KILTED DESIRE - Sands of Betrayal (21 page)

“You look so tired and I can tell you need rest. Scott, we
don’t need to do anything, all weekend. You know, some of the things you’ve
told me have really freaked me out. I will be so glad when it’s over. Promise,
you’re never doing anything like this again.”

“Aye. I know. I’m finished with this kind of life. I dinnae
want tae do it anymore. I just want peace and quiet from now on.”

“That suits me fine,” she said smiling.

Later that night, they just relaxed at her house. She hadn’t
planned anything! He was so quiet and tired. For the first time, Katie noticed
he actually looked physically drained and stressed. He appeared to have lost a
lot of weight and he just didn’t look his normal self. She was worried about
him, but knew there was nothing she could do to stop him from going back. He
was stubborn and wouldn’t quit anything. He would not be back again until he
completed his contract. They sat on the couch watching TV, arms wrapped around
each other, just enjoying being quiet together. She asked him about the recent
troubles in Baghdad.

“Is there anything you want to talk about? I know you told
me you were involved in a gunfight and had hit a couple of them. Scott, you
were shot at! I know that can’t be easy.”

“Aye. It’s nae easy, but I dinnae have any choice,” he said
quietly.

“I know, babe. Do you want to talk about it?”

“Nae. I’m fine. I just need tae be quiet and tae be away
from there fer a while. I need tae be able tae sleep withoot worrying aboot
something blowing up or someone coming after us. I cannae ever remember feeling
this tired.”

“You just take it easy this weekend. We don’t have to do
anything! Just rest and get as much sleep as you can.”

“Aye. That sounds guid. I dinnae think I could do much this
weekend. I’m just glad I’m here with yer and need tae get some guid rest.”

“Where else would you be? Oh, let me guess. Britney asked
you to go away with her again, didn’t she?”

“Aye. She did, but she knows by now I would nae go anywhere with
her.”

“She just doesn’t give up! I know you don’t believe me,
Scott, but I know she has a thing for you.”

“Aye. I know. I believe yer.”

“You do? What happened that changed your mind?”

“Just some of the things she said recently. It’s nae big
deal. I made sure she knew I was nae interested.”

“So, what happened?”

“Nae anything, babe. It’s fine. Can we just leave it? I’m
really tired.”

“Okay, sorry. Just get some rest and you can tell me about
it tomorrow.”

Within minutes, he was fast asleep on the couch. It wasn’t
even 10:00 p.m., but he was completely out. She grabbed a blanket and lay down
on the couch with him pulling the blanket over the both of them. She wasn’t
tired, so she continued to watch TV for a while until she fell asleep.

Scott woke up Saturday morning to the smell and sound of
sizzling bacon. He was a little dazed and confused as to why he was waking up
on the couch, but he’d slept for over ten hours! He rubbed his eyes and realized
he’d fallen asleep while watching TV. He got up and walked towards the sound of
bacon as it crackled in the pan.

“Morning baby,” he said. He grabbed Katie from behind as she
stood in front of the stove, kissing her on the cheek.”

“Good morning. You slept well,” she replied.

“I did. I actually feel pretty guid. That’s the first time
fer a while I’ve slept that long and been relaxed when I woke up.”

“That’s good. I could tell you needed it.”

“Aye. I did. Did yer go tae sleep upstairs?”

“No. I slept with you on the couch. I
was right next to you all night. I only woke up about half an hour ago and
thought I’d make you a real breakfast.”

“Awww, yer guid tae me, and breakfast smells great.”

“Sit down and relax. It will be ready soon.”

Soon Scott was enjoying the first homemade breakfast he’d
had in a long time. While they ate, they talked about what to do later in the day.
Scott wasn’t feeling up to doing too much. This weekend was really all about him
getting his batteries recharged and spending some time with Katie. Without being
able to make any kind of decision as to what to do, they decided to play it by ear.
Later, after they cleaned the kitchen up and then showered, they collected the
girls from their grandparent’s and took them to the local mall. They looked
around the shops for a while then decided they would go to the theater and see
a movie, followed by, dinner out. They went to the girls’ favorite restaurant,
which they all enjoyed. Scott was getting tired, so they went back home and watched
DVD’s. Each of the girls picked out a movie and they all settled down together
on the couch. This suited Scott just fine; he was too tired to do much and was
happy the evening involved not doing much. Later after the girls went to bed,
Katie looked seductively at Scott and sat down next to him.

