Page 8 of Kiss of Steele (The Royal Occult Bureau #9)

EIGHT

WHEN RENNIE HAD said he had bad news for me, I hadn’t imagined it would be that bad.

We were approaching Cairo, and apparently, I wasn’t allowed to join any groups to visit the city. I wasn’t allowed to go anywhere without him. I wasn’t allowed to have fun. Rennie had claimed he had ‘work’ to do in Cairo. Thus, I was supposed to follow him to the City of the Dead where he would blindfold me and take me somewhere he didn’t want me to see. How absurd.

He didn’t want to leave me alone, even for one moment. We’d spent the day searching the ship for Mrs Francis—without finding anything—and now I was finally in my cabin, finishing washing and changing. I wasn’t surprised when a knock came from the door.

I tightened the sash of my dressing gown and tossed my braided hair behind my shoulder. “Rennie,” I said, opening the door.

He slipped inside, ignoring me. “Are you going to bed?”

“I’m tired, and I had a quick repast.” I didn’t shut the door because surely, he was leaving at any moment.

“Right.” He removed his jacket and draped it on a chair, remaining in a grey waistcoat and crisp white shirt that enhanced his broad shoulders.

“What are you doing?” I wished my voice didn’t sound so husky.

“You can lock the door.”

Heat burst from somewhere in my lower belly and crawled up to my neck and cheeks. The worst thing was that I wasn’t sure the flare was entirely due to the shock.

“Would you please explain to me your intentions?” I asked, with my back to the open door.

He walked towards me, radiating enough predatory menace to make me step back. “I’m going to sleep in this cabin until further notice.” Only a few inches separated us.

He shut the door with one hand and caged me between the door and his strapping body. An entirely foreign sensation burned in the pit of my belly and lower. Had he always been so intense, so charming? His crooked nose wasn’t as noticeable as I’d thought at first. If anything, it fit his harsh face and strong jaw and gave him the air of a dangerous scoundrel. And I was having these inappropriate thoughts because...?

“I sleep here tonight,” he repeated, stepping back. “Non-negotiable.”

I cleared my throat, remembering what Mother had taught me about etiquette and propriety. Something about never sleeping with a man who wasn’t my husband and never starting to shout unless it gave me an advantage. “You can’t be serious. This is highly unacceptable.”

“It’s not the first time I do something unacceptable, and I have a contract, as you know. I’m not going to do anything improper, but I must protect you.” His gaze roamed over my pink dressing gown for the briefest of seconds. “Like it or not, I’m staying here, Monia.”

I clenched my fist. “You’re bossy.”

“I’ve been called worse.”

I folded my arms over my chest. “It’s because of that silver substance I found, isn’t it? What is it? It can’t be a coincidence that I find an odd silver thing and you become so incredibly worried about me that you want to sleep here, and threaten to blindfold me.”

He shrugged, a cheeky grin stretching his full lips. “Dinosaurs didn’t wear transparent pink dressing gowns and went extinct. Is that a coincidence?”

My mouth hung open. “My dressing gown isn’t transparent.” I wished I’d said something smarter.

He tilted his head. His eyes widened as he studied me. “It is, especially if there’s light coming from behind you.”

“Bloody hell!” I clamped my hands over my mouth, shame pounding through me. Me? Swearing? “See what you’ve done? I’ve never, ever sworn in my entire life.”

“There’s always a first time, and admit it, it feels so damn good.”

Well, he had a point.

“And I didn’t threaten to blindfold you,” he said, stretching his arms over his head. “I told you exactly what will happen once we’re in the City of the Dead.”

“And it’s for my safety.” I hoped he detected the sarcasm in my voice.

He nodded. “Absolutely. Now, shall we go to sleep? Tomorrow is going to be a busy day for both of us.” With that, he sat on the floor, his back against the door. “And swearing suits you if you ask me. You look lovely when you say curses. Please curse more often.”

“You rascal.”

He shook his head. “You can do better than that.”

“You… scoundrel.”

“Please.” He laughed.

I rolled my bottom lip between my teeth, thinking. “Is ‘you bastard’ good enough?”

He barked a laugh, his chest expanding. “Hell, yes. I love the way you say it.”

A storm of emotions was raging inside me, and if I had to be honest with myself, there wasn’t only shame. The rules of etiquette had been etched into my brain for as long as I could remember. Letting go of them wasn’t easy, but his cocky attitude was charming.

