The stubborn fool. He pressed the weight of his full length against her, ceasing her ability to move. This close, the scent of woman and night teased him. Too aware of how his body fit against hers, Aiden hardened beneath her soft curves. As if of its own will, his gaze slid to her mouth a breath away. The soft lips seemed to beckon him, and he wondered at her taste.
What was he bloody thinking? He tore her blade free from her grip and shoved to his feet.
Eyes wide, shescrambled back.
Aiden let her go, more than ready to put distance between them. Furious that she had the power to tempt him, he turned to the bed and his original intent. With a quick slash, he cut a small line in his palm, tossed the sheet back, and smeared blood onthe fine linen.
After wiping his blade clean, he secured his weapon, turned. “Thedeed is done.”
The crackle of flames melded with the soft breeze tumbling into the chamber, playing cadence to the moment as Gwendolyn stared at him in disbelief.
Blast it! Aiden strode over and refilled his goblet, shoved the spirit aside. He downed the cup, doubting he could drink enough to blur his mind from his unexpected and unwanted thoughts of her this night. He grabbed the bottle and poured until wine gurgled to the brim.
“W–why did you do that?”
At the shocked disbelief in her voice, he shot her a cool look, his gaze traitorously straying to her full breasts. A spike of desire slammed through him, and he emptied the goblet. If the situation wasn’t so serious, he would have laughed at his adolescent inability to control his body’s urges. “Which one, tackling you or smearing my bloodon the sheet?”
Though trembling, she held her ground. “The first.”
“You drew a knife on me. In the future, never pull your blade on me, or any warrior, unless you are prepared to defend yourself.”
On an unsteady breath, she wet her lips.
Aiden’s gaze narrowed on the slide of her tongue, cursed thespear of heat.
“And the bloodon the sheet?”
“I dinna take an unwilling woman,” he snapped.
“I see.”
By the skepticism in her voice, he doubted she did. Nor would he explain further. “I suggest you finish your wine and then retire to your bed.”
“What of you?”
“I will make a pallet by the fire.”
She watched him for a long moment, her eyes guarded, as if trying to assessthe situation.
A fate they shared. Turning, Aiden crossed to where a stack of blankets lay folded, grabbed two, and knelt before the hearth.
“I heard you were aruthless man.”
He looked back, oddly amused that she would find the need to reply to his earlier question. Mayhap a peace offering? Doubtful. Regardless the reason, her initiating the dialogue bode well.
He spread out the first cover. “I can be, given the right incentive.” As when he’d witnessed unarmed Christian pilgrims being slaughtered for their faith in the Holy Land. Outraged by the barbarians’ heartless act, he’d cut them down without hesitation, their spilled blood a fitting penance for the peaceful travelers they’d murdered.
“And ’tis said you rule withan iron fist.”
Frustrated, he again glanced over, too aware of her blamelessness in this blasted situation. She held naught but fears and rumors of the man she now believed her husband. Neither could he forget the softness of her body beneath his, of how her blond hair had spilled out to frame her face, her mouth slightly parted.
He smothered the dangerous memory. Though he must remain in Bróccín’s character, she did not deserve to fear him. That hecould give her.
“Many things are said about warriors who achieve power,” Aiden said. “Some are true, others fables that grow with the telling.”
“Either way, know this,” she rasped, her voice cool, “I willna be cast aside in my own castle, treated like I am a scullery maid fit only for bedding.”
He held her gaze, her bravery stealing his breath. God’s sword, the lass was a woman to admire. “Except for the duties the lord of the castle holds, your place at Latharn Castle willna change. When I vowed to the priest that I would take care of you, I meant what I said.”
