“I’m glad,” he said, his voice gentler now. “Ye deserve this.”
Eva found herself stealing glances at him, noticing how relaxed he seemed here, away from stone walls and duty.
“Thank ye for bringin’ me,” she said quietly.
Connor met her gaze, the night reflected in his eyes. “Thank ye for comin’,” he replied. “I cannae remember the last time I enjoyed a night out here under the stars so much.”
When they finally sat at the water’s edge, lines resting beside them, Eva leaned back on her hands and looked up at the stars. She felt lighter than she had in years, laughter still echoing in her chest. Connor sat close, close enough that their shoulders touched, and neither of them moved away. In the quiet, with the loch shimmering before them, Eva knew this night would stay with her always, but it had only just begun.
In that moment, she felt Connor touch her cheek and pull her face toward him. Her heart leapt.
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.
