Here we go, 2 Chapters in one day. Don't say I never give you anything.

2: Horse Riding

-In which Evelyn admits she cannot ride a horse and our strappin Commander offers to teach her-

When the party of Cassandra, Varric, Solas and Evelyn returned to Haven they were accompanied by a huge brown stallion, that the Herald held by its reigns.
Curious, Cullen headed away from his post by the training camp and over to where the young mage was pulling the horse into the makeshift stables.
"How does he ride?" the Commander asked, causing Evelyn to jump. "Sorry," he felt the blush rise on his cheeks and he scratched his neck embarrassed. "I should have made me presence known.
She brushed his concern away. "It's OK, I was just deep in thought, that's all." She smiled up at him, and he felt himself having the inappropriate thoughts about her that had begun to enter his mind since she had agreed to join them. "Anyway," she brushed a strand of dark hair from her eyes, "did you say something Commander?"
"Hmmm.." Cullen had found himself watching the curves of her body appreciatively. He shook his head. "Oh, right. I asked if he rode OK...The horse I mean."
"I think so," Evelyn mumbled, flushing crimson under his quizzical gaze. "OK," she held up a hand. "Confession time, had " she took a deep breath. "I don't actually know how to ride a horse," she looked guilty, as if she was confessing to something criminal and not something so trivial.
"You never learnt?"
"Well the stables at the Trevelyan estate had plenty of horses," she mused. "But I was sent to the circle at the age of 6 so..." she shrugged defeated. "No lessons for me I guess", she patted the horse longingly. "Shame because I've always loved horses."
Cullen smiled. "Would you like to learn?"
Evelyn looked at him with a frown, that formed as a small crease between her browns that Cullen had to resist from touching, on her face. "Of course I would, one day... when all this is over."
"I..." Cullen glanced away and kicked a stone with his boot. "I...could teach you.. if you like."
"I couldn't ask you to do that Cullen." He didn't admit to himself till much later how much he liked his name from her lips. He impulsivly grabbed her hand.
"Come on Evelyn," he twigged too late that that was the first time he had used her given name, but judging by her smile and reddening cheeks she didnt mind. "Private lessons with the best rider in all of Honneleath, who'd pass that up." He realised he was bragging a bit but it made her laugh, which was a victory in his mind. The smile on her face widened.
"Well," she drew closer, and Cullen gulped. "When you put it that way, how can I say no."

They rode back to Master Dennets farms, Evelyn sat in front of Cullen as he steered the massive horse, trying hard not to get distracted by the closeness of her boy, or the smell of her hair as the breeze blew it. Evelyn was having as hard a time, trying her utmost not to think of the dashing Commander, whose arms were round her gripping the reigns, using those strong hands for something completely different. She blushed at the thought, glad Cullen couldn't see. Neither of them quite knew what to say to fill the obvious sexually charged silence.
Cullen pulled the horse to a stop and jumped down, offering a hand to Evelyn who managed to hop down gracefully with his help.
"Thanks," she mumbled, brushing down the front of her tunic. "So..." she scanned the area in front of them. "Where do we begin?"
"Hmmm," Cullen glanced around, before pointing to an area just ahead of them. "The ground is very flat just about there, perfect for a beginner. If you climb back on him, we will start off slow, on a long rope tether held by me untill you have the hang of it and feel more comfortable."
"OK..." Evelyn eyed the horse warily, unsure if she could even climb up on him, seeing as she was only just over 5ft herself. But she didn't want Cullen to think she was incapable, so she tried with all her might to pull herself up, only to end up halfway, before dangling helplessly in the air. She sighed in defeat. "Umm, Cullen," she cried out. "I think I need help." Cullen turned back to her, only to be met with the sight of her hanging half off the giant horse. He suppressed a chuckle, smiled, then made his way over to her.
"It's OK," he held out his arms. "If you drop, I'll catch you."
"Cullen, I..." her voice sounded unsure.
"Trust me Evelyn."
Seconds later she landed in his arms, her hands gripping the fabric at the collar of his tunic, eyes closed. Cullen blushed at her close proximity.
"Is it OK to open my eyes? Did you catch me?"
"I said I would," his voice was croaky and he coughed to clear it. He willed the colour away from his cheeks, although he noticed Evelyns cheeks mirrored his own. She finally opened her eyes and looked at him.
"Umm," she cleared her throat. "Should we get started?"
"Hmm," Cullen once again found himself distracted, this time in the amazing colour of her eyes, having never seen such silver colouring, with just the hint of blue, he noted, in his life. "Oh.. yes, right, sorry," he spluttered, placing her gently on her feet.

About an hour later, under his careful tutelage, Evelyn had mastered the basics of horse riding, and had even progressed to a slow trott. And she had only fallen off once.
Currently the 'Herald of Andraste' was trotting around all the animal pens on the farm, wooping like a small child experiencing something for the first time. Cullen found it very endearing and very attractive, and he had a hard time focusing on her riding technique when we would much rather take in the sight of her body, moving atop the horse.
He shook his head and sighed. His inappropriate thoughts would get the best of him some day, he swore.
"Evelyn," he called her back to him, when the sun was just starting to set. "We should get back before night draws in."
Evelyn, to his surprise, leapt from the horse and ran to him, embracing him in a hug. "Thank you, Cullen, this was the best day of my life," she whispered.
"Y..you are more than welcome," he stuttered, closing his arms around her, and enjoying the hug more than he should.
Needless to say, the trip back was interesting, for both of them.

Aww, arent they just the cutest. But honestly, you could cut the sexual tension with a butter knife hahah. More chapters soon, I promise.