Free Randall's Romance (Behind Closed Doors) by Lee Brazil Page B

head carried a faint trace of Randall's bay rum scent. He buried his nose in the clean white linen and inhaled deeply. Randall. What a conundrum the man was. His interests were contrary to Jason's, and yet he'd proven himself trustworthy.
    "Randall, who is that man?" The dulcet tones were blatantly curious. Jason smiled faintly. He had no siblings of his own, and little enough experience with women in general, aristocratic females in particular, but the concern in the girl's voice was clear. She was warm hearted, this red-haired termagant.
    "His name is Jason." Randall lapsed into silence. Either that or the siblings spoke in voices too low for Jason to hear, though he strained his ears to catch any word. "Watch over him for me, Cecy?"
    "Does he mean so much to you, Randy? If he does then I will, but may I ask why you cannot guard over him yourself? Where are you going?"
    "There's a man I have to get to before he sails with the tide tomorrow. I'll have to collect some men from the regimental office for back up; I am in no condition to arrest him on my own if he chooses not to go quietly."
    Jason jerked upright, mind racing like lightning. Randall had said that one of the smugglers had given him some information. What if the information pertained to the traitor? Who was this man in Tor in Fieldside that Randall needed to arrest? His heart thumped in excitement. After all this time of searching, he was at last on the verge of avenging his team of operatives. The weariness that had dogged his steps the past month seemed to fade away, the pain in his head became immaterial. He shoved back the bedclothes and slung his feet over the side of the bed.
    A startled gasp reminded him that the door was open, and he was naked. Jason swept the sheet around him like a Grecian toga. "My apologies, Lady Cecy."
    Ignoring the siblings, he headed for the tub, letting the sheet fall to the ground. If the lady didn't want an eyeful, she could turn her back. Jason dipped a toe into the steaming water and sighed in pleasure. He could take a moment for this. He had only to coax the location of this man from Randall, and his revenge would be accomplished. The door closed with a gentle snick. Jason smiled and lowered himself into the hot water. A moan of pleasure escaped at just how good the heat felt on his aching body.
    "Enjoying my bath, lover?"
    He peeled his eyes open. Randall lounged shirt open, fawn trousers clinging to thick thighs, apparently at his ease in bare feet against the bed. "The hot water feels good." The admission slipped out. He could scarce tear his eyes from the seductive form, thoughts of tumbling the man backward onto the soft down mattress and taking him again made his pulse race and his belly tighten pleasurably.
    "I have to leave you for a while, Jason. Cecy will take care of you. I'll be back within two days at the most." A serious expression crossed his face. "This situation between us..."
    Jason brushed that off. There was plenty of time after tomorrow to talk about the things between them. "Where are you going?"
    "There's an inn, The Auk's Roost a few leagues up the coast. I have reports that the man I'm seeking is there. I'll be picking up reinforcements in Newton Bushel and then arresting him. I'll need to see him safely escorted to London for trial, but I'll come back for you before I leave."
    "I'll accompany you." A scrubbing cloth and bar of soap lay on a table next to the tub. Jason picked them both up and scrubbed the soap with the cloth until he'd worked up a lather. He was instantly enveloped in the scent of Bay Rum and Randall.
    "I can't let you do that, Jason."
    Jason swiped the cloth over his body, then lathered his hair and ducked under the water to rinse it. When he stood, a cascade of water sloshed into the pool. He smiled as he noticed Randall eyeing his body lasciviously. "Of course you can."
    "The doctor has said that you must stay abed for a day or two. Besides, this is official government business. I