His hand slid along her jaw and she felt her breath catch. She closed her eyes as his mouth slid along hers. Power flooded her mind and she wrapped her arms around his neck. He pulled her against him and deepened the kiss. Running her fingers through his hair, she felt his kiss trail down her neck and back up. Her eyes fluttered open and she took a deep breath. Every inch of her was warm and relaxed. Slowly she felt the weight on her side and looked over her shoulder. She felt her breath catch again as she looked into the man's sleeping face. Carefully she traced the exposed face and let her fingers slide along his strong jaw. His arm tightened around her waist and she watched him slowly open his brown eyes. He held her gaze and slowly captured her wandering hand. "Morning." She couldn't hold back the smile. "Morning." He brushed a lock of hair from her face and rolled onto his back. She watched him stare up at the ceiling and felt him pull her into his side. Her head rested on his bare chest and she listened to his heart beat. His hand slid through her soft hair and her eyes drifted closed. "I need to get up." She wanted to hold him back but kept it to herself. Silently she sat up and felt him shift behind her. His hand caught her face as he slid to the side of the bed and she looked at him. A light lingered in those brown eyes that left her warm and he stood up. His broad back was exposed to her and she watched him move half clothed across the room to his wardrobe. She pushed the bedding off her and looked down at the shirt he had given her last night. It rested just above her knees and she looked back at the man. He was staring back at her and she slid off the bed. His eyes wandered over her revealed skin and she felt the jolt spreading. She looked around the room for her robe and found it waiting for her by the door. Grabbing it, she wrapped it around her and fastened the belt. Running her fingers through her hair, she took a deep breath and looked back at the man. "I'll bring you the shirt when I get changed." He stared back at her and she felt like he was able to see through the robe. Her nerves jumped when he approached and her eyes closed when his hand slid along her face. The kiss was slow and left her body in complete tranquility. Slowly she opened her eye and met his brown gaze. "I'll see you later." She barely nodded and he walked into his bathroom. The door shut behind him and she let out a sigh. Grabbing the door handle, she pulled the door open and stepped into the hall. She listened for movement and quietly retreated to the West Wing. When she reached her room, she found the door cracked and stopped. Silently she pushed it open and looked into her room. She found Kara sleeping in the middle of her bed with Tanner next to her. The dog lifted his head when she entered the room and she rubbed his ear. Quietly she moved to her wardrobe and grabbed some clean clothes. She changed in the bathroom so not to disturb the child and caught her reflection. Nothing looked obvious to her but she could still feel the hold the man had on her. Her body was warm and pain free. Running her hand along her side, she found the tenderness better and lifted her shirt. The bruise had receded a little and she dropped the top. She left the bathroom and pulled the door shut behind her as Kara finally woke. The child sat up slowly, wiping sleep from her eyes as Eve slid into her socks and boots. "Morning." She smiled and looked back at the girl. Kara looked half awake and she moved to the never touched tray of food. She had no idea how she was going to explain this to Oric. "Eve?" She looked back at the child and heard "Where were you?" "I went out late last night." The child smiled brightly and she bit back a sigh. The girl knew when she was lying and she could feel her face starting to blush. Looking away, she heard the quiet laughter and rolled her eyes. "Can we go eat?" She watched Kara jump off the bed and move to the door. Quietly she opened it for her and they walked down the hall. Tanner came after them still sleepy and she watched him stretch when they reached the stairwell. Kara hummed as they moved into the kitchen and found Oric chopping away at food. The cook looked at her and just smiled before he pointed to the hot food on the stove. She filled a bowl for Kara and carried it out into the dining hall. The child took her usual seat and she placed the food in front of her. Eve poured her a glass of juice and moved to the door. She leaned back against the hard structure and watched the child eat. Tanner walked past her into the kitchen for his breakfast and she smirked. Her pulse spiked as she watched Kara and she glanced to the doorway. She saw the man approaching and felt her blood beginning to race. His eyes caught hers on the way to the kitchen and she saw the glint in his gaze. It disappeared before he entered the kitchen and she held back a laugh. Kara put her spoon in the bowl and looked over at her. She walked up to the table and gathered the dishes. She watched the girl take off toward the stairwell and carried the items into the kitchen. Oric was handing the man a plate to eat and she carried the dishes to the sink. "The little one done already?" She nodded and lowered everything into the sink. Keeping her gaze off the alluring man, she glanced over at Tanner and found him watching her. He was finished eating and she walked over to the side door. He stood up with his tail wagging and she pushed the door open. They stepped out into the morning sun and headed down the beach. He took off in a run for the water line and she watched him play with the waves. Wrapping her arms around herself, she walked along the beach and listened to the morning songs. The wind was warm and rested on her face. She reached some large boulders and climbed onto one. Looking back at the dog, she watched him get soaked and retreat to the shore. Smiling, she looked over the ocean and took in the morning air. Waves crashed gently onto the sand and she closed her eyes. The morning breeze relaxed her and she leaned forward onto her arms. "Did you sleep well?" Opening her eyes, she looked to her side and found Grace watching. The woman had a knowing smile on her face and she looked away. "I don't know what you're talking about." The woman laughed and took a seat next to her. She watched Grace look at the ocean and then turn her brown gaze on her. "I stopped by your room last night and found you gone." "I do go out late in the evening." The woman raised an eyebrow and said "I also heard my cousin talking to someone in his room last night." She kept her face blank and said "Probably just Tanner." Grace sighed and said "He said your name a few times." She glanced back at the woman and knew she was caught. "It isn't a crime, Eve." "It doesn't bother you?" Grace shook her head with a laugh and said "I love my cousin but it isn't anything close to the thing between the two of you." Eve tried to smirk but felt all her responsibilities returning. She had just a few months left and part of her felt lost. "Eve?" She looked back at Grace and the woman offered a smile. Faking one, she watched the woman stand and head back toward the castle. Letting out a sigh when she was alone, she hopped off the boulder and gave a whistle. Tanner came running and followed her down the beach. They climbed up from the beach and walked to the stable. The gravel path welcomed them as they walked and stopped outside the large place. William came outside and smiled. "Off to the valley already?" She nodded and he said "I figured." She watched him guide Carina out already saddled and smirked. The boy held the mare as she swung up into the saddle and took the reins. "Do I need to inform anyone?" She shook her head and said "Just watch out for yourself." He nodded with another smile and she nudged the mare on. Carina trotted down the gravel and Tanner ran contently beside them. They soon were galloping across the hillside and heading to the valley. The closer they came to the valley the more weight she felt on her shoulders and the more painful her side became.