Wedded to the Twisted Highlander (Taming the Kilmartins #3)

Chapter 15

15

T he wind swept through the heather in the glen and carried with it a sweet scent of wildflowers. Thomas stood before Astrid, his heart torn between desire and restraint. How easy it would be to pin her to the tree and have her. That certainly would end the rumors that swirled about them.

But how could he betray her trust so blatantly? He couldn’t drag his family’s name through the mire for a weak moment of pleasure.

Stepping back from her, he gulped in the fresh air. It was just what he needed to clear the cobwebs that had formed since Astrid entered his mind. Oh, how he wanted to lean in and claim her lips with his.

In her eyes, he caught a flicker of something. Was it desire that he saw poking its head out? A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

“What do ye want?” he whispered, letting his teeth graze her earlobe.

He watched as little goosebumps rose on her skin. The question flickered in her gaze like a silent plea that ignited every nerve in his body.

“Me Laird! It’s yer faither, Me Laird. Ye must get back to the castle. Yer faither is havin’ another fit,” a manservant shouted beyond the trees.

Although Thomas was certain the servant didn’t have a clue where they were, it was obvious that he would find them sooner or later.

“Come,” Thomas said as he purposefully pressed against Astrid. If he couldn’t have her, then he could at least touch all that he could.

“Me Laird,” she breathed.

Thomas glanced over his shoulder, pulled in opposite directions by the rustle of the bushes and her plea.

“Tell me what ye want,” he demanded as he wrapped his arms around her waist and effortlessly lifted her off her feet.

He carried her deeper into the grove of trees, fighting for every moment he could get with her.

“But yer faither, he needs me.”

“Aye, so do I,” he said, his desire pushing him forward.

“Ye promised,” Astrid reminded him, a tremor in her voice.

Thomas’s breath hitched as he loosened his grip just enough to lower her to her feet. It was all he could give her, and if she knew what was good for her, she’d take the opportunity and run as far away from him as she could.

“Go,” he grunted.

She had responded, but what did she say? The fact that she would dare to ask for anything intrigued him.

“Aye, what was that? Did ye want something from me, lass?”

His eyebrow rose as he watched a tempest brew within her depths. There was no stopping the need that clawed its way out of the depths of his being. Before he could gather his wits, or even remind himself of the promise he made to her, she threw herself at him.

Astrid crushed her lips to his with a fervor that caught him by surprise, eliciting a rush of emotions that he hadn’t anticipated. The warmth of her mouth sent a spark through him, and in that instant, everything else faded into oblivion.

It was as if a mighty flood had surged down from the mountains, sweeping away the mundane details of their surroundings and filling the valley of their shared moment with an overwhelming tide of sensation. The sounds of the world—the rustling leaves, distant laughter, and the gentle hum of life—seemed to dissolve into silence, leaving only the two of them in a cocoon of intimacy.

His hands instinctively found their way to her waist, his fingers curling around her soft curves as he pulled her closer, trying to bridge the gap that had always seemed to linger between them. It felt as if an invisible thread had drawn them together, and with every heartbeat, he surrendered more and more to the fire of passion that crackled in the air around them.

The warmth radiating from their bodies merged into an intoxicating heat, a tangible energy that skipped between them like a playful spark, igniting every nerve ending in his body.

As their lips moved in perfect harmony, her kiss was electric, sending waves of exhilaration through him. It was not just a kiss. It was a revelation—a collision of souls that spoke of long-held desires and unspoken dreams. The taste of her was sweet and intoxicating, a blend of longing and liberation that made his head spin. He felt her breath against his skin, warm and inviting, pulling him deeper into this intoxicating moment.

Time seemed to stretch and bend, allowing them to exist in this bubble of passion, where nothing else mattered but the two of them. He could feel the heartbeat of the earth beneath them sync with their own, as if nature itself recognized the significance of this union.

The kiss deepened, becoming a dance of exploration, each movement revealing uncharted territories of longing and connection. Her fingers tangled in his hair, and he could feel a tremor of excitement wracking her body.

In that heated embrace, a world of possibilities unfurled before them. It was a moment that transcended the ordinary, a spark that could ignite a fire. And as they finally broke the kiss, breathless and wide-eyed, Thomas knew that nothing would ever be the same again.

The flood had receded, but the impact of their shared passion lingered, leaving behind a landscape forever transformed. As he slowly stepped back, breathless and wide-eyed, Thomas marveled at her boldness. Her cheeks flushed a ruby red that excited him more than it should, and her lips glistened in the fading light, making him ache for her.

“Are ye sure that is all ye want?” he asked, trying to keep his voice steady despite the yearning that was festering in his bones.

He wanted Astrid. And he would fight for every inch he could get. Even if it took him his entire life to gain her trust, he’d do it, for the victory would taste all the sweeter.

“Are ye tellin’ me that ye dinnae?” she challenged, as if she knew exactly how to taunt him.

“Ye shouldnae test me,” Thomas answered as he heard the manservant calling for them again.

“I want ye,” Astrid whispered.

“And ye have a duty,” he pointed out, hating himself for stopping her.

But as he looked around, he realized that this wasn’t the place to have her. Not among the squirrels and the leaves. Not with a rock for a pillow or a bark for a blanket.

“Me Laird,” she panted as she clawed at him.

“Trust me, this isnae the place nor the time.”

