Maybe she shouldn’t have touched him. He had told her what happened. But now, she couldn’t pull her hand away. His melting eyes left her immobile. Then he placed his hand over hers to hold it there.
A knot tightened in her chest, and her throat turned dry. Curse her reaction. Why did he always have to affect her in such a manner? Why did he make her body tingle and cry out to be held by his strong arms?
She swallowed, trying to add moisture to her cotton-filled throat. Clearing her improper thoughts, she scrambled to remember what they’d been discussing.
As she opened her mouth to speak, Nash placed his finger over her lips. Heated sparks spread through her body. The words stopped in her throat, and her mind turned blank.
“Maxey, you forget one thing.”
“Wh—what?” Her voice quivered.
“I know my uncle better than you. I know what he can do. If he knew I sailed on this ship, his men would be here with us, also.”
Was he trying to frighten her again? Or perhaps he was trying to steer her away from the truth.
Her fuzzy mind waged a battle with her emotions over what she should feel. As soon as she broke contact with him, her brain would function again. But as she gently tugged her hand away, he tightened his grip and wouldn’t allow her to budge.
“Maxey, you must believe me.”
She nodded slowly, keeping her stare on his remarkable chocolate eyes. “Of course I believe you, Nash. I merely suggested we get to know Raúl a little better. If the worst-case scenario happened, and your uncle’s men are on this ship, we may need Raúl’s help.”
Nash’s hold on her loosened, and she pulled her hand away.
He shrugged. “What if Raúlisone of my uncle’s men? Then what?”
Breathing easier, she took a step back, inhaling the deep salt air, hoping it would clear her mind and cool her heated body. “I don’t believe that, Nash.”
His long, lean fingers caressed her cheek, and she realized she hadn’t stepped back far enough. Her skin burned beneath his touch.
“This is also an instinctual feeling?” he asked.
“Indeed it is.”
“And you expect me to trust your feelings?”
“But of course. Just as you expect me to believe in you.” She smiled, trying her best to make it genuine. What she said wasn’t a lie. Not really. She merely told him what he wanted to hear.
The warmth from his stare caressed her face before he offered her his arm. “Then, by all means, take me to your new friend and introduce us.”
Her breath caught in her throat. He couldn’t possibly be serious. Why did he change his mind so quickly? It didn’t matter. She wouldn’t allow his doubtful nature to dissuade her from her goal, any more than she would let his touch distract her from her mission to prove his guilt.
“Promise me one thing, Maxey.”
“What is that?”
“When you ask Raúl questions about my uncle, please do not hint of my relation to Matthew. Also, do not let Raúl think you are an investigator. Although you want to pretend to be one, you are not. Servants don’t have the same training as investigators, which I’m sure you know.”
She hated how Nash constantly reminded her that her station in life was far beneath his. “Why would I hint to being an investigator?”
“Because I know you, Maxey. But remember that if he thinks you are, he will not trust you, and he will not freely give away his answers.”
“Then what shall I tell him?”
“I do not know. However, I am certain your clever mind will think of something.”
Biting the inside of her lip, she stewed. Her suspicions about him grew deeper by the minute. Well, she would prove to Nash she could pull this off and that Raúl would open up and tell her what he knew.
Chapter Ten
