To Catch a Thief

by Christina Skye

  And then she was Nell again, stiff and stubborn and prickly. She caught a short breath, then stood up. He watched her dig her fingers into her hair and twist it into even greater disorder.

  The woman never relaxed. She didn’t take care of herself very well, either. He was going to do something about both things before the day was over. “Finish your tea and finish the scone. You’ll need the fuel to work.”

  With a little shrug, she drank some tea, ate more of the scone. “By the way, why ‘Dakota’?”

  “My parents’ home state. But I grew up in the high pines along the northern California coast, in beautiful country.”

  Nell put her set of photos on the table. “I’ve never been there.”

  “You should go someday. Every trail is worth hiking.”

  Something hung between them, fragile and new, whispering of promises too vague to hold.

  Then a phone rang in the back of the house, just as Nicholas Draycott’s Mini Cooper purred up the driveway. Whatever had been forming vanished.

  Nell cleared her throat. “About the climb.”

  Back to business.

  That was fine with him, Dakota thought irritably. What else was there? “Let’s hear it.”

  “Something has been bothering me.” Nell gnawed at her lip. Her sleeves were pushed up above her elbows. Streaks of ballpoint ink ran along her wrists as she braced her elbows on the table. “Here.” She carefully overlaid the blueprints with photographs, each in corresponding position.

  “There’s a problem.” She turned, staring at his thighs. “I don’t know if you’re big enough.”

  “Big enough?” Dakota raised an eyebrow as she continued to look thoughtfully at his thighs. “You want to explain that?”

  Nell was already back at the table, her shoulders hunched over the blueprints.

  Dakota was a soldier, but he was also a man, and he wasn’t going to have his…anatomy dismissed. Irritated, he leaned over her shoulder, his thighs next to hers. “What’s size got to do with it? Experience is what counts.”

  If there was a smoky, sensual tone to his words, Nell didn’t seem to notice. That irritated him, too.

  “I’m talking about your legs.”

  As if that explained it.

  “Maybe you should try spelling it out.”

  “The horizontal area here on the facade. You see?”

  “I see.” Dakota studied the blueprint, catching a hint of her perfume. A hint of cinnamon mixed with lavender and peaches. He cleared his throat, feeling a little dizzy.

  A little seduced.

  Nothing that he couldn’t handle. “What’s the problem?”

  “You’ll have to make a long reach here above the arrow loops, and your legs may not be long enough, if my estimates are right.” She was still frowning at the photos. “I need more information. When will your contact have more high-resolution photos for me?”

  “Later this afternoon.”

  Nell stood up and blew out a breath. “I need them now. I’m not sending you up there like this. Not blind.” She stretched, wincing at the movement. “This is the best route, I’m certain of that. But I want exact measurements.”

  Dakota checked his watch. It would be at least another hour until he expected to hear from Izzy with updated photos. Their climbing gear would arrive about the same time. Meanwhile Nell was pacing, looking worried. Looking as if she’d realized she was now partly responsible for a man’s life, along with that of her father.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked quietly.

  “It’s dangerous, almost foolhardy. That’s what’s wrong.” Her voice sounded strained as she turned away.

  “Nell, this is what I do.”

  She turned slowly, studying his face. “I saw you in that alley. You were fast, no thinking, just acting. You’re not going to get yourself killed on me?”

  “Count on it.”

  “This isn’t some cocky navy thing, I hope. Because I’m not going to map everything out if there’s no hope that you’ll…”

  Come back alive.

  The words drifted unsaid.

  “I’ll be coming back, Nell.”

  She stood rigid, her arms at her sides. Dakota heard her make a small, muffled sound. “I need to know that you’ll be safe. But there are no promises, are there? Not in your kind of work.”

  The air felt heavy. Dakota realized that the careful distance he’d worked to protect was fading fast.

  “I’ll be safe, Nell. Trust me, you’re one hell of a teacher and I’m…” He gave a crooked smile. “I’m a really good student.”

