Aiden released Jaedin’s mouth and waited for the storm to begin. Nothing came. She was too stunned to do or say anything.
After several moments, she asked, “Is that it, mighty lord?”
Completely beside himself, Aiden released her hair and stepped back from her. “Yer on your own, yer majesty.” Taking a deep breath, “Find yer own way back to yer room.” He said calmly and then left her alone.
Jaedin leaned back against the wall for support and slid her way down to sit on the cool stone floor. Her heart was still racing as she touched her fingers to her lips. He had kissed her. The man had kissed her! “Oh, God!” she exclaimed to herself as she buried her face in her hands. She couldn’t allow this to happen again. She couldn’t allow that man to affect her in that way. There must be a way for her to travel back to her own time. If there was a way here, there is a way back. She’d just have to find that way. Jaedin knew she didn’t belong and there was no reason for her to stay.
Once again, the tears flowed. Except this time, they were tears of frustration. How the bloody hell was she supposed to get back to her room?
After a few moments, she wiped the tears from her eyes then grasped the rough stones on the wall; she stood up and slowly shuffled down the hallway, cautiously taking care to not break contact with anything until she came to a doorway. She attempted to open it, but found that it was locked. “Now what, Jae?” she said aloud as she turned around she slid down the smooth wooden to sit with her back against the door.
She closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on what she heard, hoping it would give away some clue to where she was. All she could hear was the faint sounds from the great hall and the wind blowing against the windows.
It had been a mistake to close her eyes; within moments, Jaedin was asleep, still seated on the floor of the corridor with her back against the door.
* * * *
Aiden sat on the large chair in front of the fireplace of his chamber gulping down his ale as if it were water. “Damn stubborn lass.” he growled out loud, downed the rest of the ale and threw the tankard into the fire. Sparks flew everywhere as he stood up and began pacing around the room.
How dare she have the temerity to be so disrespectful to him in his house after he took her into his care. He could’ve left her on the road to fall in the loch. He didn’t have to help her.
Once again, Aiden took stock of his attributes. I am a Highland Warrior, proven not only on the list fields, but at war. I am the laird of the MacAlister clan! He angrily crossed the room to his door and swung it open nearly tripping over a sleeping Jaedin who was curled up on the floor in his doorway.
“Christ’s teeth!” he exclaimed as he fought to regain his footing, a bit annoyed by the fact that his commotion didn’t faze Jaedin, she continued to sleep soundly.
Aiden stood over Jaedin’s sleeping body with his hands on his hips. The lass had chosen to sleep in the hallway instead of asking for help to get to her chamber. “Damn stubborn lass,” he quietly said aloud then bent down to pick up her slumbering body like a bairn and carried her down the corridor to her chamber.
He placed her gently on the bed covering her with the heavy quilt. Then he crossed the room and added another log on the fire.
The sound of her settling into the bed caught his attention. “Damn stubborn man,” she breathed then fell back to sleep.
Aiden was dumfounded. He had to give the lass credit, she didn’t surrender. He choked back a chuckle. She may have won that battle, but he’d win the war. Then he left the room smiling as he closed the door behind him.
ChapterSeven
Her Noble Destiny
Chapter Seven
“We didn’t get much of an opportunity to visit when we were at Dunstaffnage. Where are ye from, lass?” The MacDougall laird asked.
“I can’t remember,” she lied. “This noble man here just fished me out of the loch, naked as the day the Almighty brought me into this world.”
“Behave yerself ,” Aiden whispered into her ear as he tightened his grasp on her arm.
“What a noble thing to do,” Elspet purred putting an extra emphasis on noble.
What a noble thing to do. Jaedin didn’t like the way the nasally tart was talking to Aiden. She may not be able to see, but no doubt the hoochie mama had her hands all over him.
“Oh, I’m merely here to be at the whim of the laird, if ye ken what I mean,” Jaedin sarcastically blurted out.
Elspet’s mouth dropped open and the MacDougal laird burst into a booming laugh.
