Page 14 of Her Sweetest Rogue (The Worthington Legacy #6)

H e motioned to the grass beside her. “May I sit?”

Judith nodded, not knowing what to say since words had left her mind. All she wanted to do was stare at his handsome profile, content to study him.

Once he sat, he bent his knees up like she had hers, then looked at her. “It’s so peaceful here, don’t you agree?”

Her throat had turned dry, so she swallowed. “Indeed, I do.”

“As a lad, I used to come here with Tristan quite a bit. Especially in the summer months.”

“Why the summer?”

Trey chuckled and moved his stare to the water. He picked up a rock and tossed it in. “Because boys do a lot of adventurous things, and he and I used to wrestle. We would wrestle in the water, just to see who could get soaked the quickest. The heat was horrendous, and getting wet made it bearable.”

Her heart softened from his confession. “I’m certain you ruined a lot of clothes that way.”

“Not really. They dried quickly enough, so Mother never knew what mischief kept us from our studies.”

She laughed. “I love being outdoors, especially when it’s quiet. I find it easier to think that way.”

He nodded. “Very true.” His focus came back to her. “Would you like to be alone now? I will leave if you wish.”

“That’s all right. I do not mind your company.” Once she said it, she wondered why. She did mind his company, especially when it made her so confused.

He raised his brows. “Indeed? When did this turn of events happen? I thought you abhorred my presence.”

She couldn’t stop the tug pulling up one corner of her mouth. “Only when you insist on being wicked, my lord.”

A loud laugh came from deep in his chest, making his body shake. The color of his eyes softened. “Oh, but I think you enjoy that, my sweet. More than you let on.”

“I shall never tell.” Although she wanted to stop smiling, she couldn’t. She turned her head and tried not to look at him, but focused on the water, instead.

Silence lasted a few minutes as she snuck peeks at him. What could he be thinking now? His wandering gaze slid over her in a slow perusal, heating her up quickly. If he didn’t say something soon, she might scream with frustration. Perhaps she should leave. Being this close was not good for her health.

Suddenly, a chuckle came from him, making him turn to meet her stare. “Do you remember that time when you and your parents stayed the night, and my brothers and I snuck in through the bedroom window and pretended to be ghosts?”

It only took a few seconds before the memory hit her full force. Laughing, she nodded. “I do recall that time. You had me frightened to death and I didn’t want to come out of the covers.” She arched an eyebrow and cocked her head. “Do you know I could not sleep without a candle in my room for a month afterwards?”

Trey tilted back his head and roared with laughter. “Oh, dearest Judith. You knew it was us, so why had it scared you so badly?”

“I think it was because I realized if you could all three climb through my bedroom window, then other kinds of goblins would do the same.”

He shook his head, still grinning. “We were little devils back then, were we not?”

“Tell me, whose idea was it to climb through the window and scare me that night?”

Humor slowly left his face. “Mine.”

She nodded. “Exactly. I believe you were the devil and not your brothers.”

He shrugged. “However, they followed my lead on most adventures I went through as a child.”

“I’m sure they did.”

He looked back at the water and silence stretched between them once again. Finally, after several minutes passed, he moved, but only to pull off his boot. She hitched a breath and dared to look into his face. He grinned at her as he yanked off the other.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“I just realized how long it’s been since I waded in the stream. And you know what? I miss it.” He pulled off his socks and stood. “Join me?”

Her heart leapt nearly to her throat, it seemed. Join him? Preposterous. Didn’t he remember the last time he persuaded her to join him in the stream? But that was many years ago. He wouldn’t be foolish enough to try that stunt again, would he? Then again, she wasn’t na?ve any longer and wouldn’t allow herself to be pulled in by his deceitfulness.

He walked to the water and stepped in. “Ah, nice and cool. The perfect temperature.”

Her feet itched to slide in the water and feel the coolness against her skin. They were adults now. Surely he wouldn’t return to his childhood methods of callousness.

