Page 26 of Wedded to the Twisted Highlander
Thomas leaned back and watched with amusement her display of ire and irritation.
“Please, come in,” he drawled. “’Tis nae as if I was doin’ anything important.”
“Explain to me why the castle now thinks we are to be married?” Astrid demanded as she stopped before his desk and folded her arms over her chest.
The fact that she had the nerve to storm into his study with her attitude only made Thomas admire her even more. It was clear that she didn’t care one bit that he was the Laird, nor did she mind that he had every authority over her. Yet, there she was, like a tomcat fighting for scraps of food.
Amusement flickered in his eyes as he leaned forward. He couldn’t hide the smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
“Is that nae what we just agreed to?” he asked, arching an eyebrow. “Or do ye suffer from short-term memory loss? In which case, I’d have to ask how ye managed to get to me castle if ye didnae ken ye were comin’ here to begin wit’.”
“I dinnae suffer from memory loss,” she hissed.
She furrowed her brow as she put her hands on her hips. She was a vision that stirred his desire all the more. It was clear as day to Thomas why Laird Chalium wanted her. Who wouldn’t? She was brave and kind. Sharp as a tack and just as gentle.
There was so much to the woman who stood before him that Thomas felt compelled to do whatever it took to keep her at his side.
“Then how are ye unaware that I just proposed to ye?” he asked, folding his arms across his chest.
“Ye callthata proposal?” Astrid gasped, her eyes widening with shock.
It was clear from her expression and her wild gesticulations that his proposal was lacking.
“I asked the question, ye nodded yer head. It seemed very clear to me what I was doin’. I cannae help what ye see,” Thomas said, his smirk widening.
The way her nose crinkled with anger only made him want to needle her more.
“That wasnae a proposal,” she scoffed.
“Aye, but it was. In fact, I’m drawin’ up the contract now so we can get it done and over wit’. I do, after all, have other things to tend to—besides yer issues.”
“This is nay time for jestin’,” Astrid hissed, completely flustered by the turn of events.
Rising to his feet, Thomas rounded his desk and closed the gap between them. Each step was deliberate and measured. He exuded confidence that he could see intimidated her just a bit.
Her breath hitched as he approached her. The way she responded to him only thrilled him. The air between them was charged, as if thunder would shoot right through the thatched roof and crash between them.
“This isnae a joke,” Thomas explained, his voice low and sultry. “Laird Chalium wants ye.”
The very mention ofhisname made her quake with fear.
“Aye, and ye’re sayin’ ye dinnae?” she asked.
The challenge in her voice excited him. It was as if her spirit was taunting him to do something, anything, to quench the unspoken yearnings of the flesh.
“That is neither here nor there,” he whispered, ensuring that his hot breath tickled her neck. “But if ye dinnae believe me, read the letter for yerself. It was hand delivered.”
“Ye’re sayin’ that Laird Chalium is here?”
Thomas watched her pupils dilate with fear. She was a feisty one, that much was certain, but watching her switch from hunter to prey was interesting.
“Nay,” he answered. “Just a messenger. But here, see what Chalium has to say.”
He dangled the letter before her as if it were some precious prize. She rose on her tiptoes to take it from him and quickly rushed to the fireplace to read it.
Moving back to his desk, Thomas leaned against it, his focus solely on Astrid as her eyes flew over the parchment.
“Astrid.” Her name rolled off his lips. “The best way for me to protect ye and Melody is to wed ye.”
