A Most Dangerous Profession(72)

Robert’s anger tightened further. “What happened? Did that ass—”

“No. But I’m glad I had my pistol.”

Robert’s hands fisted at his sides as fury raced through his blood. “Damn him! I’ll—” He was almost at the door when she caught up to him, grabbing his arm with both hands.

“No, Robert! We have to do what’s best for Rowena.”

In her eyes, he saw that she was barely holding on to her own composure.

He took a deep breath and then reached for her, holding her close against his heart. He pressed his cheek against her hair, willing away the bloodlust that held him in its grip.

“I want to kill that man,” he snapped, every fiber of his being screaming for justice.

“As do I,” she said, her voice soft and soothing. “But we can’t. We have one goal here and that’s to rescue my d—” She took a breath. “—our daughter.”

Despite his anger, he had to laugh at the reluctance in her tone. Robert lifted her face toward his. “Come, Moira. Was that so very difficult to say?”

She smiled at his teasing tone. “It will take some getting used to.”

“I can see that. Well, I’ve made a decision, and this incident with Ross has made me even more committed to it.”

“What’s that?”

Robert straightened. “Box or no, we leave in the morning.”

She paled. “But—”

“I think I know where that damned box is, and I shall attempt to get it tonight. But if I fail, we leave anyway. I will take care of Rowena, I promise. I will make Aniston give her up, and she will be safe with you once more.”

Her shoulders sagged and she said in a broken whisper, “I wish I could believe that.”

He sighed. She still didn’t trust him, which was disheartening. It was odd, for in every relationship he’d ever had, he was the one unwilling to trust, to care, to commit. And yet here he was, yearning for—damn it, what did he yearn for? Well, there would be time enough to think about that once he and Moira were gone from this cursed place. “In the morning I will have Leeds and Stewart ready with the coach. You will wait with them. As soon as I get the artifact, we go. I’m done playing Ross’s game.”

She hesitated, then nodded. “Very well. We will try it your way.”

Robert’s gaze traced the curve of her cheek to the delicate line of her throat, and down to the swell of her breasts. His fingers itched at the thought of cupping them through the fabric, teasing them until—

“Robert, kiss me.” Her gaze locked with his. “I don’t want to think any more.”

He kissed her with all his pent-up emotion and passion, bunching her gown in his hands. In seconds, he had her undressed and in bed. Her skin looked peach-warm in the lamplight that caressed her curves, which beckoned to him irresistably.

She smiled tantalizingly. “Well? Are you just going to look?”

What man could resist her? He swiftly undressed. Her gaze immediately went to his erect cock, fanning his own desire.

He got into the small bed, eager to touch her. He cupped one breast and flicked his thumb over the nipple. It hardened immediately and Moira gasped, her lashes fluttering. God, he loved it when he made her look like that.

Then her warm hand encircled his cock, and Robert caught his breath at the eruption of sensations that rippled through him, teasing and tantalizing.

Before he could say anything, Moira released him, pushed him to the mattress, and straddled him. His cock was firmly pressed against her backside as she grinned down at him, her hair streaming over her shoulders. “It’s time you stopped ordering me about.” She raised up on her knees, and then slid down onto him.

Robert grabbed the mattress edges with both hands, trying to keep control. “Moira, don’t—” he choked out.

Moira lifted up until she was poised over his cock again. “Well?” she whispered. “Shall I?”

He couldn’t resist her. He grasped her waist and answered her with a firm downward tug.

She engulfed him in a tight, velvet grip that sent his senses spiraling out of control. She rode him again and again, teasing him to madness. Just as he was on the edge of no return, she stopped, her head tilted back, her glorious red hair streaming about her, an expression of pure ecstasy on her face.

Robert lifted his hips, and she gasped, rocking back on her heels, her hands flat on his stomach. Robert wished he could take this moment and hold it forever.