How I adored hearing his laugh, something I’d thought about when he’d been in surgery. “You might be right. I’ll go without the title. Except in bed.” He lowered his head while I automatically tilted mine, even rising onto my toes to make it easier for him to kiss me.
As always, the taste of him and the way he held me was exactly what I needed. He swept his tongue inside, taking his time exploring.
Maybe because since we’d met, we’d envisioned additional time to explore endless passion, leaving no touch or taste untried. No, the nightmare was far from over. There was little if not nothing to go on to suggest Zane had anything to do with a singleassassination attempt or that what the Russian had blurted out to my handsome hero had been accurate. That was frustrating the hell out of him. And his entire family.
For now, I was hungry for the moment of intimacy.
When he tried to get a little rough around the edges, I gently pushed him away, even wagging my finger at him. “Not so fast, big boy. You might not listen to your doctors, but you will listen to me.”
His chuckle was so dark with such a deep baritone that I shuddered in response. “For now. Just wait.”
With a quick wink, I pulled out a small gauze bag I’d shoved into the pocket of my skirt.
Montgomery recognized it immediately. “Ugh. You’ve been talking with my grandmother.”
“You did say I’d adore her and you were right. She gave me a few tips on how to handle the Prince men.”
The way his brow wrinkled was the cutest thing. “She did, huh? Just words of advice?”
“Yep.” I popped the p, which he hated.
“Then what’s in your hand?”
“This little thing? Just some gris-gris in case I need it.”
“What about the Ouija board?” The way his eyes twinkled was way too adorable.
“Oh, I’ll use that as well. I have a feeling with you I’ll have my hands full.” With my smile fading, I backed away, holding up the letter. “It’s time. Past time actually.”
“Then I’ll pour you a glass of wine.”
I watched him walk toward the bar in his living room, still amazed that while he had a slight limp, he had no intention of returning to the cane. A stubborn man and one I so admired.
There was something very special about his house. The large gothic Victorian located in the French Quarter was nothing like I’d thought he would have chosen, especially with the intricate landscaping including a massive flower garden complete with a water feature.
There was a huge three-sided porch that, while gorgeous, cried out for a swing. Even the colors were so unlike anything I could have predicted. However, the interior was perfectly masculine and absolutely one hundred percent the man I’d fallen in love with.
Yes, I could almost admit the words to anyone at this point. Maybe near-death experiences were very good for a love life.
As he approached with a glass of wine in one hand, a whiskey in another, I gave him the death stare.
“What? I can drink alcohol,” he insisted.
“In limited quantity.” The wine was a no-brainer at this point. I chugged down half the glass to his amusement. He held the crystal a few centimeters from his lips, watching me intently before shaking his head. “So I was thirsty.”
“Evidently.” He backed away, giving me room to breathe.
A part of me wanted to grab him, forcing him to hold me, but I was a big girl. I could handle this all by myself. Another gulp of wine. Another deep breath.
Then I set the glass of wine down, already missing my crutch. At this point, it was likely I’d drink the entire bottle.
My fingers were shaking, but I managed to slide my nail under the flap. Yet I had to rub my fingers across the necklace for another jolt of courage before I pulled the paper free.
Fleur,
If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance they found me. I don’t think I need to tell you who had me killed. You warned me about getting mixed up with the Russians. They are brutal, ruthless people who demand loyalty no matter the subject. In seeing you with Montgomery Prince at your house, my suspicions that you were involved with him were confirmed.
If what I was told about Mr. Prince is true, then you’re aware there was a contract on his life. I was assigned to handle the mission when another assassin failed. To prove my loyalty. Seeing how happy you were, I couldn’t go through with it.
