Chapter 3 #2
Aiden could feel the tension between them.
It was a palpable force that drew him closer to Katie despite every logical thought that came to his mind.
Her heaving breasts, blushing cheeks, and plump moist lips quivered as he stared at her.
He wanted to tear away the layers of her dress and touch every curve of her milky flesh.
He could feel the beast inside of him eagerly clawing and demanding release.
Her lips were so close that for a fleeting moment, he considered giving in to temptation and brushing his lips against hers just to see what it would feel like. Reality surged back abruptly, and he pulled away, shaking his head to clear the fog of desire.
“Nay,” he said, his voice gruff as he turned on his heel and started walking back toward his horse.
The cold wind howled around them, but it did little to cool the heat that had risen between them.
“Well then, what did you mean?” she called after him, her voice laced with uncertainty.
Aiden paused, his back to her, and let out a low, bitter chuckle. He turned slightly, just enough to glance at her over his shoulder. “Why so surprised? A barbarian like me isnae capable of findin’ a lass who wants him, is that nae yer thinkin’?”
Katie blushed, the color spreading across her cheeks as she looked down, unable to meet his piercing gaze. “I didn’t mean it like that,” she murmured, her voice barely audible. “I just meant you could probably find a wife very easily.”
“I dinnae want one,” Aiden shot back, his tone harsher than he had intended.
He inwardly cursed himself for his overreaction, for the way her words and her presence had affected him more than they should have.
He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself before speaking again.
“I need someone to pretend to be me betrothed for a wee bit, just to reassure me council.”
Katie visibly relaxed at his admission, the tension leaving her shoulders. Aiden noticed the change in her posture, and though he was relieved to see her less distressed, it only made him more aware of how much she had gotten under his skin.
Before either of them could say more, a rustle in the nearby trees caught Aiden’s attention. His senses sharpened instantly, and he turned, scanning their surroundings. A group of rough-looking men emerged from the shadows of the trees, their weapons gleaming in the midday sun.
Bandits.
“Stay behind me,” Aiden ordered, his voice dropping to a deadly calm.
He moved quickly, placing himself between Katie and the approaching danger. The bandits, seeing him draw his sword, hesitated but continued their advance, clearly underestimating him.
“Walk away,” Aiden warned, his voice cold and commanding. “Or this will be the last mistake ye ever make.”
The leader of the bandits sneered, lifting his blade in a taunting gesture. “Yer gold or yer lives,” he growled, believing they had the upper hand in the situation.
Aiden’s response was swift and brutal. With a speed that took the bandits by surprise, he lunged forward, his sword slicing through the air. The first man didn’t even have time to react before Aiden’s blade cut him down, the force of the strike sending him crumpling to the ground.
The others charged, but they were no match for Aiden’s skill and ferocity.
He moved with lethal precision, his sword glinting in the sunlight as he dispatched one after another.
Blood splattered across the grass, and the air was filled with the sounds of clashing steel and the dying cries of men who had foolishly chosen to cross him.
Katie watched in horror, her heart pounding as she took in the scene. She had never seen such violence up close, and the ease with which Aiden dealt with the bandits left her both terrified and awed.
As the last bandit fell, Aiden grabbed the man by the collar, lifting him off the ground. “Who ordered this?” he demanded, his voice a low, dangerous growl.
The bandit, bleeding and gasping for breath, stared at him with wide, fearful eyes. “Nay… nay one… just saw an opportunity…” he wheezed.
Aiden’s gaze hardened, and with a final disgusted look, he let the man fall to the ground, unconscious. He wiped his sword clean and turned back to Katie, who was standing frozen in shock.
“’Tis over,” he said, his voice softer now, though the edge of danger still lingered in his tone. “Ye’re safe.”
Katie looked at him, her eyes wide and her breathing shaky. “How can you be so calm after… that?”
“Because, lass,” he said quietly, “there’s always another fight. Ye just have to be ready for it.”
“That’s a sad way to live,” she remarked, the words slipping sorrowfully past her soft pink lips.
“Aye,” he agreed, a grimace spreading across his face. “Are ye afraid of me now, lass?”
“No,” she responded, her eyes never leaving his.
The bravery that his little mouse showed was inspiring but also dangerously tempting.
“Ye should be,” he whispered, the low rumble in his chest making her blush instantly.
It brought him more joy and excitement than he wanted to admit, but that look of determination in her eyes as she stared him down only spurred the raging beast inside.