Eoin scanned the surrounding trees and riverbank as Cairstine bathed, but his gaze returned to her over and over. She was modest in how she bathed, but Eoin could see her legs up to her mid-thighs. They were shapely and strong after years of riding. Water splashed down the front of her chemise as she rinsed her hair, making the cotton cling to her breasts. He felt his rod lengthening as he imagined wrapping her hair around his hand and kissing Cairstine along her throat as he thrust into her. His bollocks ached as he pictured wading into the river, throwing his plaid out of the way, and sinking in her once she wrapped her legs around his waist. He wanted to groan when she turned away from him, and he saw her hand and the soap dip beneath the chemise’s hem. He wanted to touch her sheath and listen to her pants as he pleasured her, but he accepted that he wouldn’t be able to do that for a multitude of reasons. But the longing still existed.
“Are you satisfied that neither mon nor beast has mauled me?” Cairstine called out as she turned toward the bank. She’d known Eoin was on constant alert, but she’d sensed him watching her too. A tiny part of her had been tempted to be more brazen and show him more of her as she bathed, but while she trusted Eoin, she feared what her teasing might lead him to do. He’d been adamant that it wasn’t her fault that the young men attacked her that day at the gathering, but she wasn’t certain it wouldn’t be her fault if she tempted Eoin on purpose. Eoin ground his teeth as she neared the shore.
I’m not one bit satisfied at the moment.He reached out his hand when she stepped onto the riverbank. A charge surged through them, and their gazes leaped to one another. They’d both felt it. When Cairstine stood before Eoin, he rang out her sodden hair just as he had the last time they stood together on a riverbank, but this time, much to his dismay, Cairstine wasn’t in need of his plaid. He’d enjoyed the sight of her wrapped in his plaid far too much, and he pictured her like that now.
“Thank you,” Cairstine murmured, but she made no attempt to step away. It appeared she swayed toward Eoin, and when she tilted her chin up to meet his gaze once again, her lips parted. They moved in unison as their mouths came together for another scorching kiss. She fisted his leine as he dared pull her closer than he had before. He still kept their hips from pressing together, knowing she had to feel a hint of his arousal. She stilled, but she didn’t pull away, and he was certain she had. It was only a heartbeat later that she kissed him again. He moved his hands to rest lightly on her hips, and when she didn’t still, he slid his hands to cup her bottom. It was his turn to freeze when he couldn’t suppress his groan. Rather than frighten her, it seemed to encourage her.
Cairstine pressed her breasts against Eoin’s chest, enjoying the feel of his larger body against hers. She didn’t experience the panic she often did when men so much larger than her came so near. She forced herself to relax as one of Eoin’s hands eased along her ribs, but he stopped before touching her breast. The mounds of flesh ached and grew heavy, and she understood her body longed for his touch. She’d never felt this intense need before, but knowing she was with Eoin drove away the fear that usually consumed her at this point.
Eoin marveled at the feel of Cairstine in his arms. She was a goddess incarnate. While it was obvious for anyone to see that she was petite in stature, she was more full-figured than Eoin expected. With only a chemise and leine to separate their torsos and holding one another closer than they had in the past, Eoin was gifted the opportunity to discover how alluring Cairstine’s body was. He left his hand resting on her ribs, his thumb just beneath her breast, but he feared he would spill his seed when she gave the faintest nod, silently encouraging his hand to move higher. He eased his hand near her breast, hovering rather than touching. Cairstine could feel the heat from Eoin’s palm even though it didn’t press against her. She arched her back, taking the initiative. She waited for the usual panic to flood her, but it never came. Instead, an achiness settled between her legs that matched how her breasts felt.
“I won’t do aught you don’t want, Cairrie. Tell me to stop, and I will no matter what.”
“I know, Eo. I—I—I want to be brave with you. It feels different with you. Your touch feels wonderful, but it makes me ache, and I don’t understand why.”
“Mo leannan, that is desire and arousal. Your mind may not understand what we’re doing or how you feel, but your body does. I desire you just as much, and you stir my body. But I swear to you, that if you want to stop, we will.”
“I—I don’t know what I want,” Cairstine stammered. It confused her how her body wanted something it had feared and rejected in the past, even when it was Eoin who offered it. She didn’t want to put an end to this, but she wasn’t certain she could let it go any further.
“Perhaps we should return to camp, Cairrie. The men will guess what we’re aboot if we stay away any longer. Bram’s bound to come looking for you. He’d kill me if he saw us like this.”
