16
"If I start to snore, ye can just give me a pinch, and I'll stop," Aaron said, keeping his eyes locked on the ceiling. He didn't dare look at Izzy. Just knowing she was within six inches of him was enough to drive him mad. Pulling in a long deep breath to steady his nerves, Aaron tried to ignore the warmth coming off her body and her floral scent that he'd never get out of his pillow.
"Trying to sleep,"she complained and tugged the covers off him. Aaron couldn't help but smirk as he remained still.
"Is it hot in here?"he asked, his voice barely over the crackling of the fire. "It sure does seem that way to me."
"No.It's fine. Go to sleep," Izzy bemoaned as she turned her back to him, claiming her pillow in the process. How Aaron wished he was that pillow tangled under her body. She held it so tightly, he could only imagine how she would cling to him should he ride her like one of his mares.
"Nay, it's too hot."Aaron didn't pay her any mind as he peeled his shirt off his body and tossed it to the corner of the room. The thin fabric made a thug as it hit the wall, and for a moment, he wondered if it wasn't Izzy sucking in a hard breath.
"Are you comfortable now?"Izzy asked, her voice was muffled by the goose down pillow she spoke into.
"Nae quiet,I think I could lose a bit more clothin', daenae ye?"
"Don't you dare,"Izzy said as she shot up. "I'll leave right…"
Her eyes grewto the size of saucers as she gazed on him. He couldn't tell if it was his jagged scars cutting down the left side of his body or something else that stunned her into silence. All he knew was that her gaze rattled him to his core.
"Are ye all right?Ye look as if ye've seen ghost."
"Ha, very funny,"she grumbled as she turned her back to him once more. "I'm going to sleep now. So, please stop talking."
"Aye, I can do that."
"Are you sure?Because it doesn't seem like it to me," Izzy huffed, and it sounded as if she was letting her frustration get the better of her. Aaron wondered if he should push his luck and irk her to her breaking point. But as he contemplated his choices, he realized how he had no desire to frustrate or annoy her. She was doing him a favor without even knowing it. Yet, it would beher life in jeopardy until he produced an heir. Then the targets would be on him once more.
"Good night. Sleep sound."
Aaron stared at the ceiling,watching the shadows drift across the wooden beams. He pulled in a deep breath. The scent of wildflowers and heather filled his nostrils. It reminded him of racing through the glen as he chased the rising sun. Her scent was beyond intoxicating. Clutching the sheets, he tried to think of something other than Izzy's warm body radiating like the sun against his bare chest. How he wanted to turn toward her to savor everything that she was.
"Sorry,"she whimpered as her foot grazed his shin. The touch was so brief, but it was enough to keep him wide awake. The fact that she was so close, and he couldn't do anything about it drove him over the edge. It was more than wanting to kiss every inch of her body, he wanted to gift her a future she didn't know she wanted.
"I daenae mind.It's nae as if I fancy yer feet. I'm sure there might have been some English folk that would have savored the moment, but I prefer sweeter moments."
"Why does that not surprise me?"Izzy's voice was stern with a hint of playfulness that taunted him. She glanced over her shoulder. The ire in her eyes burned brighter than any torch Aaron had seen before. It taunted him as if her gaze held enough clout to drag him down.
"Because ye're English?Or is it because I'm a Scot? Nay, wait, I ken. It's because I daenae have a beard despite bein' a laird. That must be it."
Izzy rolledover to face him. The anger in her eyes amused him more than he wanted to admit. Seeing such a fire in her that could rival any bonfire he could create in the open moors impressed him.
"Isthis what our life together is going to be like? I'd like to know if your sole purpose is to annoy me to death. I can do us both a favor and jump from the balcony right now."
Aaron shot up.He grabbed her arm, pulling her to face him. The rage in her eyes pained him. He released her and let her settle next to him. Despite the war raging between his desires and his honor, Aaron focused on steadying his breathing.
"I daenae ever wantto hear that come out of yer mouth again. Do ye understand me? Sayin' such things is nae funny, and I'll nae tolerate it."
"I'm sorry,"Izzy said as her eyes grew a darker shade of red. "I didn't mean anything by it. I was just…"
"Aye,I ken ye're frustrated with me. But I'm nae the one who invited me in. I was content outside, and I can go back out there."
Aaron threwthe covers off and slipped his legs over the side of the bed. Izzy's hand was hotter than a branding iron against his shoulder. Her touch caused him to freeze.
"Please don't.I'm sorry I said anything. Can we just try to get some sleep? I don't know about you, but today was beyond tiring."
Aaron glanced over his shoulder,wishing she'd keep her hand on him for just a moment longer. Yet, the second he made eye contact, Izzy recoiled from him and settled back into her pillow. He glanced to the balcony door before shifting his attention to the fireplace.
"I'll trynae to shift too much," he replied as he settled back into his spot and stared at the ceiling. It was going to be a long night; he could feel it seeping into his bones like murky water clouding up the loch. But at least he didn't have to sleep outside alone. If nothing else, he'd take that as a win.
