The Runner's Enticement (Men of Circumstance Book 2) (14 page)

Stunned by what it meant, she lost the ability to object when Nate severed all talks of the mysterious Viper and Nate’s possible endangerment.

With nothing else to discuss, Foxmoore took his leave after promising to report back to Nate within a few days.

Alone with Nate and her newly discovered feelings, she didn’t know how to revert back to the way things had been left between them. She’d experienced less awkwardness facing him after their night together.

Thankfully, Nate seemed distracted with his own thoughts and failed to see her inner turmoil—despite her suspecting it was displayed across her face. As she remained standing behind the desk, he used the available room to pace. She didn’t think he realized his restless shifting.

She took the opportunity to study him, comparing the man before her to the man who had so easily dismissed her upon their introduction.

As before, he was impossibly handsome. Though ‘handsome’ should be reserved for someone not as striking and thrilling as Nate. Someone less arousing. His appearance was more sensual and tempting.

His eyes, when given the opportunity, could flash from charming to inviting. The ever present shadow of a beard remained a slightly deeper color than the shorter than fashionable hair on his head.

But now, as he continued to tread the floor, the arrogant man who’d called her an overindulged, spoiled brat had vanished. Instead, his brow crinkled as he battled some manner of inner demon. She doubted it was his safety that concerned him.

Observing his restlessness after Foxmoore’s revelations, she sensed Nate needed to act. Staying with her at the school where his actions were limited to sitting and waiting did him no good.

She’d take pity on him. “I’m ready to leave.”

At least he’d stopped wearing out the floor with his incessant pacing, but when he turned her way, his eyes were vacant as if still distracted, his mind locked on something.

For the life of her, she didn’t know to reach him.

Chapter 25

“What do you want us to do?” Grant asked.

Nate studied the men gathered around him. He often worked alone but when situations called for someone to have his back, he never thought twice about placing his life in any of their hands. They’d been through a lot together and it pained him to carry the news of Jarvis’ escape. Tracking the country’s deadliest killer—and potentially becoming his next victim—wasn’t something any Runner longed for.

Perhaps the first time the thrill of the chase might have been enticing enough to overlook the possibility of death. Certainly not the second, and what Nate asked of his men was precisely that.

Knowing each of them stared at him with nothing but dedication to the job hit Nate in the chest. Especially since everyone standing before him, himself included, knew The Viper had placed a target on Nate’s back with his parting words the night of his arrest. And this time it would be Jarvis tracking him.

“From what Foxmoore shared and other evidence, I have a feeling The Viper is no longer working alone.” Nate had struggled with telling his men about the blackmail letters and threats to Anna. As of now, only he knew Gabe’s blackmailer had never been Johnstone. After the solicitor’s death coincided with Jarvis’ escape, Lawson probably had his suspicions. None Nate wanted confirmed, though. Until he could verify a few things, he’d keep the information to himself.

“Some things will need to change. First, I want each of you to understand what you will be undertaking. I would never question your dedication to the force. But now, instead of us hunting a killer, the killer will be hunting us. Lawson will have men tracking his movements so we can prepare, but outside of that, we are on our own. If not for believing Brodford, and his daughter, are in danger and need our protection, I’d have us leave and draw Jarvis away.”

Since hearing of Jarvis’ escape and the possible connection to Johnstone, Nate had agonized over Anna’s safety. When he’d first linked the blackmailer’s growing threats to Anna and The Viper’s newly gained freedom, it had felt as if he’d taken a blow to the stomach. He’d never placed much credence on the blackmailer’s threats before today. Even when Gabe had been the target there had been plenty of intimidation without a lot of action. If not for Johnstone persuading Charles York to abduct Gabe’s daughter, with the misguided belief he was the young girl’s father, there had been no follow through.

Now, with the possible involvement of The Viper, Nate suspected the extorting had escalated and the man responsible was prepared to kill to get what he wanted. Even if not part of his job, Nate would forfeit his life before he’d let anything happen to Anna.

He focused once more on the steady gaze of his men. “I guess I’m saying I would understand if any of you would rather be reassigned. What I’m asking is a lot. You’ll essentially be setting yourself up as bait.”

