Page 538 of From Rakes to Riches

Unease.

And it struck her.

She was Gem…

Rakesley—the man she was presently mad with desire for—thought her Gem.

Rakesley was kissing…Gem.

On a muffled yip of distress, she planted firm hands in the center of his chest and gave a determined push, breaking them apart.

Panting for breath, they stared at one another. She detected surprise in his eyes, but nothing near the shock and confusion currently rioting through her.

“You…” she gasped. She hadn’t properly caught her breath. She might never catch it again. “You were kissingGem.”

His gaze went opaque. “Aren’tyouGem?”

“I…I…”

Oh, how to answer such a question…

“I know.”

She blinked. ThatI knowcaught her on the back foot. It didn’t sound like agreement, but rather like acknowledgement.

Every part of her went still as stone—except her heart, which battered wildly against her ribs. “What do you know?” A question she found the nerve to ask…but not the nerve to complete.That I’m a spy?

“Iknow.”

The way he was looking at her with curiosity rather than anger…

She knew.

Heknew.

Still, their combined knowledge refused to penetrate her mind. “You know,” she said, seeking confirmation.

His hand lifted, as if he were about to touch her, and she took a step backward. Little good could come from him touching her again.

Her body, on the other hand, could think of a lot of good him touching her again could do…

Bodies could be incredibly frustrating vessels.

He cocked a hip against the table and crossed his arms over his chest. His silence was almost worse than his words.

Almost.

Her instinct told her to run.

But what good would running do?

Because the fact was Rakesleyknew.

Which meant he’dknown.

Past tense.

Which meant he’d known her for a woman…and hadn’t sacked her.

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