Page 17 of The Cruel Highlander (From Enemies to Marriage #3)

CHAPTER 16

Sitting at the bar at the nearest tavern, Aiden was many whiskeys in, but the drinks were doing absolutely nothing to settle the feelings inside of him. Every second thought was about the lass he left at home. Would she forgive him for leaving like that? And if she did, how would he ever manage to keep her safe and his? Because despite everything, he desperately wanted her to be his.

How was the lass already so ingrained in his mind? Aiden shouldn’t care for Valorie; he had only just met her for God’s sake. She was so critical to his daily life after what — mere days? That was a ridiculous notion, especially for Aiden. Aiden flagged the barkeep for another whiskey; this was going to be a long night.

Sulking into his drink, Aiden watched as none other than Laird Campbell, the old drunk who attacked Valorie at Keira’s castle, walked into the pub.

This should be good.

“Aiden,” the older man said, patting Aiden on the back roughly. Laird Campbell was smiling brightly at him, not seeming to recognize the threat that Aiden still posed when he said, “I hear congratulations are in order!” Aiden merely stared back at the other laird, unsure if he was serious. A bit too ironic for Aiden’s taste.

Aiden let his silence speak for him again.

“I hope we won’t have any more problems,” the man said nervously in what Aiden thought might be an attempt at an apology. Laird Campbell reached out, presumably to shake Aiden’s hand, but Aiden simply picked up his whiskey for another long sip. The other man held his outstretched hand for a laughably long time before awkwardly releasing a chuckle-turned-cough and shuffling away.

Turning back to the bar, Aiden rolled his eyes; he also hoped he didn’t have any more problems with Laird Campbell, but he would happily end any problems that arose.

Another man sitting at a nearby table piped up, “Och, are ye betrothed to Valorie Grant already?” He had apparently overheard the conversation, and now with Aiden sitting alone, the other man thought it would be a good idea to strike up a conversation. It wasn’t.

“Aye, I am,” Aiden said with a bit of a bite in his tone. The other man just laughed. Maybe Aiden would be ending a problem tonight.

“Well, good luck with her; I’ve heard she’s a feisty thing and has met with a lot of men too,” the man chortled loudly, like he had said something hilarious. He looked around for someone else to join in, but the rest of the tavern was pointedly not looking their way. With a sneer the man ended his laughter.

Aiden wasn’t laughing either. Anyone with any sense could see the danger in his posture now. Aiden’s shoulders were tense, and his hands clenched his drink so tightly, he worried the cup would have indents from his fingers when he put it down.

Ever so slowly he set a few coins on the table next to his drink and rose. Aiden stalked to where the weaselly man was sitting alone. Other patrons in the tavern were watching him warily now, but Aiden’s eyes never strayed from his target. When he reached the table, Aiden moved quickly, grabbing the man roughly be the collar.

“Ye need to respect me bride,” Aiden threatened harshly, still holding the man up by his collar. His legs dangled amusingly due to his much shorter stature.

“She’s been betrothed far too many times to deserve respect,” the other man spat in Aiden’s face, and Aiden seethed.

Clearly his reputation was not working as well as he’d hoped because no one should feel comfortable being this bold to Aiden’s face. Especially not about Valorie. Aiden would not hear any talk about her reputation, and quite frankly, he didn’t want to think about her other betrothals ever again. Valorie was his.

Aiden knew he could teach this man a valuable lesson. He pictured it in his mind; he could drop him to the floor and bring his fists to his face… repeatedly.

And it probably would make Aiden feel better to watch this other man’s nose break underneath his fists, but another scene would only bring unwanted attention to himself and Valorie at a time when he was trying to keep any additional attention away from them.

Besides, this drunken man clearly had very little going for him. He was here drinking alone and starting fights with strangers. Aiden was only doing one of those things. And Aiden had Valorie to go home to — that was reason enough to end the fight there.

Thinking of Valorie helped calm the surge of rage that Aiden still felt. He pictured her face now instead, and it soothed his ire. Aiden released the man’s collar, letting him drop unceremoniously to the floor of the pub. With one final, satisfying look at the man sprawled out on the floor, Aiden turned and headed towards the door of the pub.

Aiden was nearly to the door when he heard a couple of people rush over to help the man. The last thing he heard before the heavy pub door closed behind him was someone asking, “Tavish? Are ye all right?”

Tavish. Aiden would certainly remember that name.

* * *

Back in her bedchamber, Valorie went through the motions of a normal night, despite the turmoil she was feeling. She removed the tartan sash and stuffed it to the back of her drawer — she would not be taking that out anytime soon.