“You shouldn’t sleep in my room,” I said.

“Good. Excellent. Great. Pity that I have a job to do and I’m not keen on the idea of being flogged.” He wasn’t joking, of course. “Go to sleep, Monia. I give you my word that I will not touch you.”

I let out a breath, admitting defeat. Maybe the fact he wasn’t going to touch me was the cause of the disappointment swelling in my chest.

He heaved a sigh and gazed away. “And step out of the light and cover yourself or keeping my word might be rather difficult.” As if realising he’d said something shocking, he clenched his jaw and closed his eyes. “Sleep,” he repeated through gritted teeth.

I slid under the quilt and turned off the light, shock leaving me speechless. Had he meant it when he’d said he was tempted to touch me? I wouldn’t mind testing his control. It was the first time a man had admitted he could lose control because of me . Not even Sandro showed me such unbridled passion. His kisses were... polite, not filled with unrestrained lust. I hadn’t expected a man like Rennie to have any interest in me unless he was taunting me.

“Did you mean what you said?” I asked in the darkness. Only the lights of the ship offered a small amount of illumination.

“You aren’t sleeping.”

“Answer me.”

“No.”

Oh, the nerve of the man. “Why not?”

“I don’t like where the conversation is going.”

“It isn’t going anywhere because we aren’t having a conversation,” I said, propping myself up on my elbows. Even in the semidarkness, I could spot the burning pits of his eyes staring at me.

“Good night, Monia.”

“You’re impossible.” I punched the pillow and lay down, muttering curses that made him chuckle.

I must have dozed off because a rhythmic noise woke me up. Footfalls padded from the silent corridor. A cold shiver crawled up my back, like a file of ants. The light from the passageway limned the door, which meant Rennie wasn’t sitting in front of it.

“Rennie?” I whispered.

“Shush,” he said, close to me. “Quiet.”

Two shadows cut the flow of light on the floor as the footsteps stopped in front of my door. I touched around on my bed, and when I found Rennie’s hand, I held it. His big, warm hand closed around mine in a reassuring gesture that slowed my pulse. Until the knob turned. I squeezed Rennie’s hand harder. He uncoiled his body as the door inched inwards.

Dread froze me on the spot. A man slid inside, nearly silent on his feet. Judging from his size and build, he was the same man who had attacked Rennie. The moment he stepped forwards, Rennie lunged. A loud thud resounded when they dropped to the floor. I scrambled out of bed and lit the gas lamp on the nightstand with trembling hands. Not that there was much to see. Rennie and the man were entwined together, rolling on the floor. Punches rained on both of them. Thuds, smacks, and kicks made me jolt.

With an animalistic groan, the man shoved Rennie back and darted out of the cabin. Rennie shot after him. The door swung back and forth behind him.

Shaking, I left the quiet corner and tiptoed to the door. I wasn’t sure why I was tiptoeing. It seemed pretty useless, but my brain was dealing with an overload of fear the likes of which I’d never experienced before. No, that wasn’t true. There had been that time when—pain burst in my head. I rubbed my forehead and squeezed my eyes before peeking into the corridor. What in blazes was happening to me?

There was no one, and aside from a low rumble, the passageway was quiet. I locked the door with trembling hands and searched for my shoes. Rennie had to be safe. He was a strong man. But the other chap was bigger. I could call Detective Norton, though.

There was a knock on the door. “Monia? It’s me.”

“Rennie.” I pulled the door open and without thinking, threw myself over to him.

He caught me in his arms and held me by my waist. The contact with his hard body calmed the brewing storm of fear in my chest. Through the thin fabric of my nightgown, his large palms burned my skin.

“I was so worried,” I whispered in the crook of his neck.

“I’m all right.” He drew slow circles over my back.

When I stopped quivering, I disentangled myself from him, avoiding gazing at him. “The man?”

“Gone. I tried to keep up with him, but I lost him.” A mirthless chuckle left him. “This bloody ship is a maze of ladders and narrow corridors with a lot of steam and loud noises.”

I licked my dry lips. “Will the thing you have to do in Cairo help catch that man?”

He gently brushed a lock of my hair from my cheek. “Yes.”

“Then I’ll do whatever you ask me.”

A beam brightened his face. “You should say that more often.”

