Kyle walked to a tree and planted her back against it, pressing up firmly against her writhing body, feeling her heat against his, his whole being swelling with the charge of the moment. Their mouth pulled apart for a moment, and they both gasped for air before Kyle went to her neck, grinding steadily against her, living nowhere but that moment.
But then Laila stopped and tried to pull away. “Put me down,” she commanded, her face flush and her eyes sharp.
“What?” Kyle asked, terribly confused and erect. “What’s wrong?”
“Down!” she hissed, and Kyle set her down.
“What have I done?” Kyle asked, baffled that the moment had come to such an abrupt ending. “What is this?”
“It’s just—” Laila started, then bit her lip and finished with, “You’re not why I’m here! I’m sorry!”
With that, she turned and rushed away faster than Kyle could think of anything to say. He was speechless, his jaw hanging open and his manhood bulging. After a few minutes of standing there alone, he stood up straight, scratch the back of his head, and said aloud:
“What happened?”
The moon was bright now that the clouds had moved South, and it lit up the orchard in a brilliant manner. Two minutes ago, it had been incredibly romantic. Now Kyle stood awkwardly waiting for the erection to recede, trying to sort out what that had all been about.
“You’re not why I’m here,” Kyle murmured, repeating her words before she had fled. “What on God’s green earth does that mean?”
Kyle paced a few moments, kicking up his heels like he did when he was nervous, and eventually, he found himself presentable again. The whole moment kept running through his brain, and he kept lingering on those words.You’re not why I’m here.He really had no idea what to do with any of it.
He began pacing back toward the hall. He knew his absence would be missed, and he begrudgingly began his return, trying to seem as if nothing had happened, but as he approached the doors, he was startled by a voice from behind.
“Ah! You were on the walls today,” Simon was walking up to the doors as well, cleaned and unarmed, at least as far as Kyle could see, and his mood began souring even further.
“And ye were outside,” Kyle replied, stopping short of the door. The sound of the minstrels and chatter were barely floating through.
“I was,” Simon said. “May I have the honor of knowing your name?”
“I am Kyle McGowan,” Kyle replied, determined not to let this Englishman out of his sight or thoughts for the rest of the night. Something about him seemed strange. Perhaps it was just the emotional charge from his interrupted moment with Laila, but something didn’t feel right.
“Is that so?” Simon replied, stepping up beside him at the door. “The younger brother.”
“That’s right,” Kyle said, eyeing the man up and down.
“Well met then,” Simon said. “Shall we go in?”
“I suppose so,” Kyle said, and he pushed open the doors.
The feast was now in full swing, and there were clear signs of drunkenness all about. Kyle led Simon up to the head table and gestured to Gavin as he approached.
“Where did ye run off tae?” Gavin asked, glancing up at their approach.
“Ye really are a terrible dancer,” Ella said, taking a sip of wine.
“I’m aware,” Kyle shot back. “Our guest is here.”
“Welcome, Sir Simon,” Gavin said. “This is my wife, Ella McGowan.”
“Milady,” Simon said, bowing his head deeply. “I thank you for your hospitality.”
“Enjoy yerself,” Gavin said, waving about to the hall. Simon gave a curt nod and backed away from the head table, heading down into the festivities.
“What’d ye do tae that girl?” Ella hissed, leaning over abruptly after he had left. “She ran off like a hare on a hunt!”
“I did nothing!” Kyle protested. “She just run off!”
“I doubt that,” Ella said back, leaning back into her seat to rest her pregnant stomach.
