“That good,” she whispered back. “Better.” Was it because he’d made her suck the honey from his own fingers that she had enjoyed the wonderful flavor so much, Aife wondered? Had it somehow added to the experience? Would it have been the same if he’d handed her a wooden spoon? Somehow she didn’t think so.
Very conscious of the fact that, this time, she couldn’t pretend Edita was looking and that Sven wasn’t anywhere to be seen, Aife lifted her head to Torsten, readying herself for a kiss. It seemed the perfect conclusion to the moment they had shared, the only appropriate way to thank him for taking her to the woods and ensuring she would not deprive herself of a delicacy any longer. Would he respond to the silent invitation?
To her relief and delight, he did.
Their first kiss by the forge had been shocking. The second one, after she’d been stung by the bee, had been chaste, little more than a friendly peck. The third one, when she’d pretended Edita was watching, had scorched her insides. This fourth one was heart-stoppingly sweet, and she was certain it was not dueto the honey they had both just eaten. Granted, Torsten’s tongue was slick with its floral taste, but it was the way he was holding her, careful, reverent, that gave it a special flavor. It was as if he thought her beautiful and precious. And in that moment, she did feel beautiful, precious—and desirable. It was not just in her mind either. Against her stomach was the proof that Torsten was reacting like a man would at the proximity of a woman he found attractive. It was exactly what she had hoped to see for years, the proof that men could want her in their bed.
It was enough, for now.
Torsten wanted her, and yet he was not trying to take advantage of her. They were alone, they were kissing, he could have been forgiven for thinking he could try to coax her into offering more. But he had not even tried to deepen the kiss. He was savoring her, behaving as if holding her into his arms was a pleasure in itself, as if the kiss were enough to satisfy him.
She drew away, one hand on his chest, the other around his trim waist, both touched by his restraint and grateful that he’d shown her there was nothing wrong with her. And for the first time she wondered if she had not been dazzled by the wrong brother.
“So?” Torsten’s voice had become impossibly low and husky. “Have you changed you mind?”
“Changed my m-mind?” she stammered. Did he know she had been reconsidering what she thought of Sven? How? Could he read her mind?
“About honey.”
Oh, honey… Of course. “Yes. I think it?—”
“What thefuck?”
The voice booming from behind her caused Aife’s insides to curdle. No!
The last thing she wanted right now was to be interrupted and the last person she wanted to see was the one standing by the tree, no doubt glaring at her.
“Moon.”
Disentangling herself from Torsten’s embrace as naturally as she could, she turned to face her brother. Her very irate brother. Had he seen the kiss? Or had he merely happened upon them locked in an intimate embrace and drawn his own conclusions? Either way, it was clear he didn’t approve.
“What is this?” he growled, taking a step forward. “Never mind, I can see what it is for myself. Sister, move away so I can throttle the traitor.”
“Calm yourself. No one is going to throttle anyone,” she said, placing herself squarely in front of him, knowing he would never risk hurting her by trying to barge past her, no matter how furious he was. Behind her, Torsten was wisely keeping silent, letting her handle her brother how she thought best. A protest from him now would not help. “We weren’t doing anything wrong.”
That was true, at least, the kiss they’d shared had felt anything but wrong.
“You mean that you weren’t kissing? Because it sure as hell looked as if you were about to?—”
“Even if we were, it would be nothing to do with you.” Another truth. She was old enough to decide whom she kissed or didn’t kiss. It had nothing to do with her brother.
Moon’s eyes narrowed but he didn’t try to push past her. “You mean that you two are not involved? He’s not lain with?—”
This time she and Torsten spoke at the same time, before he could finish the sentence. “No!”
There was such conviction in their voices, such shock on their faces that Moon’s shoulders visibly relaxed. Disaster had been averted.
“Well then, there’s no harm done.” He gestured to Aife, his gaze still on his friend. “Come. Let me escort you back to the village.”
“I don’t need your?—”
This time he did look at her. His blue eyes were sending shards. “Aife, either you come with me now or you watch as I have a man-to-man discussion with our friend about what is the acceptable way to hold my little sister.”
She sighed, knowing she would never win this battle. It was already a miracle Moon had chosen to give them the benefit of the doubt and had not pounced on Torsten.
“I’m coming.”
After one last look at Torsten, she followed her brother.
