“I know you lifted it from my pocket. I know you have it.”
She shook her head as if to deny it but then stopped. “Maybe you dropped it in the tunnels.”
“And perchance, you have it tucked inside your armor.” His gaze swept over her shapely figure, her leather armor adhering to each curve. He didn’t know where she had hidden it, but he knew it was there.
“We should go back to the tunnels and check,” she advised.
He stepped closer to her. “Or I can search you. That would be a much more pleasant option.”
Her lips pursed in disapproval, and she scowled stubbornly.
“As I was saying, I’ll let you hold onto the book for now, as I promised.”
She grunted. “Such an honorable man,” she muttered.
His insides tensed at the mockery. If she were a man, he would have belted her across the chin. As it was, he gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. “Thank you.”
Confusion flashed in her eyes before it disappeared.
“You may hold the book until you have decoded it. Then, I must have it back to give to my cousin.” He held up a finger. “And you must promise not to attempt escape, or I will have to bind you.”
