkin’ about. Ye wanted me to find a lass to wed, and I brought ye one.”
Oliver’s gaze flicked to the door, where Katie had left only moments ago, her absence a fresh reminder of the tension that lingered in the air. He raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. “Indeed, and a fine one at that. So, when do ye plan to wed her?”
Aiden’s jaw tightened, his irritation evident. “That’s none of yer business. Need I remind ye who the Laird is?” His voice was cold, the whiskey in his glass offering no comfort against the dim reality of the situation.
Oliver’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn’t press further. “Very well. But ye should ken, everyone is talkin’ about this engagement. If ‘tis nothin’ more than a farce, it’ll become obvious soon enough.”
With a final, disapproving look, Oliver turned on his heel and left the room, the door clicking shut behind him. The silence that followed was filled with the weight of unspoken words and unresolved tension.
Aiden stood alone, his gaze fixed on the closed door. He could feel the mounting pressure of his family’s expectations and the strain of the engagement pressing down on him. His frustration was palpable, his heart aching with a mix of regret and helplessness.
The room was quiet aside from the faint crackling of the fire in the hearth. Aiden took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He poured himself another glass of whiskey with a practiced hand, the rich amber liquid sloshing into the glass. He raised it to his lips, savoring the warmth that spread through him, a temporary distraction from his tumultuous thoughts.
As he took a long sip, he reflected on his conversation with Oliver and his earlier encounter with Katie. The image of her hurt and frustrated lingered in his mind. He knew she had been trying to help, but her words had only served to remind him of the walls he had built around himself. Walls he wasn’t ready to break down.
