Second Chances: Aidan's Bride (The McKenzie Series #1)

by Lynn Coppersmith

  The emphasis he placed on the last word made Naomi’s breath hitch. A frisson of fear snaked down her spine. The way he looked at her made her skin crawl. She swallowed hard but kept her expression as calm as possible.

  “How nice of you, but as I’ve already told you Mr. Lawrence, I don’t need your help.”

  He raised one brow and walked toward her. Naomi instinctively backed up, but the table blocked her way. He stepped in front of her, his body mere inches from hers. She started to step sideways, but he placed one hand on the table on either side of her, pinning her between him and the table.

  Naomi frowned and pushed against his chest, but he wouldn’t budge. “What do you think you are doing, Mr. Lawrence?”

  He gave her an evil grin and eyed her breasts again. “I’m doing what I’ve wanted to do since the first time I saw you.”

  He swooped to kiss her, but she turned her face to the side. His wet lips landed on her cheek, and she squealed. He hauled her into his arms and dragged her over to the bed. She fought and scratched until he pulled both of her arms behind her back. He shoved her onto the mattress, trapping her arms beneath her.

  She struggled with all her strength, but she was no match for him. He seemed to delight in her struggles, and he laughed while she squirmed and strained. She felt alarm building, and she fought the sensation, trying desperately to keep her wits about her.

  “Get off me!”

  He merely chuckled and began pawing at her breasts. “I don’t think so. If you don’t mind sharing your favors with Aidan McKenzie, you certainly shouldn’t mind sharing them with me. I’m sure you’ll find that I know how to please you much better than that stupid clod. Once you’ve had a taste of what I can give you, you’ll send him packing.”

  His mention of Aidan gave her an idea, and Naomi panted as she glared furiously up at him. “Mr. McKenzie is out in the barn. I’ll scream if you don’t let me go this instant!”

  Once again, he laughed. He spread open mouthed kisses along her face and neck, and she shuddered with revulsion. “We both know that McKenzie isn’t here right now. He went to town. Knowing the blacksmith, he’ll be there half a day shooting the breeze. That should give us plenty of time to have a little fun.”

  He reached up and yanked the neckline of her bodice. Naomi heard the cloth rip with a rending sound, and she renewed her struggles.

  His eyes lit with pleasure as he eagerly eyed her breasts. “I can’t wait to see these perfect tits.”

  “Please, don’t do this! Let me go.”

  He laughed at her helplessness and merely shook his head while he slowly unbuttoned her chemise and spread the two halves wide. She squirmed and screamed, trying to knee him in the groin as he easily held her down on the bed. She could feel the ridge of his erection against her thigh as he groped her breasts.

  She felt him reaching for the hem of her dress and her fear blossomed into full blown panic. “Get off me!” she screamed.

  He forced one knee between her legs and groped along her inner thighs. “What have we here? What soft, inviting thighs you have, Mrs. Tisdale.”

  Naomi felt tears well in her eyes. She clenched her eyes shut and screamed again. “Stop it! Let me go!”

  One minute she was pinned to the bed, and the next her attacker was flying across the room. She opened her eyes to see Aidan pummelling Lawrence with his fists. Aidan punched him in the face, breaking his nose with a loud crack. Lawrence screamed and tried to fight back. His efforts were pathetic. He was helpless to defend himself, as Aidan landed one punishing blow after another.

  Aidan was beyond reason, his vision clouded with murderous rage. When he had seen Lawrence attacking Naomi, all rational thoughts had fled. He continued to beat Lawrence until he was sobbing and crawling to get away from him. Finally, Naomi’s voice broke through the red haze of Aidan’s fury.

  “Aidan, stop! You’re killing him,” she cried.

  Her soft, trembling voice finally penetrated his awareness. Aidan released his hold on the other man’s collar and let his head drop to the floor. He rose to his feet and stood towering over Lawrence. Aidan’s fists remained clenched at his sides, and he took several deep, steadying breaths. He looked over at Naomi, and he saw her standing beside the bed, clutching her torn dress at her throat. He could see glimpses of her pale flesh, and his heart clenched.

