Free Tanya Anne Crosby by The Impostor's Kiss

mouth, but he drew it slightly away, scarce touching her lips. The heat emanating from his skin stilled not merely her tongue but her breath. Her heart beat erratically.
    It was Edward who’d nearly stumbled upon them; she could tell by the prudish gait of his footsteps. He lit a lamp and sat down at his desk, Chloe assumed; she heard the chair scrape backward and then the sound of a drawer opening. She heard the scrape of a pen. He hadn’t noticed their presence. Thank God. She prayed the curtain would still completely, lest they be discovered—though why Lord Lindale should fear discovery, Chloe hadn’t the first inkling.
    Something wasn’t quite right….
    Contemplating the document in his pocket, Merrick listened while Edward fiddled within theroom. It just didn’t make sense; if Ian and Rusty were bedfellows, why would Ian oust the man from his home?
    His gut told him that Ian hadn’t the first clue…or, if he did, he hadn’t any control over the situation…which validated his suspicions that their father retained control of the estate.
    But he couldn’t think just now…
    He drew Chloe gently against him, knowing she wouldn’t dare reveal them. Her back pressing against him, the gentle curves of her body teased him. The scent of her dizzied him, muddled his thoughts. It was all he could do not to sweep aside her lovely hair to brush his lips against the soft curve of her neck. God help him, he didn’t want to scare her into bolting or he’d have done precisely that. This was torment—to be so near her and yet so far. His loins reacted at once, hardening.
    What had she been searching for?
    At the desk, he heard the sound of a pen scratching over paper and then the jingling of keys. A cabinet opened, then closed. And again the jingling of keys as the cabinet was locked once more. The lamp went out and the door closed.
    They were alone again.
    “Shh-hh,” he commanded her.
    “Why did you not reveal me?” she asked, sounding breathless.
    Merrick was having trouble getting air into his lungs, as well. “I had my reasons.”
    She pressed him. “I don’t understand. Why should it concern you if Edward were to discover you here? It’s your home.”
    Merrick suspected otherwise. Who did the steward report to? How much autonomy did he have? He wanted a look at those books.
    “Tell me, my lord,” she persisted, “why would you hide?”
    “Because…” Merrick inhaled the scent of her sweet skin and tried not to lose track of his thoughts. He gave her as much truth as he dared. “I believe Edward is embezzling. I’m looking for proof. And you, Miss Simon…” He brushed a finger along the soft underside of her chin, caressing. “What are you really doing here?”
    “I’ve already told you…” Her impudence returned and she shrugged free of him. “You can release me now, my lord. We’re quite alone!”
    Merrick did as she asked and she boxed her way out of the draperies. He followed her out.
    She faced him, her shoulders squared, her chin upturned defiantly. He could scarce see her face in the shadows, but it was impossible to miss the challenge in her eyes. “If you do not believe me, I can still tender my resignation.”
    It was a bluff, Merrick knew, but one he wasn’t about to call. The last thing he wished was to seeher go. He needed her. “That won’t be necessary,” he assured her.
    “Very well, then. If that will be all, my lord, I shall retire, at last.”
    He couldn’t help but grin at her incredible mettle. Never in his life had anyone dared speak to him so cheekily. “Don’t trip over any intruders on the way,” he taunted.
    She’d already turned to go before the last words were out of his mouth. “Do not fret, my lord. Next time, I shall be certain to hand over the keys to the silver, as well!”
     
    Fiona contemplated Edward’s disappearance the previous evening. “The color in your legs is quite good today,” Chloe said, interrupting her reverie. She gave Fiona a