Chapter 25
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
“Icannae get enough of ye,” he said softly, the words rough with truth.
Her heart hammered as his arm curved around her waist, holding her as though she already belonged there. He leaned in closer. She wanted him to kiss her. She yearned for it.
His mouth met hers, slowly at first, a gentle meeting that sent a shiver through her from lips to toes.
She noticed that Connor kissed her as though he were savoring her, lingering, unhurried, his thumb brushing her cheek with reverent care.
Eva melted into him despite herself, her hands fisting lightly in his hair as the kiss deepened, warmth and longing blooming in her chest. It made her dizzy with want.
He tilted his head, kissing her again, longer this time, his breath warm against her skin as his lips traced the corner of her mouth. Eva’s knees weakened, and she leaned into him, aware of every solid line of his body pressed to hers.
“Connor,” she whispered when he finally drew back a fraction, her voice trembling.
He rested his forehead against hers. “Aye, lass,” he murmured, as though the sound of her saying his name was enough.
Another kiss followed, slower but deeper, and Eva felt desire coil tight and insistent within her. Her body responded before her mind could catch up, heat pooling low as she pressed closer, aching for more than he gave. She broke away with effort, breathless, her hands still on his chest.
“I…” she began, then swallowed, forcing herself to speak the truth, “I want ye, but I mustnae… nae yet.”
Connor stilled at once, his hold gentling though he did not release her. He searched her face, concern and respect warring with the same hunger she felt.
“Eva,” he said quietly, “I would never take what ye dinnae wish to give.”
She nodded, relief and longing mingling painfully in her heart. “I want to come to ye pure on our weddin’ day,” she confessed, eyes shining, “and I’m afraid I’ll lose meself if we do that before then.”
He exhaled slowly, brushing a tender kiss to her brow instead of her lips, grounding them both.
“Then we’ll wait,” he said with a soft smile, though the restraint in his eyes cost him dearly.
Eva rested her cheek against his chest, listening to the strong, steady beat of his heart, comforted by his patience. In that quiet closeness, desire still burned, but it was braided now with trust, and she knew that waiting would only make the day she became his all the sweeter.
“Lie here,” he said, gently patting the blanket they sat on, “and I’ll give ye the same treat I did before, if ye like.”
“Ye mean the way ye touched me that night at the inn?” Her voice was shaky.
“Aye,” he said, “if ye want it, but nay more than that,” he said.
Heat rushed through her. She had to admit to herself that she thought of that night often, of the pulsing that ripped through her. She craved it again, even now after one kiss.
“What if someone sees?” she said, looking around.
“Nay one can see us. We are far from the path, and this spot is me own secret place,” he said as his hand moved up and down her arm.
She felt shivers move through with his touch.
Eva hesitated only a moment before nodding, her smile shy but eager.
“I would like that,” she said softly, settling herself upon the cloak. The ground beneath was cool, but the fabric and his nearness warmed her through. He hovered over her. His strong arms held his weight against her chest. He kissed her lips softly.
She opened her mouth, inviting him to explore it. Her hands moved along his back. She felt the strength of his rigid muscles beneath his tunic. His heated kisses trailed down from her mouth to her neck, over the mounds of her creamy bosom. Eva inhaled a sharp breath.
“Ye are a bonnie, lass,” he groaned as his hand massaged her breast.
“That feels very good,” she whispered as she felt her pink buds harden under his hands.
Her heart kept thudding as she anticipated his every move as his hand traveled down between her thighs.
He began with a light touch, his palms warm through the wool of her dress.
Eva gasped softly despite herself as his hands pressed and eased, finding the secret places between her legs.
“Easy now,” he said with a crooked smile she could hear in his voice. “I’ve strong hands, but I ken when to be gentle.”
With seductive caresses, he slid her skirt up. Eva lifted her hips as he slid off her underthings and down her legs. She was completely naked under her skirt, and the chill of the night air brought bumps to her skin.
“Mm, lass, ye have the power to undo me,” he groaned.
“I think it is I who is about to be undone,” she replied breathlessly.
He smirked as he placed his hand on her sweet center. His thumb worked in a slow circle along her rosebud, careful and sure, as though he were learning her by touch.
Eva melted into the cloak, the tension she carried loosening with every measured press. A sigh slipped free before she could stop it, and she laughed breathlessly at herself.
