Nash's Niche (Behind Closed Doors) by Raven McAllan Page A

of bounds."
    He'd forgotten that. "So she chose that place to wait? Clever Mrs. Whittering. I trust she won't be there now?'
    Felicity snorted. "There is no likelihood of that; she complained that a bale of straw, spiders and mice were not her choice of companions. I admit, mice are not mine." She turned to face him. "Will you be my hero and scare them away, Nash?"
    He took her hand, bowed over it , and kissed the back. "As ever, I will be your protector, love, be it from people or predators."
    Felicity curtsied. "My hero."
    He lifted her into his arms and swung her around. Her skirts flew out and she let her legs follow them. When Nash put her down, he was facing in the direction they had come, and Felicity was looking over his shoulder toward their destination. They were both flushed and laughing. It was a magical, happy carefree moment. It didn't last.
    He didn't expect the hard shove she gave him. The impetus pushed them through several bushes and he landed with Felicity on top of him. As the bushes closed behind them, they shielded them from the track. Nash opened his mouth to ask what on earth was going on. Before he could utter a word, Felicity silenced him with her mouth on his and her tongue firmly in his mouth.
    Nash forgot what he wanted to ask, forgot the earth was stony under his back and let the scent and taste of her fill him.

Chapter Ten
     
    How on earth was she going to hold him still and quiet? Could she, and still warn him of the danger? Felicity hoped so. She lifted her mouth just an inch and put her finger over his lips. The tiny nod he gave showed he understood, and she moved her head slowly to rest her lips by his ear. She hoped he wasn't ticklish there.
    "I think there is someone approaching." She spoke slowly and carefully as she whispered to him. "I thought I caught a glimpse in the distance. I reckoned we wouldn't have been seen because of the direction and height of the sun. Therefore I pushed, and we landed here. Luckily not in the gorse but behind it."
    His breath tickled her other ear, and she was sensitive there. She squirmed and he nipped her ear. "Stop it. Was whoever it may be coming from near the cottage? Just nod if that's so."
    Felicity nodded, and was amazed that even that un-erotic nip to her ear was enough to make her quim pulse.
    The silence seemed menacing. There was none of the joy in the air she'd felt earlier. Her heart thudded loud in her mind, and she buried her head into Nash's neck, as if the more of him she touched, the safer she would be. His arms tightened around her, and with one swift movement, he rolled her under him. Felicity realized his jacket and breeches were better camouflage than the cream and green gown that Nash had purchased for her. She hadn't thought the clothes scenario through when she'd left Judith's house, and her one gown and jacket was not enough for her to have to wear. The few clothes she borrowed from Margaret were a help and once Nash discovered her, he decreed she needed extras to supplement what she had. Probably too many, but Felicity reveled in what he'd chosen. So much more to her liking than anything her father deemed suitable.
    "Ssh now, don't move . I think I hear footsteps." His voice was so low even she had difficulty hearing him. There was no worry anyone else would.
    Felicity tensed. His arms were still around her, but she felt cold , the deep bone chilling iciness of fear. Then she heard a soft rustle as branches on nearby trees and bushes were touched She lay unmoving, with Nash shielding her, until after what seemed like an hour, but was probably only minutes, he stirred and moved. The sensation of loneliness as his body lifted away unnerved her.
    "Cushion your head on your arms, and try to relax. You need to wait here until I come back." He kissed her neck.
    As ever, that sensual caress set shivers up her spine and from her breasts to her quim, where it began to gather her juices. Felicity wanted to protest, to beg him to stay with