“Katie will see ye both to yer chambers,” Aiden said while motioning to one of the servant girls.
“That one may not see, but ye’re the one who should be keepin’ an eye on that feisty lass!” Alasdair said still chuckling as he and his daughter followed Katie.
Aiden whirled around, “Get her outta here Duncan before I...” Aiden said with fire in his eyes.
“Come, lass.” Duncan calmly said trying hard to keep Aiden from seeing the amusement on his face in what Jaedin was doing. “Yer gonna be the death of him, ye ken,” he whispered in her ear as he took hold of Jaedin’s shoulders. Then he motioned over to one of the servant girls, “Ailsa, take lady Jaedin outside for a walk so she can get some fresh air.”
“Yes, laird MacKinnon.” The young girl took Jaedin by the hand. “This way, milady.” Then led her away.
He then turned to look at Aiden with a serious stare. “Was that necessary, Aiden? Ye ken she is still tryin’ to comprehend her situation here. Ye treat her with tenderness when the royals are around and then ye go and confuse her by treating her like she’s nothin’ but a nuisance to be dealt with when their backs are turned.” For the first time, he was disappointed in his friend.
“Tis none of yer business, Duncan.” Aiden squared off with Duncan . “The lass is mine to treat how I see fit.”
“Ye think yer size will change my mind?” Duncan stared up, not backing down. “Ye’ve shamed yerself, Aiden.” And then he turned and walked out of the great hall.
Aiden lifted his arms in the air and let out a loud growl of frustration. “Mairi bring me some ale!” he shouted towards the kitchens then sat down at the table.
When did I lose control over my own household? Aiden asked himself as he restlessly stood back up and began pacing the floor.
What the bloody hell is wrong with ye, man? Aiden continued asking himself questions. At every rising of the sun, Jaedin would find another way to get under his skin. He couldn’t think when he was around her. And that he couldn’t have. There were too many people relying on him to be strong and sound of mind. If things continued as they were, he’d be daft before the next full moon. “Mairi!”
ChapterEight
Her Noble Destiny
Chapter Eight
Jaedin could tell by the layout of the room that she wasn’t in her solar. “Whose room is this?” she asked the servant girl.
There was no answer. “Katie, whose room have you brought me to?” Jaedin inquired again.
After a slight pause, the girl finally answered, “Tis Laird MacAlister’s chamber, milady.”
“I thought I was supposed to be taken to my room?” she asked the girl, afraid of finding out the answer.
“Laird MacAlister instructed me to bring ye here,” the girl said sheepishly.
Jaedin drew in a deep breath. “So, I’m to be taken directly into the lion’s den, am I?” She jested with a slight snicker, as she felt around the wall to find the window.
“If I may, milady, why do ye always go to the windows?” the timid girl asked.
“Good question.” Jaedin thought for a moment of why she did seek out the windows. “I suppose it’s because without my sight, I feel closed in. The air from the windows allows me to breathe. The breeze calms me,” she admitted as she took a deep breath. “So you see, Katie, I’m not as strong as you may think.”
“Dinna let her fool ye, Katie. I have the bruises on my body that tell a different tale,�
� Aiden proclaimed as he walked in the room.
“You deserved every single one of them, MacAlister,” Jaedin justified her previous actions.
“Ye may go now, Katie. Lady Jaedin willna be needin’ yer assistance tonight.”
Jaedin heard him behind her and then the closing of the door. Was that the lock?
Then there was silence. She turned around to lean her back against the window. She heard something heavy being hung on the wall, and then she heard the sound of metal on metal. Buckles, the sound she heard were buckles. Dear God, her heart began to race!
Then Jaedin heard the splashing of water and a slight groan from Aiden. She quickly turned around to face out the window, knowing she couldn’t see him; it was still unsettling to her. She closed her eyes as she envisioned him in the tub, water and soap streaming down his muscular body, his dark hair slicked back, her hands kneading his hard…
“Turn around, Jaedin,” Aiden said in a low tone of voice, interrupting her fantasy.