“Saints preserve me,” she said, “ye’ve a gift, Connor.”
He smirked, clearly pleased, and leaned closer as his fingers explored her, never straying, always respectful.
“I’ll nae deny I enjoy this as much as ye,” he said.
Eva felt heat bloom in her cheeks, though she did not protest. She simply relaxed further, trusting him.
Connor’s hands moved with a rhythm that lulled her, kneading and smoothing until she felt the pulsing low in her belly growing.
“If ye keep this up,” she murmured, “I’ll nae be able to stop meself from release.”
“That is the point, lass,” he teased.
Before she could respond, he pushed his face between her thighs. He kissed her and licked her. “I love the taste of ye.”
Eva arched her back up off the blanket on the grass. She widened her legs, giving him better access, feeling both wanton and embarrassed by her own actions.
“Oh, Connor, oh,” she moaned.
“When ye call out me name like that, I lose all sense,” he groaned.
She felt his tongue skillfully press against her, back and forth. The fluttering feelings in her grew. A surge rocked through, and she could no longer hold on.
A blissful explosion of tremors shot through her. A loud groan escaped her and echoed across the water. She shivered with delightful pulses.
At last he slowed, his mouth resting warm and steady on her.
“I may have to jump in that cold water to cool meself,” Connor said.
Eva turned carefully, propping herself up on her elbows to look at him. Gratitude and mischief danced together in her eyes.
“Ye could do that. Or I could do to ye what ye’ve done to me. It’s me turn,” she said, her voice suddenly bold. “I’d like to please ye as well.”
Connor arched a brow, surprise flickering before amusement took its place.
“Would ye now,” he said. He folded his arms beneath his head, watching her with open curiosity. “Be warned, lass, I may nae be able to handle such touch from ye.”
She laughed, kneeling beside him, and set her hands upon his broad chest. The solid warmth of him beneath her palms made her swallow, but she pressed on.
“Though I daenae ken how to. So ye must nae complain,” she said lightly. “I’m learnin’.”
With that she placed her hand over his kilt and felt his rigid member below the wool. Her eyes grew wide at the first touch of it. She had never felt one before.
He groaned, half in jest, half in pleasure.
“Gods, Eva,” he muttered, “ye’ve strong hands for such a small woman.”
“Ye must show me,” she said. “I dinnae ken how to pleasure men.”
He smirked and lifted his kilt, revealing his thick member. Eva gasped. He wrapped his hand around it.
“Like this, see. Slow and tender,” he said as he stroked it up and down.
Eva bit her lower lip and copied his movement, wrapping her hand around it and moving slowly.
“Oh, lass,” he groaned.
She worked carefully, mimicking what he had done, her fingers kneading the throbbing staff.
Connor exhaled slowly, tension leaving him bit by bit, and his voice softened.
“Aye,” he admitted, “ye’re very good at this.”
Pride warmed her, and she smiled to herself as she continued. “Perhaps I’ve missed me callin’,” she teased.
His laughter rumbled beneath her hands.
“If that’s the case,” he said, “I’ll be keepin’ ye busy for years to come as me wife.”
Eva smiled. “Careful, Laird,” she replied, “or I’ll think ye’re tryin’ to flatter me into submission.”
She pressed her thumbs a little more firmly, and he hissed softly before relaxing again.
“Nay,” he said, closing his eyes, “I speak only truth.”
Eva felt closer to him than she ever had, not just in body but in spirit.
As she worked, she studied him quietly, the strength and vulnerability bound together beneath her hands.
She thought of how guarded he could be, how often he kept his feelings locked away.
Yet here he lay, trusting her completely.
The realization filled her with tenderness.
“Does this feel good?” she said as she moved her hand faster.
“Och, lass. Ye will have me releasin’ in nay time,” he groaned in a husky voice filled with desire.
This pleased her greatly. She moved her hand faster and faster and watched his abs go rigid under her touch.
He moaned loudly as she continued. Suddenly, his seed spilled with a loud groan.
Eva felt assured of her actions and even more so, happy that she could please him as he had her.
“Thank ye,” he said simply.
Eva met his gaze, her heart full.
They lay back upon the cloak together, side by side, staring up at the stars.
The loch lapped quietly at the shore, as though keeping their secret.
Eva felt content in a way she scarcely recognized, her earlier doubts eased by shared laughter and touch.
In that quiet moment, she knew this night would stay with her always.