“This is…incredible, Breckin, but please… I cannot bear…to wait.”
As his mouth retook hers, he shifted his body and entered her. She writhed her body beneath his, aiding him in filling her. She gasped with pleasure at the sensation of his hardness and the feeling of him so intimately inside her. As Breckin rocked against her, his breath came heavier. Each thrust sent her reeling, knowing she was edging closer to her culmination.
He groaned and the vibration of it against her fingers on his chest caused her to moan in response. Eva continued to pet him, to make desirous sounds of pleasure, and kissed his skin, wherever her mouth could reach.
“Hell, lass, ye best make haste because I cannot last much longer.”
His deep voice and plea gripped her. She focused on the pleasurable sensations building within her. Chaotic twinges thronged her womanhood and she couldn’t control her movements. Her legs shook with such force when his hard staff drove into her as he held onto her body. Eva’s breath rasped and she practically squealed his name when pangs of ecstasy exploded within her. She called his name repeatedly and squeezed her eyes closed as her body acted of its own accord.
Breckin’s movements became frenzied then as he thrust within her, set kisses on her face, and fanned her neck with his heavy breath. Eva gripped his biceps as his body crashed against hers. Within a moment, he fell against her, his moans rising to the ceiling. He tensed and stilled. Breckin became even more appealing at that moment, when he was vulnerable, depleted of everything he was, and became completely hers.
She peered at his handsome face, taut cheeks, tensed jaw, and his closed eyes. She pressed her hand to the side of his neck and caressedhim, hoping to ease him. When he recovered, he opened his eyes and peered at her as if he wanted to say something but he stayed quiet. Breckin gently pulled away from her and settled beside her. After a bit of time, his heaving breath slowed and he shifted his hand, reaching for hers. She clutched his hand as he squeezed her fingers, saying without words what his heart wouldn’t admit.
The chamber was quiet as if the world did not exist beyond their bedchamber door. She sighed contentedly but then heard him say, “Each time with ye, lass, is more pleasurable than the last.”
To tease him, she uttered. “You need not woo me with your sweetened words, Breckin.”
“Aye, and yet, I should…do.”
They settled to sleep and Eva cuddled next to his warm body. She closed her eyes and dreamt of him saying the words she longed to hear.I love you.Those small words beheld such a tremendous meaning for her and she hoped he might be beginning to care for her as she was for him. Her dreams were filled with visions of happiness of being with Breckin.
She opened her eyes with a flutter and realized morning had come and Breckin was still lying beside her. She remained still. She appreciated that he wasn’t a snorer and he practically made no noise whilst he slept. Eva considered his vulnerability while he slept and decided it made him even more handsome. He was only her husband in those moments, when nothing of the fearsome warrior showed.
Gently, she eased from the bed, hurried about her morning routine. She was getting used to caring for herself, but still, she missed having a maidservant to take care of the little things. After tidying the chamber, taking care of the chamber pot, and folding the garments in the basket by the door, she left and headed to the kitchen. Eva decided to light a fire, but had trouble with the flint. She didn’t give up and finally got it to spark. The kindling lit quickly, and before long, a good fire built up beneath the small cauldron. She grabbed a jug of meadfrom the sideboard for her and Breckin, uncovered half a loaf of bread she’d made the day before, and cut it into slices. She crushed two plums, added a bit of spice to them for a spread, and set the small vessel on the table.
After she ate, Eva left the longhouse, intent on letting Breckin catch up on his sleep. She strolled along the lane, waved to Aymer before she crossed the bridge, and entered the church. It was early and no one was within the sanctuary. Eva said her prayers quickly before she left and retook the lane toward Willa’s. When she reached her home, it appeared the woman was not inside so she continued and neared the encampment of the ailing.
On the stretch of lane before the camp, she heard the sound of a growl and a fierce squeal that sounded like one of the hogs the clan raised. It was odd to hear it here, away from the pens. But then she heard a shout and a young lad burst from the brush lining the path. He sprinted toward her with his eyes wide and a look of terror on his face.
“Run, Milady!” he called out.
She waited for him to reach her. What had him so afraid?
“A tree, Milady. We must climb a tree!” She took his hand, and together they sprinted to a nearby copse of trees. Only one branch was climbable and she boosted the lad upward until he reached a heavy enough branch. Then she pulled herself up and sat next to him, grateful she’d been adventurous enough as a girl to learn to climb trees.
This one shook now as a boar emerged from the thicket and threw himself against the trunk with a fierce squeal.
“Hang on, Milady!” The boy said. “Don’t fall!”
She peered down at the beast. The distance to the ground was well over a man’s height.
“Sweet Mary! I detest boars. They stink to high heaven and are one of God’s crankiest creatures. My thanks, for the warning.” Eva peered down at the brownish, coarse-haired animal. “Go away!” she shouted,hoping he’d run off but the boar continued to thrash the tree trunk.
The lad swung his legs as if he had no cares, but his voice trembled when he said, “’Tis I that should thank ye, Milady. Ye saved me. Aye, I was not sure where to run. It would’ve run me down, aye.”
“Let us hope the animal tires and leaves us. I wish I had something to fling at it and scare it away,” Eva said, gripping the tree branch. “What is your name? I have not seen you before.”
“I am called Hamish.”
“Someone should come along soon, Hamish, hopefully.”
Hamish dug inside the tartan tied around his body and revealed a small sling. “I have this, Milady, och only two rocks so our aim must be true.” He handed it to her. “Ye have a better view of it. Go on…” He pressed the object into her hand.
Eva took the sling from him and set the rock. It was a good-sized stone, about half the size of her palm. She set it in the center of the leather pouch, pulled back, and released it. The rock missed its target but not by much. “Sweet Mary, this is harder than it looks. I shall try again.”
Hamish handed her the other rock and she set it. “Aim true, Milady. Do not rush.”
She took a calming breath, aimed the center of the sling at the horrid beast, and pulled back. When the tension was as far as it would go from the sling, she released it. The rock hit the boar square on its head. The creature squealed loudly and spun around, then ran off.