“I…” she whimpered as he fought back every emotion rising within him.

He wasn’t going to be one of those fools who lost control so easily. No, that wasn’t how his father had raised him.

“Have a job to do, aye. So go,” he finished for her. “Will I still see ye at dinner?”

Thomas’s stomach flipped as if he had tripped and tumbled down a ravine with no end. His world was slipping through his fingers, and yet what remained seemed of far more value than he could have dreamed of.

“Aye, nothing will keep me away.”

Thomas stood beneath the sprawling branches of the oak as the manservant pushed back the thick shrubs and glared at them.

Astrid skipped to the servant’s side as if embarrassed that she was found with her husband.

A smile spread across Thomas’s lips, for he knew that what they had just done would quash the rumors. And of course, Astrid’s reaction only made it more obvious that something had happened between them. All Thomas had to do now was sit back and let the servants whisper.

“Should I wait to applaud?” Reid asked as he barged into the study.

Thomas let out an audible sigh as he pulled the ledger closer to his face, wishing his brother would go elsewhere.

“What are ye talkin’ about?” he grumbled, barely giving him any grace.

The smirk on Reid’s face made it all too clear that Thomas’s plan had worked flawlessly. If Reid’s ears had picked up the whispers, then he counted that as a success.

“Why, yer escapade in the grove. The whole castle is talkin’ about it. Well done and fast work. Ye ken, I did bet money on whether ye’d bed the bobcat. But since there’s nay doubt about it now, are we waitin’ to see what pops out of her?”

“That is Lady McFair, and ye’ll show respect,” Thomas warned as he glared daggers at his brother. “She is me wife and yer Lady.”

“Which brings me to the matter at hand. When are ye goin’ to inform the other lairds that ye’ve been swiped up?” Reid asked as he plopped down into the chair in front of Thomas’s desk.

“Why?” Thomas asked, feeling a surge of uncertainty clawing at his back. “What do ye want?”

“What makes ye think I want anything? It’s the council. They’ve been chatterin’ in the tavern about formalities. I think it’s only fair that ye throw a party in Astrid’s honor and have every knee bend to the new Lady McFair.”

Thomas rubbled the stubble on his chin as he studied his brother. Out of all the things Reid suggested, Thomas couldn’t find any fault with his request. He knew that Astrid would never ask for such an event, but it would settle all scores across the Highlands.

“Ye ken, I think ye might be onto something,” he conceded. “If Astrid is wit’ child, we’ll need to let the others ken of her new position.”

“So, when do ye want that to happen?” Reid asked, his smile growing wider.

“Are ye sayin’ that ye’re goin’ to organize the event?”

“Well…” Reid pressed his hand to his chest. “I do have some experience in throwin’ events at the last minute. And I’m certain it will be an event to remember.”

“Fine, go and handle the arrangements, but keep it quiet. I dinnae want Astrid to find out. Let it be a surprise,” Thomas urged.

Reid sprang to his feet and grabbed his brother’s hand. “I willnae let ye down. I swear it,” he said.

He grabbed the ledger and turned it right side up before handing it back to Thomas. He didn’t say a word before sprinting to the door.

Thomas glanced down at the ledger, completely dumbfounded by the fact that he’d been caught daydreaming. It was the first time ever, and it was all because of Astrid. His desire for her was all-consuming. Frustrated, he set the ledger down and marched toward his study door. He charged through the castle, hunting for his wife.

Her kiss lingered on the edge of his memory, pushing him to find her. Each empty room he looked into only added to his frustration. Then, he heard it—her voice drifting down the corridor. It hit him like a blunt claymore right in the chest.

“Are ye sure that’s the story ye want?” Astrid asked.

The question was an odd one, until he peered into the room. There, in the sitting room, curled up on the couch, was Astrid. She cuddled Melody close as she picked up a book from the stack next to her.

He stopped, his breath catching in his throat as time seemed to freeze around him. All the needs and wants that had plagued him, the restless desire that had almost driven him mad, vanished the moment he spotted Melody. In that instant, everything shifted.

The weight of his worries dissolved, leaving behind a stark clarity.

Instead of viewing Astrid as a mere instrument of his torment—a reminder of his struggles and heartaches—he found himself seeing her in a new light, transformed by the gentle scene unfolding before him. She was no longer just a figure of his past, but a nurturing presence, embodying the warmth and safety he had longed for. Her kindness radiated from her as she sat beside Melody, her delicate fingers stroking the girl’s hair with a tender touch that spoke of love and reassurance.

As Astrid read the fairytale, her voice flowed like a melodic stream, rich and inviting.

Thomas leaned against the door frame, captivated by her impeccable French, the lilting cadence wrapping around him like a comforting blanket. Each word she spoke seemed to weave a magical spell, drawing him deeper into the moment. Images of fantastical realms and heroic adventures flashed through his mind, but it was the sight of Astrid, of her nurturing nature, that truly entranced him.

In that quiet space, the world outside faded away. The tumult of his thoughts quieted, replaced by a profound sense of peace.

He realized that in this small, intimate setting, he had found something he thought was lost forever—an understanding of love, connection, and the possibility of healing.

The bond between Astrid and Melody illuminated the path forward, guiding him toward the hope and solace he had been searching for all along.

Tonight, Astrid. Ye promised me I could have ye tonight.