Chapter 8 #2
“For starters, when a villager dies, it’s very hard on the community, and I feel it deeply.
I have to support their family while also grieving.
I can never show them me true emotions, though.
They need a strong, dependable leader. And then of course, I must ensure there is peace in me clan, and prosperity. ”
Ava suddenly burst into laughter.
“Ye find me burdens funny, do ye?” Caden scowled at her.
“Nay, it’s nae that!” Ava held up a hand placatingly. “It’s just that I’ve managed to get under yer skin quite a bit, have I nae?” She wiped a tear of mirth from her cheek.
Caden gave a begrudging smile. “Aye, ye have.”
Ava was not sure when he had moved closer to the leg of her chair. She looked down at him.
“Why did ye want to marry Finlay?” he whispered.
“Because I would have retained me freedom with a man like him. I wouldnae be tied down. I wouldnae have to obey a man who hated or resented me.”
She turned to look at the fire. Red sparks shot up in the air, only to float back down and disappear within seconds.
The exhaustion must have loosened me tongue.
“Ah, I see.” Caden’s eyes flicked down to her mouth. It made her want to hide.
He leaned forward, his eyes still trained on her lips. Her breathing grew shallow. Everything around her blurred except for his muscular frame. His hair was a dark halo around his head. His eyes burned with desire.
Before she knew it, his calloused hands were in her hair and on the nape of her neck. Her hands slid down to his strong chest.
“Ye would miss out on much with a man ye daenae want though,” he whispered on her lips.
“Who said I want ye better?” She managed to get out, but she took a sharp breath when his thumb started rubbing circles on her neck.
To her question, her husband smirked, he actually just smirked, the blasted man!
“Daenae ye?” he whispered in her ear as he pulled her closer.
“I…”
“Ye what, wife?” he murmured softly, kissing her collarbone.
“Caden…”
“What do ye want, lassie?” he was smiling wickedly on her skin while he was trailing kisses up her neck.
If she her mind could form real sentences, she would have told him not to be so damn proud of himself.
But no words came. Instead, she sighed and pushed herself closer to him.
“Ye wouldnae deny me, would ye, wife? Hm?” he hummed and then finally, finally he pulled her from the back of her neck and kissed her.
His lips were soft but demanding, the kiss taking her breath away. She could feel his heart pounding like a war drum beneath her fingertips. She was certain it would burst out of his chest.
At the touch of his tongue, her knees weakened, and she leaned her full weight against him. His strong arms wrapped around her, holding her up as if she weighed no more than a feather.
Caden’s lips tasted of smoke and mint leaves, a tantalizing combination that stoked her desire. A moan rose in her throat, but a voice in her head screamed at her to swallow it back.
She paused, pulling away slightly to catch her breath.
Caden pulled her back in, his arms tightening around her. His hands were hot even through her clothes.
“Beg for me,” he murmured against her lips. “I can tell from the way ye kissed me that ye want me to take ye.”
Ava shook her head.
“What is it?” He looked into her face.
“I’ll never beg. And I willnae let ye take me until I’m certain ye respect me.”
Ava sat back and tried to gather her thoughts. All she knew was that she needed her husband to respect her. She needed to be sure that they could find a way to make this work as equals.
“Careful, wife,” he ground out. “These conditions of yers are getting out of hand.” His eyes roamed over her body.
She felt naked, even though she was covered in yards of fabric.
Caden leaned in for another kiss, but she turned her head away.
“Need I remind ye that I can make ye obey me?” He gripped the armrests so hard that she felt sorry for the chair.
“Will ye, me Laird? I seem to remember that I have the freedom to do as I wish.” She raised her eyebrows in challenge.
He groaned and lifted her hand to his lips. “Nay, I willnae. But from now on, only call me Caden, wife.”
The way he had called her his wife almost had her begging. But Ava could not back down and lose her freedom. She would be in this marriage in her own terms. No man would command her to do anything.
Still, she said nothing as he helped her to her feet and guided her up the stairs. His hand was rough as it enveloped hers. For a moment, she wondered what it would feel like if his hands touched her body without tons of fabric between them. Would she be able to resist him then?
With each step, her heartbeat quickened. She was shocked that Caden could not hear it. Her headache returned full-force, and she stumbled on a step. Caden swept her into his arms before she had a chance to fall and hurt herself.
“I can walk perfectly on me own.”
“Aye. And I can carry ye. Are ye hurt?” he asked.
She shook her head, unable to look away from his eyes. The glow from the fire downstairs revealed flecks of honey amid the dark brown.
“Good,” he whispered. “That’s good…”
His eyes drifted to her lips, and his grip tightened around her. Ava realized she was resting her head on his shoulder, very close to his neck.
The fire popped, jolting them out of their reverie.
Ava let out a nervous laugh, and Caden gave her the smallest of smiles.
“Let’s get ye to bed then, wife,” he whispered into her hair.
There was that blasted word again.
Soon, they found themselves outside her bedchambers. Caden gently pushed open the door with his foot and crossed to her bed, never breaking their stare.
I’m impressed. He must ken the castle very well.
Of course, he does, Ava. He lives here.
Exhausted and confused by desire, Ava took the time to breathe him in. She was surprised to feel safe in her husband’s arms. Who would have thought that being married did not have to be a battle all the time?
With the utmost care and gentleness, Caden laid her on the bed. Ava swallowed back her exhaustion and fear. All she could focus now was his hands on her body and his breath on her face before he pulled away. Something close to despair pooled at her core. She wanted him closer.
Caden sat on the edge of the bed, his lips parted ever so slightly, as leaned in. Ava closed her eyes, wanting it to last forever, wanted to feel the same as she had earlier.
Being married sure is confusing.
Only, the kiss never came this time. Not on her lips at least. Caden pressed a soft kiss to her forehead instead.
“Goodnight, wife,” he whispered against her skin. The smooth silk of his mask tickled her face.
And just like that, he was gone.