Untangling himself, he stood and offered his hand to Amanda, who was peering down at the choking smaller man. “My lady?”
“Do you think we ought to call for some help?” she asked in a tone of polite curiosity, placing her hand in his. “They’re in an awful mess. Most untidy.”
He hid his grin as he shuffled her away from the scene, one arm around her waist, the bag with her nephew’s train setstill unharmed on his arm. “Help, help,” he deadpanned, gaze darting among the graves, always alert for more danger. “Help.”
Amanda giggled, the sound a balm to his spirit whenever he had to dole out violence. “Yes, I suppose that was sufficient. If he chokes on his own bile, it is likely what he deserves. You are welcome, by the way.”
By now they were back out on the street, and Hiro was hustling her back toward St. John’s and Princes Street and the safety of a crowd. “Welcome for what?”
“For distracting those men so you could do yourhi-yahtechniques.” She mimed a chop to the head. At least, that’s what he thought she was doing.
Smiling openly now, Hiro turned her onto the more populated street, filled with Edinburgh’s elite, and moved his hold to something less intimate. “Yes, thank you.”
“We make a good team, Hiro,” she sighed, slipping her arm through his as if nothing amiss had happened. “And, in case I forgot to mention it…thank you for saving me. Again.”
Hiro glanced down at her, smile faltering.Always, love.“You are welcome, my lady. I’ll always be there when you need me.”
Always.
CHAPTER 3
It hadn’t been the first time Hiro had saved her arse—as her brother might hoarsely mutter—from danger. In fact, it likely wasn’t theseventy-thirdtime Hiro had saved her. After a certain amount of time, there had been no point in continuing to count.
Shedidhappen to get into trouble often, didn’t she?
Still, Amanda couldn’t help but feel light on her toes as they strolled back to the Royal Hotel…or in her case, practically skipped.
“You’re in a good mood,” he remarked as they passed one of the memorials.
She’d been peering at the gardens, a smile on her face. “Edinburgh in the snowismagical, I do not care if you cannot see it. Even the memorial stones in St. Cuthbert’s Kirkyard were lovely.”
“Yes, right up until we were attacked.”
“Youwere attacked, Hiro. I was merely a bystander.”
He rolled his eyes but—peering up at him from under her bonnet rim—she saw the ghost of a smile on his lips.
“You were magnificent, by the way.” He wasalwaysmagnificent.
But he dismissed her words, merely patting her gloved hand to reassure her. “That is why your brother sent me with you.”
“Is that the only reason why you stayed with me?” The question had blurted from between her lips before she could clamp down on it.
Stupid lips.
She’d sounded so pitiful, so desperate.
The longer it took Hiro to respond, the bigger the pit of dread in her stomach grew.
Finally, his chest expanded as he took a breath. “I stayed with you because you needed me. For protection. For support.”
And for a few other things.
Amanda swallowed, hating the desperation in her question she nonetheless had to ask. “And have you not enjoyed our time together, even a little bit?”
He glanced down at her, his dark eyes carefully free from expression. “I think you know that answer, Mandy.”
As she exhaled, part of her was grateful. But she also wondered exactly whathemeant. He’d enjoyed their time in bed together; sheknewit. As gentle a lover as he was, as much as he made certain she’d find pleasure in the act…he was careful to spill outside her body, but spill he did. Frequently.
