Page 46 of To Catch A Rogue

"Charlie?" Lark's gaze snagged on something in the middle of the room.

"What?" he snapped.

"There might be a way out of here."

His gaze followed hers.

"Think you can fit up a chimney?" she asked.

"Wouldn't be the first time."

* * *

Shovingher back against the bricks, Lark walked her way up the inside of the chimney to preserve her arm strength. Her thighs were hunched up near her chest, and she had no idea how Charlie was fitting.

A grunt echoed from below.

"Sshhh," she hissed.

"Fuck," he muttered under his breath.

"What's wrong?"

Charlie shifted. "I seem to be stuck."

What?Lark peered down between her thighs. "What do you mean you're stuck?"

Lashings of soot stuck to his pale face, and the moonlight had risen enough that it gleamed directly on the blue of his eyes. She couldn't see past him, for his broad shoulders filled the chimney. "I mean, I'm stuck," he growled quietly. "I can't go any bloody further."

"What a shame," she pronounced emphatically. Her heart was racing fast enough to choke her, but she'd be damned if she let that show. "Who's laughing now about being short?"

"It's not my height. It's my shoulders."

Lark shifted around, trying to get a better look at his position. Her humor died as she saw he was quite right. "We can't go back down." The second that vampire broke through the door it would be coming after them. "You said you could do this!"

"Apparently," he snapped, "I've grown a little broader in the four years since my previous chimney-climbing escapade."

"Maybe it's your fat head?"

"Maybe—if you would give me a little bit of a hand—I might be able to get past this lip of brick. Instead of berating me like some sort of poke-faced tutor."

Poke-faced tutor?Tremors wracked her arms. She was used to a swift climb—not hovering halfway up a chimney. "Bloody hell."

He seemed to be caught on the decorative rim that banded the chimney on the outside—and inside, it seemed. Lark scrambled back down, sending soot flying into Charlie's upturned face. He cursed under his breath, lowering his head.

The layer of brick causing the problem seemed to be doubled up. Lark put both knees on the edge, her thighs spread wide as she leaned down to examine his circumstances. Hot breath whispered against her cheek.

"What are you staring at?"

"Oh, nothing," Charlie said. "Just enjoying the view."

His eyes twinkled.

Lark breathed out slowly. Killing him would have to wait. She was practically straddling his head. "You do know if that vampire realizes where we are, it's going to come after us. I'll betitfits up this chimney. I wonder what part of you it will bite first? You're not that fond of your balls, are you?"

Charlie winced. "I hate you."

"If we get your shoulders through, do you think the rest of you will fit?"