Forbidden: Claude (Second in Command #2)(13)

“Where is it?” he asked, his hand grasping at thin air.

“It’s right here,” she said, pushing it into his grip.

His fingers closed over her wrist and he pulled her to his chest. The air whooshed from her lungs and she crashed up against his naked, wet body.

“I might have soap in my eyes, but I would know that voice anywhere,” he growled. With one hand, he wiped the water from his eyes, still holding her wrist with the other.

“Let go of me,” she demanded, feeling her heart racing in her chest.

“Are you sure that is what you want, Nursemaid?” He put his mouth right next to her ear, causing her to shiver. “After all, the only reason I can see that a nursemaid would enter my chamber when I’m naked is that she wants to give me more than just a towel, if you know what I mean.”

“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean,” she said, struggling against his hold, looking at the ground rather than looking at his naked body.

He ripped the towel from her hand and released her, sending her stumbling backward.

“Don’t worry; I am not interested in bedding you.” She heard the splash of water and then the rustling of the cloth. When she daringly looked up, he had stepped from the tub and had the towel tied around his waist. “So, don’t waste your time trying to get my attention because you are the last person I would ever take to my bed.”

That infuriated her. It was bad enough that he assumed she was there to throw herself at him. But now, he had to insult her by saying he didn’t want her?

“I assure you, having a tryst with you was the furthest thing from my mind when I entered the room.”

“Really?” He lifted a brow and cocked a lopsided grin. “Then what did you come here for, Nursemaid? To help scrub my back?”

“Nay!” she shouted. “I came here to apologize for what happened in the great hall.”

“Why should you apologize?” he asked. “It was the boy who did it.”

“Harry was only acting on my suggestion. If I had never told him to ruffle your hair, none of this would have happened.”

“Aye, that’s true.” He picked up a wooden goblet on the table, trying to get the last drop of wine from the vessel. “Where is that squire of mine?” he spat. “Mayhap, you should have brought wine along with the towel. Why didn’t you?”

That took her by surprise. “Mayhap, I shouldn’t have ventured into your room at all. You sound so ungrateful.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” He put down the cup and took a few slow steps toward her. “Am I being . . . unlikable?”

She swallowed deeply, not liking the way he almost seemed to stalk her. By the rood, he knew what she’d told the squire. “Nay, my lord. Not at all,” she said, dropping her gaze to the floor.

“If I’m not unlikable, then why don’t you look at me, Nursemaid?” He lifted her chin with his palm and, ever so slowly, she raised her eyes until she was gazing right into his swirling blue orbs. The sadness she’d seen earlier was gone. Replacing it was mischief and if she wasn’t mistaken, a bit of lust as well. “What was the real reason you came here tonight?” he asked her.

“I told you,” she said in a soft voice. “I came here to apologize.”

“I don’t believe that is entirely true.” His eyes focused on her lips as he leaned in closer. “Then again, I don’t believe you are who you claim to be, either.”

“Y – you don’t?” Her eyes fell to his mouth as well. “Who do you believe I am, my lord?”

She could feel his hot breath on her when he spoke. Her tongue darted out to wet her parched lips. He was going to kiss her, she was sure of it. This handsome knight was going to give her a sensuous kiss, and she welcomed it. Evelina closed her eyes and let her head fall back, waiting for the feel of his mouth pressed up against hers. Would the kiss be quick or long and drawn out? Would it be filled with lust and hunger or, perhaps, instead, filled with love and passion? She had to know.

He released her, never touching her mouth with his. “I think it is time for you to leave now, Nursemaid.”

When she opened her eyes, he had turned and was walking away. He dropped down on the bed, lounging back, raising his arms behind his head to use as a pillow. Now she was the one who felt like a fool, standing there with her head back and eyes closed waiting for a kiss like a lovelorn adolescent. In worrying about the pain and turmoil she’d caused him, she’d release the wrath of displeasure upon herself. This wasn’t at all what she had expected.

“Why are you still standing there?” he asked. “I told you I don’t want you in my bed, so why don’t you understand that?”

“You are a wretched cur, no different than any other man I’ve ever met.”

He released a deep chuckle. “I’m sorry if I am not living up your expectations, but I am not used to having a woman play the aggressor. I suppose if you are adamant about staying here, I can make an exception. It has been a while since I’ve bedded a servant.”

“How dare you!” she blurted out, no longer caring that she was not acting like a servant. This man made her blood boil, and she was not going to put up with his rudeness. Even if she were a servant, he had the manners of a pig!

His smile disappeared and he pushed up to a sitting position, watching her intently.