This time he hesitated. “Yes, but—”
“Yes will suffice,” she teased. “Unless you don’t want me to.”
“I do, but—”
Eva turned onto her side, reaching for the waist of his trews and giving him her most mischievous look. She didn’t allow him to explain, taking him into her hand and testing different movements. When she ran a single finger along the smooth skin, he sighed, biting his lower lip in what was quite possibly the most attractive look she’d seen yet.
When she ran her whole hand down with a firm grip, he groaned. Heat flared once again in Eva’s belly. She loved the way he sounded. Her hand kept moving, much like he had done for her, over and over until he let go a breath, his arms grabbing her waist, his seed spilling on the forest floor between them.
After cleaning themselves and readjusting clothing, Finn collapsed against the tree. Eva fell right beside him, her head resting on his chest. She could hear his heartbeat, could feel the rise and fall of every breath.
Perhaps she shouldn’t altogether rule out a courtship. Or at least taking a lover.
If she was never to marry, what harm was there in enjoying her time with Finn?
“Eva,” he broke the silence, his voice gentle, “I don’t know if I can keep meeting with you knowing you don’t want to marry.” He looked at her, smiling despite the serious conversation. “I fear I’m growing rather attached.”
She sighed. She’d known this conversation was coming, of course, but it didn’t make it any less uncomfortable.
“I’m beginning to think taking a lover might not be so bad,” she replied, letting her hand run over his chest. “I’m still not sure about marriage.”
“Because of your family?”
Eva nodded against his chest. “But I am growing quite fond of you as well,” she admitted, “and it’s making me consider things I had already ruled out.”
“I’ll take what I can get, as long as I’m with you.”
Eva couldn’t believe how lucky she was to find such an understanding, kind-hearted man. Who also happened to be incredibly handsome.
She would think more on marriage, but for the moment she saw no harm in simply spending time with him. She might not intend to marry him, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy kissing him.
And maybe a little more.
Chapter Twenty-Two
One and ahalf full turnings of the moon later, a visitor arrived from Caiseal. Murrough, Brian’s eldest son, pulled his horse to a clattering halt just as the noonday meal began.
Eva’s mind fluttered far afield as she absently bit into an oatcake. Since her tryst with Finn, she’d been able to think of little else. She desperately wanted to keep meeting with him in secret, to keep exploring the wild new feelings he stirred within her. They had both agreed to meet only in the hall for lessons, and to venture down for more intimate meetings only every sennight or so. She understood why they must not rush down that particular path, tempting though it may be.
When the doors opened and Murrough entered, a cold wave of foreboding smacked Eva’s cheek. He could simply be visiting out of curiosity, to see how the trials progressed.
But something in her gut told her that was not the sole purpose of his visit. Caiseal lay two days’ ride to the southeast, and Murrough was not a man at his leisure. He had a family of his own, duties to his king, and countless councils and errands to attend. Nay, Eva wagered he wouldn’t be taking a trip only for the pleasure of it.
Dallan caught her eyes from across the room, his gaze filled with the same concern.
Something was afoot.
Broccan and Cormac rose to greet their esteemed guest. Eva stood and bowed as he passed her table.
And the rest of the meal, Eva pondered how she might discover the true purpose of his visit to Cenn Cora.
*
“You’re not focusing,”Finn gently reminded Eva for the hundredth time that evening. “We can wait and practice tomorrow instead, if you’d like a night off.”
The clatter of dishes and the shuffling of feet over dried rushes sounded behind them as the servants cleared the last remnants of the evening meal.
Finn and Eva had tucked themselves away in one of the alcoves, which afforded some privacy without being scandalous. Though, after what he’d done with her two nights ago, Finn felt like being in her presence was scandal enough. It certainly drove his thoughts that direction.
