Free The Ivory Road: A Walk in the Sand by Siobhan Muir Page A

will be swallowed whole.”
    Right now the eyes still held disbelief. Iliana smiled and drew the barmaid closer to the stool.
    “But nothing compares with yer smile, milady, for it shines as brightly as a red rose in a field of white lilies. And that smile will bring me out o’ me darkest hours like the sun after a storm.” She laid both hands on either side of the woman’s face and gently stroked the edges of her mouth with her thumbs. “So, mistress, because of yer beauteous smile and wise eyes, grant me one more boon so I might sleep well this night. Grant me one kiss from yer honeyed lips and ye will be sealed within me heart forever more. One kiss, I beg ye.”
    The barmaid tilted her head to get closer to Iliana’s caresses. Her expression filled with wistful hope Iliana had seen on her own face in the romantic films she’d made.
    “Please, sweet lady.”
    Iliana drew the barmaid closer and leaned forward to kiss her on the lips. The woman sighed and opened her mouth, giving permission for Iliana to caress her tongue. The barmaid tasted of smooth whiskey and sweet apples, and Iliana enjoyed the feeling of her lips. At last they pulled apart to breathe and the woman smiled dreamily before opening her eyes.
    “I thank ye, mistress. That were lovely.” Iliana squeezed the woman’s hand as the crowd erupted into cheers. She released the raven-haired beauty to go back to her job and shot Brandon an “I-told-you-so” look.
    He gaped at her a few moments, his expression a mixture of amazement and lust. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. What is it with guys and girl-on-girl interactions?
    “Close yer mouth, laddie, or the flies’ll get in.”
    Brandon shut his mouth with a snap and cleared his throat. “I believe I owe you a new dagger, mate.”
    “Aye, ye do.” She nodded with a smile and let her thoughts rest on the best kiss she’d had in months. Some of those Hollywood leading “men” could learn something on how to kiss from that barmaid.
    “Did you really enjoy that?” His whisper held both fascination and aversion.
    She met his gaze with frank honesty. “Yes, I did. She’s a good kisser.”
    “Damn.” He shook his head in wonder. “You win. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you a man.”
    She dipped her chin. “I told you, people see what they want to see.”
    Brandon laughed and raised his glass to her. “You certainly let ’em see it, mate.”
    She grinned and finished her ale, smothering a grimace. The beer had been bad cold. It equated to pig swill when warm. The atmosphere of the tavern had turned jovial and several other men tried their hands at seducing the other barmaids, with varying levels of success. A few got a slap for their trouble. Brandon finished his beer and they said their goodbyes. The raven-haired woman blew Iliana a kiss with a grateful smile. Iliana caught the kiss and pressed her closed fist to her chest in thanks before they ducked out the doors.
    The warm desert night closed around them and she let out a sigh of satisfaction. She’d often felt the same when completing a film. Something about a perfect performance filled her with contentment and reaffirmed her belief in herself. This is what I’m meant to do. She shot Brandon a grin and slapped him on the shoulder.
    “That was the best night I’ve had in a long time. Thanks, Brandon.”
    He raised an eyebrow at her as she wrapped her silk scarf around her face again.
    “You like kissing women?”
    “I like kissing.” She laughed at his surprise. “It doesn’t matter whose lips as long as they’re good at it.” She arched a brow at him. “Think you could do better?”
    “Than the barmaid?” He tilted his head thoughtfully. “Would you give me the chance?”
    Iliana’s gut fluttered with giddy butterflies. It’s just ’cause you had a good kiss. “Yeah, I might. But you still owe me a dagger.”
    He nodded, his expression curious. “Yeah, I know. You put on a helluva show, that’s for