If You Dare(54)

She whirled around, catching him dumbstruck. “You promised! You said you would turn!” She reached forward to swipe a blanket from the bed, flashing him a thigh and breasts before she could hold it before her like a shield.

He was just drunk enough to grin. “I did turn. I simply turned back too soon, which was the most inspired idea I’ve had all day.” Besides taking her into his lap in the saddle and having her put her arms around him. Today he’d begun to understand that all those clever bastards out there practicing chivalry weren’t doing it only for the ladies’ benefit.

“You are no gentleman! You are the opposite. You are a rogue and a cad and a blackguard.” Her voice was a bit slurred. She wrapped the blanket around her torso over her gown and began pacing.

He plopped on the bed, leaned back, and raked his gaze her over shamelessly. “Ask me,” he suddenly began. “Ask me to help you find your brother.” Where was this coming from? He’d had one thought—get her to the posting house, to relative safety, because he’d jeopardized her. Break it, you fix it. Now he was adding another responsibility? Why?

Because when she’d finally relaxed against his chest earlier, it had been keenly satisfying to him.

Damn it, whisky never made a good decision.

“I could reunite you two and keep you safe from the Rechazados until then.”

She halted at the window. “Why would I ask you?”

“Because you need me.” He narrowed his eyes. “You’ve realized that by now, haven’t you?”

“I’ve realized many, many things about you.” She leaned her hip against the windowsill.

“Away from the window,” he barked.

She glared at him but did move. “And I can just imagine what you would demand in return.”

“Maybe, but maybe no’. The only way to find that out is to try me. I know this is hard. I’d wager you’ve never really had to ask for anything in your life.”

“That is correct.”

He put his better hand behind his head. “Well, this is a fine place to start.”

Her head tilted sharply to the side as she sucked in a breath. He knew she would ask him, and once she did, he would help her. He also knew she was making a mental note to make him pay for this.

“I would…request your”—another intake of breath—“help.”

He leaned on his side. His ribs were tender after today’s fight, but he wasn’t about to move from his mocking position. “Given that you’re new at this, I’ll instruct you—”

“As if you’ve ever asked for anything.”

“Would you like me to instruct you?”

Her chin went up. “Yes.”

“Very well. Since you still didn’t ask, you’re going to need to say ‘please.’ It should be very moving and heartrending if you’re sincere. And clasping your hands together over your chest would no’ hurt.”

She swallowed. Her body was tight with tension. “Please.”

He nodded in a deigning gesture. “And why should I help you?”

Her voice was tight. “Because you are the one who’s hurt me.”

“Because of the kidnapping? I thought we established it was a good thing no’ to be married to Pascal. And your brother’s free. Turned out pretty damned well.”

Except for the fact that she was an assassin’s target and they’d already struck twice.

“Regardless.”

“Well, because you’ve asked so nicely…”

“That’s it? That’s all you wanted?”

“’Course no’. That just got you into negotiations. I’m a mercenary and this will be hazardous business. I’ll need payments along the way.”

Her shoulders slumped. “I don’t have money with me.” Then her eyes brightened. “But we’re close to a town now. I can sell my jewelry.”

“Canna sell it. They’ll be expecting you to do just that. Besides, you’ve got something much more valuable than that.” His gaze landed on her chest.

She sputtered, working up a retort, but he spoke over her. “Whenever I ask for it, I want you to let me kiss you. Just a kiss. And I want you to be as fiery as you were in the study.”

“I don’t think…I can’t just…I’d been drinking…” She paced again.

He nodded as if in understanding. “Of course, you can always tell me to leave.”

When she glared as she passed him, he suspected she was about to do just that.

“Can you never stand still, lass?”

Anger flashed in her eyes. “Does it bother you? My pacing?”