Katie stared out the carriage window, the rolling hills of the countryside blurring into a monotonous green as the wheels turned beneath her. The soft clatter of hooves kept pace with her thoughts, which circled relentlessly around the events of the previous night.
The Laird, who was riding alongside the carriage on his powerful black horse, had barely spoken a word since they’d set off at dawn. His silence only fueled the resentment that simmered within her. How could a man so devastatingly handsome be so heartless?
As the sun reached its zenith, Aiden signaled for the carriage to halt. The driver pulled on the reins, and the horses came to a slow stop. Katie glanced at him, her resolve to ignore him wavering slightly as he dismounted and approached her side of the carriage. His expression was unreadable, his blue eyes fixed on her with an intensity that made her uneasy.
“We’ll stop here for a while,” he said, his voice deep and steady. “’Tis a long ride, and ye should stretch yer legs.”
Katie hesitated, unsure whether to take his offer seriously or not. The idea of being outside the confined space of the carriage was tempting, but she didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of seeing her comply. She had spent hours stewing in her anger, replaying the moment he had seized her arm and dragged her into this mess.
With a slight huff, she made up her mind.
She reached for the carriage door, determined to exit on her own. Aiden, anticipating her struggle, extended his hand to help her down, but she resolutely ignored it. Her battered pride wouldn’t allow her to accept his assistance.
The moment her foot touched the ground, she lost her balance. The hem of her dress had caught on the carriage step, and she pitched forward with a startled cry. Before she could hit the ground, Aiden’s strong arms caught her, pulling her flush against his chest.
For a heartbeat, they were locked in place, her breath mingling with his in the cool air. She could feel the hard muscles of his chest beneath her hands and the warmth of his body seeping through his clothes. Their proximity was intoxicating, and for a fleeting second, she found herself lost in the depths of his blue eyes.
“A thank ye would have been nice,” Aiden murmured, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down her spine.
Katie quickly pushed herself away from him, her cheeks burning with a mix of embarrassment and anger. “I can’t thank you for turning my life upside down,” she snapped, taking a step back to put distance between them.
Aiden’s expression hardened, his jaw tightening as he folded his arms across his chest. “I never asked for a bride. That was all yer doin’.”
Katie’s temper flared. “Well, had I been aware of your scheme, I would not have agreed to sell my body just to avoid public humiliation,” she retorted, her voice shaking with frustration.
She hadn’t meant to blurt out such a harsh accusation, but the words spilled out before she could stop them.
Aiden’s eyes narrowed, and a dangerous glint sparked in their depths. In an instant, he’d closed the distance between them, wrapped his large hand around her arm, and pulled her close to him. The air between them crackled with tension as his face hovered inches from hers, their lips almost brushing.
“Is that what ye think I want ye for?” he growled, his voice thick with barely restrained anger.
Katie’s breath hitched in her throat as she stared up at him, her blood pounding in her ears. She could see the fire in his eyes, feel the heat radiating from his body as he held her in place. The intensity of his gaze was overwhelming, and for a moment, she forgot how to breathe.
“Isn’t it?” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of her racing heart.
Aiden’s grip tightened, his eyes boring into hers as if searching for something deeper. To her utter horror, in that instant, she wanted to be embraced by him. She wanted to disappear into his warmth and protection, to feel his hands on her curves, and to taste those lips that dripped with disbelief.
Aiden could feel the tension between them. It was a palpable force that drew him closer to Katie despite every logical thought that came to his mind. Her heaving breasts, blushing cheeks, and plump moist lips quivered as he stared at her. He wanted to tear away the layers of her dress and touch every curve of her milky flesh. He could feel the beast inside of him eagerly clawing and demanding release.
Her lips were so close that for a fleeting moment, he considered giving in to temptation and brushing his lips against hers just to see what it would feel like. Reality surged back abruptly, and he pulled away, shaking his head to clear the fog of desire.
“Nay,” he said, his voice gruff as he turned on his heel and started walking back toward his horse.
The cold wind howled around them, but it did little to cool the heat that had risen between them.
“Well then, what did you mean?” she called after him, her voice laced with uncertainty.
Aiden paused, his back to her, and let out a low, bitter chuckle. He turned slightly, just enough to glance at her over his shoulder. “Why so surprised? A barbarian like me isnae capable of findin’ a lass who wants him, is that nae yer thinkin’?”
Katie blushed, the color spreading across her cheeks as she looked down, unable to meet his piercing gaze. “I didn’t mean it like that,” she murmured, her voice barely audible. “I just meant you could probably find a wife very easily.”
“I dinnae want one,” Aiden shot back, his tone harsher than he had intended. He inwardly cursed himself for his overreaction, for the way her words and her presence had affected him more than they should have. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself before speaking again. “I need someone to pretend to be me betrothed for a wee bit, just to reassure me council.”
Katie visibly relaxed at his admission, the tension leaving her shoulders. Aiden noticed the change in her posture, and though he was relieved to see her less distressed, it only made him more aware of how much she had gotten under his skin.
Before either of them could say more, a rustle in the nearby trees caught Aiden’s attention. His senses sharpened instantly, and he turned, scanning their surroundings. A group of rough-looking men emerged from the shadows of the trees, their weapons gleaming in the midday sun.
Bandits.
