Page 35 of Her Forbidden Highlander Husband

When she smiled, her gaze drifted down and color spilled across her cheeks. What had she been thinking of? And whatever it was, he wanted to try it that minute. Instead of saying that, he offered his best grin and ate his food.

Her eyelashes fluttered and Liam knew his wife was not unaffected by his closeness. It took all his strength to wash up for bed without looking at her. Not that he needed to. He could feel her watching him as he changed into a clean shirt.

When he took the blanket to go sleep on the floor, she finally spoke.

“Liam?”

“Yes?”

“I wondered…”

“Yes?” He tried his best to remain calm, but inside he was silently begging her to ask for another kiss.

Instead, she said, “Nothing. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight to you.” He nodded and took his place on the blanket, making sure to hide his disappointment when she blew out the light.

He didn’t look forward to spending the night frustrated and aching, and not from the hard floor. But he needed to wait for her. And if she never wanted to move beyond that single kiss, he’d best get used to being uncomfortable.

“Liam?” she said in the darkness.

“Yes?” He hoped this time she’d have the courage to say what it was she wanted. He’d give her anything, she had to know that.

“I wondered if it was terribly uncomfortable sleeping on the floor.”

“Nay. I’ve spent my share of nights sleeping rough with rocks poking me,” he said. It wasn’t until he’d answered that he realized she’d probably thought to invite him to sleep in the bed with her. But he’d basically told her he was fine. “That is, of course, only a few nights here and there. Not every night as I’ve been on the floor. I do suffer some stiffness in the mornings.”

The stiffness had nothing to do with the floor.

“Perhaps you’d rather sleep in the bed?”

“I would happily take you up on the offer, if you’re sure.”

“Yes. It seems only fair, since it is your room.”

“It’s your room as well. But I won’t pass up the chance to sleep on a bed when offered.”

He got up and slipped under the covers as she moved across to the other side of the bed. He couldn’t see her, since the moon hadn’t moved high enough yet. But he wondered if she’d squeezed into just a few inches of space opposite him.

“Thank you,” he said.

When she said nothing in response, he worried she’d changed her mind. Mayhap she thought it would be a nice gesture, but she didn’t want to be this close to him.

“Are you sure this is all right?”

“Yes. I was wondering if we might try another kiss tonight?”

“If you wish it, I’d be more than happy to oblige,” he said, trying not to seem so eager he ended up scaring her away.

Her answer came immediately. “I do.”

Slowly, he rolled closer and reached out until he felt her hair, and from there he touched her face. With his palm on her cheek, it was an easy thing to move closer and find her lips with his own.

Her mouth was as sweet as it had been the night before when he’d first explored it, and it didn’t take him long before he’d gotten swept up in the moment. They were in bed together. Touching, kissing, panting…wanting.

When he rolled over on top of her, he felt her entire body stiffen, and he realized his mistake. Taking her waist, he rolled onto his back bringing her with him so she was above him. In control.

She relaxed a bit, and this time she took over the kiss, pressing her tongue against his in a slower rhythm than he’d used originally.