“We’re friends, you and me, you just don’t know it yet,” he went on. “I’d like to keep it friendly, so how about you promise you won’t yell or go for the jewels when I let you go?”
Regina went slack and nodded, signaling that she wasn’t going to scream or attack. Or so he hoped. Lach dropped his hand from her mouth but kept his other arm around her.
“Who are you?” she asked. “Why are you watching me?”
“Fair questions.” He loosened his grip—rather reluctantly—and she turned in his arms and looked up into his eyes.
He started back. He felt like he’d been hit in the chest with a mortar and swallowed an exclamation. He’d only seen photos of her and watched her from afar. Up close, she was stunning. Gorgeous auburn hair, rosy cheeks and lips. Damn, those golden eyes were like twin suns shining straight into his soul. They softened as her gaze roved his face and her lips parted ever so slightly. She blinked slowly and exhaled before her lips curled up into a smile. Seeing that smile, Lachlan felt like the rest of his life had just clicked into place.
No,he told his heart. We are absolutely not having a moment right now.
As if she’d heard his thoughts or had her own along the same lines, the warm light that felt like home went out of Regina’s gaze, replaced by a calculating look.
“Well, you aren’t CIA.” She laid her hand on Lach’s right biceps and squeezed, sending shockwaves through his body. “Too buff.”
Lach snorted.
Regina continued. “You’re not DSS. I know all those guys and gals. Unless the Diplomatic Security Service swapped them all out or is suddenly using a private firm for us. But I would have heard about that.” She tilted her head.
“Go on,” Lach said.
Regina frowned. “Why? Because you’re amused?”
“Maybe a little.”
The corner of her mouth curved up into a hint of a smile again and those golden eyes flashed. Still holding his arm, she tapped her chin with her other hand and Lach got the distinct impression that she wanted to start pacing.
“Let’s go back to the CIA hypothesis—youaren’t CIA, but they might have called you in.”
Damn. She was good. Lach kept his face blank while she continued to study him.
“Mmm. Yeah.” She tapped her chin again and he wondered what he’d given away. “Yeah. You were called in. I’d say you’re part of a SEAL unit except there’s no war or civil unrest here. No need to escort us to the nearest airbase under gunfire.” Her smile widened but there was a certain amount of bitterness to it. “At least no civil unrest where anyone can see it.”
That intrigued him. He should have kept his mouth shut, stayed a mushroom in the dark little corner where Jeremy had put him and his men, but she’d just let a little sunlight in.
“Really?” he asked. “I thought things were becoming progressive here. Pick up any newspaper and you’ll read a story about constructing new infrastructure, new hospitals, new schools for girls?—”
“Pfft,” Regina scoffed. “You think the royal family hasanyrespect for wo—” She abruptly cut herself off as she looked around, suddenly acutely aware of their surroundings. Her eyes narrowed on him and she turned her head ever so slightly. “You…distracted me. That just doesn’t happen. Whoareyou?” she whispered.
“Lachlan Campbell. Lach to my friends.”
“And to your squad, I bet.”
“I can’t?—”
She folded her arms as she said, “You can’t confirm or deny that you’re a team guy, got it.”
“Took the words right out of my mouth, lass.”
She grinned and that grin turned into a smile that lit up her eyes and Lach’s heart was lost at sea.
Oh, lass. What am I to do with you?
“So, is it Scottie or Soup?”
“Beg pardon?”
“Your nickname. Do they call you Scottie for your accent or Soup for your last name?”
