Page 56 of The Hellion and the Captain
“So it would,” Emmaline said with a grin.
“If you need anything, I am here.”
“I appreciate that, Rhys.”
“I have been thinking.”
“Why do I not like the sound of that?” She lifted her brows as she waited for his explanation.
“We need to be careful. If Lord Harcourt was told that we were involved, that there are suspicions about you, it means that someone is watching.”
“Who could it possibly be?”
“I’m not sure,” he said, tapping his fingers against his arms. “Who gains fromyour downfall?”
“If it was last year, I would say Lord Montgomery, but he has nothing to do with the Athletics anymore. And while there is still a rivalry between the clubs, remember how the players came to your aid last year when you were attacked in the game against them?”
“They did,” Rhys considered. “Most of them.”
“I didn’t see anyone who didn’t join in.”
“They all joined in,” he said. “But one or two players didn’t seem to know which side they were fighting for.”
“I can guess who,” she said, her nose crinkling in that way of hers that he loved so much. “Victor Reeves?”
“Yes,” Rhys answered grimly. “I’ll find out more about him and his activities as of late. If he is after you…”
“Then I just might be in trouble.”
“Yes. Emmaline, we cannot be seen alone together.”
“I still need to practice,” she argued, even though he could see in her face that she felt the same as he did – it wasn’t just practice that she would miss.
“We’ll find a way,” he said. “Even now, we should go from here. You leave first. How are you returning home?”
“Colin will be waiting at The King’s Head.”
“Good,” he said, walking over to her, taking a risk he decided was worth it as he cupped his hands around her head and drew her in for a quick, firm kiss. Making love to her, kissing her, even being in her presence, was intoxicating, and he could only laugh at his previous thought that a kiss with her would be enough to sate his appetite.
It had only fired it.
“Take care of yourself when I am not there to do so, you hear me?” he said, more concerned for her than he would like to admit.
“Of course,” she said, her beautiful violet eyes staring back into his. “And the same to you.”
She reached out and tapped her finger on hisnose, and he could only laugh as she walked away with a seductive look over her shoulder.
He had been searching for companionship, for a woman to fit him perfectly for years, and no one had ever captivated him enough for him to consider spending more than a few days with her. She had spoken of men who wanted to tame her spirit, but all he wanted was to be swept up within it, to be allowed to be part of her. This woman had snuck into his life with so much vigor, so perfect for him in every way.
Except for who she was, where she came from, and the circumstances they found themselves in.
Nothing about this was easy.
But then, anything worthwhile never was.
Chapter Nineteen
“Ooooh, Emmali-i-i-ne, guess who is home?”