“So, you’ve managed to stay awake longer than you did last
night. How are you feeling?”

“Aye. I guess I have. I suppose I did pass oot a wee bit
early last night. I’m nae feeling too bad, babe.”

“I think we should make sure we go upstairs tonight, before…
you fall asleep! I’ve got a few ideas to wear you out and help you sleep better.”

“I like the sound of that,” he said, smirking.

“Good! Come on, let’s go upstairs.”

They climbed the stairs and entered her bedroom. Scott was
exhausted, but he wanted to hold her close and be intimate with her so bad. Even
as tired as he was, he thought that soon, he would be falling asleep with her
every night. With this picture in his head, he smiled. He was lost in thought,
when Katie pushed his tired body down on to the bed. He snapped back from his
daydreams and smiled even more.

“Just relax. Tonight is all about you. You don’t have to do
anything. I’m going to do all the work.”

“If yer insist,” he said, with a cheeky grin.

She climbed on top of him and started to undress him.
Anytime he tried to help, she smacked his hand and reminded him she wasn’t
going to let him do a thing. She would do it all. It didn’t take her long to
get him completely naked. She sat astride him, still fully clothed, then
started to remove her clothes, slowly and seductively, teasing him as she
exposed a little of herself at a time. It was driving him wild! Soon, every
article of her clothing was tossed haphazardly to the floor and they were engaged
in a passionate kiss. She positioned herself so that he would be able to slip easily
inside of her. He didn’t waste any time doing just that. She slowly lowered
herself to draw him deeper within her and rested her hands on his chest. He reached
up and sensually caressed her breasts. Scott smiled as he sat up slightly to and
nibble and lick her nipples. He moved his hands to the lower part of her back,
gripping her tightly. She was on top and in control, but he could still thrust further
inside her. She arched her back and looked deep into his eyes.

“I love you, Scott Maclaren.”

“I love yer too. Yer so sexy.”

“Are you getting close, baby?”

“Och aye. This feels so guid. I hate tae say it, but it will
nae be long.”

“Do it Scott, mmm…give it to me.”

Her words and voice turned him on tremendously, especially
when she talked like this while looking deeply into his eyes. He normally liked
to wait, but he knew she was determined that it was his night. She continued
grinding her hips and touching his chest and nipples. She kissed him and talked
sexy and seductively until his body shook in ecstasy. She lay down on top of
him and kissed him passionately, their bodies still locked together.

“Was that good?”

“Aye, it always is baby. Yer know that.”

“I wish you didn’t have to leave tomorrow.”

“Me either, but this is the last time I will need tae go. In
a month I’ll be haem fer guid, buy the haem yer always wanted and we can have a
real celebration.”

“I know. I’m trying not to think about it. I get too
excited.”

“I really am done with this kind of life. I guess I wanted
tae prove tae myself I could still do it after my military career was cut short.
I know now, I dinnae want tae do it anymore,” he said, yawning and struggling
to keep his eyes open.

“It doesn’t matter if you want to or not. I wouldn’t let you
do anything like this ever again. You’re a family man now. We need you. And I
can see you’re about to fall asleep.”

“I’m fine,” he said, yawning again.

She laughed.

“You’re not fine. You are sleepy and going to be asleep
inside five minutes.”

“Aye. Maybe, sorry.”

“Just sleep, Scott. I’m glad you can get some rest.”

“Thanks, I love yer.”

“I love you more. Goodnight,” she said, as she snuggled up next
to him.

Early, Sunday morning, Scott played video games with the
girls while Katie made breakfast. They all enjoyed hanging out and their
laughter filled the room. Later in the day, they dropped the girls off at Katie’s
parents’ house, so she could drive Scott to Columbus. It was time for the
dreaded airport goodbye, but they both knew this would be the last time.
Somehow, it didn’t seem quite as bad. More than halfway to the airport, Katie received
a call that seemed to upset her. She remained quiet after the call and didn’t
say anything about it to Scott. She parked the car in the lot and they quickly
and quietly made their way to the departure area. They were late getting to the
airport due to traffic and would have little time to say goodbye, properly.

Scott noticed Katie was still visibly upset from her
conversation and was getting concerned about her lack of saying anything. This
was not like her. If something bothered her, she spoke her mind.

“So, what was the call that upset yer so much?”

“Oh, it was nothing. It was just a friend.”