Not a second passed before Grant spoke again. “As I said, what do you want us to do?”

Nate glanced from one man to the next and each time he received a solid nod of agreement. Knowing not a single one thought of stepping away filled him with pride. Because of his lineage, Nate might never be deemed an equal to his brother by society, but he had those willing to stand next to him no matter what.

He spent the next hour planning a new strategy with his men. Their ultimate purpose hadn’t changed—just shifted. They were still there to do a job and before he left, Nate vowed to find Brodford’s thief.

Only, instead of that being their main focus, it had fallen to the wayside. Anna’s safety had become their priority. When he’d first arrived, her need for a protector had been doubtful. Now it had become essential. He’d do anything in his power to make sure no harm came to her.

All without her knowing.

Until absolutely necessary, Anna wouldn’t be learning more details about The Viper. He could kick himself for exposing her to Foxmoore’s news. In his defense, he couldn't have predicted he’d brought a killer to her door.

Nate respected Brodford enough to fill the man in on the increased danger. Guilt at what he’d allowed to transpire so great, Nate had gone to the older man before he’d briefed his men. The earl had surprised Nate and never once blamed him for the change in circumstances. Despite Brodford’s understanding and despite Nate’s guilt, he had refused to reveal
all
his secrets and had omitted the details of the blackmailer and the letters threatening Anna’s safety.

Together they’d decided, for her protection, it was imperative to limit her trips to the school. There were too many variables Nate couldn’t control away from the estate. Everything determined, Brodford had relinquished the details to Nate and his men.

All planned and nothing else to be done for the night, Nate returned to the house. Needing the time with his men, he had secured Brodford’s assurance Anna would be safe inside the locked house with her father at her side.

Having escaped prison and being a very wanted man, Jarvis would have to move about discreetly. It would be impossible for him to have reached the estate already. Or so Nate hoped.

As expected, Nate found Anna and her father in the parlor. The sight of her safe and unaffected by everything warmed the endless cold filtering through his body from the anxiety of placing her in danger.

Alerted to his approach, Anna lifted her head from the item her father had placed in her hand and gifted him with a smile. They might still be at odds about many things—especially her unwillingness to share information on the man from the Witterson’s garden—but there was no mistaking a subtle shift had moved between them since their night together.

Gone was the hostility. Instead, an unspoken agreement to co-exist without silently wishing for the other’s demise had sprouted. At least on his part.

Without hesitation, he returned her warm greeting and settled into the vacant chair across from her.

Anna’s smile grew at her father’s continued lecture concerning the difference between two very identical looking bronze Bastet statues. And all with no indication he noticed Nate’s entry, despite Nate now sitting within three feet of him. Going forward, Nate might need to rethink the soundness of leaving Brodford in charge of Anna’s safety. The man had a tendency to forget life beyond his antiques.

A quiet camaraderie established, Anna matched his silence as her father droned on about the catlike goddess. Nate’s easiness cracked as Anna kept her gaze affixed on
him
instead of the statue heavy on her lap. Her turquoise eyes seemed to attempt uncovering things he vowed to keep from her.

He was saved from her scrutiny when Brodford lifted his head. “Frederickson. Good, you are here. I was about to show Anna a new amulet my team shipped to me.”

Because Nate’s eyes remained locked on hers, he didn’t miss the shadow that moved through those blue-green depths, or how the pink tint vanished from her cheeks. As quickly as the emotion flared, her eyes cleared and a faint smile returned to her lips.

Her focus diverted by her father as he removed the statue, Nate could no longer study her reaction. Before her father could retrieve the amulet, she stood. “Papa, I’m afraid the amulet will have to wait for another day. After today’s excitement, I find myself overly tired and wish to retire early.”

Anna, weary from the day’s discoveries? He doubted it. Not when she’d pestered Foxmoore to share everything.

Her voice remained steady but Nate sensed something other than simple exhaustion straining her words. Not the most observant when surrounded by his dusty collection, Brodford didn’t seem to catch his daughter’s tension. Maybe she’d deduced more than Nate had thought. Either way, she’d effectively brought forth the only time of the day he couldn’t be by her side to ensure her safety . . . the solitude of her bedchamber.

