Page 166 of The Violet Raven

I let out a short laugh, shaking my head. “Aye. It was impossible not to look the way they were goin’ at it. And then, before I knew it, we were both worked up, and—” I drag a hand through my hair, exhaling. “Then we kissed, Mums—bloody hell. Fire meetin’ silk. Her lips were soft and warm, but her kiss—pure hunger. She was desperate for me, and gods help me, I was just as lost. And her body—her curves—absolute sin, and the way she pressed against me felt like she was made for it. Her scent was divine—I was drownin’ in her before I could even think to come up for air.” I pause for a necessary breath.

“And I swear to the gods above, nothing has ever felt as good as when I picked her up and she wrapped her legs around my waist, and I brought her to climax against the wall.”

Bran looks as if he’s barely breathing, eyes wide, completely enraptured.

I continue, “And then she made me come in my bloody trousers.”

He blinks, utterly stunned, his mouth opening and closing like he’s searching for words that refuse to come. Then, after a beat, he snorts—once, twice—before the dam breaks entirely. He throws his head back and lets out a bark of laughter. “Gods above. I think that’s the most I’ve ever heard you talk in one go. If I could trap this moment in a scrying glass for all to see, I would.” He shakes his head, still beaming. “I guess that pep talk of mine really paid off in the end, eh?”

I groan, rubbing my face. “She woulda let me take her right there against the wall if I hadnae stopped her.”

Bran looks at me like I’ve grown two heads. “You stopped her?”

I drop my hands and glare. “It was a public hallway. I may be a fool for her, but I’ve still some propriety left.”

He smirks. “Could’ve fooled me. You rutted against her until the two of you—”

“I get it!” I groan, shaking my head. “I dinnae have it in me to jab back at you fully, because I still cannae get over what happened next.”

Bran’s grin widens, practically vibrating with anticipation. “Well, don’t just leave me hanging, man. Spit it out!”

I shake my head. “We didnae speak for a whole day, and it was drivin’ me mad. Then—” I let out a breath, a slow smile creeping in. “Then she stormed into my room, fire in her eyes, after findin’ out I’d been leavin’ primroses on her bedside table. She stood there, all flushed and expectant, and I just… I had to tell her. A more perfect moment would never exist.”

Bran’s grin falters for a second, and he holds up a hand. “Hold on—back up. You’ve been doing what?”

I blink. “I’ve been leavin’ primroses for her since—well, since not long after I met her. She never knew it was me until yesterday.”

Bran just stares at me, his expression shifting into something utterly spellbound. Then, with a slow shake of his head, he bursts into a grin. “Finn, my dear lovesick fool, this is spectacular.” Bran’s grin only grows. “So you confessed?”

I nod, the memory washing over me, warming my chest. “Told her everything. Told her I loved her, that I’d always loved her. And she told me she loved me too. And—” I huff a laugh, shaking my head. “Then, when we finally slept together, I told her again. And again. And again.”

Bran lets out a low whistle, shaking his head. “Mac, my friend, you’re living in a damned romance novel. This is absolute gold.”

“Aye.”

“Her virginity?”

“…Aye. And mine.”

Bran goes utterly still. No laughter, no teasing quip—just silence as he stares at me like I’ve grown another head. His mouth opens, then shuts. He blinks once, twice. Then, slowly, he exhales as if he’s trying to process something truly monumental.

Abruptly, he grips my shoulders, shaking me once as if to make sure I’m real. “You mean to tell me, Finn—”

I frown. “Bran—”

“No, no, no, let me have this moment. This—” He gestures wildly between us. “This is historic. Finnis MacGregor was an innocent man until last night. Gods above, this is better than I could’ve ever imagined. I almost feel privileged to be the one hearing it first.”

He finally releases me, stepping back, hands on his hips as he shakes his head, utterly dumbfounded. “I mean, hell, Finn. I just assumed you were picky.”

“I’ve loved one woman for the better part of my life. Of course I’m picky. There was never even a choice—just her. The thought of lyin’ with another felt wrong on a level I cannae even name.”

He drops his hands from my shoulders, brows drawing together. “So… what’s the trouble, then?”

My smile falters slightly. “She doesnae want me tellin’ anyone.”

Bran blinks. “But you’re telling me.”

I shrug, rolling my shoulders to ease the weight of it. “She means anyone of importance. Like her brothers. Mainly Callan.”