Lovers' Tussle (6 page)

Perhaps he had come to offer some way forward in this dilemma. Or maybe not. While his use of her formal title confused her, the look in his expressive eyes spoke volumes as well. His attraction to her had not lessened.

The joints on her limbs stretched as she straightened. “Are you following me?” she addressed him as she transformed into her human form, making sure she concentrated sufficiently on her apparel this time. It was not difficult. Aiden did not stop her brain from functioning the way Roth did.

“I apologize for startling you.” He followed her transformation with his own and bowed elegantly.

The crisp, curt action amused Tienna, seeing as they were deep in the wilds and even savage animals themselves. But she played along, curtsying and responding. “And for following me?”

“Alas I have no excuse for that except to say I wished to see you.”

His smile was disarming. It was so soft, warm, and utterly boyish she could not help returning it. “And now you have my ear.” The mischievous look he gave her told her plainly that her ear was not the only thing for which he’d come searching. Tienna’s heart skipped a beat. He may be adorable, but he was also a devilish rogue. He held within him the power to turn women into soft clay. Her legs certainly did not feel so sturdy any more.

“I missed you at the Craven’s ball.” He gestured to his formal attire. “It was quite the crush, and anyone who is relevant should be in attendance.”

Tienna admired the expert cut of his coat, the way it molded to his broad shoulders and hugged his straight, narrow hips. Of course he was one who did go for silken stockings and highly polished buttons and buckles, but she found no fault with it. The attire suited him to perfection. He was, after all, her dashing nobleman. “I prefer not to allow society to determine my worth based on my attendance or absence from inane affairs.”

“You do not like the grandeur the privileged are afforded?”

He appeared to be taken aback, and Tienna knew this was not as simple a question as he made it out to be. In essence he was asking her preference, one she did not quite know herself. Opting for the middle ground, she replied, “I like the social swirl as much as any young lady, however, I also choose to attend according to my desire to do so.”

“Yes, I had pegged you for one of an independent mind.” He took her hand with the gentlest of care and turned to the view behind her. “Do you like coming out here for a quiet respite?”

Tienna sighed in relief at his simple acceptance of her answer. She was not ready for any deeply vested answers, and she was definitely not in the mood for being pushed. His hand was large and strong around her tiny one, and she immediately felt at ease and safe. She also felt small but in a good, feminine way. “I like to come here when I am troubled. But it is not for the view you speak of.” She pointed to the moon with her free hand. “That holds my fascination.”

Aiden’s chuckle was deep and warm and flittered over her senses like heated honey. “Just as all us cursed animals do.” He studied her quietly before lifting her fingertips to his lips. “You are absolutely breathtaking under the moonlight. Had it been my choice, I would have you bathed in this light forever.”

Tienna blushed at the compliment. She was, for all the experience she had gained from her three years of ballroom antics as well as subsequent “on the shelf” status, quite inexperienced with men. Rakes especially had been a terrifying breed of gentlemen she had steered well away from. But had she known they could be quite so diverting, she would have been more accommodating. “I thank you. Your wolf form is also rather dashing in the moonlight.” She flushed as she realized her faux pas. “Not that your form as a man is any less awe inspiring.”

Aiden’s lips twitched at the corners in amusement. “I should hope not, for I also have befriended the night quite intimately. Heaven forbid that I not look anything less than devastating at that time.”

She knew he was teasing and was thankful. His light banter set her a bit at ease. But sadly, not completely. Self-consciously, she glanced around. Of course she knew no one was here to witness her compromising situation, but one could never discount how much Roth could sense. It was unnerving knowing he could spring out from behind a bush at any time like a ghoul out for revenge. Or more like a fire-breathing dragon out to incinerate everyone in its path. “It is getting late. I must be getting home before my family misses me.”

Every bit the gallant gentleman, he did not hesitate or argue. “I shall see you home.”

Tienna nodded. She was also reluctant to leave his company just yet. It was a bit of distance back, and that suited her just fine. She accepted the arm he offered. “Why are you and Roth enemies?” She had not expected that question to pop out quite so soon, but it had, and it appeared to have magical powers. His forearm stiffened beneath her fingers.

“We simply do not agree.”

Well, that explains a lot
. Tienna frowned at the dark path ahead. Half the
ton
did not agree with each other and that did not make them lifelong enemies. “That hardly appears to be a sufficient enough reason to hold grudges.”

“It is when you’re dealing with a man like Roth.”

Now that
did
explain everything. Roth could be stubborn to the point of being a brick wall. Not even close to having her curiosity fulfilled, she inquired, “So it was over some altercation or difference in opinion that the dispute began?” She wanted to know specifically what had caused the rift. Perhaps if she could somehow mend that broken bridge, there may be a way for all of them to move forward,
together
.

Aiden, however, while highly approachable, was proving to not be very forthcoming. “You could say that.”

Pursing her lips in dissatisfaction, Tienna opted for another approach. “How is it you’re able to hear him in your mind?”

His pensive expression was not very reassuring. Aiden chose to ask a question of his own instead. “You know I am your mate. Why do you run away and hide?”

Tienna blew out a breath of exasperation. He was no popinjay, easily lured into revealing himself. The realization took her by surprise. Aiden was proving to be an enigma, an image he apparently was not going to dispel easily. “Because you were not the only one.”

“Ah, I see.” He seemed to consider her answer before adding his conclusion framed as another question. “That would explain your wish to have us pitted against each other.”

Tienna was reluctant to reveal her father’s part in the plan simply because she fully agreed with it. And thus she accepted full responsibility. “It seemed the easier path.”

She caught his half smile from the side. “And do you still believe that?”

