Loving Katrina

Eight

"Miss Landon, I know how stubborn you can be, but you must trust me on this trip." His face turned toward her again. "You must do as I say instead of what you think you should do."

She scowled. Once again, he was stirring her temper. Why did he always have to tell her this...and why did she rise to the challenge? "What are you talking about, Mr. Knightly? Have I not been following orders like an obedient dog as you so eloquently phrased it yesterday?"

He shook his head. "You have, but only if I threaten you. I don't want to argue about this. You must do what I tell you or this trip will be very long and tedious for both of us."

She blew out an exasperated breath. "I cannot understand why you think I'm such a wayward child. I assure you, I will do as you have asked."

"Splendid." He leaned his face closer.

She had the urge to pull away but kept from doing so, only to see how close he'd get. His hot breath blew across her face, yet she still didn't want to withdraw. Once more, the smell of peppermint filled her head.

"There are ten men who will be accompanying you into the jungle." His voice lowered. "You must not make a spectacle of yourself. Understood?"

"A spectacle? Tell me, how have I done that?"

"Listen to me and quit interrupting." He shook his head. "You are a very lovely young woman, and I don't want them to get the wrong impression. You are not to bat your eyes or pout your lips. You are not to touch any of them even casually as you just touched me. Do you understand?"

Her heartbeat knocked against her ribs in a different rhythm. He'd been irritating her since they met, but this...this request only made her want to deny him and make him more upset. Just the thought of going against his demand made her breathless. Perhaps touching him on purpose was not the right thing to do, mainly for her state of mind.

Taking a deep breath, she calmed her rising ire and nodded. "Have you included yourself in those ten men?"

"Yes."

"So that means you don't want me touching you?" She arched an eyebrow.

"Correct again."

"I suppose I can refrain. However, what happens if I tripped into you? Would you get upset that I used your body to catch my fall?"

"Miss Landon..." he warned, narrowing his gaze on her.

"And what if," she continued quickly, ignoring his caveat, "I accidentally sprained my ankle? Would you not allow me to put my arm around your waist as you helped me walk?"

His attention bounced between her lips and eyes, finally resting on her mouth. A grin tugged at the corner of his lips. "Miss Landon, I see what you're doing."

"You do?" She shrugged. "Tell me, what am I doing?"

He shook his head. "You are trying to find ways around my request so you don't have to follow instructions, but just as I have told you, I don't want you touching me or any of my men. If you are in danger, then of course we will have to assist you in some way. But know this...I will not tolerate your flirtations."

Chuckling, she folded her arms across her bosom. "You are certainly full of yourself, Mr. Knightly, especially if you think I'm flirting with you."

It was his turn to fold his arms. "You think I cannot tell when a woman is flirting?"

"Oh, I'm sure you can tell, but why would you think that I would flirt with you—or any of your men?"

"Miss Landon, you are a tease. I know women like yourself, and no matter how hard you try, you cannot fool me."

"Who says I'm trying to fool you?" She grinned.

A deep chuckle rattled in his chest, sending tingles shooting through her. She didn't know why she would react to his voice like that, but she wasn't certain she liked the disturbing flutters inside her body.

Then again, maybe she liked them too much.

"Don't get me wrong. I enjoy a lady's flirtation, but not when I'm trying to protect her from my men."

No longer did he control the conversation. She did, and she enjoyed the power it brought. She couldn't help it. She just had to continue. Bantering back and forth with him was extremely amusing. She also took pleasure in making him uncomfortable. "I didn't know you were hired to protect me, too. How thoughtful."

His smile widened and his eyes twinkled. Apparently, he enjoyed the joking as well. Heat spiraled through her that had nothing to do with the afternoon temperature.

"Miss Landon—Katrina, you're playing with fire."

"I..." She swallowed hard, not realizing her throat had suddenly dried. "I didn't know I was playing, Felix." If he could use her name, she could certainly use his.

Slowly, he nodded, his gaze fastened to her mouth again. "Oh, yes. You are most certainly playing a dangerous game."

Images of him and the dark skinned woman from this morning floated through her head, followed by her premonition of him trying to kiss her. What would it be like to have his mouth moving against hers? His lips looked so very soft. The wild way he'd kissed the other woman made Katrina wonder what sensations would run through her if a man ever showed her that kind of affection.

Good grief! She was losing control over her thoughts again. How did that happen?

Suddenly, the barge jerked as if something had hit it. Unbalanced, she grasped for the railing, but her hand slipped, making her stumble. As quick as lightning, his arms circled around her waist, holding her up. She snapped her gaze to his. His eyes widened, and then their color darkened. His chest rose and fell with quick breaths, just as hers was doing. Oh dear! He'd been correct. This was not a game, so then why did he hold her so protectively?

"Wh—what was that?" she asked in a whisper, only because the shock of everything had tightened her throat.

"I'm not sure." His gaze shifted to the water and he sighed. "It's the crocodiles."

She peeked down. "Why are they knocking into the barge?"

"Because they are hungry." He met her gaze again and grinned. "Like I'd mentioned before, they will follow us to see if we drop anything."

"Um, yes, you did say that." She licked her dry lips.

Not knowing where she found the strength, she stepped away, breaking the spell that had somehow come over both of them. He straightened and raked his fingers through his dark, thick hair while she collected her wits—since she had somehow lost them while bantering with him moments ago.

"As I just showed you," he said, "the only time I will be in physical contact with you is when I need to protect you." He cleared his throat and folded his arms, glowering at her sharply. "But you are not allowed to lay a hand on me or the other men. Is that clear?"

"Crys-tal."

His gaze moved around the deck, not really resting anywhere. "Why don't you see to preparing our lunch with the cook?" He nodded toward the burly man standing by some large crates. "That's Manuel. I'm certain he and his wife will appreciate the help."

Felix dismissed her and walked away. He now acted like their brief encounter a moment ago hadn't even affected him. She took a deep, cleansing breath. Well, two could play that game. From now on, she would act like nothing he did affected her.

If only she could convince her body to play along.