After a few seconds of watching him swish through the ankle-deep water, she sighed and gave in. It’d been a while since she’d done this, too. Quickly, before she changed her mind, she slipped off her shoes and rolled her stockings down her legs. Just as she discarded the last one, she realized she’d just given him a peek of her calves. Sucking in a breath, she looked his way to see if he’d been watching, praying he hadn’t.

He had. The rake!

His eyes darkened, and his expression transformed from playfulness to something entirely different. He stood frozen, staring at her legs. Instead of being embarrassed, a feeling of power came over her, knowing she had made him this way. Earlier, he’d confessed she tempted him. Now she believed and had new understanding of his words.

Trey lifted his gaze to hers and smiled. Slowly he walked out of the water toward her. When he reached her side, he held out a hand. Without a second thought, she slid trembling fingers into his and let him pull her to her feet.

Judith watched his face, especially his dark blue eyes. Closely, they stood in front of each other content to stare. He kept her hand in his, stroking a thumb over her fingers. When his attention dropped to her mouth, she held her breath. Would he kiss her? Half of her wanted him to, and the other half argued how wrong it was. This was Trey Worthington, she reminded herself, a man not to be trusted.

Stepping away from her toward the water, a smile stretched his lips. He tugged on her arm and she obeyed his silent command and walked into the water with him. Once the cool liquid covered her feet, she gasped, then laughed. He dropped her hand and joined the merriment. The spell was broken, and she breathed easier. Trey turned away from her and cautiously moved down the watery path.

“When I was a boy,” he said, “I would come out here by myself to reflect on my life. Being the youngest, I didn’t appreciate the way I was treated compared to my brother, Trevor.”

She lifted her dress just enough not to get the bottom wet. “Why? You knew Trevor would eventually inherit the title.”

“Yes, but it was as if my parents looked down on me. For years, they tried to compare me to my brother, bringing out my faults and telling me what I should be doing to be more like him.”

“How dreadful. I think that would be a hard life.”

“Extremely.” He shrugged. “Perhaps that’s why I became a mischievous boy.”

“To get attention.”

He glanced over his shoulder at her and nodded. “Exactly.”

“Being the only child, I did not have to worry about such things.”

“True. At times in my life I wondered what it would have been like to be the only child. Then I realized I would have been bored to tears.”

“Why? Nobody to tease?” She giggled.

He swung around and planted his hands on his hips as he stared at her. His grin let her know not to take him seriously.

“You think you know me well, do you?”

“Am I correct?”

He dropped his arms to his side and winked. “I shall never tell.”

Trey turned back around and proceeded down the stream. She took cautious steps, enjoying listening to him talk about his life. It comforted her to know he would say such things. It softened her heart as well.

Suddenly, he stopped and raised his hand to keep her from going any further.

“What is it?” she asked.

“There’s a hole somewhere around in this area. I need to find it to keep you from stepping there. I would hate for you to soil your lovely gown.”

She hitched a breath, and placed her hand on her chest for fear her heart would jump out. He’d actually remembered the hole. Did he remember leading her to it when they were children? Certainly he didn’t act as if he did.

“Ah, there it is.” He turned to her and held out his arms. “Allow me, fair maiden, to play the gallant warrior and carry you through the trepid waters.”

A laugh bubbled from her throat. “Are you jesting?”

“No.” He pointed to the water. “There’s a hole, and if you step in it, you will sink to your waist, I’m sure. If I carry you across, you will not be harmed.”

He couldn’t be serious. Yet his warm gaze told her he was. Apparently, he didn’t remember the time when they were small. Now the question was—could she trust him? Would he indeed carry her to safety or would he turn back into the person she’d known him to be? She hesitated, arguing with her mind once again.

Confusion crossed his features and he tilted his head. “Don’t you trust me?”

Once again, his words caused her to laugh, which made him grin. “Oh, Trey. I believe you know that answer already.”

He nodded. “I wish you would learn to trust me. We are becoming friends, are we not?”

She shrugged. “I would like to think so.”

“I promise not to let you fall. Please believe me.”