The lazy pattern he was tracing on her fingers tucked in the crook of his elbow was slowly doing what he so excelled in doing. He was stealing her away again, patiently, masterfully. She swallowed hard, trying to force down the slow rise of desire. Unsuccessfully. “I’m not sure what I believe anymore.” Her reply left her on a whisper.

His response, however, certainly did catch her by surprise. “Neither am I.”

Tienna blinked rapidly. He was not so lofty that he kept his weakness hidden. It did unexplainable damage to her resistance, adding another charming characteristic to his steadily growing list of attributes. He was honest, even about his weaknesses.

She opened her mouth, fully intent on gaining more answers, but no sound came out. She tried again but was met with the same failure. The heat of his body was penetrating the side of hers. His closeness was affecting her breathing, her thinking, and even walking. With a start of alarm she realized she was not merely walking beside him anymore. She was practically leaning into him. And he was proving to be an excellent pillar of support.

Her body applauded with rapt enthusiasm. He was strong and hard, and it took every bit of her strength not to press into him completely, not to stop and offer herself. She was in a lot of trouble if this was the effect he wrought of her simply by taking a moonlit stroll. For heaven’s sake he hadn’t even kissed her and her belly was turning over, expelling heat and wanton passion as fast and furious as her heart was pumping blood through her veins.

Suddenly, with calm efficiency, he stopped and turned to her. Tienna flushed. Could he sense her arousal, smell it on her heated skin? She was once again struck by the beauty of the man as she watched him. His midnight-blue eyes were quite simply the most wonderful pair she had ever seen, and shadowed beneath thick lashes they promised such delight. Sleepy eyes, dreamy. She wanted to simply join in the unspoken sinful promise he offered.

The back of his hand was warm against her cheek. The touch of lips was hot. She sighed blissfully, greedily yearning for more. But he remained adamantly aloof, keeping his essence fully concealed behind sealed lips. She enjoyed the moment, however. The slow build of sensuality within her was excruciating, bitter anticipation yet so very sweet all at the same time.

A blast of heat suddenly infused her senses. But this was not the same as the passionate swirl that was stealing over her. Her mind was left reeling along with her shaking knees as Aiden suddenly drew back.

“Let us not tempt the devil further.” His voice was husky, showing his own reaction to the kiss. He cupped her cheeks lightly. “Sweet dreams, lovely Tienna. Perhaps I shall visit you there.”

It took a full three rapid blinks of her eyes to comprehend what he was saying.
Good grief, have we already arrived?
She smiled, still a little dazed, and slipped through the foliage, edging toward the domain of her family and leaving behind a man she was ready to admit she’d fallen head over heels in love with.

She sighed happily as she approached the stream bed. The reflection of the stars dancing merrily across the surface matched her moods perfectly. She wanted to join them, except it was cold and the water would be frigid. But that did not mean she could not revel in the feeling of dancing within her. Her feet fairly skipped as the elation in her grew. Perhaps Aiden was the choice her heart yearned for.

Suddenly she was seized from behind. A large hand cupped over her startled grunt, sealing it back into her mouth, uselessly. Her back was wrenched against a solid wall of unyielding muscles. Her heart slammed painfully, drumming an alarming tempo against her eardrums.

“Is your little midnight lovers’ stroll over so soon?”

The hot whisper in her ear breezed through the loose tendrils of her hair at her temple. In that instant, hot, unbidden desire raced through her body like a living being threatening to dominate her senses.
Roth!

Annoyance laced with a healthy dose of anger mingled with her passion. This was so like him. Aiden, like the angel of mercy that he was, had taken the time to reassure her, placate her. But here was the avenging angel, sent seemingly from the very bowels of hell, scaring her out of her wits and arousing her far too quickly for her to control.

Stubbornly, knowing he expected an answer, she nodded. Thankfully his hand was still over her mouth and she had an excuse for not using the voice she knew would desert her.

His growl sent a shiver down her spine. “And did you enjoy it?”

Adamantly, accepting fully that she courted danger, she nodded again.

“Hoyden.” He inhaled deeply. “Do you know I should bend you over my knees for your mischief?”

The worst part was that she found even that idea stimulating. The feel of his large hands against the intimate flesh of her fanny sounded sinfully wicked. Very slowly, very expressly, she inclined her head.

His hiss was harsh and raw against the side of her neck. She leaned back as the simple touch turned to hot, openmouthed kisses. She arched into him as they became hungry nips and frantic nibbles.

Without warning, he spun her around. She caught a glint of dangerous light flickering in the depths of his whiskey-brown eyes before her gaze traveled to his lips. Full. Firm. Fulfilling. She knew this and needed it right now. As though hearing her blatant request, his mouth crushed down on hers brutally, sapping her breath along with her resistance in one foul sweep. Her mouth opened on a groan and welcomed his exploring tongue. Tienna’s mind dipped and swayed, but he mercifully kept her from melting to the ground into a puddle of soft pudding. His arms were bands of steel, ruthless, inescapable, and just what she craved.

Not wasting the advantage afforded her this time she drove her fingers into his hair. Thick, silky, wild. Her hands curled into fists, matching his animalistic cruelty, while still clinging on for the life he was both stealing from and giving to her. Had she just a moment ago believed Aiden would be enough for her?
God, how many times am I going to be proven wrong?

* * * *

Roth sensed the slight tensing of her back beneath his binding grip. He was having none of it. He forced his will on her, greedily lapping at the honey offered in her mouth, not allowing her time to retreat.

The moment she had stepped through that opening he had been overcome with the overwhelming need to pounce on her. The look on her face certainly had driven him more than a little insane. He wanted to wipe that smug satisfaction off her face. He needed to drive every last memory of that kiss she had just shared. He had to eradicate his brother from her mind, her heart, permanently.