She sighed. “I was wrong.”
“Which means?”
“You were right.”
“Exactly.” He was beside her again in a moment. But just as he bent to lift her, she batted at his hands.
“I’ll hold onto your shoulder and hop back.”
“That’s a waste of time, and you know it. The fastest way is for me to carry you.”
“No. I—”
“Lucy. What’s the third rule of the Saboteurs?”
“Don’t become a liability,” she said without thinking. Duncan was silent, and she blew out a breath. “Fine.” She threw an arm about his neck, and he lifted her as though she weighed nothing. She hadn’t realized he was so strong or so big—well, she had realized it, but she’d chosen to ignore it. It was difficult to ignore now that she was pressed against his chest, and there was no question that it was a muscular chest. She could feel the muscles of his biceps too, hard and solid under her. He walked quickly, not even out of breath at the exertion of carrying her. They’d both trained for over a year and were in top physical condition, but somehow she didn’t think she could have carried Johnny and not been slightly winded.
The house came into view, and Duncan veered over toward a bench under a rose bush. She approved of the choice. They could sit in the shadows, reasonably concealed, and yet have a view of the door to the house.
He set her on the bench and dropped her boot beside her. Lucy immediately turned it upside down. “What if they went out the back door?” she asked.
“I was thinking the same thing. I’ll go check to see if it’s locked. Stay here.” He jogged away, and Lucy frowned at him and then at her boot. She would have liked to go check. Damn her boot.
And damn Duncan. He’d run off without even looking back at her. Just like he’d plopped her down on the bench without even hesitating. Apparently, she was the only one whose heart raced when he held her in his arms. She was the only one who’d begun to feel warm and a bit lightheaded at being so close to him. Her mind had started to conjure images of his muscles without his shirt.
Duncan, being the good agent that he was, focused on the mission.
Well, she could focus too. And just to prove it to herself, as soon as he returned, she’d not spare his muscles or his lips or his kisses another thought. That was her own personal mission.
Chapter Nine
Duncan drew in largebreaths of the cool night air. His face was hot, his body heated, and his desire boiling over. What the devil had he been thinking? Had he really thought he could carry Lucy Galloway, hold her close, and remain unaffected? He wasn’t made of stone, and he couldn’t help but feel how warm she was, how soft her body, how sweet her curves. He hadn’t tried to feel any of those things, but she’d been pressed against him, and it had been impossible not to.
He probably should have tried to take advantage of the situation, but after the kiss, he’d forgotten to act like a cad. It was difficult to play the rake and the good agent. His priority had to be his mission. He had best remember rule three himself and not allow his attraction to Lucy to become a liability.
He rounded Pembroke Lodge and made his way into the yard where the maids hung the laundry and did the washing, among other things. Chickens often ran through here, but they were safe in their coop tonight, and nothing moved as he made his way through to the back door.