Why was her heart softening, and why was she giving him her hand? He pulled her closer then swept her up into his arms. Up this close, his nearness stirred quivers inside her belly. Hesitantly, she hooked her arms around his neck and looked at his lips.

Trey tightened his arms around her as he stepped into the hole. The rhythm of her heartbeat shook her chest, increased her breathing, and caused her mouth to turn dry. Heat from his body blended into hers and threatened to melt her this very second. She must stay strong.

After he had stepped out of the hole, he stopped and let her legs drop. Slowly, she slid down the front of his body until her feet touched the gravelly bottom. His arms still held her against him while his fingers drew circles along her back. He studied her mouth just as she’d looked at his a few moments ago. Being up so close against his chest, she felt the beat of his heart hammering quickly with hers. She swallowed to moisten her throat, wishing he’d release her, and at the same time, hoping he didn’t.

Suddenly, he dropped his arms and stepped back. His eyes widened as his mouth pulled into a line. He turned and walked out of the water toward his shoes.

“Trey?” Her voice whispered the plea. “Is something amiss?”

“I just remembered a meeting I had this afternoon. Please forgive me, but I must go.”

She hurried out of the water and collected her stockings and shoes. “Of course. I understand.”

After he was fully dressed, he looked at her. “Judith, I had a pleasant time with you just now. We shall have to wade through the water again.”

“I agree.”

Without another word, he walked away. Her tight chest finally relaxed, letting her breathe normally again. Why had she acted in such a way? And why did her body have to burn the way it did?

Yet, she realized he had established a bond between them. He actually gave her reason to trust him, which is something she never thought would ever happen.

*

Judith pushed her mare faster, clutching the reins and tightening her knee around the horn of the sidesaddle. The sun began its descent in the sky, but there was still enough light to ride. This afternoon had been a challenge, mentally and physically. She’d never felt so much frustration than she had in Trey’s presence, but being in his arms was purely sensual. Every last second of it.

Obviously, there was an attraction between them. Strange, since they didn’t like each other as children. Now, however, they were both matured. Never did she think Trey would be as handsome, or charming. Every time she looked upon him, she couldn’t help but admire the man he’d turned into.

Earlier this evening, she had tried to visit with the dowager, but Trey was always lurking—watching her with heated eyes. She even tried hiding in the library, but she’d bumped into him there, as well. Now she needed to think without anyone around, so she saddled a mare and rode farther onto the estate. Perhaps she would be free of Trey for at least a few hours.

Another stream caught her eye, and she slowed her horse to a trot as she neared the water. Was this an extension from the same one she and Trey had waded through earlier today? If it was, the water appeared deeper here. Wading was definitely out of the question this evening.

She stopped her horse, dismounted then tied the animal to a tree. As she lifted off her bonnet, she breathed deeply. The heavenly aroma floating through the air from a nearby lilac bush made her smile. Her father had loved this smell, and even had perfumes and soaps made to match the scent for his wife and daughter.

Yearning for a time long gone crept upon her as tears gathered in her eyes. If her parents had lived, what would they be doing now? Certainly, she wouldn’t be standing here in the glade wondering about her future with Alex.

Or was he really meant to be in her life?

Situations happening lately spoke of a different turn of events. With her sudden attraction to Trey, she wondered if he was the man for her instead.

A laugh sprang from her throat. What a vivid imagination. Trey had tormented her endlessly as a child, and she feared for her life most of the time. Even now, he tormented her, but in a stimulating way. That emotion was so very different, yet she enjoyed the rush of heated tingles fluttering in her belly.

So was Trey supposed to be the man she fell in love with?

She rolled her eyes and kicked a pebble into the water. Men like Trey would never settle down. Their sole purpose in life was to woo every maiden that came in their path. Judith didn’t want a man like that. She wanted one who would love and shower her with affection. One who wanted to raise and support a family. Like her father had done. Men like Trey would not fit into this category.

The thundering of horse’s hooves pulled her attention away from the water and to the rider barreling down upon her. Gasping, she clutched the high-neck collar of her Spencer jacket and moved toward her mare. Good heavens, the rider would trample her any second now…