He folded his arms over his chest, imitating her annoyed stance. “You keep telling me that, and one of these days I will leave—for good.”
In the brief time she’d known Payton, she’d been happy. When he left, and he would eventually, whether she told him to or not, her heart would break. She closed her eyes, for the agony she felt seemed like a knife twisting in her chest. She didn’t know why he’d come here tonight, but if she only had this one moment with him, she’d take it. Only the memories remained of those she loved. She would gather as many as she could with Payton. Then perhaps one day, when she sat alone in her room, she could recall these stolen moments and use them to console herself.
He turned away from her and stuck one leg out the window. She grabbed his arm before he crawled out.
“Don’t go. Not just yet.” She wanted to feel the heat of his body, breath in his masculine scent, and savior the taste of his kiss one last time.
Her arms slipped around his neck. She pulled him to her. Her lips pressed against his mouth in an urgent kiss.
“Easy, Angel.” His hands clasped her waist, and he eased her back from his body. “I didn’t come here to seduce you.”
“Then I’ll seduce you.” Her fingers threaded through his dark hair. She tightened her hand into a fist and pulled him closer.
Payton didn’t need further encouragement. His arms encircled her waist. He pulled her against his aching body. His mouth pressed against hers with the same urgency. The moist heat of her mouth engulfed him for a moment before he slipped his tongue between her lips and stroked across the hot, velvety surface of her tongue.
His hands skimmed down her back to her firm, round bottom, and he cupped her with both hands, lifting her to him. She twined one leg around his thigh. He lifted her higher so her other foot came off the floor and both legs wrapped around his waist, locking her to his throbbing arousal.
One hand held her bottom for support while his other wandered over her body to her breast. When his thumb brushed at her nipple, he felt it harden beneath the cotton cloth, but he craved warm, naked flesh against his fingertips. He found the opening of her nightgown and unfastened the four tiny buttons that hid her body from his view. He tugged the material from her shoulder, baring her breast.
His mouth moved from hers, and he placed nibbling kisses down her neck and over her collar bone. He brushed his lips over her breast and stroked his tongue across the taunt peak just before sucking her nipple into his mouth.
Gasps of pleasure slipped between her clenched teeth. She grabbed at his shoulders and pushed against him, lifting higher so her breast pressed more fully against his mouth.
Her back arched, making her long, blonde hair flow around her like a waterfall of golden honey. She turned her head from side to side as though lost in the moment.
He moved backwards until his legs bumped the side of the bed. Sitting on the edge, he twisted around on the narrow mattress so he could lie back. He pulled her with him so her body covered his.
“Julia, my angel,” he said in a hoarse whisper, “before we go any further, are you certain this is what you want?”
When she looked at him, he saw her incredibly-colored eyes glazed over with passion, and her delicately-outlined lips flushed from his kisses. She nodded slowly, as if incapable of speech.
“Tell me,” he demanded. “I want to hear you say the words.”
She pushed against his chest until she sat upright. Her long legs straddled his body. “I want you, Payton. And I don’t care if you think I’m too bold. Nothing is going to make me change my mind about having you.”
Her fingers fumbled with the fasteners on his shirt until, out of frustration, she ripped open his shirt. The jet black studs flew across the room and bounced onto the hardwood floor. She stroked her hands over the contours of his muscular chest. Her fingers threaded through the crisp mat of dark hair.
His eyelids fluttered when her warm hands caressed his skin. He sucked in his breath as her touch stroked his desire to the edge. “You’re right. No power on earth could alter us from this course, save for one. A promise I made myself that I wouldn’t lie with you until after you were my wife.”
Her hands stilled their movement on his chest. For a moment, she gazed at him without speaking. “That’s one promise you won’t be able to keep.” She bent over him and placed a kiss on his bare chest. “I’m not about to move so you can go in search of a preacher.”
“I don’t have to go anywhere. As captain of a ship, I have the power to legally perform marriages. Just say I do, and you’ll be my wife. I’ll fill in the documents later.”
Her body stilled. Her mouth opened slightly, but no words came out.
He held his breath and waited. Had he gone too far? Did he ask too much? If she refused him, he didn’t know what he would do. He still wanted her. If she wouldn’t marry him, would he break his oath and make love to her regardless?
When she remained silent, he pressed further with his cause.
“I’ll say it first. I, Payton Tyler, take thee as my wife—”
“Don’t.” She pressed her fingertips against his lips. Her eyes clouded over with tears
He pulled her hand away. “I want you, Julia Anderson. And I know you want me. But I won’t have you as though you were just another woman to ease my lust.”
“Oh, Payton. How can we marry? Everything is so complicated.”
He wiped at the tear sliding down her cheek. “I realize we have some obstacles to overcome—a few of them big, but nothing will ever be so great that it will come between us.”
“You have no idea what sort of obstacles.”
He pulled her down onto his chest. His hands smoothed over her back.
“Nothing will ever come between us,” he repeated. “I won’t try to pry your secrets from you. If you ever feel the need, you can tell me when you’re ready. In the meantime, just say that you’ll be my wife.”
Her head nuzzled against the side of his. Her lips brushed close to his ear. “I will.”
