Page 8 of Highland Wishes And Dreams
At the feel of her soft mouth under his, blood pounded in his veins. Desire ignited. She tasted of sweetness, of innocence, and his heart screamed mine.
He’d had his fair share of women in his bed, but his body ached to make her his. To sink into her body and lose himself, sating his sudden and inexplicable desire for her. Yet he could not. Not now. It would not be right. But he could steal a kiss or two…
He was gentle at first, but when Galina placed her hands on his chest and gave a little whimper, his mouth closed over hers. She opened to him and he groaned again. Then he was inside, tasting her as if he was a starving man and she was a feast. Her reaction delighted and surprised him. She was dueling with his tongue, matching him stroke for stroke.
Breaking only for air, he raised his head and stared at her wondering how he had not seen how perfect she was before this moment. Changing the angle of the kiss he came at her again, settling his mouth more firmly over hers. Her sweet lips clung to his as her fingers reached to fist in his hair, holding him to the plundering, caressing kiss because she didn’t want him pulling back. That knowledge almost brought him to his knees. She wanted him and his soul sang.
Galina would make him happy. She had been a part of his life for as long as he could remember, but it’s only in this moment that she became more than simply a friend of Wen’s. Perhaps it was his grief that had opened his eyes to what was under his nose. Or perhaps he had fought letting himself fall in love with Galina because Wen teased him about her. How he wished his sister was here to tell him ‘I told you so’.
As these thoughts filled his head, he eased the kiss down from a roaring fire to tiny little pecks. When his lips left hers, Galina still had her arms wrapped around his neck pushing her firm bosom into his chest. She rubbed against his erection and he had to move to put a bit of distance between them.
They stood with Finn stroking her sides while she played with his hair at the nape of his neck. She smiled at him shyly and his grin widened.
“I know it was not appropriate but you would tempt the devil.” He wanted to bite his tongue as soon as he said those words because her smiled died and she stepped away from him.
“Wen would want me to be happy. She would be cheering at the idea of the kiss.”
“Aye, she would,” Finn responded. “She told me I would marry you. I wish she was here to see it.” He ran a hand through his hair. “It’s Andrew’s reaction I’m worried about. He’s not in a very good place—understandably.”
Galina sniffed a rose and interrupted his musings by saying, “I’m relieved he’s taking an interest in his son though. Jake’s a beautiful baby.”
His heart bloomed at the thought of Jake. “He is bonny and will be a comfort for all of us. Wen would be besotted with him. I will ensure to tell Jake when he’s older, how lucky he was to have you as his auntie when he was born.”
She actually flinched at his words and to his horror she burst into tears.
He pulled her to him. “Don’t cry. I can’t bear to hear you cry.”
“I’m so scared of falling completely in love with him. Already I feel as if he is a part of me and I’ve only been looking after Jake for two months.”
He stroked her back and an idea of what she was hinting at struck him like an arrow straight to his heart. She would have to leave Jake when she wed.
Through more tears she uttered as if disgusted with herself. “I’m holding back from a little baby because I’m petrified of having to leave him. If I want to marry and have my own life and children, I have to leave Jake behind with Andrew. Jake is so little. He needs a mother. How can I think of leaving?” Another sob. “I’m so selfish.”
“You’re not selfish. You’re feeling like this because you are a good, kind, loving, woman. And because you realize I want to court you.” He hugged her tightly. “I don’t know why I have fought this for so long. Wen was right. The perfect woman for me was under my nose, but I just couldn’t see you clearly.”
She wrapped her slim arms around his waist and pressed closer into his chest. “I have been infatuated with you since I was a young girl. But I fell in love with you at Wen’s wedding. I’d never seen a grown man cry, but I saw you wiping tears when you handed her into Andrew’s care.” She loved that he was not worried about showing his emotions. With Finn you always knew where you stood. There was no artifice merely truth, love, and friendship.
“I’ve always loved you too but I was never in love with you. But… something has changed and I have no idea what or why? But now all I can think about is making you mine. I can’t say my timing is perfect, but I’m hoping that when you and I are out of mourning, I may court you properly.”
She looked up and cupped his cheek. “I have been waiting to hear those words for many years but…” and more tears fell. “Everything has changed. Wen’s death…”
He frowned and confusion marred his thoughts. “Wen told me I would marry you.” He bent and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. “I intend to ensure she didn’t lie.”
She pushed out of his hold and buried her face in her hands. “It would be possible if mother was still alive, but if I leave there is only Andrew. I can’t bear to think of leaving him with a baby and no one to help him but servants.”
Finn’s blood iced his veins. “What are you trying to tell me?” But he already knew.
“How can I possibly leave Andrew in this state?”
He stepped forward and gripped her hands. “I said we would wait until the end of the mourning period. In twelve months.”
Her anguished face looked as if it was pleading with him. “Jake will only be a year old. Andrew needs me for longer than that. Besides, I promised Wen I would not leave him to flounder on his own. I’m sorry, Finn, but if you wish to marry me, I fear you will be waiting for a lot longer than one year.”
With that she ripped her hands free and ran back to the house stifling her sobs.
Finn stood there watching her and knew she was right. How could he expect her to leave her brother alone with a new baby and his broken heart? He cursed under his breath. Why did he have to suddenly see Galina as a sensual, desirable, as a potential lover, as his wife, just when both their worlds had been turned upside down.
Andrew’s grief was what was holding Galina back. He could perfectly understand. She loved her brother and she loved Jake. It wasn’t fair to expect her ot love him more—not yet.