  “Okay.” She managed a partial smile as she paced around the long table. “Okay,” she repeated slowly. “We can do this.” She reached to pour another cup of tea.

  Her seventh cup, Dakota noted. “Why don’t you take a break? I’ll come get you when I have those new surveillance photos from Izzy.”

  “I’m good. Really.” She rubbed her neck and stretched again. “I don’t need—”

  “Go take a break. We’ll have more to do this afternoon.”

  She scowled at the table, then frowned at him. “If you’re sure there’s nothing more I can—”

  “I’m sure.”

  Go somewhere so I don’t back you against the wall and kiss you until we’re both blind with lust.

  She raked her fingers through her hair, hesitated, turned without another word.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  IRRITATED, Nell crossed the courtyard. The problem wasn’t how to train Dakota. The problem was her. She didn’t want to feel. She didn’t want to care about this brave stranger with calm gray-blue eyes and gentle hands. She was up to her neck in feelings. Each one gnawed away at her carefully maintained defenses. Why couldn’t he have stayed nasty and curt so she could shut him out? Now all she could think about was where he was going, and what would happen to him—and to her father—if her instructions were less than perfect.

  Inside her room, Nell closed her eyes, resting her forehead against the wall. How did people stand this kind of responsibility? How did you live with the knowledge that a single mistake could get someone killed?

  Nell didn’t want that kind of responsibility or anything to do with Dakota Smith. Most of all, she didn’t want these sudden churning, twisting emotions that shook her.

  He had to climb at night, surrounded by guards, a clear, unprotected target. It wasn’t abstract now. The thought paralyzed her.

  He’s counting on you. Teach him what he has to know.

  She rubbed her face. She had to get Dakota into that castle and give him a route back alive.

  She glared at the empty room. “I’ll find a way.”

  The curtains billowed out gently at the big French doors. Funny, she could have sworn they’d been closed when she left.

  Probably Marston, doing some efficient, butlerish thing.

  With a sudden yawn, Nell sank onto the bed, burrowing into the thick down pillow. She’d stretch out, try to scan a journal article on da Vinci’s pigments. Not sleep, just rest.

  As she began to read, she was oblivious to the great gray cat that ghosted through the open doorway, curling up on the floor nearby.

  NICHOLAS DRAYCOTT DROPPED a worn briefcase on his desk and motioned for Dakota to have a seat. Behind the viscount, old crystal and fine silver glinted in the sunlight.

  “This is one amazing house,” Dakota said. “And your butler, Marston, keeps appearing with whatever we need, even if we don’t ask.”

  “The true sign of a good butler,” Nicholas murmured. He steepled his fingers, assessing his guest. “Fortunately, I was able to finish early in London. I see we had the same idea about your route into the castle. This boarded-up stairwell should get you into the main courtyard without triggering any motion sensors. Has Nell worked out your route of ascent yet?”

  “She’s in the process. But she was up all night, so I told her to get a few hours of rest because Izzy’s updates won’t be ready until then anyway. Our gear is due t
o arrive shortly after that, too. Anything from MacInnes?”

  The Englishman shook his head. “I do have one bit of good news. The weather in the Western Isles is notoriously fickle, but the rain may hold off for you. A high-pressure front is supposed to move in tonight.”

  “I’ll take all the help I can get.”

  “Forgive me, Lieutenant, but have you ever done any free-climbing before?”

  “Only inside, in enclosed spaces, but I’m a fast learner. And I’ve got an excellent teacher.” Dakota glanced out the window. “I’d be happier if I could get started. Sometimes the waiting is the hardest part.” He leaned back, crossing his arms. “You’d know about that. I’ve seen your classified files, including the years you spent in Bhanlai as a prisoner.”

  Draycott’s eyes were unreadable. “My field days are over, Lieutenant. And I’ve found something that may help you a great deal, I think.” The Englishman poured them both tea and began to explain.

  AN HOUR LATER Marston’s tap on the door brought both men around, frowning at the interruption. “A courier has just arrived, Your Lordship. He is waiting in the blue salon.”