His fingers threaded through her hair. He pushed her blonde tresses over her shoulder so he could see her face. “I pronounce us husband and wife.”
“There’s something I have to tell you now so we don’t start our marriage with a lie.” She looked directly into his eyes. “I promise to cherish you and honor you, but I may not always be able to obey you.”
He laughed a quiet rumbling noise. “Fair enough. Now let’s seal this bargain with a kiss.”
Chapter Nineteen
Payton threaded his fingers through her long, honey-blonde hair. As his hand cupped the back of her head, he pulled her to him. His lips parted, and his mouth covered hers. The kiss deepened when he turned her head. He brushed his tongue across her lips and into her mouth. Over and over he stroked the velvety surface and twined around hers to feel the silky smoothness of the underside.
Her breasts, still covered by the nightgown, pressed against his chest. Her legs straddled his body, and her bottom rubbed against his throbbing, aching arousal. His tongue retreated and he ended kiss. He pulled her back to gaze at her face.
The moistness on her lips glistened from the flickering candlelight. Her incredibly colored eyes sparkled with her growing passion.
He grabbed at the edge of her nightgown and gathered up the fullness of the material. He pulled the flimsy gown from her body. The white cloth floated to the floor as he flung it away from them.
When she crossed her arms over her breasts, he pried her hands from her body. His fingers entwined with hers. He pulled her to him and turned on the bed until he lay on top of her.
With their fingers still threaded together, he forced her hands over her head and pressed them into the pillow. His mouth brushed across her cheek and down her neck while his teeth nipped at her skin. He blazed a trail of hot, moist kisses across her collar bone and over her breast. When he reached her nipple, he licked and sucked at the taunt peak.
“Let go of my hands.” Her voice
sounded like a ragged plea.
“I don’t want you to hide yourself from me.”
“I won’t. I want to uncover you.”
He released her hands. She slipped her fingers beneath his opened shirt and slid the material down his arms. He crawled from the bed and removed the remainder of his clothing. When he returned to her, he lay beside her. His hand skimmed up her leg to the inside of her thigh.
Her legs moved farther apart, exposing herself to him. His fingers slid across her sleek, hot flesh. Her hips arched upward. Her body trembled. She called his name as he continued to stroke his fingers over her moist flesh.
“Aye, my love, say my name. It’s like a song coming off your lips.”
He watched her body shudder and twist in his arms with the pleasure he gave her. He wanted to crawl over her and thrust inside, but feared her enjoyment would cease. She had never been with a man before, of that he felt certain. That meant their coupling would cause her pain, even bleeding. He wished he knew of a way to prevent her discomfort with their joining.
“Julia, my sweet bride, I want to make this good for you because I know it’s your first time. But I’ve never been with a virgin before, and I’m not exactly certain what to do.”
She blinked. Her mind seemed to focus on his words. Her blonde eyebrows knitted closer together. “Then we might have a serious problem because I’m not sure what to do either.”
His mouth curved into a smile. He kissed at the creases on her forehead. “I think between the two of us, we might be able to figure it out.”
He slipped his arm under her body and pulled her farther onto the narrow bed so her head rested upon the pillow. “You look so beautiful lying here on these white bed sheets. You bring to mind an angel resting on a cloud. I’m glad you didn’t want me to put out the light.”
Her eyes opened wide. “Are we supposed to put out the light?”
A growl of pleasure was his only response as he licked his tongue across her breasts.
“I don’t want it out either,” she said. “I like looking at you. Your body is so muscular and strong. I’ve never seen any man who looks as marvelous as you. In fact, I’ve never seen any man without his clothes.”
When he realized what she meant, he rolled off her and allowed her to gaze upon him.
“Do you have any knowledge of what men and women do when they make love?”
She chewed at her lower lip. Her hand slid down his chest and over the rippled muscles of his belly. Her fingertips lingered near his navel. She motioned with a tiny flick of her finger to the area that drew her attention. “It has something to do with this part of the body.”
She looked up at his face, as if waiting to see if he’d object. When he didn’t, her gaze returned to where her hand rested. Her fingertips stroked lightly over the length of his hardened flesh.
Her gentle caress caused him to tighten his body. An involuntary spasm made his throbbing flesh jerk beneath her touch. She pulled her hand away and looked at him. Surprise showed on her face.
“You didn’t hurt me.”
Her fingers returned to glide over him, but after a brief moment, he pulled her hand away.
“That’s enough for now. This night is for you.”
She slipped her leg over his belly and pulled at his hips until he faced her on the narrow bed. Her moist heat pressed against him. “Is this how we’ll fit together?”
“Aye, but not just yet,” he ground out. “I want you to feel pleasure before I give you pain.” He pushed her onto her back. His knee slid between her thighs as he nudged her legs apart.
Her hand slid around his neck. She threaded her fingers through his thick, dark hair. Her other hand stroked up his leg, and her fingertips pressed into the muscular flesh.
His mouth descended on her breast, and his lips tugged at her nipple. She gasped when his hand slid between her thighs. Her back arched, and her hips lifted as he stroked his fingers over her tender flesh.
