by L. L. Muir
Aiden lifted his glass in salute. “My pardon, I heard ye mention football. I’m a fan of the sport as well.”
“Who’s your team?”
“Me and the boys watch Inverness CT upon occasion. There are a lot of braw lads on that team. One of the security guards where I…work was a fan. So ’twas Inverness or nothin’.”
“Are you talking about European soccer?”
“Nae, ’tis football.”
“Well, here it’s called soccer. Great accent, by the way. Are you from Scotland?”
Zoey rolled her eyes at Jimmy and he grinned.
“Aye.”
“I visited during my senior year of high school. I loved the country. I had a date with a Scottish girl while I was there and…”
He glanced at Zoey, shrugged. “Anyway, that was a long time ago.”
As the two men continued to talk about sports for a moment, Marcus gently teased Aiden about his lack of American football knowledge, and Aiden took it with good grace.
Zoey started to feel like a third wheel. How to get out of this situation? If she was reading Aiden right, he liked Marcus well enough. This wasn’t going at all as planned. The guy’s emails had been a little less than charming, and she been hoping to draw out some of that. No such luck so far. He’d acted a perfect gentleman.
Marcus excused himself to go to the restroom.
Zoey turned on Aiden. “Just so you know, Marcus is not the guy for me.”
“I dinnae see why not? I heard ye flirtin’ with the man.”
“It wasn’t like that.”
“Ye think I cannae tell when a lass is interested in a lad? Ye definitely acted interested.”
What was she supposed to say to that? Oh, sorry I was trying to make you jealous. I guess it didn’t work.
“I don’t like sports.”
“Just give your date a chance. As far as I can see he has much in his favor. He’s physically fit and that’s admirable. He seems to like ye well enough. He seems genuine and cheerful, not attributes to sneeze at when ye’re livin’ with a man for years.”
“I’m not interested.”
“Give him a chance.”
Marcus came out of the restroom, and they stopped talking.
“Hey dude, not trying to scope my girl are you?”
Aiden’s expression was determined. “What do ye think of Zoey?”
Zoey’s mouth parted and she shook her head. She could not believe he’d just asked that.
“She’s pretty, and sweet,” Aiden nodded in earnest. “She’s creative and fun-loving. She’d make any male feel good about himself. All good qualities, surely?”
Marcus glanced between the two of them. “What’s going on here?”
“I’m just saying a suitor would have to search far and wide to find a girl of such quality. And in return, she needs protection.”
“Protection? Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” Marcus’s eyes darted, and he appeared a little freaked out. “I can’t believe this. Are you her pimp or something?”
Aiden brows drew tight. “Pimp?”
Jimmy laughed, then choked. He had to walk away.
Zoey, knowing the date was over, put on an innocent expression on her face and sipped her drink. She wasn’t insulted by Marcus in the least. In fact she was feeling quite pleased and hopeful.
“Her pimp.” Marcus spat. “As in, are you trying to get me to nail Zoey and pay you for the privilege? Sorry man, I don’t pay for sex.”
Aiden gaped. Dark primal emotion flashed over his face and his brown eyes darkened to black. He stood, and Marcus, backing up a step, didn’t move fast enough. Aiden slammed a hard into the side of Marcus’s face.
Marcus toppled to the ground. He groaned but didn’t move.
Zoey winced. “Oh, dear.” She was sorry for Marcus. He hadn’t deserved that. She glanced at Aiden’s enraged expression. “So, Marcus wasn’t my fated one, after all?”
Aiden looked dangerous as he held out his hand. “Come, lass.”
She jumped down from the barstool, took his hand, and he led her out of the bar.
“What did you mean fated one?”
That threw her. As they walked toward home, she struggled to find the words to explain. “Uh—”
“When first we met you asked me if I was your fate.”
She blew out a breath. “When I was sixteen my aunt told me I was fated to find my one true love, the one man I would love forever, and he’d love me in return. My fated one.”
