Page 41 of Love Beyond Time
The nerves caused by my ever-tingling insides, the soreness of my ass from riding a horse all day long, and the fear of not being able to pull off ‘Blaire’ in front of Donal MacChristy had me on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
I nearly spooked the horse with my erratic jerk at the sound of Eoin’s voice in my ear. “What’s the matter with ye, lass?”
“Nothing is the matter. Why would you think something was the matter?” I exhaled rather loudly.
“Because, I’ve been listening to ye breathe like that for some time now. Ye sound like Griffin.”
“Right. Sorry.”
“Ye doona need to be sorry. Ye need to tell me what’s bothering ye so. I’d like to help if I can.”
“You can’t help. My ass is sore from riding, and I’m about to have a freaking panic attack at the thought of fooling a man who has known Blaire her entire life into thinking I’m her.”
He did nothing to help my mood as he laughed at me. “Lass, ye say ‘arse’ rather strangely. No that ye doona say a lot of things rather strangely. But ye doona need to worry about Donal. He canna hear well, and ye look just like Blaire. He willna be able to tell the difference.”
“I hope you’re right.” I exhaled loudly once more just for good measure.
“I am, lass, so ye doona need to worry about that. And as for yer sore ‘ass,’ I’d be more than pleased to help ye with that.” He moved the reins so that he held them in one hand and deftly slid his other up under my thigh to squeeze the inside of my leg and buttocks.
I yelped and jerked my bottom upward, this time successfully spooking Griffin. As the horse reared on his back legs, Eoin was forced to relinquish his grip on my thigh so as to get the horse under control again.
“No, thank you,” I screeched. “My bottom is just fine, all on its own.”
He laughed heartily in my ear. “Whatever ye wish, lass. But I’ve no doubt ye’d feel much better after a good rub.”
“I’ll rub it myself when we get to the castle.”
For some reason, this made him laugh harder, and I crossed my arms in a sign of annoyance as we continued our journey to MacChristy Castle.
* * *
It was just after dusk when Eoin spotted MacChristy Castle off in the distance. With luck they’d arrive just in time to dine with his father’s old friend.
He couldn’t wait to dismount Griffin and stretch his tired, aching muscles. He’d no doubt the lass did have a sore arse; his was sore as well, and he was much more accustomed to riding. He’d most likely have to help the poor lass out of bed in the morning, a torturous task to be charged, he was sure. He smiled at the thought as he quickly squeezed his arms around the lass to get her attention.
“Ye see that just on the other side of the hill? We are almost there. Would ye like to stop for a moment so we can relieve ourselves and make ready?”
Her response was immediate. He’d expected no less. “Yes, please. I’m about to pee myself.”
He smiled widely into her hair. The lass said the most peculiar and wonderful things. He led Griffin over to the base of a large tree and dismounted before helping Bri get off as well. He scooted closer to Griffin than was really necessary, so that the front of Bri’s body slid down his chest as he lifted her off the horse.
She rewarded him with a knowing glare, and he let out a small laugh before walking away to find his own tree behind which he could relieve himself.
He was back at Griffin’s side before Bri, and after a few moments of waiting for her to appear from behind a tree he hollered after her. “Bri! Where are ye lass? Are ye alright?”
A loud “Shit! Gosh damnit! Ow!” came from behind the tree.
“Lass, what the hell’s happened? Are ye covered? I’m coming yer way!”
“No! Don’t! I just . . . I wiped myself with the first leaf I could find, but it was prickly, and now there’s a sticker poking out of my rear!”
The sound of his own laughter rippled through the trees surrounding them. “Come on out, lass. Do ye need my help?”
He did his best to keep his composure as Bri made her way from behind the tree. Carrying the back of her dress with both hands, she hobbled slowly until she stood in front of him.
“I can’t get ahold of it. I think it’s in pretty deep. I need you to grab it.”
He couldn’t keep the corners of his mouth from twitching upward.
