“I am sorry to hear that, Breckin,” Eva said softly and set her hand on his arm.
“It was a long time ago and I wish not to discuss Marian.” When she removed her hand, he released a dejected breath, hoping she didn’t withdraw.
The sounds of the forest lent to the easiness of being with Eva. He stared into the flames of the fire, lost in his thoughts and she in hers. At least being with her wasn’t uncomfortable and he need not fill the silence with senseless conversation. Still, being near her allowed him to smell her flowery scent and notice the creamy skin above herbodice. He doubted he’d ever tire of looking at her.
A while later, the rabbit appeared ready to eat and had cooked long enough. Breckin took the meat from the spit, cut it into pieces, and by the time he’d given her some, it had cooled. He sated his hunger and offered her more but she refused it with a shake of her head. After, he cleaned up the remnants and tossed the animal’s bones into the fire. He ensured the horses were tethered tightly to the bushes near the stream’s bank, grabbed a small pail he used when traveling, and untied it from his saddle. He filled the bucket, approached Eva, and set it next to her.
She sat quietly, and had placed another blanket on the ground. It would make for a soft place to sleep. He wasn’t used to such comforts and usually slept against a tree with only his tartan as a cover. He returned to the horses to get his saddlebag and hurried back. Breckin untied his saddle bag and took out the small cloth he used to wash with when he traveled.
“Now, I have something I wish to share with ye.” He took her hand and faced the palm upward. Her fingers still had a little greasiness on the tips and he used the cloth to wash her hands. She seemed shocked that he would do so and gasped lightly at his touch. “The Buchanans have a sacred ritual that we perform whenever we marry.” He gripped her hand and used the dagger to cut a small slice in the center of her palm. She gasped and tried to retract her hand but he held fast until she got over his brashness. Blood pooled there and turned her skin crimson.
Then he did the same to his hand and his warm blood covered his palm. He clasped her hand and said, “Not only are we joined in God’s eyes but we are now bound by blood. Our blood is forever joined, Eva, and nothing but our end will ever change that.”
“How barbaric,” she whispered.
Breckin took the small cloth and wrapped it around her wound. He poured water on his palm and wiped it on another cloth heretrieved from his saddlebag. “Not barbaric, Eva, symbolic. Ye are mine as I am yours, forever.”
“I need not be reminded of that, Breckin.”
They finished eating in silence, and after, she lay and faced away from him. Breckin shimmied close to her and used his body to shield her back. He set his arm around her and smiled to himself.
“What are you doing?”
“Holding ye.”
“Why?”
He moaned softly at her objection. “Eva, I wanted to…to say that the first time we were together was…” Damnation, he couldn’t form the words. “Was difficult for us both. I should have been more gentle and wooed ye as ye deserved.”
“There is no need to apologize, Breckin. What’s done is done. Now, should we not get some sleep?” She continued to face away from him.
He used his hand to caress her and send subtle messages to her body. “I find I am not tired.”
“Me either.” She shifted her body to the side and peered at him.
“Ye know what I want to do?”
“What?” she said breathlessly.
He grinned before he answered her, “Kiss ye.”
Chapter Eight
His hard bodylured her touch. Eva shimmied closer to him and his tempting heat. She set her palm on his naked chest and pressed her lips on his because she wanted his kiss. Whatever had happened between them on their wedding night was forgotten. Eva couldn’t help but be drawn to him; he was too attractive to deny. She longed to caress him, to feel him against her, to receive him with open arms.
Breckin cuddled her face with his hand and kissed her, his lips continually brushing against hers. Desire swarmed within her. Eva pulled back and shifted her gown from over her body. When she was about to remove her chemise, he stilled her hand.
“Keep it on. I find it appealing on ye.”
His husky words made her grin. “Then I shall leave it.”
Breckin removed his garments and left nothing on. He lay beside her and stared into her eyes. She liked the way his eyes smoldered when he wanted to kiss her. Eva held out her arms and he rolled to lean against her. His mouth found hers and they kissed with such passion that she moaned with delight. There was something about the way he kissed her that spurred her passion. Any hesitation she’d had scattered away with the breeze.
His hands roamed her body, teasing, caressing, and massaging her. She, in turn, glided her hands over his muscular arms, chest, and torso,until her fingers became entangled in the strands of his hair. He was well-bodied, and though she should fear the strength of him, she knew he wouldn’t hurt her. Breckin eased her onto her back and he reached to touch her femininity.
With skillful touches, he teased her womanly nub until she rasped for breath. The sensations swarmed her and her body gave way to his desirous caresses. She closed her eyes and concentrated on the lightness of him sliding his fingers against her and the pleasure he created.
Eva didn’t know what came over her but her body erupted in a mass of light and twinges as if she left herself. She kept herself from squealing in the delight of it, and yet, panted with desire. When her breath calmed and she could think again, she opened her eyes and stared at him. He flashed a quick grin at her.
