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He chuckled. “Men have died for it.”

“I think perhaps I would too.”

In response to that, he lowered his head once again. This time, he offered no quarter. Niall’s tongue tangled with hers, the rhythm of their kiss so natural it was a wonder this was her first time. That the two of them had not been kissing each other forever.

It was there again. Avelina didn’t even realize she was pressing against him until she felt him against her. Their hips circled each other’s, and that’s when she knew. This was a precursor to what it would be like to make love to a man such as Niall.

“Mmmm, Lina,” he said, pulling away. This time, he took a full step back. The expression on his face underscored the fact that he moved away from her. “A kiss is just a kiss. But we dance around more that cannae be explored between us. I should have known. Should have realized this was not a good idea.”

“I think ’tis a good idea indeed. That felt. . .” She sighed. “Like something I would like to do again.”

He made a sound low in his throat. “As would I. Very much. But I fear it was too good—”

“How can a kiss be too good?” she genuinely wondered. “It seems such a thing is not possible.”

“And yet.” He licked his lips, Avelina spying that tongue which had so recently been inside her mouth. How she would like it to be again. . . “This was a mistake.”

She disagreed. “You do not truly believe that?”

“I do.”

“Why?” To her, ’twas just the opposite. Her heart sank that he felt otherwise.

“Because I’m experienced enough to realize, or should have realized, there was more between us.”

“More? More than what?”

“More than just the desire for a simple kiss.”

Neither said anything for some time.

“I should go,” Niall began.

Lina reached out her hand, stopping him. His shoulder was muscled, strong, beneath her fingertips. “I do not wish for you to leave.”

“Neither do I wish it, but ’tis wise. You are not mine to take, Lina. And there’s naught more I wish to do at this moment than to make you mine. To pull you into my arms, kiss you again, undress you, love you.”

Shivers ran from her neck downward at his words. She wished for the same. But, of course, he was right. That could not be.

Unless. . .

“There is one way.”

Again, they looked at one another, neither breaking eye contact.

“Lina. . .”

He seemed to know precisely what Avelina was thinking. The question was, had she really said as much aloud? Had she actually meant it? For they both knew that the only way was for them to become husband and wife. And surely she did not wish to take the eldest son of the Duncraig clan chief to husband.

Did she?

She dropped her hand. “I know not what I am saying. Of course, ’tis a silly notion.” She laughed uncomfortably. “One taste of desire, and I speak of such things as. . .”

Though Avelina’s hand dropped to her side, he captured it. Brought it to his lips.

“Marriage,” he finished for her, kissing the top of her hand. “I’ve thought little on the matter.” Niall turned her hand over, palm upward. “Though my parents wish otherwise.”

He kissed the center of her palm and then her fingers. Then the tips of her fingers.