Page 54 of The Mech Who Loved Me
She wasn't entirely convinced of the idea. Her mind kept flashing to the orchid he'd tucked behind her ear. The way he'd draped his coat over her shoulders in the Garden of Eden, to keep her warm and make herfeelsafe.
I like him. A lot. Verymuchso.
Itrusthim.
And there was something else there, something she couldn't quiteidentify.
"What a fearsome frown," Kincaid said. "One would think you're not happy with the idea of beinginlust?"
An omnibus blared past, and they broke apart with a start. The world started intruding. Ava caught a glimpse of a little boy glancing at her from the street, his hand in his governess’s as theystrolledpast.
"It's not that." She cleared her throat. Later. Now was certainly not the time for this discussion. "See? You're doing it again. I should be thinking about how I'm going to get my hands on this caterpillar mushroom, but instead I'm thinkingabout...."
"About?"
Your soft mouth, and the way it tastes...."Caterpillar mushroom!" she cried. "I am thinking about caterpillar mushroom, and where I can find it." Turning in a rush of skirts, Ava rubbed her arms. Good lord, what was wrongwithher?
"Well, one doesn't sound half as interesting as the other," Kincaid teased, "but so be it. I'll make you a bet," he insisted. "Winthrop lied. I think he knows exactly what this caterpillar mushroom is, and I think he's even got some on hand. I want a look through the rest of his shop, to see just what sort of secrets Major Winthrop is hiding. We'll break intonight—"
"Break in?" shesqueaked.
"Well, he's hardly going to give us the guided tour." A thought clearly occurred—one he didn't like at all, judging by his sudden frown. "You, perhaps, but there's no chance in hell I'm letting you go back in thereunescorted."
"Gemma would. She'd give him a smile and a wink, and Winthrop would be spilling his secrets before he even realized what she wasdoing."
Kincaid stopped in his tracks and shot her a darklook. "No."
"Well, shewould."
"You're not Gemma. And that's not a bad thing. But it does mean you're vulnerable to attack, when she is not. She's a trained spy who knows how to kill a man. Aye." He caught her flicker of horror. "You admire her for her confidence, and her beauty, but you never considered the flip side of the coin. Gemma does whatever is necessary to get the results Malloryn desires. She leads a darker life than you do—and sometimes I see the toll of that in her eyes—so pray you never have to lead the lifeGemmadoes.
"As for Winthrop, we know nothing about what sort of man he truly is, except for the fact he worked for the Company, and he imports black marketitems."
"Blackmarket—?"
"Trust me," Kincaid said. "I know the sort. What if Winthrop's working with our enemy? What if he overwhelmed you, or even killed you? No. And that'sfinal."
"And if I'm right?" she challenged. "If Major Winthrop has nothing to hide,whatthen?"
Kincaid leaned closer to her, smiling dangerously. "If Major Winthrop is innocent, then I will put a ring on your finger, and give you the wedding of yourdreams."
"You sound very certain." The color drained from her face. "I'm not sure I want to beright."
"And if you'rewrong,Ava...."
They shared aglance.
"If I'm wrong?" she whispered, breathing a littlefaster.
"Then you owe me afavor."
"What sort offavor?"
Far, far too easy to walk willingly into his trap. He buffed the back of his knuckles down her side, skimming the lace, and Ava shivered. "I want to see what you're hiding beneath all of thisfabric."
She considered it for a long, breathless moment. "Deal. I guess we shall find out tonight. But I don't want you to marry me if you're wrong." The thought was ridiculous. Kincaid.... No. Panic swelled inside her at the thought. She wanted marriage, but she wanted her husband to love her. Not marry her because he enjoyedkissingher.
Or because he'd madeabet.