  “Are you alright?”

  Her tears overflowed, but she managed to nod. “Yes,” she whispered.

  Aidan forced the next words out. “Are you sure?” He swallowed hard. “Did he …” he trailed off, unable to voice the question.

  Naomi shook her head, but more tears tumbled down her cheeks. “No. You came just in time.”

  Her words stirred his anger yet again, and he turned to face Lawrence. The lowlife was crawling toward the door. Aidan growled low in his throat. He lifted Lawrence by his collar and slammed him against the wall beside the door. He pressed his arm against the other man’s throat. When Aidan spoke, his low voice vibrated with barely suppressed rage.

  “The only reason you’re alive right now is because she doesn’t want me to kill you, you bastard. Don’t ever let me catch you near her again. If you see her coming down the street, you better run the other way. If you let her see your ugly face ever again, I will kill you. Do you understand?” When the man didn’t immediately answer, Aidan lifted him slightly away from the wall and slammed him back again, bashing his head against the wall. “Answer me,” Aidan growled menacingly.

  “Yes! Yes, I understand,” Lawrence cried. His face was a bloody mess. He was barely recognizable as he sniveled and clawed at Aidan’s arm. “I promise I’ll never bother her again. Please, no more.”

  Aidan gave him one final shake before hauling him out the door and across the porch. He tossed him down the steps, and Lawrence landed with a humph in the dirt. He scrambled to his feet as fast as he could manage with several broken ribs. He limped to his horse, moaning and holding one hand against his side.

  Aidan watched as he struggled to haul himself into the saddle. “Get out of here, you miserable coward. If I ever see you around these parts again, I’ll kill you.”

  Lawrence wheeled his horse around and fled. Aidan watched until he was out of sight, and then he went to Naomi. He gathered her in his arms, and she clung to him.

  Naomi was trembling so bad, she could hardly remain standing. She curled her fingers into his shirt front and began to cry. Aidan sat on the edge of the bed and lifted her onto his lap, cradling her like a child.

  “Shhh,” he whispered, stroking her hair. “It’s alright, sweetheart. He won’t ever hurt you again.”

  Several minutes passed as she cried quietly. Finally, she began to calm. Her breath subsided into hiccupping sobs, and then finally she released a shaky sigh. When she raised her tear stained face up to his, he thought his heart would break in two.

  “Are you really alright?” he asked again.

  “Yes, thanks to you.”

  “I should never have left you alone here,” he said grimly. He was tortured by thoughts of what had happened and what would have happened if he hadn’t come when he had.

  Naomi gave him a weak smile and stroked his cheek. “There was no way to know he would attack me like that. It’s not your fault.”

  The muscles in Aidan’s jaw rippled as he clenched his teeth. “No, but that’s why it isn’t a good idea for you to be living here all alone without any protection.”

  Aidan pulled her against his chest and rested his chin against her hair. He was tempted to haul her into town and force her to marry him then and there. However, he knew that wasn’t the way to handle the situation.

  His barbarian instincts were prodding him to force her to accept his protection. But after what she had been through, any show of force would only upset and frighten her more. She needed gentleness and time to heal.

  That night, for the first time since they had become lovers, he didn’t make love to her. He held her in his arms through the
night, but he barely slept. Throughout the wee hours, he listened to her soft, steady breathing, and his mind raced.

  He had to find some way to offer her protection until she finally consented to becoming his wife. He wouldn’t rest knowing she was here all alone and vulnerable. He knew Lawrence would never have the nerve to bother her again, but that didn’t mean there weren’t others like him just waiting for an opportunity to hurt her.

  Chapter Nine

  The next day, Aidan arrived even earlier than usual. The hardest thing he had ever done was to leave her before dawn and return home. However, he had left her with a loaded shotgun, after showing her how to use it. He had insisted that she bar the door behind him.

  When he pulled his wagon to a stop, Naomi stepped out onto the porch. She had just gotten dressed and was winding her hair into a bun. She gave him a glorious smile.

  “Good morning,” she called.

