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Jonan nodded. “As you wish.” He took off his shirt and handed it to her.
Nora took it, doing her best not to stare. She watched him walk confidently towards the loch when he bravely stepped into the loch and proceeded to explore its depths. Finally, when he reached the middle, he loosened his hair and let it fall onto his shouldersbefore diving under the water.
“Jonan!” Nora yelled immediately in worry.
“Jonan!” she called again, but the water remained peaceful without any sign of life.
Where is he?Quickly, she decided to get into the loch and search for him. She dashed past the rocks and onto the shore, ready to throw off her shawl and shoes. She was about to dive into the waterwhen he jumped out.
“You scared me! Why would you do such a thing?” Nora raised her voice.
“Me apologies,” he grinned. “I couldnae resist a dip. I didnae mean to scare ye!”
He started to close the distancebetween them. Nora's mouth was dry as she watched him approach her.
Shestruggled for words and control over her legs but came up empty. She watched him drew nearer and nearer, unable to move, until he was finally standing before her.
How can you be this big? She always wondered the same any time she was close to him.
Jonan looked down at her with eyes that glimmered in the moonlight. What is he going to do?
He drew his face ever closer to hers and heart pounded in her chest as she realization dawned on her — he was about to kiss her.
First, she felt his warm breath on her lips, followed by his large hand cupping her face. She melted into him, comforted by the closeness of his skin against hers.
Nora's eyes closedas his soft lips pressed against hers. It was unlike anything she had ever felt. As he angled her face to meet his, his body pressed against hers, her bosom against his muscled stomach.
Nora found herself drowning in the ecstasy that Jonan doused her in while she was trapped in his sudden kiss, leaning and falling deeper into him as everything around them vanished. There were no trees, no loch, no horse—just Jonan and the cold night wind that blew over themand nibbled at her skin, driving her to seek hungry warmth in his arms.
“Yer lips are soft, Amelia,” Jonan whispered, his voice hoarse.
The echoes that his voice sent through every nerve in her body made her legs tremble—that is, until she heard him say Amelia's name and she abruptly stepped away. She panted, flustered, at the large man in front of her, his chest heaving and falling like a mountain. He was still as unsatisfied as she was, craving her touch as much as she did his, but Nora couldn't bring herself to indulge herself any longer.
I am a liar. If only she had the courage to tell him. He was kind to her and she was a liar.
Mayhap Amelia would have been happy being married to him.Nora dug deeper into her guilt, but the most shocking part was that the thought of her twin sister being with Jonan made her sad, almost angry.
“It is late,” Nora said before turning away and walking out of the loch.
She was mortified and embarrassed. She picked up her shoes and walked toward the horse.
There was no sound from the water to indicate that Jonan had moved, but Nora could not bring herself to look back at him. She wondered what he thought of her after seeing her run away from him like a little girl.
Did he enjoy the kiss? Nora worried. She still got goosebumps thinking about their intimate moment and the way he held her. It was her first kiss, and she was worried that it wouldn't be as satisfying for a man like Jonan, who had previously been married... especially since she had pulled away.
Sheapproached the horse and ran her hand through its mane.
She watched Jonan climb out of the water and into his shirt, dreadingthe sound of his footsteps walking toward her.
Will he be mad? She had no way of telling.
He came around to the horse and hopped on it.
“Are ye alright?” he asked.
“Yes,” Nora answered almost inaudibly.
This is your chance to tell the truth, Nora. Her conscience spoke in loud volumes, but she could not bring herself to tell him. She didn't want to risk her father's wrath, let alone Jonan's. She was certain he would have felt more than betrayed.
But could she live with a lie for the rest of her life?
No, No. I will not tell him yet. I will wait until we have spent more time together. He’ll know I am not a liar.
Even as Nora thought the words, she knew she didn't fully believe them.
“We shall soon be at the keep,” he saidbefore offering his hand.
Neither said a word as they rodehome.
