Page 65 of Duty Bound

He inhaled, and she watched his broad chest expand. “While Stitch drives you across, I’ll hide in the back.”

“Is that wise?” She had no idea what they’d been planning, but the Land Rover she’d seen outside didn’t look like it had enough hiding places for a man Blade’s size. “What if they search our vehicle?”

“It’s risky. I’m hard to miss.”

He had that right. It wasn’t as if he was a small man who could fit into a footwell, or under the spare tire. He was all brawn and bulk and bulging muscles. Six feet four or five of raw power.

“Maybe you should drive.”

He tilted his head, acknowledging her idea. “I think Stitch passes for a better local, don’t you? Plus, he speaks the lingo.”

Lily suddenly found it hard to breathe. “What if they spot you?”

“We have a game plan.”

She nodded, knowing deep down she wasn’t going to like this.

“If I get noticed, Stitch is going to say I flagged you down a mile back and threatened you at gunpoint to give me a ride. You had no choice. That should get you off the hook.”

Lily swallow, her mouth suddenly dry. “What about you?”

He didn’t meet her gaze. “I’ll run for it. There’s plenty of foliage either side of the river. I’ll dive in if I have to. It’ll be fine.”

She wasn’t so sure.

“That’s only if they find you, right? I mean it’s more likely they won’t, that we’ll get through.”

“That’s right.” His offhanded manner made her very uneasy.

A shock ran though her.

This could be her last chance to tell him how grateful she was.

“Blade,” she whispered. “I just want you to know—in case anything happens, which it won’t—I’m so thankful for what you’ve done. Bringing me here. Rescuing me from that cave. Looking after me. I won’t ever forget it.”

Won’t forget him.

Lily didn’t know whether he saw it in her eyes or was responding to her words, but he edged closer, so close she could see the different color flecks of blue in his eyes.

Suddenly, she was drowning, floundering in the desire that she saw there. Blue flames calling to her, drawing her in.

“Blade, if we don’t make it?—”

He didn’t wait for her to finish. With a low moan, he looped a big hand around her neck and pulled her toward him. The whole cushion moved, shifting her closer until she was practically sitting on his lap.

“Fuck, Lily. Fuck.”

She knew what he meant. She felt it too, this magnetic pull neither of them could control. It seemed to drive them together no matter how hard they fought it.

Not even Joe’s memory could prevent it from happening.

Or maybe it was because of it.

When they left here tomorrow, they might not make it home. Might not get another chance.

Lily leaned in, telling him it was okay, that she also felt it.

Also wanted it.

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