The Runner's Enticement (Men of Circumstance Book 2) (8 page)

Lady Annabel, on the other hand, was an entirely different barrel of fish.

He somehow lacked the ability to charm her even a little. Which in itself irked him to no end. Combined with how his feelings for her were far from familial, he found little connection between her and his sister-in-law.

All of which he would
not
be sharing with Foxmoore. Not until he had a chance to decipher the pampered lady for himself. Most specifically, what she’d been doing in the garden with her mystery man.

“Since I’ve never professed to have the ability to charm any and all women, I’m not about to touch Gabe’s unsettling claim. But there is something I’d like for you to
not
discuss with my brother.”

Foxmoore must have noted the seriousness in Nate’s tone as all traces of mirth left his face. The
ton’s
respected and proper lord had returned. “Would this have anything to do with the fact your brother and his immediate circle have no knowledge of your illustrious career?”

The man was astute.

“Is there a reason you’ve kept such a significant piece of information from the man who welcomed you into his life and offered you a piece of everything he has?” Foxmoore persisted.

Nate refused to feel guilty over his choice. He’d thought long and hard about his decision when he’d signed on to be a Runner. His by-blow status and proximity in Gabe’s life was enough of a shadow hanging over the dukedom. Gabe had plenty to worry about while he attempted to remove the despicable cloud the Wesbrook ancestors had placed over the family line.

“My silence regarding being a Runner has always been with my brother in mind. A bastard scapegrace as a half-brother is enough for Gabe to deal with. I have no desire to add my very common career to the mix.”

Nate strode along the hall without bothering to see if Foxmoore followed.

When the earl spoke from beyond Nate’s shoulder, he knew the man had taken his cue. “You think he wouldn’t eventually find out? It isn’t as if you’ve been circumspect in your work. Given the glowing detailed list of your accomplishments Lawson provided me, I’m surprised word hasn’t already reached his ears. There has to be more than a few nobles who know of your occupation.”

Glowing? Lawson?
Foxmoore must be confused. Despite witnessing the proof, Lawson had never hailed Nate’s abilities. He would rather mention Nate’s arrogance.

Either way, Foxmoore was right. It was only a matter of time before Gabe learned of his true activities while away from Frenton Hall.

Wouldn’t Gabe knowing be better than him thinking I’ve done nothing with my life?

Nate had never felt more fulfillment than when he’d convinced Gabe to allow him to look into the matter of his blackmailer. As much as he’d never been the kind of man who sought his older brother’s approval, the day Gabe had put his trust in him had meant more than all the criminals he’d put away over the years.

Since then, keeping his secret seemed even more deceitful.

Had his dishonesty destroyed the excitement of being a Runner? Whatever it was, the thrill of the chase had vanished. He didn’t feel the pulse of anticipation run through him at the prospect of catching his man.

At least it had until his ‘man’ had become one annoying but fetching woman.

Even if they managed to snare Brodford’s crook posthaste, Nate wasn’t leaving until he cracked the tempting Lady Annabel.

They reached Brodford’s trove of treasures and Nate welcomed the prospect of abandoning Foxmoore to the earl’s droll description of the stolen artifacts—mostly because Nate had no desire to continue with Foxmoore’s questions concerning Nate’s dishonesty with Gabe.

That was Nate’s battle. One he had a feeling was about to come to a head.

Chapter 13

Anna stalked her way to the stable on a singular mission. To find Nate Frederickson.

Why was the dratted man underfoot when she least wanted him to be, but the moment she desired his presence, he was nowhere to be found?

He was her last chance to learn how Foxmoore planned to track the stolen items. By the time she’d thought herself safe from discovery by Nate and had searched out her father, Foxmoore had already departed. Her father had been no help other than raving about what a great man the earl was. Anna suspected Foxmoore’s wonderfulness had much to do with him sharing her father’s interests and little with the actual man. Not that she’d found anything disagreeable about the earl.

She only hoped her father didn’t concoct some diluted plot in his head about procuring a son-in-law with a mutual pastime. He’d yet to show interest in her marital status but it would be only a matter of time before he would wish to see her provided for.

Not the time to fret over the possibility
. She had more important matters to attend to, as she unceremoniously entered the stable and discovered the subject of her quest.

How she found him had her sliding to a halt inside the door.

After days in his unwanted company, she knew beyond a doubt Nate was a handsome man. Blast, she hadn’t needed more than their first meeting to comprehend the simple fact.

However, seeing him minus his jacket with his shirtsleeves rolled up, she found an entirely new dimension of his attractiveness.

Either the noise of the stable drowned out her arrival or he had less manners than she’d thought, for Nate kept to his task of brushing his horse, his back to her, without acknowledging her presence.

Which, at the moment, suited her. It allowed for her to admire the play of muscles in his forearm. Each stroke of the brush over the horse’s coat emphasized a different combination of tighten and release. She followed his arm up and over his shoulder to become fixated on his strong back, framed in the thin linen shirt.