“This aunt. Is she a Muir witch?”
“She’s a fortuneteller.”
He looked dissatisfied with the answer. “You thought me this man?”
Since she was laying it out, she might as well not stop there. Hope fluttered gently in her chest. “Yes. I still do.”
His face twisted with emotion and his hand clenched around hers. “’Tis not me, lass. I can promise ye that.”
Pain sliced through her at the rejection. “Why not? Are you in love with another?”
He shook his head and remained silent, tugging her along when she slowed.
“What do you want to do now?”
He shot her a grim look. “We need to get ye ready for yer next date.”
She briefly closed her eyes. She knew he wasn’t trying to hurt her, but his brush-off cleaved her heart, just the same. She sighed. “Are you sure? I really don’t like going out with these guys who keep hurting my feelings.”
He stopped, and took her hand in both of his. He rubbed the back of it. “I ken ye dinnae wish to do this again. But mayhap this next swain will be a gentleman and a warrior. Ye wouldn’t want to miss out on meetin’ him, aye?”
“You mean you wouldn’t. Why do you care so much anyway?”
“I want to see ye safe, happy, loved.”
“Why? You obviously don’t care about me yourself. You’re trying to get rid of me by finding me another guy.” She took a steadying breath. “After our kiss I’d thought perhaps you saw me as more than a friend.”
Aiden flushed. “I do care for ye, lass!”
“So why are you trying to pawn me off?”
He ran a hand through his hair. “I dinnae want to.”
“Then what do you want?”
He appeared agonized. She wished his look indicated he wanted her for himself, but she was pretty sure he didn’t. So what was this all about?
“I want ye to go on another date. Just one more. I have a good feelin’ about your next admirer.”
She finally worked up the nerve to say, “Why don’t you date me?”
“Would that I could, lass.”
That answer just frustrated. “I’m afraid you’re going to have to do better than that.”
“Let’s try this one more date. ’Tis sure things will go smoothly.”
And she was just as sure they wouldn’t, because she had no intention of letting that happen.
CHAPTER SIX
Only an hour later they headed out to her third date.
Aiden sighed. Zoey wasn’t speaking to him. He didn’t blame her. She’d laid her heart out and, in trying to spare her, he’d smashed it. She believed him her fated one?
If only that were true.
They’d had to leave early, because this time they took a bus. Zoey insisted she wanted to go to a new location. Free drinks or no, she’d refused to go back to the bar. She’d emailed her third date and changed their meeting place.
This time the zoo— with a meet up at the merry-go-round.
Aiden was curious to see the animals. And he didn’t know what a merry-go-round was, so he wanted to see that too.
The bus was full of interesting people, and Aiden had plenty of time to study them as Zoey continued to ignore him. She sat with her arms crossed, a mulish expression on her face as she watched out the window.
The bus driver was one of the friendliest men Aiden ever encountered. He also had the whitest teeth he’d ever seen on a person.
There was an elderly i
ndividual in the back, wearing clothing that hadn’t been washed in a long while, a pack at his feet. The man was no doubt on a journey of some type.
Two females who appeared to be mother and daughter, the girl, about twelve, a miniature of her pretty blonde mum.
He also gazed out the window as they drove by, enjoying the sights, the occasional bursts of speed, and the feel of the bus as it powered along.
What an exhilarating experience!
Every once in a while Aiden gave her some advice, though she didn’t take it well, but it didn’t stop him from doing what needed doing. “Ye must give this one a chance, lass. ’Tis good ye’re going to a different location. Outdoors is a much better situation than a pub. We should have thought on that before.”
“I don’t want to hear it.”
“Odds are he’ll be a better prospect than the others. They can’t all be bad bets. I’ll not interfere on this occasion. Watch for characteristics such as kindness, honesty, and integrity.”
“I’m not listening.”
“Ask about his profession. He’ll need to be a hard worker. Ye’d not want a slacker.”
She didn’t respond.
