Page 30 of A Bride for the Kilted Beast

Diarmaid yawned again and turned on his side. He pretended to doze off, slowing his breathing and letting out the odd snuffling snore. He wondered how long she was going to wait before doing whatever it was she planned to do. He did not have to wait long to find out.

After about a quarter of an hour, he saw her creep over to the bed and look down upon him. He closed his eyes and continued pretending to slumber. He watched as she crept towards the door.

Ah! She’s gonnae try tae run again.

He almost laughed outright. He let her get to the door and put her hand on the handle before shooting up from the bed. He was next to her before she could even turn the handle.

“Going somewhere?” he asked, leaning against the wall next to her.

“Ach!” She made a sound of disgust and turned around to go back. He caught her shoulder and pinned her against the wall, leaning over her with both his arms above her head.

Lillie could hardly believe he had tricked her. Her heart sank when she felt him next to her, and she felt utterly defeated, ready to slink back into the room. But he quickly spun her against the wall and pinned her there, his arms over her head, grinning down at her.

“Ye see what I mean?” he asked.

“What?” she replied irritably.

“Ye cannae be trusted. That’s why ye have guards watching ye.” He laughed out loud, the rumbling sound reverberating through his chest. Lillie bristled.

“Ach, ye think ye’re so clever.”

“I dinnae think I’m clever. I ken it.”

“How did ye ken what I planned tae dae?” she asked in defeat.

“It was obvious. Ye were too nice. And then I saw ye putting the herbs in me dinner, and I swapped the plates.”

“Ye didnae!” she exclaimed, her eyes round.

“Aye, I did.” He nodded, still grinning down at her. She sighed heavily at her own foolishness, and he laughed again, annoying her even further.

“I kent ye were up tae something,” he told her, moving closer. She looked up at him, startled, as his breath brushed her cheek. She could feel the heat coming off his body as he leaned towards her, the length of him completely overtopping her. His chest was level with her nose, and his scent was starting to make her feel dizzy.

He gazed down at her, and the sight of his chiseled features and the hunger in his gleaming green eyes sent shivers down her spine. She trembled, feeling the rebel flame of desire ignite in her belly. But at the same time, she was seized by the old fear.

This is it! He’s going tae force himself on me… he’s going tae hurt me!”

Her heart pounding in her chest with panic, Lillie placed her hands against his chest and pushed him back with all her might. She caught him unawares, and he stumbled back slightly before righting himself. She took the opportunity to dart away, running to the table and putting it between herself and him. He turned to her, running his fingers through his hair, looking perplexed.

“This again?” He sounded pained.

“Aye.” She nodded emphatically. “I’ve told ye, ye’ll havetae take me by force or nae at all. I’ll never give in tae ye. I dinnae want it… I ken ye’re gonnae hurt me!” she cried.

“But we agreed last night that if I didnae touch ye on our wedding night, it would have tae be tonight.”

“Agreed! Who agreed? Ye agreed with yersel’. I never agreed tae naethin’,” she shot back. He moved towards her, to the left of the table.

“Lillie, come on, be reasonable,” he cajoled.

She darted right, around the table, her hand gripping the edge of the chair back tightly.

“Och, ’tis Lillie now, is it? Nay. Ye stay right there, unless ye want me to brain ye with one o’ these chairs.”

“Look, I’ve tried tae explain it tae ye. ’Tis nae me who’s insistin’ on the marriage being consummated, ’tis the councilmen. Our vows are simply nae enough tae make it solid.”

“What dae I care fer yer councilmen? Let them sleep with ye if they want it so badly.”

He came around the table, but she sped away from him. They played cat and mouse for a few minutes. Lillie’s heart was pounding, and she could hardly catch her breath, crying out every time he made a move towards her. But in the end, he was too quick; his extra height gave him a long enough reach to catch her by the wrist and pull her to him, struggling and squirming to get away.