Thomasina held up her hand to ward him off when he came toward her. The stuff tasted like horse piss. “Nae! I dunna want any.”
He pressed her hand down, a slight smile on his lips. “Just a bit. Ye’re quaking like a leaf.”
Thomasina covered her mouth. “I nearly threw up downstairs.”
Sean moved closer, rubbing her back with small circles. The soothing motion abruptly shifted to her shoulders. “This is different. It goes down easy.”
Shaking gripped her and she couldn’t stop it. Her teeth chattered. She needed something so she accepted the heavy skin. She hoped her expression showed her disbelief at being able to keep it down.
Holding the skin with two hands, she tipped it toward her mouth and dribbled a few drops on her waiting tongue. Sean’s eyes were dark as he watched her, his expression intent. Apparently it was very important that she accept this. It wasn’t as bad as the other drink. She put the opening to her mouth, closed her eyes, and squeezed some of the liquid into her mouth. It felt warm—very warm—but didn’t burn like the other. She swallowed then drank some more. She imagined the liquid forming a little relaxing puddle in her stomach. She took a deep, slow breath then blew it out. Her shaking eased. She’d made it.
When she opened her eyes, Sean’s gaze had dropped to her hips. The fluttering began again. His eyes made a slow sweep of her from her trews up to her face. His lips parted.
She offered a small smile, no longer certain how to react. “Are ye afeared I’ll drink all of yer precious mead?”
“Yea.” His gaze held hers. “Something like that.”
“This is much better than the other.” She closed her eyes, relieved to shut out the confusing messages, and took another sip.
His fingers caressing her cheek startled her. She opened her eyes to find him standing very close.
“I’m glad ’tis to yer liking.” His voice was low. He wrapped one hand around her, flattening ever so gently against the small of her back. He moved his face in closer. “Let me taste it.”
Her breath caught. Her eyes closed. The touch of his lips sent a jolt right to her core. His mouth moved over hers. Searching. Insistent. A thoroughly enjoyable feeling. She leaned in closer. The slightest pressure and her lips parted, allowing the invasion of his warm, probing tongue. He groaned against her. She silently agreed.
She moved her tongue with his and he pulled her close against his length. His strong arms wrapped around her. Safe. Arousing. Her body relaxed against him. He groaned a second time, just lifting his lips.
“Mo mhíle stór,” Sean spoke on a breath then his lips were on hers again.
His kisses grew more demanding. Heat swirled low in her stomach. He wanted something. She wanted him to have it. Whatever it was. His hand drifted lower down her back to cup her bottom, pulling her up against him and an unyielding stiffness. The swirling shifted lower. Heat poured off him and she basked in it. She moaned her pleasure. She wanted more. His arms fell away and he stepped back in one motion as if she’d burned him.
Disappointment washed over her like a wave and she stumbled to gain her footing. Her labored breathing the only sound. The sudden loss of his body was acute.
Her chest rose with each breath. “What is amiss?”
Sean pushed stray hairs away from his face with both hands. His eyes wide with incredulity. “Ye! What are ye doing? Dunna let a man touch ye like that!”
“I want ye to touch me like that.”
Sean made a strangled sound in his throat and turned away. His shoulders rose and fell and he paced the small area. He finally stopped several feet away. “Nae. Ye dunna want me to.”
“I like the way ye touch me.”
“And dunna say that either.”
A rock seemed to drop into the pit of her stomach. Her father had been right. Whatever this was that was happening had something to do with her being a problem to wed. Where there had been warmth and longing, she now felt loss and pain.
She crossed the few steps to the door and stopped. It was not safe for her to go back down there but she had trouble remembering why. It must be the drink but she knew going downstairs was worse than staying here. She faced Sean then slid down the door to sit in front of it.
“I’ll sleep here.”
Sean’s expression softened. “Nae. NAE! Ye’ll not. Ye’ll sleep here.” He indicated the pallet on the raised platform beside him. “I’ll sleep on the floor. Ye sleep here and there will be nae more discussion.”
Thomasina licked her lips and looked about for the skin. She didn’t remember him taking it out of her hands. She did remember the way his hands felt grasping her bottom, pulling her against him. The heat still there between her legs. She searched him to see if she could discern the hardness. She could.
Sean fisted the skin at his side. As if reading her mind, he took a long draw then closed it tight. His breathing still shallow. She stood and walked to the pallet. It was filthy and covered with horse hair and fleas.
Glancing toward Sean whose gaze remained on her, she offered a sly smile. “Wonder what’s happened here.”
