Page 80 of The Laird’s Sinful Claim

"That's nay how the rules work, lass." But his hands tightened on her shoulders, his thumbs brushing against her collarbones. "Ye said nay kissin' unless ye deemed it necessary."

"And if I deem it necessary now?"

"Then I'd ask why." He leaned in slightly, his breath warm against her face. "Why now? Why here? When ye were just attacked. When ye're still shakin' from it."

"Because… " She struggled to find the words. "Because you saved me. Because you're here. Because I… " She stopped, the truth of it too big to speak, if only for a moment. "Because I want you to."

David's jaw tightened. "That's nae a good enough reason."

"It's my reason." She lifted her chin. "And they're my rules. So I can break them if I want."

"Ye can." His eyes searched her face. "But I need tae ken ye're sure. That this is nae just fear. Or shock. Or gratitude fer nae dyin'."

"It's not."

Something shifted in David's expression. The tension that had held him rigid since the attack seemed to ease slightly, replaced by something warmer. Something that made her skin feel too hot.

"Ye're sure?" he asked again.

"I'm sure."

"Then ask me properly." His voice was low, challenging. "If ye want me tae kiss ye, lass, ye need tae use one of yer favors. Because those are the rules we agreed to."

Elinor's breath caught. One of her favors. She only had one left—she'd used the first for the rules, the second for the room that wasn't a bedroom.

This would be the last one.

But looking at the intensity in David's eyes, and the way his hands were trembling slightly on her shoulders, she knew she didn't care.

"It's a favor," she whispered.

"What?"

"I'm using my last favor." She leaned closer, until their faces were inches apart. "Kiss me, David."

For a heartbeat, he didn't move. Just stared at her like he was memorizing her face. Like he couldn't quite believe what she'd said.

Then his hand moved to cup her cheek, his thumb brushing against her jaw. "Ye're goin' tae be the death of me, lass."

"Is that a yes?"

"Aye." His mouth curved slightly. "That's a yes."

He closed the distance between them slowly, giving her time to pull away. To change her mind. To remember all the reasons this was a terrible idea.

But Elinor didn't pull away.

She leaned into him, her hands coming up to grip his shoulders. And when his lips finally met hers, soft and careful and impossibly gentle, she felt something inside her chest crack open.

The kiss was nothing like she'd expected.

She'd been kissed before. Brief, stolen moments with boys her father had deemed appropriate suitors. Wet, awkward presses of lips that had left her feeling vaguely uncomfortable and relieved when they ended.

This was nothing like that.

David kissed her like he was learning her. Like every press of his lips, every slight shift in angle, was gathering information. Testing what made her gasp. What made her lean closer. What made her fingers tighten on his shoulders.

He kissed her like she was precious. Like she was something worth savoring rather than claiming.