Page 365 of Wicked Highland Heroes

“I am willing to start with a token,” Iain said.

“A-a token?”

“Something small. I am not a greedy man.”

“Such as?”

“A kiss,” he said.

The impulse to deny the request was quelled by the strong desire to set foot outside the walls. “You would let me come in exchange for a kiss?” He nodded.

She regarded him. “Why? You have kissed me before.”

“True, but you have never kissed me.”

Her mouth dropped open. “You want me—I could not.”

Iain shrugged.

Victoria stiffened. “So, it is to be blackmail, then?”

“Perhaps. But as it is you who wishes to go, fair play dictates you pay for the privilege.” “Oh, I am paying,” she muttered.

“Nay, lass. You have not paid, not at all.”

Victoria knew he wasn’t speaking of stepping off holy ground, but of not heeding his warnings.

Iain stood looking at her. When she did nothing to answer the question, he turned.

“Wait.” She took a step after him. “You promise.

A kiss, nothing more?”

He faced her. “You know I am a man of my word.”

There was no disagreeing with that. For all his faults, he was an honest man.

Victoria approached to within arm’s length. He made no move to embrace her. The debate as to how to go about the business was raging in her brain when the thought occurred to her that he hadn’t lain down any rules. A kiss was a kiss. It would be impossible to reach his lips without standing on her toes, and in order to do that she would be forced to place her hands on his shoulders. A quick kiss on the jaw, however, would require no more than a perfunctory action.

Victoria took another step in his direction even as she glanced at the men who were still working. They were far enough away to have not heard the quiet conversation, but close enough to see the private exchange about to take place. A glance and a smile from one of them confirmed her analysis. She began the final, quick move toward Iain when his voice cut into her concentration. “Beware, lass.” Victoria froze.

“Though I would be pleased to have you kiss me anywhere you like, I must insist on a kiss to the lips. Anything else, no matter how pleasant, will result in a second attempt. If you feel the need to practice…”

Victoria looked up at him. At the gleam in his eyes, a tremor began in the pit of her stomach. “Your word, then? Only a kiss?”

He nodded. “I will not even touch you.” I will not need to; Victoria felt his thought as surely as if he’d spoken it.

She placed her hands on his shoulders, thankful he seemed unaffected when she leaned toward him. Her fingers shook. Nerves, she told herself. Never in her life had she initiated a kiss. How did one do it?

“Do not think to give me a quick peck and run away,” Iain said.

“Sweet Jesu, man, how many confounded rules do you intend to impose before this business is finished?”

His mouth twitched. “As many as it takes, love. I assume you prefer to get it right the first time?”

“Oh, aye. That is my intention.”

“Fine, then. Do as I say and all will go smoothly.”