He sucked on her lips as if he couldn’t get enough of them, and she mirrored the motion, moaning as his tongue slid over hers.
Those flames returned. They spread through her body, making her arch into him. His hand cradled her head, pulling at the hair at the base of her skull.
There was no space between them. Her arms circled his neck, while his free hand grabbed her waist. She wanted him too, wanted this, and it was getting harder to deny it.
A twig snapped, and they jumped apart as quickly as they had come together.
Finlay’s head swiveled around as he scanned the area around them. Thalia looked around too, panting as she tried to catch her breath and prepare for the inevitable explosion that was bound to come from whoever had followed them.
A grey bunny hopped out from underneath the shrub. Its nose twitched curiously, and its ears flicked as it assessed whether Finlay and Thalia were friend or foe.
Thalia knelt down slowly, cooing at the small creature in delight, until it hopped away. She stood, brushing off her skirts as she did. Finlay watched her every movement, and his eyes held hers as she struggled to calm her racing heart.
“I think we gave that bunny quite a show,” she said cheekily.
“I think we’re lucky we didnae get caught,” he retorted, crossing his arms over his chest.
“So much for nae touchin’ me again.”
He did not laugh at her joke.
She shifted her weight uneasily under his gaze, and she could not help feeling angry with the bunny for interrupting them.
Would he have continued kissing her until he completely lost control? Would he have taken her right here in this garden?
The fire in her stomach sparked again at the very idea.
“I’m sorry,” he finally said. His voice was no longer low, and he seemed back to his normal self.
She clenched her hands into fists in disappointment.
“Ye daenae have to apologize,” she answered. “It’s just as much me fault as yers.”
“Nay, the blame rests entirely on me,” he sighed. “We are friends, and we had a deal. I am supposed to protect ye. I promise that from now on, I will be respectful. This was just a slip.”
Thalia swallowed against the nerves in her throat.
A slip. A mistake. If this was how he truly felt about these moments between them, then perhaps she ought to start treating them the same.
“Aye, and I think it might be best if we avoid each other from now on,” she added. “I wouldnae want ye slippin’ again.”
He gave a stiff nod. “Right.”
“Right,” she echoed.
Silence stretched between them, and Thalia fought against her rising displeasure. He wanted to respect her as a lady and as a friend. She should want that, too.
She moved closer to him and thrust out her hand. He looked at it in confusion.
“What are ye doin’?” he asked.
“Renewing our deal,” she replied. “A fake betrothal, and nay funny business between us.”
His lips quirked up in amusement as he reached out to shake her hand. “It’s a deal.”
She dropped his hand and gave him a nod. “Then it’s a pleasure doin’ business with ye. I promise, I willnae trouble ye… much.”
He shook his head, chuckling. “I thank ye for that.”
