Page 19 of Surrender

“Then I’ll need to return to town sooner than I’d planned to reassure him—”

“Jamie relayed C’s orders that the only way the man will agree to you continuing to work in the field is with a partner.” Theo narrowed his gaze in a silent warning as Genevieve started to object. “Otherwise, you can work at a desk. C also warned that if you do anything rash or dull-witted, he’ll remove you from the service altogether.”

Stunned, Genevieve stared at Theo in angry dismay. Good Lord, her cousins must have painted an even darker picture of her injury than she’d expected. Teeth clenched with anger, she scowled at Theo for a long moment before sharply bobbing her head.

“Fine, I agree to having a partner, but I want someone other than you.”

“Why?”

The query made Genevieve start as she met Theo’s narrowed gaze. Why didn’t she want Theo for her partner? She didn’t have an answer, or at least not one she was willing to reveal even to herself. When she didn’t say anything, he nodded his head.

“Since you don’t have an answer, I’ll assume you’re hoping to find a partner who will let you do as you please or at the very least you’ll find it easy to elude them as soon as you enter the East End.”

“I simply don’t want someone watching or controlling my every move while I’m trying to do my job.”

A dark, almost menacing look settled on Theo’s face. With slow, measured steps, he closed the distance between them.. Genevieve wanted to retreat, but wasn’t about to admit she was intimidated by him. By the time he was less than two feet away from her, her heart was racing out of control. Bergamot and spice mixed together in a heady, masculine scent that invaded her senses as he came to a halt in front of her. Blue eyes flashing with irritation, Theo leaned forward until he was towering over her.

“And I think that’s precisely what you need. Someone to track your every step to keep you out of harms way or ensure you stay out of trouble.”

Although his voice was soft, it still held a harsh warning that made her bristle. The man was becoming a thorn in her side. Determined to make him understand she had no intention of becoming a puppet he could control, Genevieve took a small step forward until her body was touching his. But the moment her palms pressed into his chest, Theo grew rigid. Delighted by his reaction to her, she could feel his heart pounding like a freight train beneath her fingers.

Elated by his wild heartbeat, she smiled. It meant she was the one in command again, and Genevieve reveled in the power she held at this precise moment. It was a giddy sensation. Energy hummed its way over her skin as she realized she was overlooking the present danger. If someone were to enter the library and catch the two of them in each other’s arms, Theo would no doubt use the situation to his advantage.

While the odds of such a thing happening were low, the possibility still sent a shiver of excitement streaking down her back. It was what she loved most about working in the field. The task of courting danger always invigorated her, but for some reason, this moment was even more exhilarating, and she didn’t want to ask herself why.

Tipping her head back, she stared up into Theo’s blue eyes. Desire flared in the dark, stormy depths, and her heartbeat quickened. Unwilling to give up her control, she studied his features for a brief moment. The heat in his gaze made her lips curve in the same beguiling smile she used while working in the East End, enticing men to reveal their secrets. Her touch deliberate, Genevieve trailed her fingers across his warm, sensual mouth.

“Does that mean you intend to…”she allowed her voice to hitch as she released a soft sigh of anticipation. “…keep me close to you? If so, then be forewarned, I intend to make it quite difficult for you to resist making me your mistress.”

The chest muscles beneath her hands hardened into stone as his body stiffened even more. Theo’s reaction sent delight spiraling through her. She’d turned the tables on him, and it was an euphoric sensation. In the next breath, strong hands caught her by the waist and tugged her forward until her hips were pressed intimately into his.

Beneath her skirts, his erection pressed its way deep into the gown’s material until he was nestled snug between her thighs, despite her clothing. Instantly, her sex tightened, craving the intoxicating delight she’d experienced yesterday. Hunger glittered in his gaze, and Genevieve’s mouth went dry. In the next instant, Theo’s demeanor changed, and a slow, sinfully masculine smile touched his lips as he lowered his head toward hers.

Unable to help herself, Genevieve inhaled a sharp breath of expectation as she waited for him to capture her mouth with his. To her disappointment, his lips barely grazed her cheek as his mouth nibbled at her ear.

“Take care, Genevieve, two can play this game. There are some fires, once lit, that are difficult to extinguish, which can prove quite frustrating. For instance, right now, my cock is aching for the hot, slick heat between those lush thighs of yours, but I also just felt your body tighten against mine, which is quite telling.”

Soft, devilish laughter whispered out of him the instant she drew in a sharp breath of anticipation. His wicked words ignited a craving inside her that flowed hot and thick through her veins.

“That sounds as if you’re aroused by the prospect of my exploring your heat, Genevieve. Just think about all the other things I can do to you, mo leannan. Decadent kisses that will leave you sobbing with need as my tongue and mouth savor every inch of you, even deliciously forbidden places. ”

His usage of Gaelic to call her sweetheart surprised her, but it was the description of his kisses she found confusing. Bewildered, Genevieve arched backward to stare up at him in puzzlement. A sardonic smile of satisfaction twisted his lips, and an eyebrow shot upward as he met her gaze. She stared at him in silence for a moment as she tried to comprehend what he was saying. What did he mean, kissing her in forbidden places? Genevieve’s gaze locked with his in puzzlement.

“I don’t understand.”

At her confusion, his gaze leisurely swept downward to focus on the spot where his body pressed into the apex of her thighs. Seconds later, he met her gaze once more. Desire still burned in his stormy blue eyes, but laughter danced in the dark-blue depths too.

“Would you like me to explain in detail how much you’ll enjoy me tasting every delightful inch of you?”

It took her another moment before she realized what he meant. Eyes widening in astonishment, her mouth parted in a silent gasp. She’d been made to perform fellatio during the time Ruckley had sold her body, but Genevieve had never thought to think a man might perform it on a woman. She’d only been taught to serve. With a mocking twist of his lips, he arched his eyebrows in a silent question.

“No,” she choked out. “There’s no need for an explanation.”

Flustered and angered by her inability to remain unaffected by Theo’s words and sinfully seductive voice, she glared up at him. A moment ago, she’d been in control of the situation. Now, he held the upper hand, and she didn’t like it at all. Unwilling to yield any further ground, Genevieve narrowed her gaze at him before she reached up to stroke his cheek and smiled.

“Words are not the same as actions, my lord. I’m afraid I remain unconvinced as to your ability to make me delirious with pleasure.”

Her hands pulled his head down as she went up on tiptoe to brush her mouth over his in a lingering kiss. Theo’s body twitched against the apex of her thighs, and Genevieve smiled as she pulled back.