Aiden decided it had all been said before anyway, and enjoyed the passing scenery. When they arrived at the zoo, she bought their tickets and they hurried inside, joining the crowd.
Aiden glanced around, amazed by the place. A market sold stuffed animals, candies, and much more. Little buildings sported colorful animal drawings along the sides. Tree-lined paved trails led in all directions, no doubt to observe the animals. People ate delicious-looking foods as they walked.
Zoey paced ahead at speed and Aiden hurried to catch up. ’Twas crowded, and he’d occasion to wait his turn on the trail, or step around when space permitted. He kept Zoey in his sights as she hurried ahead, not waiting on him.
In the distance he could see the carousel Zoey described. It circled, the horses rolling up and down, people flowing into the air and back again. Fascinating.
A male approached Zoey. Aiden was far enough away, and the crowd loud enough, he’d no hope of hearing, but Zoey smiled and apparently something her escort said made her laugh.
’Twas a real laugh. Aiden knew the difference.
Disgruntled, his mouth twisting, he followed behind the couple as they meandered around the park. Occasionally, he stopped to stare at an animal in amazement. He could spend a lot of time in this place, and wished his brothers could see the sights as well. Gareth would be stunned by the elephant. Liam would love the giraffe. The cage full of monkeys reaching to the sky left Aiden dizzy with excitement. That such animals existed was amazing.
He had to keep himself on task, and hurried to catch up with the couple. They chatted and seemed to have a pleasant time.
Aiden frowned.
As far as he could see there was nothing off about her date, and he seemed a gentleman. His hands remained in jacket pockets and he didn’t so much as try to hold Zoey’s hand.
That was good.
Zoey laughed again, and Aiden clenched his teeth. He didn’t know why that irritated him so much. From a distance, anyway, the male seemed perfect. He wasn’t overlarge, but he did look capable.
Aiden didn’t like him.
He…he wasn’t giving Zoey time to look at the animals. ’Twas very selfish on this Joshua’s part. Aiden would have let her look her fill.
There had to be more wrong with her beau. Mayhap he acted his part too perfectly. An actor, good at playing a role?
Aiden encircled the building so he could come at them from the opposite direction and get a better view Zoey saw him approaching and widened her eyes as if to ask what he was doing.
His duty.
He checked the male over, the way he looked, walked, his attitude. Just as suspected, Joshua’s eyes were set too close together. Aiden hadn’t noticed that in the Internet picture.
Mayhap ’twas time to remove Zoey from his influence. “Zoey, have ye had a good time? Are you finished for the night?”
Her date glanced between the two of them and studied the way they gazed at each other. “Who’s this?”
“Aiden. What are you doing?”
“’Tis naught to concern you, Zoey. Let us leave now.”
Zoey’s swain glanced between them. “Is this your boyfriend or something?”
Zoey bowed her head. “Or something.”
“You told me you were single.” The man walked backwards a few steps. “But the way you’re staring at each other—you two obviously have something going. I’m out of here.”
“Oh, Joshua, I’m sorry.”
Joshua turned back. “Zoey, in future, please don’t waste a guy’s time. If you want to play some crazy game with your boyfriend, I think most men would want to be left out of that. I know I feel gypped for wasting my evening.”
Zoey looked stricken. “No, Joshua, I’m sorry. That’s not it at all.”
“Whatever. I’m probably going to report you to the website. I’ll be doing the other guys a favor if they don’t waste their time while you play your little games.”
Joshua turned and was gone, swallowed up in the crowd.
Zoey’s eyes blazed. “Thanks for that, Aiden. I may not have wanted to do this, but he was a nice guy and now I look like a jerk.” She turned and walked up one of the many trails.
He followed. It was for the best, though it truly bothered Aiden her date thought Zoey of low character. ’Twas just that he didn’t like seeing her with him.
What if she fell in love with that male? What if she stopped looking at Aiden with her soft gazes and gave them to another?
That was what you wanted, true?
