“Indeed.” He turned and glanced around the room. “Where are your dishes?”
She pointed to one of the cabinets. “If we have any left, they would be in there.”
As she heated the water, Nash searched for two cups. To her surprise, he found two that were chipped, but they would still function as teacups.
At the stove, she prepared the drinks in the dark—just the moon shining through the curtains gave her light. Footsteps from the passionate man in her house clicked on the wooden floor, but she refused to turn. When the soft noise ceased, his masculine scent settled around her. Heated chills trickled over her skin.
Hot breath fanned the side of her neck, and she closed her eyes to fight for control, but her soul weakened. He had a strange power over her. She was sorely tempted to stop fighting and relax against his rugged frame.
He touched her hips and slid his hands around her waist, pulling her against him. Nash dropped his face to her neck, and she allowed his lips to brush against her flesh, where he blessed the area with feathery kisses. Goosebumps trickled over her, and she gritted her teeth to keep from sighing heavily.
“I don’t know what you have done to me, Maxey, but I cannot keep myself away from you, despite my promise.” He kissed the gentle curve of her neck. “I have tried not to touch you, but you are irresistible.”
She placed her hands over his to peel them away, but once she covered them, she found herself holding on to him instead. There was no way she could let him go now. “You must be completely foxed, Nash. I haven’t done anything to warrant your attention.”
“Yes, I am certainly intoxicated. What other explanation could there be? You have drugged me senseless, and I’m in your power.” He buried his face deeper in her neck and took another breath. “You smell heavenly. I can imagine walking on clouds with you.”
“Nash,” she sighed when no other words came to mind.
“I want you, Maxey. Heaven help me, but I want you desperately.”
He kissed her neck again, and she relaxed against him, resting the back of her head on his shoulder, allowing his experienced lips to partake of her skin. His gentle kisses touched the place between her ear and shoulder, and chills multiplied over her body.
Moving to her ear, he whispered kisses until suckling gently on the lobe, causing more havoc to her system. She turned her head to break the contact but instead found his seeking mouth.
Although their position felt awkward, she wouldn’t move out of his arms for anything. The way he held and kissed her made her body want to remain there forever.
Just as her mind resolved to allow him to seduce her, someone banged at the front door. The sound startled her back to reality. Panicked, she jumped and turned in his arms, clutching his shirt.
“Nash? Who could that be?” she whispered.
He shook his head. “It is the devil himself!”
Maxey’s heartbeat took on a different rhythm as panic filled her. If Nash’s fear was correct, and this unknown person worked for his uncle, they were going to die.
Chapter Six
Atomblike silencehung thick in the air. Nash didn’t dare breathe, yet his chest continued to heave from the passionate kiss he’d shared with Maxey. He had forgotten about the rider who followed them tonight, and Nash suspected his uncle’s man was the person at the door. Who else would venture into the late-evening hour?
“It’s the man who works for my uncle,” he whispered.
“He wouldn’t come to the door, especially if the lights are out.” She glanced up at him. “Would he?”
“The lamp in your room is still on, and I’m certain he could see that, along with the smoke from the stove’s chimney. If my uncle sent him, he will not rest until he has finished the assignment.”
Maxey shivered against him. He tightened her in his embrace. The poor woman was frightened out of her wits.
All because of him.
The person at the door pounded again. Maxey gasped and clutched his hands. “What should we do?”
“You must see who is here.” Keeping her hands in his, he walked toward the door.
“Nash, don’t leave me.”
“Do not worry. I shall not let him harm you.”
Before seeing to her visitor, Maxey lit the lamp in the hallway, smoothed her trembling hands down her dress, and walked to the door. She reached for the door handle, but before she grasped the brass knob, the rude intruder knocked again, making her jump higher than before.
