“Are you saying you want a marriage in name only?” Makenna asked. “I am not a monk, Makenna, nor do I intend to live like one. I am a man who wants sons, and this will be a marriage in every sense of the word,” he vowed before claiming her mouth for his own. The second his lips touched hers, Makenna felt herself responding. His mouth was warm and soft, silently urging her to comply. Half her mind waited for the feeling of wrongness to take over and end this insanity. But it didn’t feel wrong. It didn’t feel like she was kissing the man who made her curse more in the past twelve months than in all her painful years of training. Colin was teaching her what it was like to be a woman, to...

KISSED BY A McTIERNAY A few dozen times? A surge of jealousy shot through him at the image of her kissing a long line of men. If he thought about it rationally, at the age of twenty and two it would have been more surprising if Mairead had not been kissed a few times. She was beautiful and probably highly sought by many as a potential wife. But Hamish was incapable of rational thought with her so close. The heat of her hand was making his blood boil and her fresh scent was causing his body to make demands of its own. All he could think was that he needed to erase the memory of every man’s touch but his own. Powerless to stop himself, Hamish could not pull his gaze away from her lips as he...

WANTING A KISS No woman had ever been more desirable, more sensual to the touch, than this delectable redhead. She had been passionate and feisty in the water and Dugan knew she would bring those qualities to her bed. But despite what so many thought, he was a man of principle when it came to women and he did not take advantage of them, even if every molecule in his body commanded him to do so. “You just hit your head,” Dugan said more to himself than to her, and began to rise. He was about to leave her side, and when he did he would never return. Something inside Adanel refused to let that happen. She reached up behind his neck to stop his retreat and framed his cheek with her other...

Reece said nothing. He only folded his arms and glared at Aimee. Aimee glared back. “I am tired of letting you dictate the terms of our relationship, Reece Hamilton.” Reece could listen to no more. “We don’t have a relationship, damn it! I am simply a childhood fantasy of yours! It’s time you got over me, grew up, and sought a man who wants you in return.” “You were a childhood fantasy; and last Christmas, I did grow up. I was no longer dreaming of love—I was in love with you, and after the kiss we just shared, don’t bother denying that you love me. I won’t believe you . . .”

Chase reached up and lightly caressed her cheek as he tucked a stray lock of dark hair behind her ear. He noticed her soft, pink lips had parted slightly. They were standing so close now, it would be effortless to satisfy this insane attraction and kiss her. One kiss and his curiosity would be vanquished and this charm she was weaving over him would disappear. “In regard to this absurd promise you three made, what”—he stroked her cheek again—“is your particular exception allowing you to marry?” Millie stared at him, unable to move under his gaze. The strength and gentleness in his eyes unsettled her, and she automatically clutched his shirt for balance. The action reminded her of just how...

TAKEN BY THE HIGHLANDER With Meriel’s wrist still in Craig’s grasp, he pulled her roughly to him. His arms tightened, threatening to crush her body against his hard strength. His blue eyes were intensely bright, and danger radiated from him like an aura. Meriel was far from afraid. She wanted this. She needed this. “Let go of me,” she whispered. “Why? Isn’t this what you have been wanting? So much that you are willing to torment another man to provoke me into action?” “I don’t know what you are talking about.” “Stop, Meriel. It’s time for the truth.” But before she could answer, with his free hand Craig buried his fingers in her hair, pulled her mouth to his, and kissed her. . . .

Bronwyn narrowed her gaze and smiled icily. “I may have been one of many women who felt a fleeting desire to kiss you, but you will never have to worry about me being one of them again.” Catching her chin between his thumb and forefinger, Ranulf turned her head so that he could read her eyes. And there, reflecting in the darkening cobalt depths, was the truth. She wanted him, and her feelings were just as strange and startling to her as his were to him. “I don’t believe you, angel. I think you wanted to kiss me and desire to do so again.” Then his mouth came down on hers before she could even think of resisting. Bronwyn heard a sound and realized it was coming from her. His lips...

THE HIGHLANDER’S KISS Something primitive erupted deep inside Conor under Laurel’s glittering gaze. His hand brushed her cheek as he pushed her wet locks behind her shoulders. His other hand stroked her arm as he looked all the while into her eyes. Without a word, he leaned down and brushed his mouth lightly across hers, urging her to comply. Her lips were soft and warm. He slanted his mouth against hers, and she kissed back, increasing the pressure. Her fingers splayed across his back, and he carefully pulled her up against his chest. The effect of her roving hands on his body caused the constant ache in his loins to grow painful with need. He deepened the kiss and played with her...