“Of course, Annabel, dear,” her father said as she gave the man a light kiss on his cheek, leaving Nate’s cheek feeling neglected. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Good night, Papa,” Anna responded quietly, her tension still audible.

With a quick look in his direction yet not actually settling her eyes on him, Anna vacated the room and left Nate alone with her father.

He’d give her time to reach her room and prepare for bed before he commenced with the plan that had Grant keeping vigil outside her second story window, while Nate did the same from within the house. Being as close to her sleeping form as possible stirred his body. Since he could readily bring forth visions of her beneath him in her bed, he figured his base thoughts were not truly his fault.

Now, he just needed to find the restraint to
not
act on his thoughts.

Chapter 26

Anna woke the next morning with the same deadness she’d felt upon leaving the parlor the prior evening. The moment her father had mentioned the amulet, she’d known it was the very one she’d handed over to Mr. Rollins the night he’d knocked her off her feet by demanding the debt to be paid in full. With Nate’s eyes steady on her, reading her reaction, she had no choice but to escape before her father had discovered the amulet missing.

Her deceit would have been so hard to hide from Nate’s knowing eyes. Instead, she’d fled for her own safety and spent most of the night tossing around her bedding in an attempt to vanquish her guilt.

She’d long understood there would be no escaping what she’d done. With another day gone, she was one step closer to being forced to face her failure.

It wasn’t until she was dressed and standing before her father when things got worse. Knowing her days with the school were limited, she’d wanted to spend as much time there as possible. Which was why, when her father had mentioned he’d decided to throw an intimate gathering and needed her assistance, she was torn between going to the school and her need to repay her father for betraying him.

Worse, Nate stood silently behind her as her father requested her help. Despite their accord of late, she sensed he was pleased the party planning would keep her from the school. Something she’d thought they were beyond.

“But Papa, there is so much to do at the school. Are you sure you couldn’t postpone your plans until I would have more time to plan it?”

Such as when I’m sitting in prison with nothing else to do?

An untypical determination fell over his face. “My mind is set and I would hope my daughter would find it within her to lend her hosting abilities.”

Any other time Anna would have felt honored to assist her father with anything he needed. Now, with the school and her mother’s planned legacy slipping through her fingers, she was torn. Plus, she didn’t feel like being around when her father discovered the amulet he’d wanted to show off was nowhere to be found.

Even reluctantly, she couldn’t let her father down—more than she already had. “I would be glad to help. Do you know who you’d like to invite?”

When he handed her the already prepared guest list from his desk, she knew he’d put more planning into the impromptu gathering than she’d thought.

“Everyone should be there,” he added as she studied the list. “Would a sennight give you adequate time to plan? I know we haven’t entertained for some time so there might be some extra details to see to.”

Considering by the time the party was over she’d have one less week to spend at the school, she couldn’t find it within her to match her father’s enthusiasm.

Instead, she quietly agreed to the timeline.

With time of the essence, she retreated to the drawing room and started on the invitations.

When it became apparent Nate had resorted back to being her shadow by making himself comfortable on the sofa cross the low table from her, Anna shifted her attention from the invitation supplies to the man reclined before her.

“With all Foxmoore had shared with you yesterday, I’d think you’d have better things to do with your time.”

She aimed for two things with her comment. First to hopefully impart she’d prefer to
not
be subjected to his company without resorting to their prior hostility. And to try gaining more information about The Viper’s escape and how it affected Nate.

As he continued to regard her under his dark lashes, she feared her attempt had fallen short. She should have known, since he rarely did what she desired.

Instead, he returned with a question of his own. “If things were different, where do you think you’d be?”

“I don’t understand.” The man’s question made no sense. “If what was different?”

His demeanor never changed from the carefree man she’d caught glimpses of every now and then—most notably, the night he’d had her trembling in his arms—as he rephrased his question. “If the world was at your disposal and you weren’t hindered by rules of society and your gender, where do you think your life would have taken you? Would you still be living with your father and attending to the school? I suppose I’d like to know what you dreamt for yourself when you wished upon the stars as a little girl.”

