“Are we locked inside here? For who knows how many more hours?” she asked.
“I’ll get it unlocked.”
“That’s right, you do have a knack for picking locks, don’t you?” she asked.
He would have sworn he’d heard humor in her voice. “I have, on occasion, had opportunity to unlatch a lock without a key.” From his pocket, he withdrew a coin, then slid it up to the latch. It took some working, but he was able to slide the lock over.
Slowly, he opened one door. Cooler air moved around them, and he took a deep breath. He peeked around the door, but caught no sight of the men.
“I think we’re safe. For now.” He helped Sabine out of the armoire, then together they navigated the luggage car to go out the way they’d come in, then back through the dining car and the other cars until they had reached their own.
“We can’t stay in here,” Sabine said. “We still have several hours on the trip.”
“This way.” They went out the opposite end of their car and into the one in front of it. It was a car that had twelve compartments, including a sleeper. Max knocked on the wall next to the curtained area. The curtain moved, and a young man stepped forward.
“What?” he asked. Another boy, a few years younger, jumped down from the top cot.
“The car in front of this one is empty; I rented the entire thing,” Max said. “My companion here is not feeling well and wishes to lie down.” He pulled two notes out of his coat pocket. “Could we switch with you? Of course, I’d pay you for any inconvenience.”
The older boy smiled and turned back to look at his brother. They both nodded. He snatched the notes from Max’s hand, and they grabbed their things and ran out without another word.
Max held the curtain open for Sabine, then closed it behind them once they were safely ensconced in the sleeping cabin.
“You think we’ll be safe in here?” she asked. She sank onto one of the lower bunks, leaning forward so she didn’t hit her head on the top.
“There are more people in this car,” he said. “It’s unlikely they will search for us here.” Though he wasn’t completely certain that was true, he wanted to give her some measure of comfort.
“They must have followed me here,” she said. Then she looked up, her eyes wide with terror. “My aunts. What if more men returned to the shop? I know they’re safe at your home, but what of work? I didn’t even think…” Her voice faded as she dropped her head into her hands.
He sat next to her. “I asked some friends to keep watch while we were gone,” he said. “Your aunts will be safe.”
She looked over at him. “I don’t know what to say.”
“I believe the customary response is thank you.”
But she said nothing. Instead, she leaned forward and kissed him. More than likely, he shouldn’t take advantage of the situation. She’d been through quite an ordeal. But he’d never been much of a gentleman, and damn, she felt good pressed against him. So he threaded his fingers through the back of her silky soft hair and pulled her closer. He deepened the kiss. She opened her mouth to him, and their tongues touched.
Lust forged through him.
He tugged her hair to lay her back on the cot. The coils groaned beneath their weight. Still, they kissed, their lips melded together, their tongues intertwined. Her fingers dug into his arm, and she released small sounds of pleasure.
She drove him wild. Her touch, her taste, the feel of her beneath him.
He left her mouth and kissed the column of her throat, paying particular attention to that lovely spot he’d first noticed the night they met. Her pulse leaped beneath his tongue. She moaned again.
Today she wore a simple travel gown of brown wool. It did nothing to enhance her curves, but as soon as he touched her, the soft fabric left little between his body and hers. He slid his hand up her torso and cupped her breast. With no corset in the way, he could freely feel the softness. Her nipple beaded between his fingers.
Sabine arched toward his touch.
He kissed her again. Her hand slid up his back, pressing him farther onto her. She wanted him. He reached down and moved a hand up her leg, her skin smooth and soft beneath his palm.
His fingers traced behind her knee to the sensitive flesh of her thighs. Her teeth grabbed hold of his earlobe as his hand explored beneath her skirts. When he brushed lightly across the apex of her legs, she released a primal groan of desire. His own need poured through his veins and settled heavily in his groin.
Bloody hell, he wanted her.
He found his way up through the slit in her drawers.
Her flesh was hot and slick with her need, and she trembled when his fingers brushed against her. She continued to moan softly. He continued his exploration.