Slowly, he nodded, his gaze still connected with hers. “I agree with you.”
“So, then tell me what you have in mind,” she said softly and meaningfully.
He placed his palm over her hand that circled his elbow. Warmth from his direct touch sent pleasure rushing through her.
“Would you hate me if I wanted to be alone and away from curious eyes?”
Her mouth stretched tighter into a smile. “Not at all. In fact, I had hoped to continue what we had started last night.”
“I would enjoy that as well.”
She turned her head to peer back at the fishing shack. It was far enough away, yet not too far. As long as nobody else was occupying it, perhaps she and Ashton would be able to sneak in a few more intimate moments before she had to return home.
Just as she opened her mouth to make the suggestion, a familiar face caught her attention. From up the hill behind them, Lord Reynolds stood with a few other men. They gathered near some trees in the park, and she wondered if they, too, were trying not to be noticed. His face was red with anger, and as he talked, he waved his hands in a frantic motion. Then he shook his head and ran his fingers through the thin patch of hair on his head. Even the other men looked upset. Did Lord Reynolds know his journal was gone? Obviously, the man hadn’t been arrested yet, but hopefully, that would happen any day now.
The nobleman turned his head as his gaze scoped the area...and stopped on her. Although she and Ashton were a distance away, distrust was evident in the lord’s expression. His bushy eyebrows creased, and the color in his face grew darker.
Once again, panic settled inside of her, but this time she had to follow her instincts. She didn’t know how, but the man must have known she had been inside his study last night. Perhaps she was spotted by a servant after all.
She snapped her focus back to Ashton. His attention had also wandered to last night’s host and his associates. Something needed to be done now about Lord Reynolds, yet at the same time, she must not let Ashton think she was deliberately trying to hide from the other men.
“Ashton,” she said, tugging on his arm. When he looked back at her, she continued, “I suggest we go to that fisherman’s shack over there.” She nodded in that direction. “With any luck, it will be empty.”
For a brief second, confusion filled his expression, but soon his smile had returned. “Then let us be on our way, shall we?”
She tried to hurry her step and was surprised when Ashton’s long legs ate up the distance along with hers. She spied another trail that seemed to go in a different direction. If Babcock and those men followed, she would want to lose them quickly.
“I think we should go this way.” She practically pulled him toward the other path, but remarkably enough, he still kept up.
“Why?” he asked.
“Because...” She scrambled to think of an excuse that would sound plausible. “Didn’t you notice Lord Reynolds? He knows us, and if he sees us going into the fisherman’s shack together, I’m sure he will say something to someone, and that is how gossip starts and reputations are ruined.”
“You are very wise.” Ashton’s voice was deep as he repositioned his hands around hers. Now he was the one in charge of leading them. “Follow me. I shall make certain he doesn’t see us.”
Her heartbeat skipped. It was nice to have the man in the lead. She was happy to know Ashton would do this...wanted to do this.
Although it still worried her that Lord Reynolds might want to question her about last night, she thrived on this journey with Ashton. They rushed from one section of the shore to another, throwing Reynolds and the other men off their trail. At times, both she and Ashton were out of breath, but they both kept moving.
When they finally reached the shack, he opened the door and peeked in. Without a word, he pulled her inside and closed the door. The odor of fish permeated the air, but the scent of salt made it bearable. They pressed their backs up against the side wall. Nicole’s breaths were ragged, just as his were. Their gazes locked in silence. Soon they were grinning like idiots. Nicole was the first to laugh, and then Ashton’s baritone chuckle joined in the merriment.
“I must admit, my temptress,” he said, “that ever since meeting you, I have felt like every minute has been an escapade.”
Her breathing returned to normal, and she nodded. “That is how I have felt as well. It is certainly a change from the normal type of life, is it not?”
His chest rose and fell quickly. “Yes, but a good change.”
He pulled away from the wall and stood very close in front of her. He placed one of his hands on the wall near her head, and his other hand softly caressed her heated cheek.
The mood changed in a split second, and Nicole’s ragged breathing was no longer due to them rushing around and trying to hide. Anticipation strummed through her, and she couldn’t wait to feel Ashton’s mouth against hers and the exciting explosive tingles that would erupt inside of her due to his steamy kiss.
“Forgive me, but I don’t want to waste another moment,” he muttered before his mouth covered hers.
Just as she had expected, fireworks blasted inside her head. Her heart sang with gladness. Sighing, she melted against him. As she placed her palms on his chest and slid them up toward his neck, he tightly gathered her in his arms.
The moment was everything she wanted and more than she could imagine. He kissed with such passion as his mouth slanted over hers, one way and then the other. She answered back the best she could, letting her feelings lead her.
Right now, she didn’t want to ever leave his side. The thought crossed her mind of giving up her double life. Sharing such a magical moment with Ashton made her want more than tracking down criminals. She wanted to find a man to marry and to have his children.