  “Excellent.” Nicholas Draycott stood up. “Where is Nell?”

  “Outside. On the south roof, I believe.” Marston’s face was impassive. “She said something about a crack. Or maybe it was a jam. I didn’t understand. She was too fast for me.”

  “Join the club,” Dakota muttered. “She was supposed to be resting. Damn, does the woman ever do what she’s told?”

  Marston cleared his throat. “She told me she couldn’t sleep. She said that she was worried about you, Lieutenant.”

  NELL WAS HALFWAY down the abbey’s back wall, her hands covered with chalk and her feet wedged above a narrow ledge over the first-floor windows. Wind whipped at her hair as she studied a set of red chalk lines.

  She moved her hands up, searched carefully, then started along a horizontal traverse. She had on a pair of sweatpants and a bulky knit turtleneck, and there was grace in every movement she made.

  Nell looked down, saw the two men and dropped lightly to the ground. “Warming up.”

  “I thought you were going to rest,” Dakota said curtly.

  “I couldn’t. Must be all that tea. I’ll catch an hour or two later.” She turned her face to the wind. “Beautiful day, isn’t it?” She didn’t give the men time to answer. “I’ll need good gloves. More chalk. You’ll need the same.”

  Dakota pulled two pairs of climbing gloves out of his pocket. “I have the rest of your climbing gear, too.”

  “Mine? How did you—” Nell sighed. “Never mind. I don’t want to know. What about climbing shoes?”

  Dakota grabbed two big canvas rucksacks sitting by the courtyard steps. “These just arrived.”

  “Let’s get going.” Nell turned back to study the wall.

  Nicholas Draycott glanced from one to the other. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go talk to the courier.”

  “Change into something flexible, but not too loose,” Nell said briskly after Draycott had gone. “Then come back so I can tape your hands. While you limber up, I want to look at all the high-resolution photos your friend sent.”

  Four hours later

  “NO, NOT THAT WAY.Watch the wall. Keep your weight above your feet, always above your feet.”

  The afternoon sun cast long rays over the distant woods as Nell stared up at Dakota, moving carefully along the stone ledge at the back of the house.

  “That’s it. Toe in, get your distance, then pull right. Better, much better. How’s that tape holding out on your hands?”

  “Feels tight.”

  Nell kept remembering that he had to climb at night. That he would be an exposed target.

  She took a sharp breath. Nothing was going to happen to him because he was the best student she’d ever had, and they’d do it and do it again, until he had every movement perfect.

  She climbed quickly up the wall, stopping directly to his right. “No, like this. Keep your weight centered. Don’t lean back so far. And read the rock. Watch for the handholds. They’ll show you your next move.” She frowned. “Except you can’t read the rock, can you? Because it will be night, and there won’t be any shadows. Damn it,” she whispered, dropping back onto the ground. “How can you possibly see to climb without light.”

  In a few seconds Dakota was on the ground beside her, sweating lightly. “I’ll have night-vision goggles,” he said quietly. “Stop worrying about this, Nell.”

  “Worrying?” She paced a little, then gave a short laugh. “No, I’m terrified.” She pointed to the red chalk marks drawn on the wall. “Even with your friend’s new photos, I don’t know exactly what kind of surface you’ll have. There’s nothing more I can do to help you,” she said tightly. “You’ll be going in blind.”

  “You’ve given me a lot, Nell. Don’t forget, I’m trained to think on my feet.”

  She looked away, then took a hard breath. “Okay, let’s try it again. This time stay right beside me and mimic every move. You were clumsy on the last traverse, and I’m worried about the crack. What do you do if your fist is too big to fit inside the opening?”

  “I use my fingers. Up to the knuckles, wedged in securely as a hold.” Dakota answered the same way he’d answered three times already. He didn’t point out the fact because he knew Nell was being ruthlessly thorough.

  Just like the best drill instructors he’d had over the years.