“I know you’re right, but I don’t want to. I’m scared that if there’s ever a next time, I’ll lose my nerve. I want to know if I’m still broken.”
“Broken? There’s no part of you that is broken. You experienced something you never should have, and you were the victim. Understandably it scared you and made you wary, but it didn’t break you. Just the opposite, Cairrie. You have an iron will that refuses to ever be mistreated or abused again. Your refusal to marry is not because you’re broken. It’s because you’re strong enough to stand up for yourself and protect yourself from those who could harm you.” Eoin cupped her jaw, and she leaned into his warm palm. “I admire you for it.”
“Will you kiss me again?” Cairstine whispered.
Eoin’s answer was another kiss that seemed to make Cairstine blossom. She pressed his hand against her breast, guiding him to knead the supple flesh. She ran her hands over his chest until she reached the ties at his neck. She pulled them loose and slid her hands beneath the fabric. She had never felt anything like Eoin’s bare skin. It was smooth and warm, and the muscles beneath felt like iron that rippled as he moved. She ran her hand up his nape and tunneled her hand into his hair. Eoin’s other hand dropped to the hem of her chemise. He inched the shift up slowly, so he wouldn’t startle Cairstine. She felt the material shift and the cool air circulate around her inner thighs. She steeled herself once again for the inevitable panic if he touched the bare skin of her bottom, but rather than reject his intentions, her body seemed to hum with need as his palm grasped her backside.
Cairstine continued to kiss Eoin and explored his chest and shoulders as his hands kneaded the mounds of flesh that were her breast and backside. She moaned, and her hips moved of their own volition. When her mound brushed against Eoin’s cock, she gasped, not from fear but the streak of arousal that shot from her core to her breasts. Eoin let go, but her hands flew to press them back to where they were.
“Not scared,” she panted. “Surprised. Not scared.”
“I know we should go back, but I don’t want to either,” Eoin admitted. “Tell me what you want.”
“More?” She disliked the uncertainty in her voice. She wasn’t sure what more meant, but her body demanded it.
“Cairrie, there is much more we can do without our bodies joining. I can show you things, do things, to pleasure you without coupling.”
“I know. I’ve heard aboot it. I’ve even been curious, but I can’t bring myself to couple with any mon. Not ever again.”
“When you tell me we’ve gone far enough, we go no further. It’s all under your control, Carrie. Always.”Even if it kills me or turns my bollocks blue.
Cairstine nodded, and Eoin led her to a flat patch of land where a bush separated them from anyone who approached from the camp. Eoin drew his sword from the sheath on his back before removing his plaid, once more relieved that his leine hid his rampant cockstand. He spread the massive length of wool on the ground and eased Cairstine onto it. He ensured his sword was within reach before cradling Cairstine’s head in his hand. He swept his hand along her leg as she lay on her side facing him.
“Do you want me to explain what I’m doing, what I intend to do?” Eoin offered.
Cairstine shook her head. “I thought we’d be kissing. You can’t talk if you’re kissing me.”
“Gladly,” Eoin grinned before resuming their kisses.
His hand dipped beneath her chemise, resting on her thigh. His palm branded her as his long fingers stroked the inside of her thigh. He stroked her leg several times before drawing his hand to the front of her legs. He nudged them apart, grazing his fingertips along her inner thigh before brushing her nether lips. Cairstine lifted her bent top leg, offering Eoin access to a promised land he never imagined she would allow him to explore. He moved without haste, giving Cairstine an opportunity to grow accustomed to his touch and to stop him if she became overwhelmed. But the soft mewling sounds she made encouraged him. He felt the dew that gathered at her entrance, coating his fingers as he passed them over the swollen and heated flesh.
“Should I be—well—like that down there?” Cairstine whispered, embarrassed that Eoin discovered how wet she’d grown.
“Yes,mo leannan. Your body wants more than your mind does. Your body tells me it’s ready to accept mine.” Cairstine jerked away. “Shh,mo Cairrie. I won’t take it that far. Only my fingers,leannan. Naught more. But your body will enjoy this more since it’s ready. This dampness will make it easier for my fingers to enter you.” Neither seemed to notice the two times he called her sweetheart or how he claimed her as his Cairrie.
Cairstine nodded as her eyes locked with Eoin’s as he slid the tip of his finger into her entrance. With patience he didn’t know he possessed, he eased the digit further into Cairstine. He watched her, and she sensed he was awaiting permission to do more. She nodded, and he slid a second finger into her, but didn’t move them.
