“Eoin, it is nice to see you as well. Is my daughter aware that you’re here?”
“Yes, my lady. I spoke to Lady Cairstine in the bailey with Laird Grant and Lady Fenella.”
“Will you be staying with us long?” Lady Grant pressed, a speculative gleam in her eyes that reassured Eoin that Cairstine’s mother would be on their side. But at the same time, it sent a pang of guilt through him to know he was deceiving a woman who was so hopeful.
“Mayhap. I’ll remain as long as it takes to secure my betrothal to Cairstine, assuming that doesn’t overextend your hospitality.”
“The other clans will be here soon, so there seems little point for you to ride back and forth to Huntly,” Davina offered, focusing her gaze on Eoin and not her husband’s scowl. “I will see that we prepare a chamber for you. Did you arrive with guards?”
“Nay, my lady. I rode out as soon as I knew Bram was returning,” Eoin smiled ruefully. “I’m usually more patient and less impulsive.”
“You had good reason to hurry,” Davina smiled. Cairstine approached, keeping Davina from saying any more.
Cairstine clasped her hands in front of her as she took in the three most important people in her life milling about together. She had a sense of trepidation as she took in their expressions. Davina’s smile was hopeful, while her father’s scowl was unwelcoming. Eoin, however, appeared cautiously optimistic. She bowed her head to her parents before looking at Eoin. She wished they could disappear together, possibly for forever.
“Eoin, did you have the chance to eat?” Cairstine asked softly.
“Aye, lass. More than enough,” Eoin’s hushed tones sent warmth from her belly into her core, and Cairstine recalled how a similar feeling passed through her when they lay together on the riverbank or in the meadow and Eoin pleasured her.
“Perhaps you would care to go on a walk,” Davina offered. “You’ve been on horseback for the better part of today. I’m sure you’d enjoy a chance to stretch your legs.”
“That’s a lovely idea, Mama,” Cairstine chirped then blushed. “Perhaps a tour of the bailey?”
“I’d like that,” Eoin nodded.
Three expectant faces turned toward Edward, who begrudgingly nodded.
Chapter Twenty-One
“I can’t believe you came so quickly,” Cairstine whispered as they walked down the steps of the keep and into the brilliant sunlight. She shaded her eyes to ensure she didn’t miss a step, grateful when Eoin looped her arm through his. She’d walked up and down the steps countless times in her life, but long skirts and bright sunshine could be a deadly combination. She gripped his forearm, more out of excitement and relief that they were touching once again than the need for support.
“I came as soon as I could. I was in the bailey when Bram arrived, and if it wouldn’t have been suspicious for him to return barely more than a day after he left, I would have insisted he turn back around and ride out with me.”
They walked in silence as they passed people who gawked at the couple. Many knew of Cairstine’s refusal to marry, and word had spread about their greeting in the bailey. They were the spectacle that Edward said. But neither regretted it. As they neared the end of the bailey, Eoin pointed to a storage building.
“What’s in there?” he asked.
“Naught. We aren’t using it right now. We usually store wool in there before it’s spun, but we aren’t shearing the sheep until next sennight.”
Eoin scanned the bailey, looking for eyes following them. They were far enough away from the other storage buildings and people who milled about that he was confident no one was watching as he pulled Cairstine into the small hut. He pushed the door shut and spun Cairstine against it, his mouth crashing down on hers. She returned his kiss with equal fervor as their tongues tangled, their arms wrapped around one another. Cairstine arched her back as she pressed her breasts to Eoin’s chest, enjoying the feel of his much larger body against her. She never felt threatened by his size; rather, she felt delicate and protected. Eoin grasped her backside as he feasted upon Cairstine, trailing kisses over her cheeks and neck before returning to her mouth. He wrapped his arms beneath her bottom and lifted her until they were eye-to-eye, nose-to-nose, and mouth-to-mouth, their kiss intensifying as neither had to strain to reach the other.
Eoin’s cock ached to thrust inside Cairstine with a want unparalleled, despite his extensive experience. His heart pounded behind his ribs as he couldn’t get enough of Cairstine. She was a drug, and he wanted no cure. He counted his blessings that his sporran kept her from feeling his arousal, not wanting anything to ruin their connection. When they were both breathless, they leaned their foreheads together, and Cairstine pressed a soft kiss to the tip of Eoin’s nose. The affection took them both by surprise but ignited another round of passionate kisses. Eoin noticed a stool near the far wall when they walked in. The dim light made it difficult to see, but he found it. He sank onto the seat, forcing Cairstine to straddle his lap if she didn’t want to let go.
Cairstine was caught in a frenzy of need and desire. She wished to touch every part of Eoin, including the part he’d kept from her the last time they were alone together. She pushed his sporran to the side as she inched forward. When her mound brushed against his steel length, her sheath clenched, frustrated at its emptiness. For the first time, Cairstine experienced a need to feel Eoin buried within her. It terrified her that the sensation was so intense, but the fact that it was Eoin eased her anxiety. She tilted her hips forward but froze when Eoin groaned, his fingers biting into the supple flesh of her bottom. He made no move to bring them closer, but she felt his cock twitch several times. She pulled away to find Eoin sheepishly looking away from her.
“What is it, Eo? Did I do something wrong?”
“Nay, not at all,” Eoin shook his head.
“It doesn’t feel that way. You won’t look at me.”
Eoin sighed before meeting her eye. Even in the muted light, Cairstine was certain Eoin was blushing. “I’m embarrassed,” he whispered.
“Of what?” Cairstine asked. “I don’t want you ever to feel that way around me.”
“I was a little too eager to touch you, and I lost control.”
“No, you didn’t. You did naught that scared me.”
