"Aye, good night."
Izzy's ears perked.There was a playfulness to Aaron's muffled voice that she couldn't deny. She pursed her lips and plopped on the bed. Sure as the sun rises in the east, the bed was to her liking. It wasn't lumpy as she had first thought but comfortable, and it made her feel as if she were an egg in a nest. If only her corset wasn't digging into her hips or her shoulder blades. She shifted to her side, only to have the bones of her garment dive into her arm pit.
"Oh, for heaven's sake,"she grumbled as she shot up. If the bed was going to be off limits, she was just going to have to find someplace else to sleep. The floorboards moaned under her steps as she made her way to the chair next to the fire. By the look of it, Izzy could tell it wouldn't be the most comfortable place to sleep, but at least it would let her keep her pride.
"He did this on purpose,"Izzy grumbled the second she leaned back into the chair to rest. The corset jabbed her shoulder blades and went into her armpits. It seemed that no matter what she did, she'd find no relief until she went to him.
"Areye always this noisy when ye sleep? If ye are, I'll have the chambers expanded to give ye space."
"No,"Izzy huffed as she stormed to the doors. With her hands hesitating over the knob, she noticed Aaron's shadow shifting under the doorway. Fury shot through her. There was no way to tell if he had the servants tie her corset in this manner to force her to go to him or if it was coincidence, but she was about to find out.
Pulling open the doors,Izzy forced a smile. "Sir, it would seem I am in need of your assistance."
Aaron's eyebrowarched as his smirk stretched into a knowing smile. He didn't say a word but merely twirled his finger around in the air. Izzy turned her back to him and took a step to the threshold. Little by little, the tightness around her bosom and torso lessened, yet breathing became difficult.
"Thank you,"she whispered as the shirt and corset fell from her shoulders. Aaron's calloused finger grazed across her bare shoulders. She sucked in quick shallow breaths, and it felt as if he'd put a hot iron to her skin. And just as quickly as the sensation rushed through her, it was gone, leaving nothing but a trail of goosebumps along the way.
"Any time."His tone teased her far more than she wanted to admit. Despite her longing to steal a glimpse of him over her shoulder, she remained facing the fireplace. Her attention was sharp as she focused on the log, trying to ignore the yearning brewing deep within.
"Good night."
"Aye,it will be — once ye go to bed."
Don't turn around.He's just trying to get under my skin. Just step into the room, close the door, and go to bed.
Do,Not. Turn. Around.
"Then I shall not keepyou any longer." Izzy kicked the door closed behind her and let her clothes drop to her feet. She glared at the door as if it were Aaron himself. Despite the thickness between them, she could still feel his eyes on her. But it was knowing his smirk had stretched into a full-blown smile that sparkled in his eyes that infuriated her.
She wasn'tsure if it was frustration or annoyance that crashed against her and turned up the brooding of her soul. There was no doubt in her mind Aaron was enjoying her embarrassment and frustration. And it irked her beyond belief that no matter how she spun the situation, it would end in her chagrin.
Izzy triedto be mindful of the dress as she peeled it off her bit by bit. Even though every fiber of her being felt as if it had beenstruck by electricity, she refused to let him get under her skin. She was married to the man after all. She would learn who he was eventually; at least she could be grateful to know he wasn't hiding anything. If there ever was a true Scot, it would be him.
A light rapon the door captured Izzy's attention. She whipped her head up just as she drew back the covers of the bed. Aaron's shadow stretched across the wooden flooring like some phantom of her nightmares. She swallowed hard trying to keep her wits about her as she stared at the shadow.
"Can I help you?"she asked and watched as the knob twisted. The door moaned as it opened. Aaron popped his head through the crack and glanced about with his cheeks flushed.
"Aye,maybe ye can. Ye see, the weather hasnae changed yet, and I forgot the blanket."
Izzy glancedat the thick fleece blanket she had pulled from the bed. Exhaling sharply, she stared at the blanket a second before shifting her gaze to him.
"If it'sthat cold outside, then why don't you just come in?"
"So ye're sayin'ye trust me?"
"As far asI can throw you, you Scottish brute. But I'll not have you freeze outside."
Aaron's eyesflickered with delight as he stepped into the room. Izzy's heart fluttered wildly as she tried not to pay any attention to how smooth his bare chest was. He looked as if he could stop a wild herd of horses. It was his very presence filling the room that cast aside all her fears. With Aaron in the room, there wasn't room for any phantoms or mysterious shadows.
Izzy remained stillas she stalked Aaron with her eyes. He moved quickly from the door to the bed.
"Wouldye like me to fetch me sword? We can be hand fasted and nae touch each other on pain of death."
"I'd rather not spendmy wedding night as a widow if I'm to have any say on the matter." Izzy slipped between the muslin fabric and the woven fleece blanket. The mattress shifted under Aaron's weight. Izzy tried not to pay him any mind, but it was impossible not to see the sun when it shown so brightly.
"Good night… Wife."His voice was sultry and deep. It rumbled through her like thunder dragging through the valley. Wife. That was what she was after all, yet the title had not yet seeped into her.
"Sleep well — Husband."
