A Thane of Wessex: Being a Story of the Great Viking Raids into Somerset by - (adventure books to read txt) 📕

standing over by the door. I quickly close it again. A second later I hear the sound of the door opening and then closing again. The room is once again silent. I’m unsure of what to do or what will happen next.

I shouldn't find it sweet that Aidon is snapping at people so they don’t disturb my sleep. I have to remind myself that he’s the devil. Footsteps grow closer to the couch I’ve been sleeping on. I don’t even remember passing out.

I do remember Aidon freaking out about me crying. Trying to buy me off with a champagne cake. I bite the inside of my cheek so I won’t smile. I’d thrown that ridiculous request out there, expecting him to deny it, but instead he had agreed to get it for me.

The sofa sinks down as Aidon sits down on it. His fingers skim across my jaw before he tucks my hair behind my ear. His touch is gentle, and I enjoy it. It was the same way in the car ride over. He stroked my back trying to calm me down and ultimately put me to sleep.

“I know you’re awake.”

“Do you know everything?” I open my eyes with a huff.

“I try to.” I let out a yawn while stretching. Aidon’s eyes drop to my chest. My shirt tightens against my boobs as I continue to stretch.

“Can I go to my room?” I ask, sitting up. I swear I see a glimpse of disappointment cross his face at my request. Aidon is too handsome for his own good. I need to make space between us. I clung to him in the car. I didn't want to let him go, but at the same time he was the reason I was crying.

Space from Aidon is the opposite of what I’m supposed to be doing here. My seductress game hasn’t gotten any better since I arrived. It’s not much of a seduction if I’m bursting into tears. Why did my mom think this would be so easy for me?

As mad as I am at him, there is something that pulls me toward him. I really do think that he’s seducing me in his own way. It’s hard to tell, though, with the hot and cold thing he has going on. For all I know, that’s how all men are. I have nothing to compare him to really.

“You will eat first. You haven't eaten all day.” My stomach growls at the mention of food. “You will eat,” he says again, narrowing his dark eyes on me, trying to be stern. He’s used to people jumping when they’re told to do something. For some stupid reason I’m not scared of him. Which will probably end up getting me killed at some point.

“I can eat in my room. Alone. The same way I have been since I got here.” I know I’m pushing my luck and being a brat, but I can’t help myself. He made me give up my friend, and this is the only way I have to retaliate against him. Worry settles in my stomach again at the thought of Roxy.

“I’m the one who gives orders.” He pulls his phone out, texting something. A moment later there is a knock at the door.

“Come in.” The door opens. A man in a suit pushes a cart into the room. Tattoos are all over his hand and his neck. “That will be all.” He dismisses the man before pushing the cart over to me. I smile when he lifts the first lid. A cute little cake sits there. I can’t believe he actually got me a cake.

He pulls the lids off of everything else, but I’m too focused on the cake. “I read an article that said indulging in dessert before a meal can actually lead to healthier eating overall.”

“By all means.” Aidon smirks as he picks up a fork, going for the cake.

“Hey! I didn't say I was going to share.”

“I wouldn't ask you to.” He brings the fork toward my mouth. “Open.” I do. When the sweet buttery taste melts on my tongue, I moan. “If you keep making sounds like that, I’m going to pin you down to the sofa and see if I can get you to make the same ones while I eat you.”

My breath hitches, my body responding to his words. He brings another bite to my mouth. Another knock sounds at the door.

“I’m busy,” he barks at whoever is at the door.

“Just wanted to let you know everything has been handled.” My stomach drops.

“You found Roxy.” What is he going to do to her?

“Don’t cry,” he orders me as if I can control it.

“You’re the one making me cry.” I pick up a roll and throw it at him.

It hits him in the chest before dropping to the floor. He stares at me for a moment. Did I really just throw a dinner roll at the most feared man in the city? Then he does something I wasn’t expecting at all. He laughs. The sound is deep and rich only turning me on more. He looks less intimidating when he smiles.

I reach for another fork when something on my finger catches my eyes. I stare at the giant pear-shaped diamond. It’s beautiful but elegant too. How the heck haven’t I noticed or felt the weight of this before now?

“Why is this on my finger?” I ask. It’s not just on any finger. It’s on my wedding finger.

“We’re getting married.”

“No, we’re not.” I bite my lip. If we get married then he couldn't kill my mom. I stare at him. No, I think he might still kill her.

“We are.” He looks down at his watch. “In an hour.”

“You can’t make me.” I glare at him. What is he up to? Why the heck does he want to marry me?

“It would be beneficial to everyone. People have been doing it for centuries. Marrying two people from opposite forces to resolve disputes.”

I drop my head. A marriage of convenience.