She had shifted her eyes down and over the tautness of his backside when a man, attached to an unknown voice, entered the space. Not prepared to have an audience for her confrontation with Nate, she silently slipped into the shadow of one of the stall doors.

“There are men employed by the earl to see to your horse, Nate.”

“For the moment at least, you are one of those men.” Nate’s response held enough mirth for her to assume a joke had passed between the men.

Through a crack between the stall door and wall, Anna studied the stranger, certain he wasn’t one of her father’s men. Her frequent travels to the school had given her ample opportunities to meet each of the stable hands. He had to be one of Nate’s men.

Nate had positioned Runners throughout the estate, effectively hindering her ability to move freely. She still hadn’t figured out how to meet Mr. Rollins’ latest
terms
without alerting Nate or his men.

“How exactly would my covert position here be any different than my last three posts? I think I’ve seen to your mount more times than you in the last two months.”

Both men had a good chuckle.

Intent on the conversation, Anna wasn’t prepared for the sudden bang on the wall next to her and barely managed to cover her squeak when the sound vibrated through the stable.

Accustomed to the sounds of the stable, she quickly identified the solid thud as the horse in the next stall kicking the wall. Now if only her rushing heart would comprehend the fact.

Her nerves finally under control, she braved a peek at the men, only to find the space empty where Nate and his horse had stood.

Where has the man gotten to now?

Determined to root Nate out once again, she stepped from behind the door . . . only to be shuffled back against the wall with two sturdy hands clamped on each side of her waist. Hands that mere moments earlier had held her captivated as they’d stroked his horse.

“What are you up to, sneaking around, princess?” There was nothing harsh about Nate’s tone as his breath fanned the top of her head.

She struggled to pull her gaze from the gaping collar of his unfastened shirt. While his back had been to her as he’d tended his horse, she’d missed the clear view of his upper chest.
Oh, my.
Here she’d thought the rippling of his back had been glorious.

She finally won the battle and raised her eyes to meet his—but not before indulging herself with a slow perusal of the strong cord of his neck, the light sprinkle of hair along his firm jaw, and the confident and enticing bend of his lips.

When she finally ended her inspection, she suspected the heat burning her cheeks was as clear to him as the spark of male satisfaction she spotted in his eyes.

What had he asked again?

Nate had her so flustered she seemed to forget herself. Especially since he didn’t appear inclined to release her.

“Am I to guess?” he asked.

She wanted to answer. She longed to set him straight. Only she’d lost the ability to speak when he punctuated his question with a step closer, eliminating all space between their bodies.

“I rather prefer you speechless.” His eyes left hers and drifted to her mouth. “Maybe I should startle you more often.”

What the hell am I doing?

Whatever it was, Nate knew he shouldn’t be doing it.

He shouldn’t be touching her. He shouldn’t have her delectable body pressed so sweetly against his, leaving her no escape—not that she appeared ready to bolt.

When he and Grant had sensed they were being watched, it had taken only a moment for him to realize Lady Annabel had evolved from clandestine garden meetings to spying. He’d only meant to confront her. Not seduce her.

But since he presently struggled to keep from crushing her lips beneath his in a kiss sure to teach her what happened when a virtuous woman spied on a man who’d spent days envisioning her luscious form under his . . .

Nate was glad he’d had the sense to send Grant from the stable. The last thing he needed was one of his men witnessing his current moment of stupidity.

And it
was
beyond foolish. But no matter how many times the functioning part of his consciousness told him so, the rest of him refused to listen.

“You haven’t ordered me to release you.” He felt honor bound to inject his observation into the moment. One last chance for her come to her senses, because the far off look in her eyes shouted that she was approaching the point of no return.

“I . . .” Her tongue darted out to moisten her lips—almost bringing him to his knees. “I don’t think I can.”

“I don’t think I want you to.”

Then he sealed his fate as his lips descended over hers.

Chapter 14

The moment Nate’s mouth brushed hers, Anna lost all sense of . . . well,
everything
.

The shuffle of hooves and the rattle of the stalls vanished beneath the soft pressure of his velvet kiss. His skill apparent, it took no time for her novice lips to match his.

Is this what I’ve been missing?
Were all men this accomplished or did Nate possess a special skill to turn a woman’s knees to mush?

Weakened, she had to clutch the curve of his shoulders to keep from falling to the floor in an unceremonious heap. The warmth of his tight muscles through the soft linen beneath her fingers caused her head to spin.

Even knowing she was kissing the Runner who would eventually destroy her future didn’t stop her from opening when his tongue skimmed across her lips.

“You taste like honey,” he murmured against her mouth before he licked delicately across her bottom lip.

What am I doing?
The man had just licked her and her response was to run her hands up his neck and into the silkiness of his hair, sinking back into his kiss.

At any moment a stable hand—or heaven help her, the stable master who’d watched her grow up—could walk in. She needed to find her wits.

But, oh, his kiss was so . . . intoxicating. And his hands. At some point his strong fingers had started to roam her body and currently resided in the vicinity of her breasts. Creating a tingle better left unexamined.

His lips released hers, brushing along her skin before halting to trail her neck below her ear.