“This was not our agreement, MacAlister,” Jaedin said as she crossed her arms in defiance, trying to maintain composure.
“Ye canna see me, lass, now turn around. I’ll not talk to ye through yer back,” He said with as much patience he could muster.
Jaedin collected herself then slowly turned around to face him with her arms still crossed.
“Why am I here and not in my own room?” she asked.
“We have guests, ye ken that. I gave them the best chamber in the keep… yers,” He stated. “While they are here, ye’ll be stayin’ in here with me.” She heard the water sloshing around again. “Tis after all what a man and his bride would do.”
Taking a deep breath, “Don’t think we’ll be sharing a bed, MacAlister.” she spat, not quite accepting her circumstances.
“Dinna fash that hot head of yers, lass. I’ve no wish to play with fire,” he bit back, beginning to lose his patience, he stood up. “A man, who plays with fire, gets burnt.” He stepped out of the tub and grabbed a cloth. “Besides, if and when I need to bed someone, the lass will come to me willingly. Now help me dry off.” He ordered as he tossed her the cloth, startling her.
Absolutely stunned by his remarks, she threw the fabric back across the room, hoping it would hit her intended target.
“You are the supreme master, Laird MacAlister. I’m sure women weep with yearning for you.” She turned back around to face the window. “You’ll not find me begging for your…”
“That’ll be enough outta ye,” Aiden interrupted as he closed the distance between them. He walked up behind her, grasped her hips tightly and pulled her close, holding her firmly against him, causing him to instantly grow hard. “I dinna ken about other women, but by mornin’, ye’ll be the one weepin’ with yearnin’ for my cruaidh breall.” He growled into her ear, slowly grinding his hard root into her backside while nipping at her neck, sending chills down Jaedin’s spine. He heard her take a deep breath and she leaned back further into him. He took that as his invitation, continuing to nibble down her neck. He grasped the yoke of her chemise and slowly slid it down her shoulder so he could continue to trail kisses on her bare, soft skin.
Jaedin closed her eyes. This shouldn’t be happening. She’d done everything she could to ward him off and to cause him to hate her. She’d been horrible to him, yet now, his lips and teeth were causing her heart to race with lightning fury. She should stop this…she should…
“Now’s the time, Jaedin,” he purred into her ear in that oh so sexy deep brogue of his, using her name. Oh, she loved the sound of her name across this man’s lips. “Stop me now, lass, for I’ve not the will to stop myself.”
Aiden reached around her and ran his hand slowly over her belly to the vee between her legs. Through her dress, his fingers found the hard nub of her clit and began circling around it. He felt her body shudder as she tried to move away from him. He firmly pulled her back against him, not wanting to lose contact with her. She was wet from pleasure that she didn’t want to admit. God knows she didn’t want to admit…
“Yer body speaks for ye, lass.” His fingers began to quicken, feeling the moisture soaking through the fabric. “Ye can tell me no all ye want, but I’ll choose to listen to this,” he whispered as she gasped; her body trembling, and a searing release from within.
With his other hand, he reached down and grasped the hem of her dress and chemise, drawing them up, his hand sliding along her shapely leg. He lifted her arms up to remove the garment completely, tossing it to the side. Then Aiden kneeled down to kiss the back of her knee. Jaedin felt like she was going to faint. He nibbled his way up the back of her thigh to her backside, and then he turned her around to face him.
Aiden raised her left leg to rest her foot on his shoulder. His thumb continued circling her clit. He paused momentarily to look up at her to find she had leaned back against the window and her eyes were closed and lips parted. With a crooked triumphant grin across his lips, he shifted his focus back down to watch as he slid his index finger into her tight, slick walls. He withdrew his finger slightly then slowly glided it back in. Then after a few moments more, he replaced it with his mouth, his tongue sliding inside of her, tasting her sweet nectar that flowed for him.
“Aiden!” she cried out as she tried to reach for him to stop him, but his tongue continued to explore her. Her legs were growing weak and she felt her body sliding down the glass.
