The realization that Katie was magnificent in every possible way struck Aiden with the force of a tidal wave. He had to get away now, before he did something else he would regret. His attraction to her was too strong, his need too overwhelming.
Without a word, he turned on his heel and nearly ran from the garden, his pulse hammering in his ears.
He had to put distance between them and bury his feelings so deeply that they could no longer influence him.
I dinnae ken nor understand what spell ye have cast on me heart and mind. Ye’re the bonniest lass I’ve ever beheld, to be sure, but ye’re makin’ it impossible for me to go on without ye.
CHAPTER 11
The morning sunwas low on the horizon and cast long shadows on the trees as Aiden rode through the woods, the rhythmic thudding of his horse’s hooves a soothing counterpoint to the storm of thoughts swirling in his head.
As he guided his horse along a narrow trail, Aiden spotted movement ahead. His eyes caught a flash of pale fabric amongst the trees, and he slowed his horse to a trot in an attempt to peer through the foliage.
To his surprise, he realized it was Katie’s slender form. She was wandering through the woods, a basket swinging from her arm. Aiden halted his horse, his curiosity piqued.
What is she doin’ out here on her own?
Curiosity, concern, and irritation simmered within him at her recklessness. The woods could be a dangerous place for a vulnerable and unprotected woman. His instincts told him to goback and leave her to her privacy, but something stronger kept him rooted in place.
He watched silently as Katie walked deeper into the woods and followed a narrow path that led to a small clearing by a stream. As she moved with a quiet grace, she appeared lost in her thoughts and unaware of his presence. Aiden dismounted silently, tied his horse to a tree, and began to follow her on foot, keeping his distance.
Where are ye headed, lass?
She stopped by the stream where the water trickled over the rocks in a soothing rhythm. Aiden watched as Katie began to unpack her basket. She carefully laid a linen cloth over a mossy rock, smoothing out the creases with delicate fingers. She then spread out a fur blanket on the ground, creating a soft, inviting spot for her to sit. It was clear that she intended to have a picnic, and Aiden couldn’t help but feel a pang of longing as he observed her simple, serene actions.
Katie retrieved a small book from her basket and placed it on the fur blanket, then reached up to untie the ribbon at the back of her dress. Aiden’s breath caught in his throat, and he looked away quickly as alarm surged through him. He inwardly cursed himself for intruding on her solitude, but his body refused to leave.
Once she’d settled herself comfortably onto her blanket, Aiden watched, mesmerized, as Katie loosened the strings further and parted the back of her dress to the cool air and sunshine. Shethen pulled down the collar of her dress so it rested halfway across her upper arms. Her dewy skin was milky white and supple. Aiden struggled silently with the burgeoning lust that snaked down to his already stiffening member and suppressed a groan. His resolve to keep his distance was crumbling rapidly.
He clenched his hands into fists, ready to battle with the demons inside of him that told him to lay her on the blanket and take her. He ached to touch her skin, to pull her dress even lower and run his tongue between her breasts, over her nipples, and down her stomach. His now rigid manhood pulsed and strained with rampant need. He absentmindedly ran his hand along its length, cursing himself for his weakness.
With another low, pained moan, Aiden carefully backed out of the grove until he was far enough away that she would not be able to hear his hasty retreat.
Reaching his horse, Aiden untied the reins with trembling hands and mounted quickly. He knew he couldn’t remain there any longer without turning his sordid fantasy into reality. He needed to channel and release his pent-up energy into an activity that would quash his unruly desires.
He rode back to the castle in silence as his thoughts raced. As he dismounted, he spotted Malcolm and Oliver nearby, who both looked up at him as he approached. Aiden knew he had to work off the palpable tension in his body before it consumed him.
“Malcolm, Oliver,” Aiden called out, his voice firm and commanding. The guards in the yard paused their drills, turning to look at him. “’Tis a good day for practice, do ye nae think? A sparrin’ session will do us all some good.”
Malcolm exchanged a glance with Oliver, both sensing the intensity in Aiden’s demeanor. They nodded in unison, knowing better than to question him when he was in this mood.
Aiden handed his horse’s reins to a stable boy and strode to the center of the yard, already shedding his coat in preparation. His blood was simmering, and his mind remained plagued by images of Katie by the stream. He needed this fight, needed to purge these thoughts from his head, even if it meant driving himself to exhaustion.
As he readied his sword and faced his opponents, Aiden pushed everything else aside and focused his attention solely on the task at hand. For now, it was the only way he could keep the storm within him at bay.
At midday, Katie emerged from the woods, her spirits lifted by the peaceful time she had spent by the stream. The fresh air and solitude had done wonders for her mood, and she felt a renewed sense of calm as she made her way back to the castle. The soft rustling of her dress and cloak contrasted with the crunch of leaves underfoot. Her hair was still damp from the stream, a lingering reminder of her serene time in nature.
As she approached the castle, she noticed a commotion in the courtyard. Her heart sank as she recognized Aiden amidst the group, sparring fiercely with Malcolm, Oliver, and several of the guards. The clang of their swords and their grunts of exertion filled the air. Katie’s instinct was to retreat and avoid disrupting their combat. She tried to move quietly as the very air around her crackled with Aiden’s ferocity.
The intensity of his focus was tangible. She could feel his gaze on her as she tried to make her way into the castle unnoticed. Fury radiated from Aiden, each frenzied swing and strike of his sword an aggressive release of the tension and frustration that he bore. Katie bit her lip and felt a pang of guilt. The last thing she wanted was to be the cause of such visible distress.
Her heart pounded as she glanced back at him. Aiden’s gaze was fixed on her, his eyes dark and intense. Despite the chaos of the sparring match, his focus did not waver. The strength in his stance and the flex of his muscles under his damp linen tunic were both captivating and intimidating. What would it feel like to have those hard muscles capture her, to have him take what he wanted? He moved with a precision and power that spoke of years of intense and disciplined training. Each swing of his sword echoed the havoc inside of him.
Even in his state of rage, he is captivating.
Katie felt a blush rise to her cheeks as their eyes met. Their connection was electric, charged with the unspoken words and emotions that had been smoldering between them. Her breath caught in her throat, and she swallowed hard as she struggled tomaintain her composure. She had hoped to avoid confrontation and maintain her distance, but it seemed that fate had other plans.
As Aiden knocked one of the guards to the ground with a particularly fierce strike, his eyes remained fixed on her. The intensity of his stare was both thrilling and distressing, and Katie’s heart ached with longing. She wished she could find a way to bridge the gap between them, but their situation was too complicated. She knew that their connection was marred by duties and expectations that neither of them had wanted.