“Nate.”

Is that my voice?
All breathless and pleading? Now was not the time to lose her sensibilities. No matter how tempting it might be.

She ignored the intense pull to slip further into his embrace and somehow forced a bit of strength into her voice. “Nate.”

It must have been enough for his lips ceased their caress, but instead of retreating immediately, he released a soft sigh against her skin. A sound equal in accord and regret. All feelings she echoed.

After what seemed all too sudden and yet not fast enough, his lips abandoned her and he took a step back, allowing her to gain control of her rebellious heartbeat and catch her breath.

Until she caught the burning look of desire in his eyes. Fire, darkening the crystal blue with a deep intensity, had her fighting the urge to fall back into his arms.

An act that could never happen. Not while he had the power to destroy everything she’d given so much to see succeed. This man, who had the ability to stir her senses, she must avoid. At all cost.

She struggled to find the words to make him forget the last few minutes. Considering her lack of experience with amorous situation—or men in general—she was failing horribly.

Fortunately, he came to her rescue. “No need to torture yourself, princess, we both know that should never have happened.” The heat in his eyes cooled before he continued, “Or happen again.”

As much as she knew it needed to be said and was thankful he agreed, Anna felt a loss.

Her voice sounded surprisingly steady and unaffected by regret when she responded, “I agree. I’m not certain what came over me.”

His smirk of a smile held enough power to curl her toes. “Come now, we both know you possess ample intelligence to understand
exactly
what came over you.”

He dropped his gaze to her lips and she swore she could taste him all over again. Only when he spoke again did the spell break. “What came over
us
.”

His admission confirmed he’d been equally affected by their moment of recklessness. A position she’d never been in before. Men typically looked past her, a truth she’d been comfortable with. Maybe even preferred, considering none of them had held her interest either.

Not the case with Nate; when not exasperating her, he stirred feelings she was unequipped to handle. A reaction clearly not sane or particularly preferred. Too much depended on her staying a step ahead of him.

Unsure what else to do, she adopted her most authoritative demeanor—the one she deployed only in the most extreme situations at the school. “Be that as it may, Mr. Frederickson, you were correct in your initial assessment. It shall
never
happen again.”

Seeing a flash of defiance cross his face at what he probably perceived as a challenge, she added the blow that would sever any connection between them. Though the idea of destroying the bit of friendliness they’d built turned her stomach, she held firm. “My father hired you for services that don’t include stepping beyond your place here.”

Anna stilled as her words dashed over him and erased all warmth and desire from his face. An icy coolness remained that seemed to reach out and strike her in the heart. Her accusation had been unfair and unwarranted. She’d wanted his kiss as much as he’d enjoyed bestowing it.

She still did.

Nate gave her one last frozen glare before turning and striding away, leaving her alone with a pang of remorse and a longing to unsay the horrid words. Especially since she hadn’t meant a single one.

Fear, of what Nate’s ability as a Runner might mean to her future, kept her from rushing after him. The hurt she’d glimpsed on his face before remoteness had taken control strengthened her resolve to see her deception through and find a way for the school to succeed. She’d gone too far and hurt too many to turn back now. She needed something to make everything she’d done worth it.

Anna trudged back to the house, minus the determination that had encouraged her initial trip to the stable. Her thoughts seemed mired in a mixture of wonder at the memory of Nate’s lips as they’d touched hers, and misery at the hurt her words had caused. Her mind thus occupied, she didn’t notice Mr. Rollins until he emerged from behind a hedge and stepped into her path.

“Lady Annabel, fancy meeting you here.” The mockery in his voice disavowed his cordial greeting.

She glanced around, afraid Nate’s men—or worse, Nate—would find them together. Despite Mr. Rollins being dressed in a uniform similar to other members of the staff, his appearance might be questioned. Especially since she typically didn’t conduct drawn-out discussions in the garden with the staff.

“What are you doing here?” she hissed between numb lips. He knew never to come to the house. She’d met him on the property before to make payment but never had he appeared uninvited.

“I figured you could use a reminder as to your approaching payment deadline.”

Please, go away
. “I’m well aware of what day it is.”

He shuffled closer but she refused to be intimidated. Mostly because it was the reaction he craved.

“Then I needn’t remind you of what will happen if you are a single day late. I will go directly to your father with information on his missing artifacts.”

“I know our agreement and you need to leave. It wouldn’t be in either of our best interests for someone to see you here.”

As his eyes narrowed, Anna realized her mistake. He wasn’t a man to take directions from others. She feared what he’d do when he suddenly glanced behind her.

“Saved by the watch.” His gaze returned to flick over her face. “Don’t be late, Lady Annabel. Or my next visit will be with your father.”

With his parting threat, Mr. Rollins slipped behind the hedge and disappeared.

Curious as to what scared him away, she glanced behind her to see one of Nate’s men approaching. Thankfully he was too far away to have heard Mr. Rollins’ parting remark or notice any differences in his uniform. To avoid questions, she gave the man a small nod and half smile before fleeing to the house.