Prisoner of Desire

by Mary Wine

  "Don't you understand that I am not the sort of woman who will bind you to me because of your honor?" She threw her hands up in exasperation. "You deserve better, Warren. I'll not snare you through lust. I love you."

  "Damn it, Lorena. I warned you I am not a man of soft words." He took one step and captured her wrist to pull her back against his body. He clamped a solid arm around her to keep her in place.

  "I don't know how to tell you that my chest felt like it had been ripped open when I discovered you missing from my home. The thought of going back to Boston without you is so horrible, I swear I won't do it. I've never considered love a thing a man could feel, but I feel it for you."

  His face was drawn into a hard expression. "But don't ask me to say it sweetly. I don't know how."

  She reached up and sealed his next words behind her hand. It was a gentle touch, one he might easily have broken, but he stood still,

  watching her with hungry eyes that sliced deep into her heart. It looked like a reflection of her own feelings.

  "It is your strength that draws me to you, Warren. I love the man you are, not some fiction written in books."

  He shivered. She felt it with her hands and she smoothed them over his skin. He closed his eyes with a soft groan, lifting his chin so she could run her hands all the way along the column of his neck.

  "Say that again." His voice was harsh and low. He looked down at her. "Say it again, Lorena."

  "You enjoy giving orders."

  He frowned at her. "I am the captain of this ship."

  "Ah.. .very well... Captain"

  He growled and swung her up against his chest. Two steps and he'd dumped her into his bunk.

  He stood for a moment, his hands propped on his hips. His gaze surveyed her with satisfaction.

  Lorena rose onto her knees.

  He raised one finger into the air to stop her. "Will you marry me?"

  "I will be proud to become your wife, Captain Rawlins."

  He pressed his lips into a hard line. Her heart froze for a moment but his blue eyes twinkled mischievously.

  "I think I'll still spend the rest of the night seducing you, that was my plan after all." The bunk shook as he rolled into it. The bulky shirt proving very easy to slip his hands beneath. "I'll ask you again in the morning, love."

  His hands cupped her breasts, sending a hot ripple of need across her skin. Her body awakened instantly. "You do that, Captain."

  Geoffrey Godford looked at his desk and the newly arrived mail awaiting his attention. It was Sunday afternoon and he should leave it all for the morning but something captured his attention.

  An envelope which appeared more worn than the others. He reached for it, turning it over to inspect the inscription.

  He broke the seal instantly. He never bothered to take his seat either. His heart increased its speed the moment he read Lorena's name on the outside of the letter. He scanned the letter

  quickly and then had to return to the top of the page to read it a second time.

  He scoffed, but the sound came out hollow. Instead a smile lifted the corners of his mouth. Well now, she was her mother's daughter. He couldn't help but enjoy the idea, the love still lingering in his heart for his departed wife stirring.

  A sound from the hallway made him turn quickly, but the study door remained shut, allowing

  him to keep his emotional condition concealed. He cleared his throat and folded the letter.

  Yes. Very well indeed.

  He sat down to pen a few letters. Rawlins shipping? Well he would simply have to learn a bit about them.

  Jasper Templeton frowned. "Why did you get married in St. Martin?"

  Warren stared at his friend. "Why do you care? Have you grown some affection for wedding receptions since I last saw you?"

  Jasper cleared his throat. But he grinned, warning Warren he wasn't going to like what his friend was about to say.

  "I just wanted the chance to kiss the bride... again."

  Warren glared but Lorena joined them, interrupting.

  "When did Jasper kiss you?" Warren demanded.

  Lorena stared at her husband, trying to hide her amusement. Jasper answered for her.

  "While you were dancing with my sister. Don't worry, she hated it. My confidence is still suffering."

  "I doubt it." Lorena frowned at her husband's friend. Jasper smirked back at her before pushing his lips into a pucker.

  "Excuse me, gentlemen."

  She swept from the room, making it into the kitchen before shaking her head.

  Warren followed her.

  "Jasper kissed you?"

  Her husband was jealous. Try as she might, she couldn't quite dislike the look of the emotion on his face. Truthfully, it warmed her heart.

  "He did and I am rather thankful."

  Her husband growled. Lorena fluttered her eyelashes exactly like Brigitte so often did. His eyes opened wide in horror.

  Reaching up she placed a kiss on his lips, smiling when his arms went around her.

  "Yes, indeed I was quite grateful after my initial horror."

  He relaxed. "Initial horror you say?"

  "Oh yes, I was quite wrought with the man."

  The hands around her gently gripped her hips. "So why were you grateful?"

  "Because I learned that not every kiss made my knees weak, no matter how handsome the man giving it." Her husband's eyes sparkled with satisfaction but he still frowned at her.

  "You think Jasper is handsome?"

  Lorena hit her husband, slapping his chest with her palms. He grinned, her blows only amusing him.

  "I think it helped me realize I love you, Captain Rawlins."

  "Fine, the man can live. As long as there is no attempt to kiss my bride. He's had his chance."

  She hit him again, this time the sound of the blow filling the kitchen. His lips twitched, his eyes shimmering with playful enjoyment.

  "I. Love. You."

  He said each word separately but she liked it that way.

  Eula sighed. "These young people don't know where sweet talk belongs.. .1 tell you.. .1 don't understand it."

  Warren winked at her. "You're quite correct, Eula. Forgive me for being so forgetful."

  He swept Lorena off her feet and carried her up the stairs to their room. Lorena giggled when he tossed her on their bed. This was the man she'd fallen in love with. The one who had stolen her.

  The rest of society could chatter all they wanted, so long as Warren never changed.