Caden watched it all with his enigmatic gaze, his arms folded over his chest.
Eva's shoulders slumped at this confirmation that here was one more thing different about her.
"Everyone out," Caden ordered.
The others tramped toward the gate. Fiona lingered, giving her a significant look as she murmured. "There's nothing between you two. Uh-huh."
Eva mustered a tiny glare for the other woman as she left.
They were quiet for several moments while Caden watched her.
"I didn't do anything besides touch one. You can't put the blame for all this on me," Eva burst out.
"You're right," he said.
She paused and stared at him. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. The commander losing an argument was unheard of.
"I saw you in danger and my temper got the better of me," he continued stiffly. "It shouldn't have happened."
Eva frowned, unsure now as she studied him. An apology? From a man she was sure had never apologized for anything in his life? He could lop off a person's head and still have that same placid expression. She doubted it would even register.
"Why were you angry?" Eva asked.
He didn't answer immediately, giving his attention to the bits of broken plant and wood strewn over the ground.
Eva cocked her head, letting her mind tease and untangle all the threads that had been ruffling her feathers until now.
It didn't make sense. Unless—hmm. He acted like a parent might if their child did something dangerous. Only he wasn't her parent and she definitely was not his daughter.
"Do you perhaps like me?" Eva asked, watching him carefully. "In a physical sort of way?"
He arched an eyebrow at her, his lips curving in a crooked smile. "What a tepid description."
Eva lifted a shoulder. "I'm not sure if I believe in love. If I did, I wouldn't believe you felt that emotion after such a short time."
A matter of weeks really, and maybe two meetings before then.
He took a step closer, the look in his eyes sending flutters through Eva's belly. "I say tepid because that word doesn't have a hope of touching even the barest surface of what I'm feeling."
His eyes darkened.
"Tepid, because I want to bend you over and do many, many things to you. You're a craving in my blood and a fire in my veins that I can't seem to work out, no matter how I try. Lips I'd like to lose myself in and a mind that pushes even when you know you're outmatched, little rabbit." His eyes were half-lidded, the look he gave her sultry. "You're a raindrop who thinks she's a tempest, and damn if I don't want to see you teach them to fear your wrath.”
Eva's breath came faster. The words coming from this normally reserved man—a man who spoke rarely—were more seductive than a thousand kisses.
He took another step closer, one hand rising to grip the back of her neck. "I'm tired of watching you give that fire to everyone else. If I was smart, I’d collect on what I know should be mine."
Eva wet her lips, her gaze rising to meet his. What she saw there made it obvious he had no intention of keeping that promise. He might tempt, tease, beckon, but he would never follow through.
He had too many responsibilities on his shoulder, his loyalty given to another. It would allow little space for her.
She should leave it alone, but she couldn't. That same part of her that was unable to stand down when she saw a horse being mistreated rose, causing her to tap dance right over the line he'd just drawn.
"Then why don't you?" she challenged.
His eyes filled with darkness as he gave her a look that felt as tangible as a touch.
"Because you're not ready for that. Your innocent Lowland upbringing would have you hating me or yourself, whichever was more convenient," he said, stepping back as boredom settled over his face.
