Page 52 of The Past

I exhaled, shifting to look up at him.His dark hair was mussed, his blue eyes still heavy with sleep, but he was watching me with an intensity that tightened my belly and flushed my skin.

“Any regrets?”he murmured.

I shook my head, smiling at him.“Not a single one.”

His lips curved, brushing against mine in the faintest kiss.“Good.”

My fingers traced down his bare chest and I marveled at the feel of him.I never would have thought about touching a naked man before but now that he’s mine, I want hours just to explore.“When can I see ye later?”

Tommy caught my hand and brought it to his lips.“You tell me, darlin’.”

Another shiver—a combination of lust and what I believed to be love.I hesitated for only a second.“Midday,” I whispered.“I’ll bring a picnic.Just us.”

His grin widened, dimples flashing, and the sight of it made my heart swell.“I’ll go in extra early today so I can take the time off.”

I loved that about him.His work ethic and his loyalty to those who earned it.So many things about Tommy that had my heart in a vise, and that was just but one.He shocked me by rolling on top of me, his body warm and solid against mine.His mouth found mine again, slow and lingering, hands exploring in a way that made me start to ache in places that I just discovered could ache.

“Tommy,” I sighed between kisses, “I have to go.”

“Mmm,” he murmured against my skin.“I think you should stay.”

I laughed as my fingers curled into his hair.“Yer not making this easy.”

“Not supposed to,” he said smugly, pressing another kiss to my collarbone before finally pulling back.“But I suppose I should be a gentleman and let you get dressed.”

I huffed playfully, rolling out from under him before I lost my nerve entirely.I found my clothes scattered around the room and quickly pulled them on, aware he was watching my every move.I should’ve been embarrassed but the light was dim, only the faintest sliver from the barn lights peeking through the linen curtains.

When I bent to slip on my shoes, he groaned.“Come back to bed, Fi.Just for a little longer.”

I shot him a smirk over my shoulder.“And risk getting caught?Yer the one who told me I should go, and ye weren’t wrong.”

Tommy sat up, resting his weight on one elbow, and God, did he look so sexy with the sheets draped over his lean waist.“One more kiss, then.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t stop the smile as I leaned down, pressing my mouth to his.He kissed me so thoroughly that he stole my breath, and I was okay if I never breathed again.

“I should probably walk with you,” he said as I pulled away.“It’s dark.”

“I’ll be fine.It’s safe here and there’s enough lighting to find my way.Besides, if I do get caught, I can just play it off as some wanderlust and a midnight bike ride.If yer with me, Da is likely to get the shillelagh.”

“Do I even want to know what that is?”he asked, one eyebrow raised.

“No, ye don’t.”I leaned in, gave him a swift kiss and pressed my palm to his face.“I’ll be fine.”

I started to pull away but he caught my wrist, tugging me back just enough to press another kiss to my forehead.“Midday,” he reminded me.

“I won’t be late,” I promised.

Then, before I could lose the will to leave, I slipped out into the early-morning darkness.

♦

The bike rideback to Glenhaven was a blur, my heart still thrumming with the weight of what had just happened.Every inch of me felt alive, my body still tingling from Tommy’s touch, from his kisses.

It boggled me that he wanted me the way he did.It was like a fairy-tale dream and I was secure in my choice.

And I had never felt so free.

The manor loomed in the distance, its stone walls bathed in moonlight.I slowed my bike, coasting silently up the back path and eventually hopping off to walk it closer.My nerves kicked into overdrive and I swear I could feel my father looking down at me from his window, even though it was pitch-black inside and he was most likely sleeping.

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