“This is your fault,”Longmere had raged.“This has never happened to me before. You don’t have what it takes to satisfy a man…”
Pain and confusion bled through Pippa. She didn’t know if she wanted to apologize to Cull or run away and never see him again. But she would do neither because she had a more important goal this eve: to find Julianna Hastings’s killer.
Pippa squared her shoulders. “Thank you for seeing me.”
“You should not have come,” Cull said.
She flinched at his curt reply, but it was to be expected.
He may have wanted you once,her inner voice whispered.But now he knows what a mess you truly are.
She took refuge in her purpose. “I am here on behalf of the Society of Angels. I’ve come to discuss the message you sent to Lady Fayne.”
Cull folded his arms over his wide chest. “I thought the message was clear.”
Pulling the missive from the pocket of her skirts, she read, “Lady Hastings was shot and killed. Steer clear of this dangerous business. I will inform you when I’ve brought the villain to justice. Prince of Larks.”
He cocked his head. “I fail to see the lack of clarity.”
“Lady Hastings wasourclient,” Pippa said fiercely. “What gives you the right to tell us to leave off our investigation? If anyone should get out of the way, it isyou.”
“This matter has become mudlark business.”
The lethal edge to Cull’s tone gave her pause. Reminded her that, for all the gentleness he’d shown her, he was a ruler of London’s underworld.
“A woman was shot dead. This is a dangerous business,” he said unflinchingly, “and your little ladies’ society will only get in the way.”
Little. Ladies’. Society?
Vermillion splattered across Pippa’s vision. Marching up to him, she stabbed a finger in his chest. Bit back a wince when her digit jammed into an unyielding slab of muscle.
“We are trained investigators,” she hissed. “We can handle ourselves. Moreover, we are going to bring our client’s murderer to justice, and you had better stay out ofourway.”
Cull grabbed her wrist. “Don’t be a damned fool. You’re out of your depth, and I won’t let you get hurt.”
“You have no right to tell me what to do!”
“Don’t I?” The possessive glitter in his eyes stalled her breath. “I’ve tasted you, made you wet. You came so hard you shook in my arms.”
Cheeks blazing, she retorted, “It is ungentlemanly of you to mention that night.”
His mouth twisted. “I’m no gentleman, sunshine.”
“Anyway, it was just a meaningless liaison.” She was proud of how nonchalant she sounded, as if she’d had dozens of lovers. As if she’d experienced sexual satisfaction on a regular basis instead of just that one, earth-shattering time. “It doesn’t signify anything.”
“It meant something to me.”
Was that longing that flashed in his eyes?
“I’d give my bloody soul to make love to you again, but I can’t.” He released her and took a step back, his hands curling. “I am no good for you, Pippa. But what I can do is keep you safe. Upon my honor, I will bring your client’s killer to justice. Trust me to take care of this for you.”
Heart thumping, Pippa stared at him in befuddlement. Hedidwant her then…despite how their encounter had ended? Yet if he wanted her, why couldn’t he make love to her again? And why did the blasted man think that she needed him to “take care” of anything when she and the Angels were perfectly capable of solving their own cases?
Before she could utter a response, the door opened.
“Cull, you’d better come quick!” It was Fair Molly again, her expression agitated.
Cursing, Cull pointed a blunt finger at Pippa. “Stay here. I’ll deal with you when I get back.”