Her maid helped Valorie out of her dress — the same one that Aiden had frantically tried to remove at the table only moments before. She dressed in her night gown quickly before reaching up and undoing the hair piece, letting the waves fall naturally. Each action was jilted and contrived, but Valorie forced herself to go through them, and she was shortly ready for the evening.

Yet, Valorie still found it impossible to rest. She attempted to fall asleep, but the nighttime routine was not enough to cause her to forget the swirl of emotions from dinner.

So, instead she paced back and forth in her bedchamber. A mix of both rage and lust were swirling within her. How dare Aiden kiss her like that and then send her away. She didn’t ask for any of this — not this fake betrothal and certainly not this passion that Aiden had awoken in her.

Valorie didn’t fully understand what her body needed in that moment, but she knew it had something to do with Aiden. And since he had disappeared after dinner, all she could do was pace.

Shortly after Valorie stormed out of the dining room, she thought better of it. Why should Aiden get away with acting like that without a reckoning? Stopping halfway up to her rooms, Valorie adjusted her dress and smoothed out her now wild hair. Turning on her heels, she marched right back to the dining room — only to find it empty.

No scattered dishes, no remaining candles, and certainly no Aiden. She spent a few minutes scouring the castle for him before realizing he was gone. Wherever he went, he was definitely not in the castle anymore. And so here Valorie was, making the same path through her bedroom; the restless energy needed to be burned somehow.

All of these feelings that Aiden inspired in her were brand new to Valorie. She hadn’t let any of her betrotheds even kiss her, and in the short time they were betrothed, no one else had ever sparked the level of desire that Aiden did. That day in the clearing, Aiden was her very first kiss. And whatever happened in the dining room tonight was certainly a first for Valorie as well.

Needing more space to walk, Valorie decided to take a stroll around the castle. Her touring earlier today was mainly focused on the interior rooms, and it seemed like the perfect time for a walk outside. If Aiden could leave the castle in the middle of the night, so could she! Valore threw a tartan shawl over her shoulders, not Aiden’s clan’s pattern obviously, but otherwise, she was dressed in her night clothes.

The second she opened the door to her bedchambers, Willow’s little head popped up from the bed she had made of the comfiest chair in Valorie’s sitting room. It was Willow’s chair now. The little pup hopped off the chair when she saw Valorie at the door. She trotted right over to Valorie and stared up at her eagerly. Each step of the way out of the castle and through the grounds, Willow was closely beside her. Valorie looked down at the wee thing adoringly and chuckled.

The castle’s grounds were beautiful, especially in the moonlight. Valorie wasn’t sure who was taking care of them, but they were doing a marvelous job.

She followed a winding path off of the great hall and eventually found the gardens. Nestled between some stunning flowers was an elaborately carved wooden bench. It looked like the perfect spot to relax for a few moments… and continue seething over Aiden.

Unfortunately, that’s not where Valorie’s mind went. Instead of her anger, she was now focused on the passion from the dining room. Valorie was remembering Aiden’s hands on her body when she noticed him returning to the castle.

The moonlight bathed him in an ethereal glow as he marched quickly towards the castle. At first, he didn’t see her sitting there, but Willow yipped excitedly when she caught sight of him. Valorie had never seen a head turn so quickly.

Even from across the gardens, Aiden’s stare was potent. He definitely saw Valorie now. Changing course, Aiden now walked briskly towards her, not smiling but not nearly as cold as he had been in the dining room. She trembled, either from the night air or in anticipation. Would she be getting playful Aiden or the cold and cruel Laird O’Donnely that Aiden sometimes pretended to be?

As soon as he was within reach, Aiden grabbed Valorie by the arm and brought her to her feet. The sudden movement caused her tartan to fall from her shoulders. Valorie now stood in just her nightgown, and Aiden tightened his grip on her arm ever so slightly at the sight.

Harshly Aiden dragged his gaze away from Valorie’s exposed skin and quickly stormed off. He was still holding on to her arm, so Valorie was helpless but to follow. Willow, of course, trotted along behind them happily, her little legs moving fast to keep up with Aiden’s punishing pace.

The nerve of this laird! Valorie thought. Her passionate reflection in the gardens was now utterly ruined, but she would not let him drag her around like this.

Huffing, Valorie twisted the arm in Aiden’s grasp, and she used her other hand to push away from him. He must have been distracted by whatever place he was hauling her to because Valorie managed to break free from Aiden’s hold.

Valorie glared at Aiden and yelled, “Ye can’t just grab me whenever ye want!” Aiden held her gaze again with that unreadable expression of his. Valorie couldn’t believe him. Aiden was out half the night, and he came back smelling like ale and whiskey and somehow still thought he would order Valorie around. Where was the independence that he claimed to offer her?

Aiden couldn’t just send her away and then drag her back forcefully when it suited him. That was not part of their agreement, and Valorie would not stand for it.