Aiden had planned on leaving her worked up and hungry for him to punish her for making him want her so. He hadn’t wanted her. He had chosen to remain focused on settling his brother’s estates and fending off the English army. However, at that point, he couldn’t leave, and now he was the one who wanted more. He wanted to hear her cry out his name in ecstasy as he buried himself deep inside her.
Aiden withdrew his tongue and picked her up, cradling her in his arms, “Are ye hungry, lass?” he asked in a rasping breath as his mouth came crashing down on hers. Her arms circled his shoulders and she returned his heated kisses.
He walked over to the rug on the floor in front of the fireplace and with the last of his restraint, he laid her down gently. Quickly, he knelt in between her legs and raised her leg again, replacing his mouth on her swollen sex. He loved the way she tasted and swore he would never get enough of her.
“Aiden, please!” It was all Jaedin could say as she pleaded with him, grasping his breall in her hand, stroking it into becoming harder. A jolt shot through him and he raised himself up to position his body over her and then slid in all the way to the hilt. Christ Almighty, she was tight was all he could think of while he began thrusting in, then almost withdrawing, then thrusting back in.
Jaedin raised her hips up to meet his rhythm, wanting to feel him deep inside her. She bit down hard on her bottom lip in the attempt to keep from losing all control.
Aiden could feel her walls tightening further around his shaft, giving him the clue that she was about to release. He quickly withdrew and replaced his mouth on her, drinking in her essence. His tongue circled her to milk even more from her as she continued to writhe beneath him, begging him for more. When satisfied, he slid back up over her body and entered her again, riding her fiercely. She matched every thrust, driving him deeper and harder into her. There was no modesty between the two as they took with wild abandon what they needed from one another; giving back pure elated passion.
A single drop of sweat from Aiden’s brow dropped onto Jaedin’s cheek, “Ye are mine and mine alone, lass. There will be no other.” He growled deeply as she felt him pulsate deep within her, and as he thrust one last time and spilled into her, his heart shattering. Not only was she his now, he was given, completely to her. He wanted no other.
ChapterNine
Her Noble Destiny
Chapter Nine
“Good mornin’ my bonnie lass.” Aiden said as he picked Jaedin up off the floor where the two had slept the night before. Both had been completely spent from the passionate night they shared that neither’d
had the strength to rise to crawl into the bed.
“Just a bit longer,” Jaedin grumbled as he placed her on the bed then he grasped her left hand.
Aiden kissed her fingertips gently, then she felt something cool slide down her ring finger. Jaedin sat up in the bed and withdrew her hand from his. With the right hand, she felt the ring he’d placed on her finger. There was a stone on it about the size of a pea.
“What’s this?” she asked with barely a whisper.
Aiden sat down on the edge of the bed. “Twas my mum’s wedding ring,” he explained. “If we are posin’ as husband an’ wife, ye should be wearin’ a ring.”
“What does it look like?” Jaedin’s breathlessly asked as she recalled the previous night.
“The metal is of gold that holds an amber stone that my da shaped and polished with his own hands for my mum just before they married.” His voice changed a bit, “It was to be Kenna’s but she said she wasna a jewelry wearer. Somethin’ about gettin’ in the way and bein’ unable to wield her claymore,” he quietly chuckled at recalling their conversation. “Iain and her went round and round about that.”
Jaedin caressed the ring, feeling all the ridges that held the stone in place all the while in deep thought. Kenna…where had she heard that name before? She hated it when she couldn’t remember the face with a name.
“I love jewelry. I just haven’t had the opportunity to wear much of it.” She explained. “I’ll make sure to give it back to you when they leave.”
Aiden paused briefly before saying, “Ye wouldna have to, ye ken. We could make the marriage proper then the ring would be yers,” he suggested almost holding his breath.
“Are you asking me to marry you?” Jaedin almost choked out.
“Aye, twould seem I am,” he answered.
“Aiden, I…”
Her Noble Destiny Page 5