Page 42 of Kilts and Kisses at Highland Hall (Kilts and Kisses #1)

The food was exceptional. It was one of those places that served barely a mouthful per course, and Bex had to force herself to take miniature forkfuls, so she didn’t simply devour the tiny little mousse in one.

Though, as delicious as it was, the food was far from what occupied Bex’s thoughts.

Instead, she found herself waiting for the moment when the waiter would come and take their plates away, so she and Duncan could kiss again without the risk of trailing her hair in the jus or sabayon, or whatever type of sauce was drizzled across her plate.

When she finished her first course, her hand met his across the table.

Their fingers entwined, steepled together, and with their grip on one another reassuringly firm, Duncan lifted his hand so that he kissed along the line of her knuckles.

All the while, his eyes never left hers.

The action was far more subtle than any kiss, and yet so intimate it was like the entire world had disappeared and they were the only things that mattered.

Even when he lowered their hands, he shifted his position so that his leg brushed up against hers under the table. And she reciprocated, leaning into him. It was as if they were trying to touch as many places of one another as they could, while still being out in public at a restaurant.

‘So, are you having a good night?’ he asked. There was no hint of a smirk on his lips. It was a genuine question.

‘There have definitely been some high points,’ she replied.

‘Oh, and what might they be?’

She lifted her gaze, as if she was having to think about the question.

‘Well, it’s definitely the best wine I’ve had since I came up here.’

Duncan’s laugh was so loud, several people turned to look at them.

‘The wine, really?’ His eyebrows were so high they butted his headline.

‘Well, I normally find dessert the highlight, but we haven’t got to that yet.’

‘Dessert and wine. Wow, I need to up my game for you, don’t I, Barker? How about I get to tell you my favourite things then instead?’

‘You mean it’s not the wine, too?’ Bex joked. The truth was, she was just desperate to hear that laugh again, although the chuckle he responded with was almost as warming. There was something about hearing Duncan laugh that made everything else in the world evaporate.

‘No, it’s not the wine,’ he said. ‘That’s not even top five.’

‘Well, in that case, I need to hear the full top five list.’ She grinned.

‘Of course you do.’ Rather than responding, he pressed his lips tightly together before he looked down at their entwined fingers.

‘Well, number five is this,’ he said, lifting his hand slightly to show what he was referring to.

‘Only number five?’ she said, genuinely surprised. The casual way in which they held one another’s hands was probably her favourite thing about the evening – other than the kiss, of course. She was desperate to know what could beat that.

‘Now I’m intrigued,’ she said. ‘Number four must be good.’

‘Number four is this,’ he said, raising his leg ever so slightly and trailing it along the inside of her thigh. A slight gasp escaped her lips, eliciting a perfect knowing smile from Duncan.

‘Okay, that’s a good number four,’ she agreed, trying to lessen the pounding in her chest – though how she was going to do that, she had no idea. There were still three more things left on his list.

‘Number three. When I first saw you coming up to the castle.’ His expression was a picture of sincerity. ‘You took my breath away, Barker. I really didn’t know that was possible. I thought it was just an expression, but somehow you did it.’

She bit down on her lower lip, her body desperate to be closer to him. To kiss him again. But she was also desperate to hear what the other things were.

‘Okay, so what about the top two?’

‘Well, number two has to be the kiss, doesn’t it? No doubt about that.’

‘Number two?’ she echoed. ‘What’s number one? And don’t you dare say food or wine.’

‘No, number one is this.’ He released her hand before slowly lifting his and brushing his thumb gently along her jawline.

As if on instinct, her eyes involuntarily closed.

His thumb continued to move, this time along her bottom lip.

With her pulse hammering so hard she could barely hear, Bex tried to stifle a second gasp, but it was impossible.

As the sound escaped, Duncan’s hand moved again, this time to cradle the back of her neck as he whispered into her ear.

‘You are incredible.’

The warmth from his breath sent shivers down her spine. And then, for the second time, his lips pressed against hers.

She wouldn’t have thought it possible, but somehow the kiss was even more electric than the first one.

Whether it had been the anticipation, the waiting for it, or just the fact that with every touch he knew her body more and more, she didn’t know.

But when she broke away, she found her eyes were still closed.

‘Well,’ she said when she opened them again. ‘That list fails on two points, I’m afraid.’

His laugh was deep and resonant. Everything she hoped it would be.

‘Why? You said I shouldn’t mention food, and I didn’t.’

‘I know, but it had to be based on things that had already happened. And your little trick with your leg, not to mention that kiss, hadn’t happened when you started your list. So I’m afraid your top five is null and void.’

He shook his head, laughter still rolling from him.

‘Well, it probably should be. I lied anyway.’

‘You did?’

‘Yeah. My number one wasn’t even on there.’

‘Really, so what was it?’ she asked, ready for whatever cocky remark he was about to give. Instead, he took her hand again.

‘Talking to you. Getting to know you. That’s it.

That’s been the best bit. Even without all the other bits.

Without the kiss, or the holding hands, it’s been the best night I can remember having in a long time.

No, scrap that actually,’ he said, correcting himself.

‘Ever. I can’t ever remember having a night like this. ’

She wanted to tell him he was being ridiculous. Soppy. Or maybe he was just great at playing her, but she didn’t think that was the case. She may not know him well, but you didn’t get such loyal friends as he had by being a player.

‘But,’ he said, sitting up straight and picking up his wine, ‘the dessert is really good, so maybe I should wait until we’ve had that before we make a concrete list.’

Bex shook her head, wishing he didn’t make her laugh quite so much. ‘Maybe you should,’ she agreed. ‘Dessert is normally my highlight, after all.’