There was only the two of them and nothing else mattered.
He had to get away from her. Quickly before anymore of his will crumbled.
Moving back so that he was no longer near her and the danger she posed, he nodded at her progress. “Just keep practicing those chords and I’ll teach you more later.”
While she strummed, Bavel went to fetch his own lute.
“You play your three chords, Nora,” he said as he returned to his seat.
As she did so, he composed music to go with hers.
Catarina came forward, clapping her hands in time to their song.
Ewan sat back, listening and watching.
Nora’s amber eyes danced with happiness, her cheeks were flushed. No doubt she was enjoying her small part in the harmony. The heightened color looked good in her face, making Ewan wonder what she would look like while fired with passion.
He ground his teeth and looked away, unable to think those thoughts. Unwilling to let his mind ponder the delicacy he knew she would be.
Closing his eyes, he swore he could already taste the salty-sweet flavor of her skin. Feel her warm and welcoming in his arms...
What would it be like to lie with her?
Nora smiled at Bavel as she played. She’d never had a night like this one in her entire life. She was making music. Real music!
Ewan sat across from her, his presence electrifying while Catarina began to dance to the music they made.
Lysander produced a drum that he used to mark the beats of Catarina’s movements. Nora was impressed with Catarina’s exotic and wild dance until she happened to glance over to Ewan who watched the woman as if transfixed by her.
He reminded her of a hungry wolf watching over a hen it wanted to gobble up.
For the first time in her life, she felt a vicious stab of jealousy.
How dare he look at Catarina like that! Like he wanted to kiss her or do something more.
He wasn’t supposed to look at her.
Nor was he supposed to make Nora feel hot and nervous when he sat near her. Yet he did all those things and more.
Needing to distract him from Catarina, Nora handed Ewan her lute. “Would you like to play?”
He shook his head. “Nay.”
“Oh come now,” Viktor said. “Play a song if you’re able.”
“No, really,” Ewan insisted. “I’ve never played before an audience.”
“I should like to hear you play,” Catarina said, her voice low and sultry.
Nora frowned at the suggestive tone.
“Very well then,” Ewan said, setting the lute in his lap.
Now Nora was truly upset. He wouldn’t play when she asked him to, but he played for Catarina?
He was an evil man!
The men began to play a fast-paced tune, one that allowed Catarina to dance like Salome. Only it wasn’t Ewan’s head the woman was after, Nora was sure of that.
