Page 32 of Her Forbidden Highlander Husband

“Tell me.”

“I find myself… curious as to what it would be like to kiss you. However, if we do and I don’t like it, I’ll feel as if I’ve deceived you.”

He shook his head. “You think I will get carried away and not stop at kissing?”

She winced but nodded. “That is part of my concern, yes. But, also, what if I dislike kissing you? Will you feel cheated if I don’t wish to do it ever again?”

“It wouldn’t be different from how things are now between us.”

“True. You’d be willing to try?”

He nodded eagerly. “Yes. I welcome the opportunity to kiss you, even if it’s just this one time.”

“Very well. How should we go about it?” She moved to stand but he held out his hand to stay her.

“Not yet. If this is my one chance, I need to make sure it exceeds your expectations. Please allow me until the end of our meal.”

She nodded and he watched her relax as they went on with their meal. They talked about their day, and Liam made sure to touch her when the opportunity arose. Just a brush of his fingers against hers as he passed her the bread. The warmth of his leg against hers under the table.

When they’d finished eating, he reached over and leisurely took her hand, rubbing his thumb softly over her knuckles until she relaxed again.

“You expected me to launch across the table as soon as you swallowed the last morsel on your plate?” he teased.

Her lips pulled up in a rueful smile and she nodded.

“Kissing is best when it’s not just about two people pressing their lips together.”

She tilted her head. “I thought that was exactly what kissing was.”

“No. Well, yes. But I think more than the actual kiss, it’s the anticipation that makes a truly great kiss.”

“And have you kissed many women?”

“You have set a fine trap for me, wife, but I’ll do my best not to fall into it.” He winked at her so she knew he was jesting. “I’ve kissed women, but whether it was many or just a few, none of them will compare with you.”

He studied her dark eyes as they warmed over. He stood and moved around the table. Still holding her hand, he helped her to her feet and was encouraged when she swayed toward him.

When he placed his other hand lightly on her cheek, she closed her eyes. He waited another breath before leaning down and touching his lips to hers.

…

Liam’s kiss was like nothing she’d ever experienced before. He didn’t rush or push or tug at her. He seemed perfectly content to allow the soft connection to grow on its own.

And grow it did. As he sipped small kisses from her lips, the tiny flame of interest she’d felt earlier erupted into an inferno of need. When his tongue touched the seam of her lips, it was the most natural thing to open to him and allow him in. His eternal gentleness fractured, and his hand slipped from hers to rest on her lower back and pulled her in.

But even that gesture was more an invitation than a demand as his tongue caressed her own. She moaned, surprised such a sound came from her. His answering groan of appreciation melted over her like warm honey.

She wanted more. She kissed him deeper as her arms slid around his neck, trapping him to her. The rest of her body pressed against his and she felt the proof of his excitement against her stomach.

Surely that should have frightened her, but she was caught in a haze of desire and couldn’t think clearly. Liam apparently could, for his tongue retreated from her mouth and the kiss turned softer until it ended after just a few more touches of their lips. He reached up to take one of her hands and placed another kiss on her palm before resting his forehead to hers. She watched as he opened his eyes and grinned his angel smile.

His light blue eyes seemed to blaze with happiness.

“Well?” he asked, though she didn’t know what he meant. “That was as good as kissing gets. Would you care to do it again?”

“Yes,” she said, unbothered by how desperate her voice had become. She moved to connect their lips again, but he pulled back. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t want to risk that either of us gets caught up in kissing to the point that we proceed too quickly. We’ll stop for now.”