She closed her eyes, and the pleasure intensified. Her blood warmed, and heat surged through her veins. Her breath came into her lungs in shallow gulps and rushed out as broken moans.
His fingers stroked harder on her flesh. His mouth sucked more vigorously at her breast. Her muscles tightened, and her body turned ridged as the pleasure intensified. She felt poised on the brink of excitement she’d never known possible.
“Payton,” she cried out. Her body trembled as a coil of heat unraveled in her center. She squeezed her eyes shut as spasms of pleasure ripped through her body. Wave after wave washed over her until she could longer move, no longer breathe. She grabbed at his hand. “Enough,” she begged.
He moved over her while placing kisses on her lips and cheek. She curled her legs around him until he lay cradled between her thighs. His hardened flesh pressed against her sensitive skin.
His mouth brushed close to her ear. His warm breath flowed over her neck. “You feel so good,” he said, his voice a strained whisper, “but you’re so snug and tight that I’m afraid I’ll hurt you.”
Sanity returned to her in small degrees. She brushed her hand across her face in an effort to clear her mind. Her mother had spoken to her of this. She tried to recall her words.
“It’s only supposed to hurt the first time.” She slipped her arms around his body. “So let’s do it, and be done with it.”
He complied with her request. Gently, he pressed into her. He retreated slightly only to thrust again. He pulled back once more and thrust deeper, harder.
Her body stiffened, and she cried out in pain. She grabbed at his shoulders and dug her fingertips into his flesh.
He hovered over her motionlessly with his body resting on his arms.
Slowly, she released her breath. Her muscles relaxed, and she settled back onto the mattress. “That wasn’t so bad.”
She took another deep breath and let it out with a rush. Her mind cleared. Her senses sharpened. Suddenly, she became aware of where they were and the people in the house below.
“I’m glad we got this over with. You had better leave now before someone comes up here to see what all the noise was about.”
“You’re such a joker.” Gentle laughter rumbled in his chest.
“What do you mean?”
“That wasn’t the end. It was only the beginning.”
Puzzled, she glanced at his face. Love making was so new. The entire process mystified her. She chewed at her bottom lip as her curiosity grew. “What more is there?”
“Since you asked...” The smile on his face vanished. His forehead winkled with concern. “But first, how do you feel? Do you still hurt?”
The pain she’d experience a moment ago had receded. She felt him buried inside her. Her hips lifted to him. His hardened flesh throbbed deep within her.
“That feels good,” she murmured. She lifted against him once more.
Gently, he thrust into her as she rocked toward him. His hips moved to the motion hers had set. His thrusts grew harder, his strokes deeper. Again and again he stroked into her as she rose up to meet him.
Every muscle in her body tightened. Her hands slid down his back to his hips. Her fingertips pressed into the firm, hard muscles of his backside. She pulled at him each time he thrust into her.
He slipped his hand between their bodies and caressed the swollen bud hidden in her tender flesh. She cried out his name just as her body burst into fire. Flames of ecstasy licked over her and rocked her body until her mind turned senseless.
A heavy groan and muffled swear words mingled in his mouth before spilling from his lips. His body collapsed on top of her for a brief moment before he rolled onto his side and pulled her with him.
She snuggled closer to him. Her leg curled over his thigh, and she stroked her hand across his muscular chest. Her forehead rested against his neck with her lips pressed against the smooth skin at the base of his throat. A contented sigh escaped her lips as she basked in the afterglow, for she lay wrapped in the arms of the man she loved.
****
Payton cuddled her close beside him with his elbow propped on the pillow and his fist supporting his head. He rested his upper leg across her thighs as though to hold her down so she couldn’t leave. With his other hand, he stroked the outline of her collar bone.
“You failed to keep your secrets hidden from me,” he said as he leaned closer to her ear.
“I don’t remember telling you any secrets.” Through half closed eyelids she looked at him.
“You did all the same.” His fingers skimmed down her chest to the valley between her breasts. “I know every secret curve, every hidden swell and dip of your body.”
“That tickles.” She giggled and grabbed at his hand when his finger traced around her navel.
“I already know that. I also know of your secret beauty mark right here.” His fingers traveled to a place on her hip.
“It’s not so secret. My mother knew about it.”
An amused look glimmered on his face. “But I’m the only one who knows how sweetly you sing your song.”
“What song?”
“The song of the mermaid as she rides the wave of ecstasy.” He placed a kiss on her shoulder. “Those little gasps and moans you made took me right over the edge with you. It was like the Siren of the Deep luring me to my doom.”
“Is that what I did?” She glanced at his face, her happiness fading. “I lured you to your doom?”
“Aye. Now my fate is sealed. I’ll never want any woman but you.”
“I’m sure there will be others.” She turned her head away from him. “You’ll probably find several mermaids to sing for you once you sail off in your ship.”
“I don’t want anyone else but you.” He tugged on her chin and forced her to look at him. “We need to talk, Julia. There was another reason why I came up here tonight.”
She squirmed around on the bed so she could see him more clearly. Her eyebrows rose in silent question.
“I want you to go with me.”
“Where? To San Francisco?”
“No, on my ship when I leave. I want you with me always.”
Payton's Woman Page 16