Chapter 5 #3
A knot of emotion lodged in Genevieve’s throat as she stared at her father’s distinguished features.
Swallowing the tears threatening to spill down her cheeks, she leaned forward and caught his hands in hers.
In a silent expression of love and empathy, Genevieve met her father’s gaze then squeezed his fingers in a silent sign of affection before she lifted his hand to press his palm against her cheek.
“I love you and Mama just as much, Papa,” she managed to choke out in a voice that didn’t sound as strangled as she’d thought it would. “We all do.”
“Then allow me to be the father who judges every man who seeks you out. And Theo is the kind of young man your mother and I would welcome as a son-in-law.”
Percy Rockwood’s smile broadened into a grin as Genevieve stared at her father in shock, then scowled at him. With a hard shake of her head, she was about to object vehemently, but was prevented from saying anything as the library door opened.
The two of them turned their heads, and the moment Genevieve saw Theo cross the library’s threshold, she drew in a breath of trepidation.
Her father was immediately on his feet as he gestured for Theo to join them.
Genevieve jumped out of her seat as well, frantic to come up with a logical reason for fleeing the room.
“Theo, we were just talking about you,” her father said with a smile. Theo’s eyebrows shot up in surprise before he narrowed his gaze on Genevieve.
“I hope Genevieve’s observations as to my character weren’t overly disparaging.”
Theo’s mouth curled in a small smile that didn’t quite meet his eyes. Oblivious to the tension running between the two of them, her father chuckled.
“No, if she’d said anything derogatory about you, I would have insisted on knowing the reason.”
“I’m relieved to hear that,” Theo said as he clasped his hands behind his back. “Actually, I’m here because I was hoping to have a word with Genevieve.”
Theo’s statement made her heart sink, and her father eyed her with amusement, but said nothing as he bobbed his head in understanding.
“Of course, I shall leave the two of you to your discussion,” Percy Rockwood said as he leaned forward to peck Genevieve on the cheek, then picked up the Cadbury chocolate bar.
Waving it in the air for split-second, he smiled at her.
“I’ll go find your mother now, I’ve no wish to find myself in the doghouse if I delay in sharing this candy any longer. ”
With that, her father left the library, leaving her alone with Theo. Hands clasped in front of her, Genevieve didn’t move, her spine rigid as she met his gaze.
“If you’ve come to try and change my mind as to our discussion yesterday, my answer is still no.” Chin tipped upward, she met his gaze defiantly. His sensual mouth tightened as he shook his head.
“No, I’m here because Jamie sent word from C. He’s given us a new assignment that requires—”
“Us? I told you yesterday I didn’t need a partner.”
“And I said you didn’t have a choice.”
“Then I’ll have to speak with C, because—”
“Have you seen the man since Wills took care of your wound?” Firm and unyielding, Theo’s voice vibrated with an emotion that bordered on amused complacency.
“No, I had to come to the Abbey the morning after I saw Wills. I was going to tell him what happened when I returned.”
“Jamie and Wills returned to London yesterday morning. They discussed your injury with C, and the man’s furious with you.”
Theo’s matter-of-fact statement made her wince. She had no doubt Jamie and Wills had made her injury sound worse than what it was. They’d probably hoped the leader of the Secret Intelligence Service’s foreign section would remove her from the field.
“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. ”