Apparently, she wasn’t warned by the soft tone of his voice, because she quickly rattled ahead. “After your attack, it is believed that the intended target was in that carriage. If that is true, I could be a worthy asset to your cause. With the skills I have—”
Harlan slammed a fist on the table a bit harder than he’d intended, but his frustration currently knew no bounds. He felt as though he’d been betrayed, but he wasn’t sure if it was from his men—or her. “Miss Lindquist, while I am thankful for your care of my wound, I must insist this is where your involvement comes to an end. This is not a game, or a way to alleviate your boredom. What we do is a matter of life and death. There is danger at every turn and you cannot trust anyone. Perhaps not even those closest to you.” He allowed his gaze to linger on her, so she had no doubt to whom he might be referring. While he didn’t want to say the next statement, she had to grasp the severity of the matter. “I feel it is time that you are released from my hold and sent on to your brother.”
Leah truly didn’t knowwhat to say. She hadn’t thought Harlan would be overjoyed at the prospect of her assistance, but she wouldn’t have imagined that he would shove her out the door so quickly either, and without a second’s hesitation.
She had hoped that he might hear her out, but apparently, Hugh was right and that was not to be. She could tell by the firm set of Harlan’s mouth that nothing she said would make a difference in swaying his mind, so she shoved back her chair and got to her feet. She wasn’t about to stay where she wasn’t wanted. She had her pride too. “Very well.”
Marching into the bedchamber, Leah shoved the small number of items she had brought with her back into her valise. She was wearing the last clean overskirt that she had, a brilliant emerald green. At least when she appeared on Henry’s doorstep, she would look halfway presentable, and not entirely like a poor, street urchin.
With her things in hand, she walked out into the hallway and headed for the front door, only to find Harlan leaning against the wood with his arms crossed. He had a dark scowl on his face, but she didn’t care. He had made his sentiments clear, and she would too. “You will need to move if I am to go,” she said evenly.
He remained where he was, his jaw clenched with a determination that belied his earlier words. But it was the combination of that patrician nose and those direct, hazel eyes that caused her to hesitate. He truly was a magnificent man, and although she could see the hint of his injury, partially hidden by his thick, dark hair, it did not lessen his appeal in the least. If nothing else, it made him appear more… savage.
As the silence lengthened, she spun on her heel and headed toward the back entrance. She was going to leave this blasted cottage if it was the last thing she did.
The moment her hand touched the knob, she was brought back against a firm chest. “Forgive me. I spoke harshly. I don’t want you to go.” His voice was a seductive growl in her ear.
She expelled a heavy breath. “You just told me that—”
“I said that I didn’t want you to get involved and that still stands true, but dammit, that doesn’t mean Iwantyou to leave. I’ve told you this before.”
Leah stilled. “Make up your mind, Harlan. Am I staying or leaving?”
He spun her around and pinned her against the door with his hard body. He pressed into her, and she moaned from the delicious contact of their bodies melding into one. From the moment they had first kissed in the kitchen, she had thought of little else but repeating the same, although she had tried to convince herself that it hadn’t affected her in the slightest.
“I wantyou, Leah. Plain and simple.” His whispered, husky plea was all it took for her to lean into him.
He captured her mouth with a desperate hunger that she eagerly returned. It was strange how her emotions could switch with such precision, but as the valise slipped from her grasp and fell to her feet with a thud, she wound her arms around his neck and dared to move closer to him, until her breasts were crushed against his chest. She didn’t want there to be anything at all between them, but it would be a mistake if they were to take things that far. She had only known of this man’s existence for three days, but the sparks flying about them had been almost immediate. She had never felt this sort of connection to anyone else in her life. In all of her travels, this was the one man who made her blood run hot and her inhibitions yearn to fall away.
She didn’t dare call it anything more than lust, but whatever label she chose to give it, her body hummed with desire.
When his tongue slipped into her mouth and mated with hers, Leah pressed her thighs together to ease the pulsing ache there. When his hand moved to slide along the side of her breast, she wasn’t filled with maidenly abhorrence. On the contrary, she wanted his hands on her, kneading and squeezing her flesh. She wanted his mouth to trace a path of liquid flame from her lips to her core. If that made her a wanton, then she would gladly accept the title, just to be with him.
As they parted, Harlan pressed his forehead to hers. His breathing was shallow when he whispered, “My God, Leah. You are going to drive me mad.”
“You don’t think you’re doing the same to me?” she sighed in return.
He pulled back slightly and whispered, “What are we going to do about this?”
“I have no idea. It’s not a situation I’ve faced before.” She lifted her chin. “But neither am I someone who can stand by and allow secrets to run rampant about me. If you don’t want me to go, you are going to have to be honest with me. I deserve that much, at least.”
His jaw flexed and she could tell he was waging an inner battle. In the end, he nodded. “You’re right. It’s not fair to conceal the truth from you. We have to be able to trust one another.”
She was relieved that he was willing to accept that, at least. “I’m glad to hear it. It will make it much easier to know I’m not so isolated from you.”
He cupped her cheek. “I never want you to feel that way, but neither can I condone the sort of risk you would take upon yourself if I allowed you to be a part of this world that I’m embroiled in.” His focus turned distant and he let his hand drop back to his side. “There are days I’m not sure if I want to do this anymore. I started serving my country for the honor it would bring to my father’s memory, but I might have recently discovered another path worth taking.” By the way his eyes warmed when they lit on her, Leah had to imagine he was talking about her and a perhaps, a possible future together.
Could it be that he was just as affected by her as she was by him?
The front door opened and Hugh called out. Leah would have claimed that it was the worst possible timing as Harlan moved away from her. “We will talk later,” he said, a promise evident in his gaze. “But for now, I have to work.”
Harlan metHugh as Leah entered the kitchen to give them some privacy to converse. While he appreciated her consideration, his thoughts kept drifting to her. From those amber eyes and the auburn hair, to the slight smile on that appealing mouth that tempted him at every turn, he found it difficult to concentrate on the next step he was supposed to take. It was further proof that she was a dangerous distraction.
“Let’s step outside,” he murmured to Hugh.
As his friend did as Harlan requested, he shut the door behind them. He must have given a heavy sigh, because Hugh asked, “Is something amiss?”
“Quite.” Harlan’s mouth became grim. “Miss Lindquist thinks that she would be an asset to our investigation. I can’t imagine who might have encouraged her with this asinine idea.”
