Loving Katrina

Eleven

Felix wanted to lead the way as they traipsed through the jungle, but he didn't dare leave Miss Landon too far behind. He was eager to get her to their destination without any setbacks. The sooner he got her to her father, the sooner the job was done and he could be out of her presence. She was a nuisance to be sure, and at times, he couldn't decide whether to strangle her...or wrap her in his embrace just to hear her pleasurable sigh. Because of the confused emotions rolling through him, the best course of action would be not to get close to her. Unfortunately, he had to in order to protect her.

They'd been walking about two hours, and so far Miss Landon didn't show any signs of fatigue. In fact, some of his men looked wearier than she did. Then again, his men were helping to carry supplies whereas Miss Landon didn't carry anything. Perhaps Felix should strap something to her back tomorrow so she could help with the load. He didn't want her thinking this was a walk through the park.

It also surprised him she wasn't limping or acting like her feet were sore. Deep down inside, he knew she was trying to prove to him that she could walk in men's boots—only because he'd told her she couldn't. That blasted woman defied him at every turn, and she enjoyed doing it, he was certain.

She seemed to have made friends with Manuel's wife, Suzette. The slightly older woman had shown Katrina how to wrap her hair in a coil that lifted the hair away from her face that would bring a little more circulation to her skin. Here in the jungle, surrounded by trees and bushes, there was no wind as they'd briefly had while on the boat. Beads of moisture lined Katrina's face and neck, but then everyone in this group suffered from the suffocating humidity. Every once in a while Katrina used her canteen to drip water on her head, but thankfully, she didn't use too much. He was relieved to know she had listened to him and followed his instructions about saving water.

Felix wished Katrina wasn't so lovely. Any normal man would lose their thoughts whenever she was around. Her exotic eyes and infectious laugh only made it harder for him to keep his distance. Throughout the day he heard her chuckle along with some of his men. Inwardly, he boiled. Hadn't he told her not to flirt with his crew? Being this playful, she was inviting mayhem.

He slowed his steps and waited until Manuel joined him. They'd been good friends since the first month Felix was in town, and they'd gone on several expeditions together. A pang of remorse twisted in Felix's chest. He would truly miss his friend once he moved back to England. Returning home to step into his title was necessary, but he wished his friends could come with him.

Manuel's grin bothered Felix since his friend had only smiled while chatting with Katrina. Felix gave him a nod. "What is so funny?"

The other man's mouth stretched wider. "Miss Landon's sense of humor surprises me. She has made us laugh more than I can remember doing while on an expedition. Not often do I laugh while hiking through the jungle in this horrendous heat."

Felix arched an eyebrow. "Tell me, Manuel, what does she say that's so funny?"

"The way she talks with humor in her story-telling makes us all laugh." Manuel shrugged. "I do not know how else to explain it. Sometimes I forget she is wealthy because she acts and talks just like one of us."

Now Felix was very interested in finding out what Katrina was saying. Of course that meant he would have to get closer and talk to her, and be nice. That, he didn't think he'd be able to do.

"How amusing. Well, I'll certainly have to listen to one of her tales now, won't I?" he asked.

"Yes, you will."

Felix slowed his steps and stretched his back as he glanced around their surroundings. If memory served him—which it usually did—not far from here was a little stream where they could refresh themselves. Some streams like that one were not good for drinking, but splashing water on their faces was allowed. Right now, they needed to do something to cool off. "Manuel, when we pass that group of trees up there, we'll stop near the stream and rest our tired feet for a spell."