  Aidan was relieved to see that she didn’t seem traumatized by the events of the previous day. He scanned her features carefully, but all he could detect was joy at seeing him. He admired her inner strength. He breathed a sigh of relief and answered her as he climbed down from the wagon bench.

  “Good morning to you, beautiful. Come down here and give me a kiss.”

  She laughed and ran into his arms. She kissed him eagerly, pressing full length against him as he tightened his hold on her. Aidan finally broke off the kiss and grinned down at her. Her face was shining, and she had never looked more beautiful.

  “Now that’s some kind of greeting,” he murmured.

  Naomi nibbled her bottom lip and smiled up at him from beneath her lashes. “I was hoping to tempt you into making love to me,” she admitted sheepishly. “You didn’t make love to me all night, and I want you, Aidan. Come inside with me.”

  He cupped her cheek in his hand and ran a thumb along her bottom lip as he stared down into her cornflower eyes. After what had happened, he hadn’t made love to her for fear of scaring her. He didn’t want to cause her any additional trauma.

  “Are you sure you’re ready for that, Naomi? I don’t want to frighten you.”

  “You could never frighten me,” she said earnestly. “And besides,” she stretched up to whisper in his ear, “I’m dying to feel you inside me. Make love to me, Aidan. I need you.”

  Her warm breath feathered along his neck, sending hot blood pounding into his cock. He growled low in his throat and kissed her again. The kiss quickly turned ravenous, and flames erupted between them. She ended the kiss and reached for his hand, beginning to tug him toward the cabin.

  “Wait. I brought you something.”

  Naomi faced him with a puzzled frown. “Can’t it wait?”

  “No,” he said with a mysterious smile.

  She watched with interest as he reached into the wagon and lifted a large cage over the side. He set it on the ground, opened the door, and a black puppy came bounding out.

  Naomi’s face lit with eager joy when she saw the dog. She gave a delighted laugh and dropped to her knees. The dog jumped up and immediately began licking her, his tail wagging eagerly as she petted him.

  “He’s so cute,” she cried. “Oh Aidan, he’s adorable. What’s his name?”

  Aidan was smiling as he watched her with the dog. “He doesn’t have one yet. He’s only a puppy.”

  “Can I really keep him?” she asked eagerly.

  “Of course,” he said with a laugh. “He’s yours. He’s little now, but he’s going to grow fast. In just a couple of months he will reach your waist.”

  Her eyes widened. “Really? But he’s so small.”

  Aidan chuckled and crouched down beside them. “Yeah, but look at the size of these paws. He has to grow into them. Besides, both of his parents are huge.”

  “Oh Aidan, he’s perfect!” She threw her arms around his neck and showered him with kisses. “He’s the best present I ever got,” she declared. “Thank you.”

  Aidan was obviously pleased by her reaction. He watched her with the puppy for several more minutes before he helped her to her feet. His expression turned serious.

  “I wanted you to have a dog for protection. And, he’ll also be good company when you’re here by yourself.”

  Naomi stepped into his arms again, and she toyed with the hair at his nape as she smiled up at him. “Thank you, Aidan. I love him already.”

  Aidan kissed her again, and she melted against him. He lifted her into his arms and carried her into the cabin. The puppy followed them. When Aidan closed and barred the door, the dog circled the cabin, sniffing every surface. Finally, he curled down beneath the table and promptly went to sleep with a contented sigh.

  Naomi had been watching the puppy, and when he settled, she smiled up at Aidan. “He already knows this is his home,” she said with wonder in her voice. “He likes it here.”

  Aidan gave her a puzzled smile. “Haven’t you ever owned a dog before?”

  “No. My parents didn’t like dogs, and after they died, I went to live with my aunt.” Naomi grimaced. “That mean old woman would have never allowed me to have a dog.” Her face brightened, and she smiled up at him with glowing eyes. “I always wanted a dog though, and now, thanks to you, I have one.”

  Aidan chuckled and carried her to the bed. He sat down and pulled her astride his hips. He gripped her face and kissed her ravenously.

  “I’m glad you like him,” he muttered, trailing kisses down her neck. “But right now, we have some unfinished business. I seem to recall you saying something about wanting me inside you.”

