Her Noble Destiny

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 mi 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 by walking up behind her and 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.”