Frustration and anger welled up in Valorie, spilling over and forcing her to act. She raised her hand to try and slap Aiden across the face, but he was faster than her. Aiden caught her wrist mid strike and grabbed her other one for good measure. With both wrists held firmly in his hands, Aiden pushed her up against the tree behind her.

“What will ye do now?” he whispered.

Aiden transferred both of Valorie’s wrists into one large hand and pinned her arms above her head. His now free hand grabbed the back of her neck. Her body shivered at the cold night and his rough touch. Pinned tightly to the tree, Aiden stole a fierce kiss. His lips met hers fervently and she met his with just as much passion.

They were wild for each other, kissing roughly, clanging teeth, biting lips, their anger turning to heat once again.

“Tell me no one else has touched ye,” Aiden growled against her lips, pulling back ever so slightly. Valorie’s angry passion softened a little at his words.

“No one has. I havenae wanted anyone to… but ye,” Valorie breathed back to him. Aiden growled again before meeting her lips once more. His hand on her neck began a path over her exposed shoulder and up the length of her arm.

“Keep yer arms up, lass,” Aiden groaned, following the same trail on the other side of Valorie’s body now before running the back of his fingers across her ribs. Her thin nightgown did almost nothing to separate his hands from her bare skin.

Aiden had apparently lost his fierce urgency now and took his time stroking every part of Valorie’s body. Valorie, on the other hand, was only feeling more desperate with each pass of his hands over her skin. Aiden was igniting a fire in Valorie’s body under each fingertip.

“Aiden, please…” Valorie whined, unsure even of what she was asking for, but she needed something, and she needed it from Aiden.

“I’ve got ye lass,” Aiden whispered roughly into her ear. “Widen those pretty legs a little more for me.”

Valorie complied immediately — her legs widening without making the conscious decision to do so. She was only sensation, lost in Aiden’s mouth and his teasing touches that were finally getting more insistent.

Aiden hands were now making a slow path up her legs, underneath her thin nightgown. His hands continued to scorch each patch of skin they uncovered until his fingertips met her throbbing center.

“Oh!” Valorie exclaimed at Aiden’s first gentle touch. That was it, the spot she desperately needed him.

“Aye, has anyone touched here lass?” Aiden asked with another growl, stopping his movements while he waited for her answer. Valorie vigorously shook her head no. “Good, because ye’re mine,” Aiden ground out before returning to kiss her passionately.

Aiden’s fingers slowly and teasingly touched Valorie from outside of her underclothes, but she needed more. With a quiet whimper, Valorie began to move her hips in tandem with Aiden’s fingers, building up to something momentous. The feelings were so powerful that Valorie struggled to keep her hands where Aiden had placed them above her head.

Noticing her squirming, Aiden chucked darkly at Valorie, “Do ye need somethin’ lass?”

“Aiden, please,” Valorie begged again. Valorie was desperate for him to continue, but he took his hand away completely now. She whimpered at the loss.

Bringing one hand up to her chest, Aiden stroked his thumb over her taut nipples. They were hard and pressed tightly against her nightgown, and even Aiden’s simple touch against them sent a shock through her body. Surging forward he caught one in his mouth and sucked through her nightgown, causing Valorie to arch off the tree.

Aiden finally brought his fingers back to her center, slowly sliding one hand beneath her underclothes. His other hand was still stroking and tweaking her desperate nipples.

“I’m goin’ make ye feel so good, lass,” Aiden promised before finally stopping his teasing. His fingers quickly found the perfect spot and picked up their rhythm.

Valorie couldn’t hold herself back now and was moaning loudly into the night. She could no longer hold her arms up anymore, and she brought them around Aiden’s neck. Her sounds and her hands only seemed to spur Aiden on because he kept that perfect rhythm but groaned, pained, as his mouth found her neck again.

The combination of sensations had Valorie teetering right on the edge of something. Aiden’s mouth was on her neck, sucking and softly biting, one hand still on her breasts and the other stroking her core deliciously.

“Let go for me, lass,” Aiden grunted, seemingly as desperate as she was. Aiden’s deep voice in her ear, the one she admired from that very first night, sent Valorie over the invisible edge. She cried out as she hit a heavenly peak, her body tightening and finally releasing.

“That’s it,” Aiden whispered as Valorie shook in his arms. He continued with light touches as the explosion inside of her subsided. Valorie sighed heavily, relaxing into Aiden’s arms. Her head was limp; she was sure she would have collapsed by now if he wasn’t holding her up.

That was… Valorie didn’t even know how to properly describe what that was. Those feelings and that sensation were not in her vocabulary.

All Valorie could think was that Aiden had successfully ruined every other man for her.