Page 32 of An Outlaw’s Desire

She drew back a bit more. “This person,” she said evenly, “ordered you to sneak into my chamber, at night, through a secret passageway.”

Ah. She’d figured out how he’d gotten in. But, even as Pitt debated how to respond, he realized what his conscience hadn’t wanted to acknowledge before: In the attack he’d soon lead, Blythe could be hurt or even killed. To save his child, he must endanger the life of the one woman—the only woman—he’d ever loved.

Bloody hell.

His arms tightened around her. “Blythe—”

“I have loyalties too.” Her breathing quickened. “To Rosetta and Ash. To Lord and Lady Montgomery. His lordship is also your former liege.”

Guilt gouged at Pitt’s soul. “I am well aware.”

“And yet, you expect me to just accept your explanations. Your responses have revealed little of your true purpose.”

Warning skittered at the back of his mind. “I would tell you if I could.”

“Would you? Or are you saying what you think I need to hear to keep me silent?”

Damnation, Blythe.

“If you do not trust me, then I cannot trust you.”

She trembled. Was she afraid of him? Self-loathing mingled with his guilt.

He didn’t know what to say, so he yielded to the fire within him. He dipped his head and kissed her brow. Her skin, soft and warm, smelled of almond oil and flowers.

She shivered. A strangled sound broke from her. “Do not—”

“Sshhh.” He pressed light kisses across to her temple.

“Pitt—”

His lips brushed her cheekbone, and her breath rushed out on a sigh.

“Cease,” she breathed.

“With you back in my arms? Impossible.”

A moan broke from her, but even as his lips moved toward her mouth, she tensed in his arms and turned her head to the side. “Let me go.”

“I am not keeping you captive. I am only holding you.”

“Then you will not mind releasing me.”

He did mind. But, he grudgingly loosened his hold on her and she stepped away, her hand cinching together the parted edges of her robe. Her armor was back in place again.

If only he could read her thoughts, but her expression was a poignant blend of yearning and wariness.

After straightening the tie of her garment, she gestured to the door. “Come with me.”

He scowled.

“We will find the captain of the guard. You will explain to him why you are in the fortress.”

Dismay sank like a stone in Pitt’s stomach. As he’d told her, he couldn’t explain.

She started for the door.

Lunging, he caught her arm. “I cannot let you do that.”