Chapter 6
Bridget
No, this can’t be possible. This man standing in front of me cannot be Dean. There’s no way, he’s supposed to be an ogre with warts, a potbelly, and a humpback. Not some godlike looking man with dark hair and beard trimmed close to his face covering what could only be described as a chiseled jaw.
“Now, shall I show you back inside, or are you going to climb back up the trellis?” Dean asks, a grin sliding into place on his beautiful face after giving me the first kiss.
My first kiss.
Ever.
A kiss worthy of blowing my mind. However, I can’t allow it to interfere with my plans in leaving. No matter how good-looking Dean really is.
“Umm, no, I don’t think so. I’ll just be heading that way,” I murmur, pointing toward the gate.
Turning to see where I was pointing, Dean shakes his head when he faces me again.
“Sorry, mo chuisle, I’m not about to let you leave,” he says, the grin leaving his face and his expression turning serious.
Dammit, I can already see it, he’s one of those overbearing men who are used to having things their way.
Great, just flipping great. I am not about to let him keep me from leaving. I’ve made it this far.
“Yes, I am. Now please move. I’m sure you don’t want this ridiculous shamble of a marriage any more than I do. So, I’m doing us both a favor,” I state, holding my head up high. Though I must admit it’s hard not to gape at this man. He’s so beautiful.
“I was hoping you’d say that.” With his grin back in place, Dean takes a step back only to bend at the waist and lift me over his shoulder in a fireman’s hold. I only know this is what it’s called from the books I’ve read.
Crap. Crap. Crap.
Fuck mo shaol.
This cannot be happening.
“Put me down you . . . you big brute,” I scream, hitting him on his ass as I kicked my legs, hoping to make him set me on my feet.
“Quit fighting, mo chuisle,” he orders with a smack to my ass.
“You did not just smack me,” I screech and try even harder to escape his hold on me.
“Told you to quit fighting me, Bridget,” he says, smacking my ass once again. This time with a firmer touch causing me to go still. It also caused a sensation in me I’d never felt before.
Soon as Dean steps into the house, he sets me on my feet.
Pushing my hair out of my face, I give him my best glare. “How dare you? You have no right to smack me, let alone carry me around like some brute carting off its next meal,” I scream, feeling my face growing red.
Okay, so not only can I be dramatic, I have a temper from hell.
“Considering you’re to be my wife, I have every right to do with you as I please.” Dean smirks, his head tilted down until he’s nearly touching my forehead with his.
Ugh, I want to smack that grin right off his face. Narrowing my eyes, I open my mouth to speak yet my da’s approach interrupts me.
“What is going on in here?” he demands.
Whipping my head around to face my da, knowing I’m sure to be in trouble with him when he finds out what I did. Right this minute I don’t care. However, before I can speak, Dean beats me to it.
“I found my bride-to-be outside alone in the dark and offered to escort her back inside,” Dean says, pulling me into his side.
“Bridget, you know better than to go outside at this time of night let alone without protection on you,” Da reprimands before turning his attention toward Dean. “I suppose you won’t need that introduction to my daughter now that you’ve met her. How about you and I head into my study while Bridget heads back to her room.”
“Sounds good, however, if you don’t mind, I’ll have Kenyon posted outside her door. This will give me peace of mind since she is soon to be my wife,” Dean says nonchalantly, and I notice a man step forward out of the corner of my eye.
“You have got to be kidding me,” I yell. He is not about to put some man on my door. A man I don’t even know.
“Of course, you can never be too careful. I’d been the same way with her mam,” Da states at the same time.
“Good, I’ll see you later, mo chuisle,” Dean murmurs, planting a kiss on my cheek.
Clenching my teeth to stop myself from saying anything else, I stomp away making my exit as loud as I can.
“I apologize for Bridget’s behavior. You see she can be somewhat dramatic at times,” Da chuckles.
Ugh.
Thank you, Da, for thinking my yelling is being dramatic.
Making it to my room, I slam the door not caring at this point what any of them think. Moving to my window, I cross my arms over my chest as I contemplate if I’d be able to make a break for it again.
“I suggest you not attempt going out the window again,” Dean’s voice startles me. I thought he was going to my da’s study. How did I not hear him come up behind me so quickly?
“What are you doing in here? I didn’t invite you,” I seethe, turning away from said window and crossing my arms over my chest. Dean’s eyes go straight to my chest and he looks amused.
“I decided to make sure you knew not to try escaping through the window again. If you do, there will be repercussions for your actions,” he states, making his way across the room to stand in front of me.
“You can’t stop me,” I declare.
“That’s where you would be wrong, sweetness. I can and will do anything in my power to keep you safe. Even if that