YES, I’D PROMISED Rennie I would have done everything he said, but as we walked along the pavement of Al-Muizz Street in Cairo, I really wanted to take my time and wander through the beautiful city.

The cobbled street was simply magical, full of colours, singing people, and vendors who sold all sorts of goods, from deliciously smelling food to turquoise pendants. Women in long dresses embroidered with gold and silver strolled around, their silk scarves fluttering behind them. I glanced down at my dark-red skirt with a matching jacket and hat. I envied those women’s dresses. They flowed beautifully over the women’s legs, showing the tips of their sandalled feet. And the elaborate, stained-glass windows were works of art. I could watch them all day. Not to mention the aristocratic palaces that?—

“Don’t even think about it,” Rennie said.

“Think what?”

“To go around and play tourist. We’re here for another reason.”

I pouted. “I simply know we’re here to do something that is somehow connected to our pursuit of the elusive man who attacked us for some reason. That’s quite vague.”

“You said you were going to do whatever I asked you to do. So don’t wander around.”

“But this place is magnificent!” I spread my arms. “So alive and colourful. I’d like to try one of those bowls of rice and lentils, or take a look at that dress shop, and can you smell the bread?”

“Not now.” He took my elbow and steered me away from a vendor smiling at me.

It was a good thing Rennie was leading me because I kept getting distracted by the buildings towering over the street and the stone arches soaring above us to watch where we were going. In fact, I was so distracted I didn’t notice Rennie ushering me towards a quiet alleyway.

“It’s time,” he said, searching his pocket.

“For what?” I craned my neck to take a look at the bazaar. “Blazes, is that a camel? I think it’s beautiful. Look at the cute muzzle and the way it chews.”

“I have to blindfold you.” Those few words caused my mood to plummet all the way to China.

“Do you really have to?”

“’Fraid so.” He gave me a pointed look. “Please?”

I sighed and mourned the loss of the magnificent colours of Cairo as he wrapped a black cloth around my head.

“You trust me, don’t you?” he asked, tying the piece of fabric behind my head.

“Absolutely not,” I quipped.

“Excellent.” Amusement laced his voice. He took my hand and guided me somewhere.

A bell chimed. We must have entered a shop because cool air hit my cheeks and the scent of thousands of spices teased my nostrils. He exchanged a few words with a man in Arabic.

“Since when do you speak Arabic?” I asked, trying to discreetly touch around.

“I don’t speak Arabic. I just know a few sentences, and don’t touch anything.” He held my probing hand. “There are breakable things here.”

“Yes, there are. You’re a brute. I’ll tell my father how poorly you’ve treated me.”

“Then he’ll have me flogged, remember? You don’t want that.”

“Maybe I do.”

He chuckled. “We’re going down a flight of stairs. I’d suggest you focus on your steps and think about where you put those pretty feet of yours.”

I flushed, glad he wouldn’t see my reddened cheeks under the cloth. “Even my feet are pretty?”

“Careful.” He laughed. “Everything about you is pretty.”

Oh, goodness.

He held my hands while we climbed down and down. The air turned chilly and smelled of moss. Not an ounce of fear or worry coursed through me, though. I did trust him after all. He could be taking me anywhere. No one knew I was there—wherever there was. Anything could happen to me.

My heartbeat remained stable, and my hands didn’t sweat. His arm coiled around my waist and pressed me against him. His warmth reached my skin, and my breath hitched.

“Are you scared?” he asked, the amusement gone from his tone. “Is this too much?”

“No.”

His fingers sprawled over my waist. “Glad to hear it.”

“Did you mean what you said last night?” I asked as he helped me down another flight of stairs.

“Every word.” Even in the darkness, I could tell he was watching me. The weight of his stare was like a caress on my skin. His voice sounded low and intense.

“Oh,” was all I managed to say.

“Surprised?” he asked, pulling me closer. His breath feathered over my cheek.

“Well, it doesn’t happen every day... men usually don’t, you know... I’m not such a stunning woman.” I was stammering and staggering. Brilliant.

“That’s not true.” His whispered words rang intimate and personal, causing my breath to come out faster. “But it’s true that men can be stupid.”

I let out a nervous chuckle.

“And did you mean it?” he asked as we walked along a flat stretch.

“What?”

“When you asked me to touch you, did you mean it? Or was it the green serum?”

I leant against him. “I meant every word.”