  She sighed with pleasure and let her head fall back, exposing more of the sensitive flesh of her neck and throat for his warm lips. When she spoke, her voice was husky with desire. “I do want you inside me, Aidan.”

  She leaned to the side and tugged his earlobe with her teeth. When she ran her hot tongue along the edge of his ear, he groaned. She pulled his shirt out of his breeches and slid her hands up his torso. He closed his eyes, focused on the heated silk caressing his chest.

  “I want you high …” she kissed him boldly, “and hot …” another kiss, while she unbuttoned his breeches, “and hard …” she grasped his cock in her tiny fist, “and deep inside me … over …” she rocked her hips suggestively against his, “and over …” another rocking motion, “and over.”

  His eyes widened when she lifted her skirt to her waist, and he noticed she wasn’t wearing any pantalets. “My, my,” he managed to murmur, “since when did you stop wearing any drawers?” He grinned as he ran his hands up her outer thighs. “You really are desperate to have me inside you, aren’t you?”

  “You have no idea. This,” she grasped one of his hands and led it to the exposed pink flesh between her spread thighs, “is so wet …” she dragged his fingers along her slit, “and achy …” another swipe of his fingers, “and empty …” she pushed two of his broad fingers into her depths while she groaned, “and it’s all for you. Won’t you please help me, Aidan? I need you so desperately.”

  Aidan was happy to oblige her. He fingered her blatantly, thoroughly enjoying the way her slick, grasping flesh clutched around his digits. When she had grown obviously more desperate, he pinched her throbbing clit, and her eyes popped open and locked with his.

  “I’m at your disposal, Naomi. Feel free to take what you want.”

  He leaned back on his elbows and watched, transfixed, while she took him into the heated haven of her body. The sight of her swollen pink nether lips enveloping his cock was sheer bliss. He lay all the way back and let her take her pleasure as she would. She didn’t disappoint. She made love to him with undulating strokes.

  He longed to open her dress. He was dying to see her lush breasts, but he remembered the previous day. He didn’t want to make her remember, so he simply lay still while she made love to him.

  Naomi saw the direction of his gaze, and she sensed his hesitation. She watched his face while she unbuttoned her bodice and chemise. She adored the way his gaze was r
iveted to her body as she slowly revealed her lush curves. She pulled the garments over her head and tossed them to the floor.

  Aidan’s low groan of pleasure was her reward. He reached up and cupped the generous mounds in his strong hands and kneaded. She moaned with delight.

  “My God, Naomi. You have no idea how much I love you,” he said quietly.

  She could see the love in his eyes as he watched her. Her heart swelled with her own love for him. She ached to say the words, but she couldn’t. She could only enjoy every single moment of the time they had together. Sooner or later, this would all have to end, but for now, he was hers.

  With that thought in mind, she rode him slowly to heaven. When he plunged over the cliff and poured himself inside her, she was only a heartbeat behind. She clung to him and collapsed onto his chest, drowning in a sea of bliss.

  *****

  Over the next three weeks, Aidan and Naomi settled into a routine. Aidan spent every spare moment of his time at Naomi’s farm, helping her to prepare for the coming winter and making sure she was safe. She named her puppy Galahad, because she said he was her gallant protector. Aidan’s prediction proved true, and Galahad steadily grew into a huge but jolly brute. He was fiercely protective of Naomi, and that gave Aidan some peace of mind during the times he had to be away from her.

  Aidan also taught her how to fire both a shotgun and a pistol. He made her practice with both until she could reliably shoot a can off a fence from fifty feet away. He made sure she kept them loaded and handy at all times.

  They heard through the grapevine that Matthew Lawrence had moved away. Aidan breathed a sigh of relief knowing that Naomi would never have to see the miserable cur ever again.

  Aidan made steady progress around her farm. He chopped more firewood and piled it high, until it reached the overhanging roof of her cabin. He hunted game and showed her how to smoke the meat and pack it in salt. He strung a rope between the house and the barn to be used in case of a blizzard. He didn’t like to think about how he would find his own way to her house if such an event occurred.