“Go,” Aileen hissed once more, and as though Emma’s feet had a life of their own, they complied. Goose bumps rose on her arms and legs as Emma found herself walking into the clearing, her heart beating painfully in her chest as she fought down the panic that threatened to engulf her. What on earth was she doing?
The moment Cormag had stopped, turning his head to look at her, his friends had ceased their training as well. At first, confusion had come to their faces before they followed his line of sight.
Now, four sets of eyes were trained on her as Emma walked into the clearing, slowly closing the distance between them. She did her best to hold her chin high and maintain a friendly, but unaffected smile on her face. However, deep down, Emma had serious doubts that she appeared as anything else but the bundle of nerves she was. Perhaps she ought to turn and run after all!
As she drew closer, she could see their chests rising and falling with each laboured breath, the muscles in their sword arms quivering with the sudden rest. Her eyes drifted from one man to the next and then back as she willed herself not to stare at Finn lest he be able to read the intention on her face. If he did, would he turn and run?
Cormag’s eyes narrowed in a rather unsettling way as he continued to watch her. Then he took a step back, a hint of surprise coming to his eyes as he turned to look at Finn.
Emma froze. Did he know?
“What are ye doing here, lass?” Garrett asked as he stepped toward her, a kind smile on his face. “Ye’re not lost, are ye?”
Strangely enough, Emma managed a rather natural smile. “No, I’m not lost,” she replied, a slight chuckle accompanying her words as though she truly did not have a care in the world. Surprised by this unexpected ability to mask her feelings, Emma decided to seize the moment.
Stepping around Garrett, she did her best to ignore Ian’s inquisitive stare as well as Cormag’s speculative gaze and kept her eyes on Finn. His green gaze narrowed slightly as he watched her approach. Still, he did not try to step away, did not address her, did not stop her in any way.
It was all the encouragement Emma needed.
Two more steps brought her to him, and she could feel the warmth that radiated off him against her skin. His green eyes held hers, and for the barest of moments, Emma thought to see something flare to life in them. Something she had never seen there before.
But Emma did not dare linger and contemplate what it was. No, she needed to move fast, or she would miss her chance.
Without a moment’s hesitation, she reached up, pushing herself up onto her toes, and pulled him down into a kiss.
The moment Finn had glimpsed her standing across the clearing, his heart had slammed to a rather unexpected halt. Her mahogany curls had danced on the soft breeze, gently brushing against her rosy cheeks and giving her the appearance of a sprite risen from the earth. She stood tall and fierce, and yet, as she had approached, the dark brown of her eyes had spoken of a vulnerable heart.
Although her gaze had travelled from one of his friends to the next, somehow Finn had known that in that moment she had come for him. The moment their eyes had met, Finn had been unable to speak, to think, to do anything but stare at her.
He could not even recall her name−if indeed he had ever known it−and yet he was certain that he would never again forget who she was.
The closer she had stepped, the more his heart had felt as though it wished to jump from his chest.
And then her lips had found his.
Dimly, Finn found himself wondering if he had strayed into a dream as he felt the softness of her lips against his own and the tentative brush of her fingers against the back of his neck, uncertain and yet daring. Her body leaned into his, and for a long moment, nothing and no one else existed but them.
And then she was gone.
From one moment to the next, her touch vanished, and Finn’s eyes flew open.
As her feet carried her away from him, a teasing grin rested on her face, and yet, her eyes held no humour, but something deep and vulnerable. However, before Finn could stop her, she spun on her heel and raced across the clearing.
Chuckles rose around him, and Finn blinked as Ian and Garrett approached, large grins on their faces as they looked back and forth between him and the receding figure racing toward the tree line. “I take it ye know her,” Ian remarked with a teasing grin. “Ye could’ve introduced us. What’s the lass’ name?”
Inhaling a deep breath, Finn shook his head. “I dunno know.”
Gawking at him, Ian laughed, “Ye dunno know? Are ye saying a lassie ye dunno even know walks up to ye and kisses ye square on the mouth? Does this happen to ye a lot?”
More laughter followed, and Finn cleared his throat, trying his best to sort through his thoughts. “No, it doesna happen a lot,” he snapped, glaring at his friend. “I assure ye I’m as surprised as ye are.”
“But ye like her, do ye not?” Garrett observed as he crossed his arms in front of him, a challenge lighting up his eyes. “I’ve never seen ye so lost for words.”
Finn swallowed, shaking his head. “She’s…she’s something.” A smile tugged on the corners of his mouth, and he chuckled. “I’ve seen her around, certainly, but I’ve never…”
“Noticed her,” Cormag supplied in his usual way as though he knew
