Page 52 of Dancing On Air

“I think Edna keeps a water barrel and ladle in the barn. Why don’t we take a walk and get you a drink? You must be thirsty.”

“Yes, I could go for some water.”

He picked up his tunic, but didn’t put it on. Together, they walked to the barn. Eleanor was glad everyone else was out picking peas, because she really wanted time alone with Connor, and it was so hard to come by.

Once they were inside the barn, Connor draped his tunic over the post of a stall and scooped out a ladle of water, holding it out to her. “Do you want some?”

“No, thank you. I’m fine.”

He proceeded to drink, helping himself to several ladles of water, pouring the last one in his hand and splashing it on his face. The water ran in rivulets down his bare chest. Eleanor’s eyes eagerly followed.

“You blame yourself for what happened,” she said, still staring at his chest.

“I do,” he admitted. “I was young and didn’t know what decision to make. But the one I made wasn’t fair to you.”

He put back the ladle and reached out and gently stroked the side of her face.

“Nay, it wasn’t,” she whispered, a hitch in her breath. Her eyes interlocked with his. “But you did the only thing you could. It wouldn’t have been right to reject the offer. Then you and your siblings would have had to watch your father be beheaded.”

“I suppose so. But if I had made the opposite choice, we’d all still be nobles right now.”

“And your father would be dead.”

“I’d be a knight and married to you, Eleanor. But I’m not. That is my biggest regret.”

Before she knew what happened, he had pulled her up against his hot, wet chest and wrapped his strong arms around her. Then his mouth came down against hers and he kissed her hard, the kiss filled with passion.

She let him kiss her, liking the way it felt. And when her curiosity got the best of her, she reached out and touched his bare skin, running her hands down his chest ever so slowly.

He broke the kiss with a gasp. At first she thought she’d somehow hurt him.

“I’m sorry,” she said, pulling her hands away.

“Nay, don’t stop. I like being touched by you, Eleanor.” He put her hands back on his chest and kissed her once again. Feeling each taut muscle under her fingertips, she slid her hands lower and lower.

A moan lodged at the back of his throat when her fingers landed at the top of his breeches. It excited her to hear his vocal pleasure. It made her feel lusty. Then, when he kissed her again, one of his hands slid down her neck, his fingertips skimming the bare skin of her collarbone. Then his hand slid down to her upper chest. Her heart beat faster as he got closer to her breasts. To her delight, he cupped one of her breasts and squeezed gently, using his thumb to rub her nipple right through her gown.

“Oh!” she gasped, breathing deeper and harder.

“Did you like that?” he asked, whispering into her ear, nibbling at her lobe as he spoke. It was followed by a quick lick of his tongue.

Her eyes closed and her knees became weak from want. She collapsed against him, feeling so hot right now that she couldn’t even speak. So instead she nodded.

“You are so beautiful and such a full-fledged woman.” His hands cupped her buttocks now. “You have no idea how many nights I wake up hard, wanting nothing more than to slide my manhood between your hot thighs, burying myself to the hilt until you scream out my name.”

Hearing this made Eleanor squirm in his embrace. His words were causing her to come alive in a very sexual manner.

He kissed her passionately again, this time pulling her hips against his. When he did, she could feel his engorged manhood bulging out from under his trews. It intrigued her, but scared her at the same time.

“Connor,” she said, hearing how seductive and breathy she sounded, even if she hadn’t meant to do it. As much as she liked this, she was getting too aroused. So, she pushed away from him and fixed her gown. Her eyes darted out the door of the barn. Thankfully, everyone was still out in the field.

She heard him curse softly under his breath. “I’m so sorry, Eleanor. Please forgive me. I got carried away. I didn’t mean to do that.”

“We both got carried away,” she said. “But I want you to know, I am not pushing you away to stop you.”

“You’re not?” he asked, seeming really confused.

Her breathing deepened and her heart pounded harder. Her gaze shot up to the hayloft over their heads. “I think we should continue this, but not here. Let’s find somewhere no one will see us. The hayloft might be a good place.”