What a fanciful question. And so unlike the Runner sent to guard her, she needed a moment to decide if she wanted to answer. And what the answer might be. Or more specifically, why he was interested.

She turned the question around. “Since you’ve obviously thought about it enough to ask, how about you? If things were changed, would you be doing something different?”

His lips quirked, his grin turning sensual. “You mean when I was a little girl wishing upon stars?”

Invitations abandoned, she leaned back and returned his grin with much less practiced seduction. “Exactly. What did little Nathaniel dream of?”

He fell silent for a moment, as if he had to think over his answer. She wondered if he would respond at all. Yet instead of evading the question, he replied, “The very first wish I can remember was wanting my father to say he’d made a mistake and he wanted to welcome my mother and me into his life and home.”

Still reclining on the sofa, his body appeared relaxed but Anna spotted the heavy strain around his eyes. Even though given with a teasing tilt, she’d wager his revelation had affected him more than he wanted her to know. All hidden behind his carefree shield.

“It didn’t take long before I finally admitted no amount of wishing was going to make the Duke of Wesbrook acknowledge one of his many by-blows. Or even provide adequate compensation to the young woman he’d cruelly seduced and thrown away.”

Anna knew he spoke of his mother. She longed to say something, to ease the pain those years may have diminished, yet never destroyed. But her experience with complete disregard from a parent was nonexistent. Now, if he wanted to speak of how a child could deceive a parent—no matter how noble the intentions—she could offer endless advice.

She answered with the only words she could find. “I’m sorry, Nate.”

When his only reaction was to silently study her, she thought she’d said the wrong thing. She started to squirm under his heavy scrutiny when he finally spoke, “No, I’m sorry, sweet. I didn’t mean to be so somber. My childhood wasn’t completely miserable. I had a mother who loved me and would have sacrificed everything to see me succeed. In the end, my father’s lack of acknowledgement was a blessing. Gabe had spent years trying to break from the man’s horrid influences and had lost himself in the process. You could say I was the fortunate one.”

She wanted to go to him. To sit beside him and slip her arms around him. Despite knowing his body intimately, she didn’t feel she had the right. After their one night together, they seemed to have silently agreed to act as if it had never happened. Something she was starting to resent. A part of her craved the closeness they’d found.

“So, would you do things differently?” She still wanted to know.

“No, Anna, I wouldn’t have done anything different. My scoundrel of a father gave me the connection to my brother—a relationship I’d give anything to keep—and taught me I need to fight for what I want out of life. Despite living with the stigma of being yet another Wesbrook bastard and having plenty of doors closed to me, I wouldn’t change who I am. As with anyone, there may be a few small details of my life I’d like the chance to do again and possibly make better. Still, I wouldn’t wish to be anyone other than who I am.”

So much could be taken from what he’d shared, but her mind latched onto one thing. The small details he’d like to amend. Was she one of those details? Did he wish to return to their night together and pick a different option?

She had to know. “Would you change our night together?”

Please, God, tell me I didn’t just ask that.

Not out loud.

By the sudden shift in his posture, she feared she had. Would he notice if she curled into ball and died of humiliation? Maybe he’d take pity on her and pretend she hadn’t asked something so absurd.

Then . . . maybe not.

“Anna, not that. Never that.” His voice might have been soft but the surety of his claim rang strong. “I shall always treasure what you shared with me. What you gifted me.”

He spoke in terms of the past. As if one night was all they'd ever have. Despite understanding its sensibility, she hated the thought.

She wished for more sophistication. That she had the knowledge to handle the situation, how to offer an arrangement where she could explore the feelings he aroused. Fully aware there was no great romance hidden in a future quite possibly ending in less than a fortnight, she wanted more. More of what he made her feel. More of what she suspected only he could give her.

“Does it have to end?” The words were out of her mouth and floating in the room before she could halt them.

By his wide-eyed shock, he was just as surprised by her outburst. But she wouldn’t allow it to become one of life’s moments she would go back and change.

“Anna . . . I don’t . . . that is . . .”