He didn’t want that. He didn’t want it at all. He…he wanted Zoey for himself. He didn’t like watching her court with other men.
He kept her within sight as his fists clenched and unclenched.
It felt as if he loved the girl.
Did he? He was certainly jealous of these other men, looking at her, talking to her, having a chance with her.
He couldn’t love her. It didn’t make any sense. They’d known each other for so short a time and she wasn’t meant for him. She was his charge, that was all.
And he’d selfishly sabotaged her chance at obtaining a protector when he’d nothing to offer in return.
His jaw tightened as reason fled.
He admitted his guilt.
He yearned to be her Fated One.
He didn’t want her with another man. There was not the time to find her a worthy one, anyway, so why torture himself seeing her with others? The plan had been flawed from the beginning.
Zoey said she’d go home after finding a husband. Perhaps, even if she resisted, he’d persuade her to go home without.
He’d still the time to escort her to her village.
That way, he could spend whatever hours he had left with her.
And when Aiden disappeared, he’d know she was safe in her father’s and brother’s care.
And wherever he ended up, he’d not have to remember her with another. Those soft smiles would always belong to him.
~~~
They made it back to the deserted bus stop shelter and sank to the bench side by side.
Aiden’s jaw was tight. Guilt over chasing Joshua away?
She should be mad at him, but Joshua wasn’t for her, so it was over and done with. “Look, it really isn’t that big of a deal. I’m sure he’ll get over it. He’ll probably get me banned from Make Me a Match, but who cares, right?”
Aiden’s forehead furrowed. “So ye won’t be able to date any more men from there?”
“Nope.”
“I caused this. My deepest regrets, lass.”
She tried not to laugh. Like she cared about being banned from the website. There were a hundred more just like it. Still, she wasn’t above playing on his feelings. “Well, like you said, you did cause this. You might have to stick around for a while and protect me yourself.”
He
shot her a look, blatantly possessive. “Mayhap I will. Tell me of yer father’s home.”
She caught her breath and chills broke out on her body. The heat in his gaze and the sudden change of conversation left her unsure, blinking. “Uh, I don’t know, it’s great. It’s set back in the woods, away from the main road. The road itself goes through town, and businesses line the street. It’s sort of a tourist trap. People drive through town and a lot of them stop and stay at the hotel or purchase souvenirs. We sell a lot of tie-dye. The buildings have fake storefronts, and the whole place is really quite charming.”
She smiled. “Our community is pretty self-sufficient. We gather our own eggs, have our own dairy, a grocery store, and there is even a small blacksmith shop.”
Aiden appeared fascinated. “I grew up in such a place. When I traveled, I always yearned for home. Why would ye leave to come here? To be alone?”
“I told you, I’m looking for my fated one.” She glanced at him, then away. She clasped her hands, suddenly unwilling to meet his gaze. The problem was, that possessiveness hadn’t left his eyes and it was affecting her. How was she supposed to believe he didn’t want her when he looked at her that way?
She breathed in, gazed at the ground, and shuffled a foot. “I really like you.”
“I like ye as well, lass.” His voice deepened.
Her brows pulled together. Why was he determined to pawn her off on someone else?
“Did ye tell Preston about yer home, about Harmony Falls?”
She nodded. “He called it Hicksville.”
“Perhaps I should go and pay the man a visit? So we can eliminate him as yer attacker?”
She shrugged. “I have no idea where he lives. I never went to his apartment when I dated him.”
“Is there a way to find him?”
She shrugged. She could tell him they could hire a private detective, but why give him any ideas? If he thought her safe, he might leave.
His lips pursed and he stood to pace back and forth in the cool night air. Frustrated, was he? Well, welcome to the club. She was too.
The real problem was, she might just be falling in love with the man.
She frowned. It was fast, she knew, and unfortunately the thought made her sad rather than glad. Why didn’t he love her back? Did that mean he wasn’t her fated one, after all? Was all this excessive emotion he pulled from her wishful thinking?