He growled. “Bugger me.”

Maybe it was the darkness that gave the illusion of privacy. Or maybe it was just me, but I put a hand on his chest, stopping him. He didn’t ask what I was doing, thank goodness, because I didn’t know. I explored the hard wall of his chest until I touched his neck and slid my hand over his nape. Pulse thundering, I pulled him down. He hesitated, but I didn’t as I pressed my lips against his. The kiss started a burst of emotions that went through me down to my toes. He cupped my cheek with infinite gentleness and rubbed his thumb over the curve of my jaw while his lips moved over mine. It wasn’t like kissing Sandro. The kiss had all the raw intensity Rennie possessed. Not perfect but passionate and wild. It made my body sensitive. I pressed myself against him shamelessly. He caressed my back, waist, and bottom, grazing my lips. I was shivering in his arms, but he withdrew.

“Monia,” he whispered. Desperation and pain filled the single word. “I can’t.”

I licked my bottom lip so I could still taste him. “I know.”

He hugged me, pressing me against his body, and tucked my head under his chin. I rested my cheek over his chest right where the pounding of his heart screamed for me.

“We’re almost there,” he said, brushing his lips over my cheek.

“Let’s go.” Still leaning against him, I walked along the corridor, then another flight of stairs.

We stopped on flat ground. There must be light shining from somewhere because the air was warmer there than it’d been upstairs. The noise of working hinges rose, then the sound of footsteps and voices hit my ears. I was itching to take a peek, but seemingly reading my mind, Rennie held my hands in his grip.

“Be patient.”

I relaxed in his hold. Those hands enveloped mine firmly, but gently, sending a delicious sensation up my legs. A combination of English and Arabic echoed. There were people living underground, and judging by the noise, there were many of them. Rennie exchanged a few more words in Arabic with a man and led me onwards.

“Where are we?” I asked, tilting my head to hear better.

“Sit here. There’s a lady who will keep you company.” He sat me down.

“A lady?” My rear touched the padding of a soft cushion on the floor. “Are you going to leave me?”

“Not for long.” He caressed my jaw with so much tenderness I wanted to moan. “See you later. No pun intended.” He laughed, but I sneered at him.

A door closed, and I found myself alone and in the dark. I was about to rip the blindfold from my face when footfalls padded closer.

“Good afternoon,” a feminine voice said next to me. “I’m Ife.” She spoke perfect English with a lovely, musical lilt I could listen to for hours.

“Hello, Ife.” I turned in the general direction of the voice. “I’m Monia.”

“Would you like some tea?”

“Yes, please.”

There was some shuffling around and the jingling of cups and saucers.

“Here you are. Be careful, it’s hot.” Ife took my hands and gave me a warm cup.

“Thank you.” The scent of cinnamon and jasmine filled the air. I sipped the delicious tea while Ife remained quiet. Taken by a sudden inspiration, I asked, “Is this the Royal Occult Bureau?”

She coughed. “I can’t say anything about what this place is. I’m sorry.” The words came out too quickly.

Ha! But she’d already answered. Not that her answer gave me any further clue. She could say we were in Buckingham Palace, and it would be the same for me. I tried to remove the blindfold, but Ife stopped me with a gentle hand.

“Please, I’ll be in trouble if you remove the blindfold.”

Dash it. She said the only thing that would stop me. I didn’t want her to be punished because of me. Same old, same old. So I sipped my tea quietly.

At my third cup of tea, the need to visit the lady’s room grew, but the door opened, and two pairs of footsteps approached.

“Monia, it’s me,” Rennie said close to me. “We’re going back to the ship.”

“Already? But I haven’t done anything here.” I lowered the cup, hoping not to spill the tea.

“It’s all right.” He sounded even closer. “We need to leave.”

Oddly enough, the sound of his voice rained a sense of calm over me. Although tension was radiating from him.

“Of course.”

He took my hands and pulled me up. “A man is here. He’ll come on board with us,” he whispered.

“Miss Fitzwilliam,” a male voice said in English. “I’m Mr Oliver George, and I’ll help Rennie catch the man who attacked you.”

He kissed my hand. I didn’t trust men whose surname was another name because it was jolly confusing.

Rennie’s hand replaced Oliver’s. “That’s enough, Oliver.” He folded my hand over his chest where I could feel the steady thump of his heart. “Let’s go, shall we?”