“It could nae have been nae anything if it upset yer, but if
yer dinnae want tae talk aboot it then it’s fine.”

“It’s frustrating. I have a couple of friends, who just
don’t seem to happy for me.”

“Why would they nae want yer tae be happy?”

“I don’t know. They think you should never have gone and
left me on my own. They think you should be helping me out more. They just
don’t understand.”

“Nice friends. Some people just cannae mind their own
business.”

“Yes, unfortunately, I like to keep some things private. So
they jump to the wrong conclusions and it bothers me sometimes.”

“Dinnae worry aboot it baby. Like I said, some people just
have nae anything better tae do than tae stick their nose into other people’s
business.”

Scott was angry, but he didn’t blame her for not wanting to
share every detail about their private life. It was wrong that people were
telling her that he should be doing more for her, when they didn’t know a damn
thing! It was not as if he was away on vacation, he thought. He hugged and held
Katie as they counted down the minutes until he had to leave.

“So, are you going to tell me how you realized Britney had a
crush on you?” she questioned.

“After yer mentioned it tae me, I was more aware and started
looking for signs. Some of the things she said made me realize yer were reet.”

“What did she say?” she said, sounding annoyed.

“Just that she liked me. She asked me tae have a glass of
wine with her.”

“That bitch. I knew it.”

“It’s fine Katie. Calm doon. I handled it. It was nae big
deal.”

“No! I won’t calm down! You’re going back to a hotel suite with
her and she wants you. I don’t trust her!”

“It does nae matter whether yer trust her. All that matters,
is that yer trust me.”

“I do, but I hate that bitch! I knew it all along and you
didn’t believe me!”

“Katie, it’s fine. Yer have nae anything tae worry aboot. From
the moment I met yer, all I ever wanted was tae be with yer. She’s nae that
bad.”

“Don’t you dare stick up for her! What she’s done is wrong!
She knows you’re engaged and she tells you she likes you. You did tell her you
were engaged, right?”

“Of course, I did. That was the first thing I said tae her
when I got back after we were in Scotland.”

“And what did she say?”

“She said congratulations.”

“Yeah, as if she really meant that, but you fell for it. Soon
after that, she’s asking you to have a drink with her in your hotel suite!”

“Katie, yer taking this all wrong. Nae anything happened. It
does nae matter. I am with yer!  Don’t spoil our last few minutes together.”

“No, it’s wrong. She’s a bitch and she deserves to be
slapped.”

“I have tae leave in a minute. Do yer want tae keep acting
like this, or do yer want tae hug me and say guid bye.”

Scott was annoyed and getting a little angry. He was tired
and not happy about what she told him about her friends. Plus, she was now
being irrational and unreasonable.

“Acting like this?” Katie replied angrily, and continued, “How
do you think I will act when some little slut tells my man that she likes him?”

“Katie, I have tae go. Can I have a hug?”

They hugged, but she acted cold towards him. She knew it
wasn’t his fault, but it made her angry. The call from her friend upset her! His
leaving was never fun. All-in-all, she was having a bad day. They parted
without the normal loving emotion. As she walked back to her car, she regretted
everything and vowed to make things right when she spoke to him.

As he sat down in his seat, Scott wished he would have made
more of an effort to leave on better terms. After take-off, he pondered over
the afternoon’s events. Everything would be okay, he thought. He hoped! He
would make a call from New York or London and they could talk through it.

The Columbus to La Guardia flight was delayed slightly and upon
arriving in the New York area, needed to circle a few times before it finally
landed. By the time Scott arrived, he literally ran to catch his onward flight
to London. He barely made his connection and did not have enough time to call
Katie. The entire, long flight across the Atlantic, he thought about what he would
say to her. It bothered him that he had not mentioned that he put lotion on
Britney’s back or when she massaged his shoulders. He knew that was wrong and
he felt terrible about it, but after her reaction, he felt it was probably best
he had not mentioned it this trip back. He felt badly that she was at home with
no one to rely on. She worried alone about the girls, the house, her friends,
his safety and now, Britney! He just didn’t want to upset her any more than she
already was. He had a two-hour layover at Heathrow. As-soon-as he disembarked
and cleared security, he called Katie. There was no answer. He realized she was
probably in bed, so he didn’t try her again. He would call her when he got back
to Iraq and they’d sort things out. He didn’t want to leave a voice mail. He
knew what would be discussed, needed to be done properly in person.