Hadn’t there been a spark between them on first meeting? Had he imagined it, or was it a clash between their need to take command? How would that work when making love? Who would take the lead?
The thought excited him and made him anxious to discover the answer.
“Nothing to say, Burke?”
He had plenty to say but time was needed to court the lovely lass and see if she was as willing as he was eager.
“I didn’t want to disturb your peace.”
“Peace is relative, Burke,” she said. “I have found it in the strangest of places.”
“We share a common interest, for I have done the same myself and know the serenity such places can bring.”
Her gaze locked with his. He loved her eyes, could get lost in them, could swirl in their stormy blue depths and never care if he were rescued. He had to clear his mind of her or the next thing he knew he’d be kissing her, and now was not the time or place.
“I’ve been thinking of the lad we will rescue,” he said to distract himself.
“I expected you to speak of him to me,” she said, her posture turning rigid.
He regretted disturbing her peace, but then it was necessary in more ways than one. “You claim to know my mind?”
“No, but I know what I would think if it were my brother we searched for.”
“And that would be?”
“I would think that if the lad could not provide me with sufficient information concerning my brother, then perhaps Lady Alaina could. I would want to know all I could about her and possibly find a way of talking with her, though not personally. I wouldn’t want to take the chance that my resemblance could in any way harm my brother.”
“Good, you agree with me,” he said, pleased.
“Yes, but that doesn’t mean we will be contacting Lady Alaina.”
“Why not?” he asked, attempting to keep the irritation out of his tone.
“Our first concern is finding out if this man we’ve followed from prison to prison is your brother. If he is, then we must find out why he is being moved so frequently and where he goes next. Once these questions are answered I have a feeling we’ll learn what part Lady Alaina plays in it all, and then we can decide if talking with her is necessary.”
“That will take time.”
“Much will depend on what information we learn from the lad tomorrow.”
He let out a frustrated breath. “I’m impatient.”
“Which is why it is better that I am in command.”
Burke smiled. “You really like reminding me of that.”
Her smile matched his. “A little reminding is good now and again.”
“You know, you’re right.”
He grabbed hold of her chin and planted a kiss on her lips that just about curled both their toes. His tongue went deep, his taste hungry and his passion strong.
He yanked himself away, his body responding much too strongly.
“Just a reminder,” he said on labored breath and jumped to his feet and walked away.
Chapter 15
Storm’s blue eyes blazed when she entered the small cell and caught sight of the lad. He lay on his side curled in a ball, his arms tight to his chest, his knees meeting his elbows. Bits of straw strewn on the floor provided bedding. It stuck to his worn, soiled clothes and to his brown hair.
