Entrusted to a Highlander (Highland Promise Trilogy #2) - Donna Fletcher Page 0,51

stumbled back startled. She winced when his hand clamped around her arm, but he was so intent on his anger that he didn’t take notice.

“Listen well, wife. NEVER. EVER will you make yourself known to Brynjar. He takes whatever woman he wants and gets his pleasure from causing her pain—the more pain, the more pleasure for him. I have seen a woman take her own life, tired of suffering at his hands. He cannot be reasoned with since he sees no reason but his own. You will stay far away from him.”

“Then promise me you will do the same,” she said softly.

Arran noticed the slight cringe to her brow and around her eyes and realized his grip on her arm was far too tight and pulled his hand away. “I cannot promise you that, but I will have your word on it.”

“I cannot, for I would tempt hell itself to see you safe.”

He ran his hand over his head in frustration and anger, then pointed his finger at her. “If I find myself in hell it’s because I deserve it and I forbid you from coming after me.”

“You can forbid all you want. I will do as I please just as you do,” Purity challenged.

“I do what must be done,” he argued.

Her chin shot up defiantly. “As do I.”

“I liked you better when you were meek and compliant,” he spat.

“I didn’t, and that’s what matters. Never again will I be silent and obedient. I will always voice how I feel to you whether you like it or not. That includes letting you know when I feel you’re wrong and letting you know time and again that I love you.”

Arran reached out, his hands gripping either side of her face as he came to stand so close to her their bodies brushed. “I fear your stubborn bravery and also admire it.”

Purity smiled. “I need it to be wed to you.”

Purity was certain she’d caught it even though it was in a blink of an eye that she did. The corners of his mouth had turned up in a smile that tried to surface, disappearing before it had the chance to fully blossom. It was a start and it also let her know that inside him still lurked the old Arran who smiled often, and she couldn’t be happier.

“Come to bed,” she urged.

He rested his brow to hers. “There is too much anger stirring in me right now.”

She placed her hand gently on his arm. “All I ask is that you lie beside me, nothing more.”

The problem was he wanted more, so much more.

“After hearing this news, I need you there beside me, husband.”

He scowled as he questioned, “So that you know where I am?”

“So that I can rest safe at least for one night. Will you deny me one night?” she asked softly.

His response was to scoop her up in his arms and carry her upstairs.

He wouldn’t deny her one night, but he would deny himself from satisfying the ache in his loins. His anger was too close to the surface to make love to his wife. The unexpected thought had him almost stumbling on the stairs, but he caught himself.

Make love.

Where had that thought come from? And why had it aroused him?

He placed her on the bed as soon as they entered the room and once she stretched out beneath the blankets, she threw back the blanket on his side waiting for him to join her.

“Hurry, there is a chill in the room tonight,” she urged.

That gave him an excuse to delay, going to the hearth and adding wood. Both animals slept near the heat. King opened one eye to look at him, then closed it and returned to sleep curled against Princess who snored lightly.

Arran’s arousal didn’t abate, if anything, he feared his anger was fueling it. All he could think about was stripping his wife naked, flinging her legs apart, burying himself deep inside her, and pounding into her again and again until she cried out his name in satisfaction. That was not how he wanted to introduce her to coupling.

He went to his side of the bed and kept his back to her as he disrobed, then sat so she couldn’t see his arousal. He pulled the blanket over him as he slipped under the blankets and turned on his side, away from her.

“Go to sleep,” he ordered.

“And a good and peaceful sleep to you as well,” she said and cuddled against his back and draped her