corner, continuing until they reached an alley.
“It’s just ahead.” She paused as though expecting him to say goodbye.
“I’ll accompany you.” He had no desire to allow her out of his sight until she returned to the safety of her sister’s home.
“Very well.” She pointed toward the wrought-iron gate that led to the garden.
He opened the gate only to stop before she could enter.
As if she read his mind, she lifted her hands to raise the veil, allowing him to drink in the sight of her.
“I don’t like this, Annabelle,” he whispered, though he knew they were alone.
“Nor do I.” A hint of worry darkened her eyes, adding to his own.
“You must take care on the unlikely chance that someone is watching us.”
“Do you believe that?”
“No. But let us assume they are and act accordingly. Don’t come to the publishing office again. If we need to speak, we can do so at a ball.” He brushed a finger along her cheek. “No unnecessary risks.”
“Will you promise to take care as well?”
He smiled. “Does that mean you’re worried about me?”
She smiled in return, causing his chest to tighten. “I’m merely worried about the future of my next book.”
“Why does that not surprise me?” he asked with a chuckle. “It’s always about the books.”
“Thomas?” Her quiet voice had him shifting closer.
“Yes?”
“I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
Her words had the strangest effect on him, making his heart hammer even as desire thickened his breath. “I feel the same about you.”
She lifted her chin, her gaze on his mouth. He didn’t need a written invitation when a gesture would do. He kissed her, allowing his need and worry to direct his movement. He reached for her waist to pull her closer.
Perhaps the passion filling him was due to the damned veil that had kept her hidden during their outing. Or perhaps it was the same passion that rushed through him each time he was with her and sometimes when he wasn’t. This woman had gotten under his skin. He didn’t understand why or the odd need to be chivalrous when he was with her.
But for the moment, he set all that aside and simply enjoyed the kiss. Her mouth was warm beneath his. He teased the seam of her lips with his tongue, pleased when she opened for him. His body hardened when she responded in equal measure, making him wish they weren’t standing at her sister’s garden gate, but in some hidden place where he could show her just how much he wanted her.
When her arms wrapped around his shoulders, his knees nearly buckled. Whether his worry for her compounded his desire, he didn’t know. But he couldn’t resist running his hands along her body, imagining what she looked like beneath all the layers that separated them.
“Annabelle,” he muttered, uncertain of what to say. How could he express how he felt when he was with her? As if he were a different man—the man she wanted him to be—when they were together.
This time she kissed him with an enthusiasm that lit his senses. His desire for her took flight and all else fell away for a long moment.
Then she pulled back to look into his eyes. “I must go.”
He nodded but didn’t let her go, unwilling to release her when he wasn’t certain when they’d meet again.
Her gentle smile settled him, and he relaxed his hold. “We will talk again soon.”
He watched to make certain she reached the door then left, deciding a walk would do him good. Followed by a cold bath.
Chapter Seven
The woman was impossible, Thomas decided as he read the latest message Annabelle had sent to the publishing office. Three had arrived in the four days that had passed since their meeting with McConnelly, all with ideas on how they might further investigate the murder. He had yet to reply to any of them. How could he when the answer would be no?
No, we’re not calling on McConnelly again.
No, we’re not going to visit the place where the body was found.
No, we’re not interviewing people we encounter near the location where the body was found.
Didn’t she realize these ideas would place her in further danger?
Given how long it had taken him to regain some peace of mind after their heated kiss, he’d decided a little distance from her was in order, though he couldn’t say it had helped. The majority of his waking thoughts were centered around Annabelle in one fashion or another.
Rather than attend the Masterson Ball the