  She chalked up her hands, then climbed the wall lightly, quickly, not even breathing hard. In fact, she made it look like any child could do it. Dakota knew exactly how hard it was. His muscles were starting to cramp, but the clock was ticking and there was no time to stop.

  “Always remember to chalk up first,” she called.

  “Done. I’m climbing,” he answered calmly, keeping his body in line, using the core muscles to hold his position rather than jabbing with his hands. Amazing how much he’d learned from her in four hours.

  Izzy’s new high-resolution photos had been invaluable. Now Dakota knew what he was up against. It would have been nice to practice on the actual wall, but no way was that happening.

  “Get ready for that corner. Get your back against the stone.”

  Dakota was braced in position, aware of Nell off to his right, when something clattered off the roof, and two more pieces hurtled past him to the ground. He heard Nell gasp as a stone fragment tore off the wall and hit her forehead. She swung free, dangling by three fingers.

  She was twenty feet above the ground. “Got a little p-problem here.”

  Dakota saw the ledge she was holding on to start to buckle. “Hold on, honey.”

  He estimated the distance to the window above his head, then lunged with one hand and reached the sill. Swinging sideways in a powerful kick, he knocked out the glass and worked his hands over the edge, clearing away glass fragments. Then he pulled his body through.

  Inside he ran to the next window above Nell, opened it and leaned out. “Grab my arm. Come on. I’ll pull you up.”

  She was holding on by two fingers now, her face white. But she didn’t say a word, focused and controlled as she probed the wall with her foot, searching for a foothold.

  “You can do it, Nell. Six more inches. I’m right here.”

  She jammed her foot against a tiny pocket in the stone, took a deep breath and flung her arm up while she pushed off her foot. Dakota caught her instantly, wrapping both hands around her wrist. He pulled her up to the window just as the ledge of stone tore free, shattering on the ground below.

  Nell sank forward, shuddering, while Dakota gripped her shoulders. His fingers brushed her cheeks and then locked in her hair, angling her face toward him. Unable to help himself, he kissed her forehead. “Damn it, Nell.”

  “I’m fine,” she said jerkily. “Thanks to you. The ledge looked stable, but—it happened so fast.”

  Dakota didn’t want to talk. He wanted to feel her body, skin against his skin. His mouth
opened on hers as he whispered her name roughly.

  Nell leaned into him, shuddering. Her hands opened slowly. She clutched his shirt and kissed him hard, tongue to tongue, whispering his name.

  The taste of her was blinding. Dakota felt her nails dig into his back as she shoved up his shirt. “This is g-going nowhere,” she muttered.

  His hands slid over her waist, rising to cup her breasts. “Damned right,” he growled.

  “It’s stopping—” She shivered as he teased the hard peaks of her nipples. “Right now,” she said on a smoky sigh of desire.

  “Now,” he repeated, shoving off her sweater and dropping it onto the floor. She was sweating lightly, her body flushed and beautiful as he pinned her against the wall. He wanted to look at her, just look, but she dug her nails into his shoulders and breathed his name.

  Dakota tongued her high, full breasts until she moaned, cradling his face. His hand slipped under the waistband of her pants.

  She slid her fingers deep into his hair. “Forget…what I said.”

  Dakota opened her legs and spanned his fingers under the lace of her panties, feeling her shudder against him. “Now,” Nell said hoarsely.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  NEED SNAPPED and burned.

  Nell closed her eyes and fell into the fierce thrill, her hands skimming Dakota’s back. His face gave away so little, but right now his body was a map.

  Here was strength and courage.

  Here was unflinching honor, written in old scars.

  And as his hands tangled in her hair, Nell sank deep to find the freedom, the sense of flying with the air in her face and effortless energy in nerve and bone. She held on to his shoulders, hesitated for a second, and remembered all her old rules and old pain.

  No trust.

  No leaning.

  Not ever.

  His hand cupped her cheek, feathered softly.

  And all Nell’s rules toppled, blown away in the hot wind of desire. She was certain that she wanted whatever Dakota offered. More stunning, she was certain that she trusted him.