As Nate visibly floundered for a response, she felt lightheaded from shock. How could she be so naive? So stupid? Just because he didn’t want to change that night, didn’t mean he wished to repeat it.

Why would he? She had nothing to offer with her plain looks and uninteresting figure. He probably had more fashionable woman begging for his attentions.

She thought her self-disparaging reflection had been unapparent until Nate poised at her side, cupping her cheek. “Don’t, Anna. Don’t even think it. My reluctance has nothing to do with you. You are beautiful.” Deep intensity shone in his blue eyes. “Even when I wanted to strangle your disobedient neck, I fought the need to drag you to the nearest bed.”

His closeness had her yearning to fall into his arms and seduce his doubts away. She wasn’t so far gone she couldn’t implement a little self-control though, at least for the moment. If he continued wrapping sweet words around her, she couldn’t be responsible for her actions.

She doubted he made a habit of turning away willing women. What made her so different?

“Then why not continue? Did I do something wrong?”

“You did everything right,” he insisted, caressing her jaw, then slipping his hand down her neck. “I’m the one who is wrong. Wrong for you. Wrong for wanting to be the one to teach you everything you are asking for. You deserve more than me.”

Then she detected it. His inability to see himself as her equal. After his confession about his father, she should have noticed it sooner.

“You actually think that matters to me?”

“It should.”

Her frustration grew. “Well, it doesn’t.”

“Anna, I know how your world works. In fact, you explained it yourself when you attempted to keep me from the Witterson’s. I have no place among your set. Your association with me would do nothing but ruin you.”

“I’m not asking you to parade me through London, Nate.”
Not that I wouldn’t.
Why couldn’t he just be agreeable for once?

“You deserve more than a sordid affair.”

“You keep speaking of what I
deserve
. What about what I
desire
?” Tired of keeping her hands to herself, Anna reached for him, cupping his face, relishing the scrape of stubble against her palms.

His eyes heated and she could sense his breaking point. “Please, Nate, teach me more,” she whispered as unabashed lust gave her the courage to lean forward, bringing her lips close to his.

A low growl accompanied the grip of his hand to the back of her hair before he pulled her off the chair and onto his lap, diminishing the distance between their mouths.

Fueled by days of wanting, their kiss was no gentle meeting. His lips fed off hers as if starving, and she freely offered hers as sustenance. Without breaking his hold on her lips, he shifted so her legs fell on either side of his, lifting her skirts to indecent levels. She was past caring.

His free hand slipped to her lower back before he yanked her tight against him.
Oh, my!
Her head fell back at his hard pressure against the spot between her legs. She could feel all of him. Her neck exposed, he seized the opportunity to slowly graze his mouth against her skin.

Her body quivered under his touch, lost in sensation.

Nate was halfway to the open door before Anna realized he’d somehow risen with her in his arms, cradling her under her bottom as he crossed the room.

Where in heaven’s name was he going? She’d begun to form the question when one of his hands grabbed the door and flicked it shut before he turned the key and locked the world away.

Aware he was giving her what she so desperately wanted, she met his eyes. “Thank you, Nate.”

The sinful smile she found irresistible blazed bright on his face. “Don’t thank me until I have you moaning my name.”

Heat pooled in her center at the thought of how he planned to elicit such a response. He carried her effortlessly toward the sofa, a reminder of how much larger he was than her. Instead of being intimidated, she relished his muscular power.

Refusing to be separated from him as he laid her on the soft cushion, she kept her hands on the back of his head, pulling him with her.

Poised above her, Nate’s face was level with hers, and she locked onto the blazing blue of his eyes. Time slowed as his lips descended and he placed a kiss on her mouth.

“How could you think I don’t want this? Don't crave you?” He continued to bestow feathery kisses on her as he spoke, making it difficult to focus on his words. “From the very first day, every bit of you captured my attention. The crimson hues aflame in your hair. Your blue-green eyes accentuated by your dark lashes. Most specifically, your subtle curves my hands twitched to discover.”

He returned his gaze to hers. “You, Anna, are perfect. Never doubt it.”

With him pressing so deliciously into the juncture of her thighs, she wasn’t sure she’d remember her own name, much less his beautiful declaration.