“I agree, Faro, but there is much more at stake that I need to consider.” Felix glanced at his men around the table. “I’ll let everyone know of my decision first thing in the morning.”
Positive murmurs and nods greeted him as he gulped down the last of his whiskey. Before leaving, he flipped a few coins onto the table. As he sauntered out of the tavern, he realized the choice wasn’t in his hands any longer. Although he was the guide, the outcome solely depended on Katrina. She needed to be the one to decide on their travel plans.
The night was upon them, growing darker by the minute. Torches lined the streets, lighting his way, and every building had a few torches out in front. Sounds from the jungle were stronger at night. Monkeys chatted endlessly, and the rattle of snakes’ tails was audible from a distance. If Felix listened closely, he could hear the faint rush of water from the nearby waterfall. Some birds squawked after dark, which he found to be the most bothersome noise at night.
When he reached the inn, he headed directly to Katrina’s room. Confronting her about their dilemma was important and the first priority before bedtime. They needed to discuss this at great lengths, and hopefully come up with an answer they’d both agree on.
He raised his fist to knock, but hesitated and leaned his ear closer, listening intently for any sounds coming from within. The gentle hum of a song floated through the room; so relaxing, and very stirring—especially when he could picture her standing next to a baby’s cradle singing a lullaby to a child.
Realizing where his thoughts were going, he shook his head, trying to clear that particular image from his mind. He quickly knocked and waited. After a few moments and she hadn’t opened the door, he tried again. Just as before, she didn’t come to the door.
Hesitantly, he turned the latch, cracked open the door, and peeked in. Katrina stood on the other side of the room near the open window, brushing her damp hair as she hummed a song. It wasn’t the alluring sight of her long hair flowing over her shoulders and down her back that startled him, it was the white chemise she wore displaying more of her slender legs than he’d wanted to see.
Once again, he shook himself out of his wayward thoughts and focused on the problem at hand. Then immediately it struck him—her window was open! What was the foolish woman thinking this time?
He barged inside and stormed toward her. The sound of his boots thumping on the floor must have startled her. She swung around and gasped, bringing her hands to shield her bosom, which the square-necked chemise barely covered.
“Mr. Knightly!What in Heaven’s name are you—”
“I cannot believe you would open your window at night,” he snapped. He stopped at the window to pull the shutters closed.
“What are you talking about?” Hurriedly, she dashed to her bed, yanked off a sheet, and tried to use it to cover herself. “It’s stifling in here, so why can’t I open a window?”
He turned and faced her, arching an eyebrow. Immediately, he noticed a few of those pesky insects had already entered the premises. Two were on the wall, and they were easily killed with his hand slamming against the wood. He scanned the room, searching for others. One flew by her head, and he was able to smack it between his palms. As he wiped his hands on his trousers, he searched for more, but didn’t see any.
“As I was saying, Miss Landon, the reason your window shouldn’t be opened at night is because the mosquitoes will come into your room and eat you alive. Picture the welts on Suzette’s body. By leaving the window open, your body will look similar except the bites will be from a different kind of insect.” He gestured toward the netting hanging around her bed. “Why do you think that netting is there? For decoration?”
She huffed and threw him a scowl. “How was I supposed to know that? I’ve never been to this part of the world.”
“Obviously.”
Her scowl darkened. “And it’s my fault that I don’t know? I would think sinceyouare the guide, it’syourduty to inform me of such matters.”
Felix wanted to shake some sense into her, but he didn’t dare touch her bare skin, so he folded his arms across his chest. “Consider yourself duly informed, Miss Landon.”
“Thank you,” she shouted. “However, next time, will you kindly tell me before you yell at me for something I had no knowledge of?”
“Pray tell, Miss Landon, how will I know beforehand what you will and will not do?”
A low growl rattled in her chest. “And... would you kindly refrain from storming into my room without an invitation?”
“I knocked, but you didn’t hear me.”
She shrugged. “Just because I didn’t hear you, doesn’t mean you can come into my room anytime you want.”
“Forgive me,my lady,but I assure you, my only purpose was to close your window and keep you from being attacked by masses of mosquitoes.”
Lifting the sheet to her neck, she straightened her shoulders. “Fine. You have done what you came to do, so now leave.”
Felix couldn’t believe how alluring she looked right now with her glorious reddish-brown hair swirling around her shoulders. Her amazing green eyes radiated so much fervor that her stare could melt him completely. He wished his memory would erase the sound of her sweet humming, and his heartbeat would not accelerate when she touched him. It must be the heat causing him to think such thoughts. However, all he wanted to do right now was hold her and feel the soft surrendering sigh of her breath against his lips right before he kissed her.
“Actually,” the tone of his voice lowered as he slowly moved toward her, “I haven’t done what I came to do.”
She hitched a breath as her feet shuffled backward toward the wall. When the barrier stopped her, she didn’t try to move away. Her eyes widened as he neared, and just before reaching her, she moistened her lips with her tongue.
Felix’s heartbeat whacked against his ribs so hard he feared it would jump right out of his chest. Desire crept over him the longer they stared in each other’s eyes.
Blast it! This was not a good thing. He could not get involved with a woman like Miss Landon no matter how much she tempted him. But could he stop himself now?
