To Seduce a Bride

by Nicole Jordan

  Heath shrugged. “The decision is entirely up to you, sweeting. You can sell the Zephyr and donate the proceeds to one of Miss Blanchard’s charities if you wish. Or use it to start your home for unfortunate women.”

  Lily swallowed, feeling that odd little ache in her throat again. She was greatly touched by his generosity. And dismayed as well.

  Heath understood her yearning. Before becoming involved with the women at the boardinghouse, traveling the world had been her deepest desire. She still longed for adventure, even though an even greater desire had supplanted it in her heart. And his offer was so very tempting.

  As if reading her thoughts, Heath took her hand and led her to the table where a map of the world was spread out. With a sweeping gesture, he indicated the various continents and oceans. “Where would you go first if you could?”

  Reluctantly Lily glanced down at the map. France lay there beckoning. And Italy. And Spain. And the Alps. And countless other places she longed to see. During the many years of wars with Napoleon’s armies, those countries had been far too dangerous for visitors, but now the wars were over….

  “I could take you there,” Heath murmured, his low tone all too beguiling.

  Wistfully, Lily trailed her forefinger over the map, letting her touch linger on the Mediterranean. In her mind’s eye she could picture the splendid beauty she had only read about. Azure seas. Dazzling sunlight. Pristine beaches. Palm trees gently waving in the warm breeze.

  “Thank you, but no,” she finally said with a regretful sigh.

  When she handed the deed back to Heath, he merely laid it on the table. Then he reached up to untie the strings of her bonnet, removing it and her veil.

  Lily gave him a quizzical look. “Heath…what are you doing?”

  “I am undressing you.”

  She froze. “I thought you said you wouldn’t make love to me again.”

  He gave her a lazy smile as he made short work of the pins holding her coiffure in place. “I changed my mind.”

  A small thrill ran through her. “But you don’t want to risk making me enceinte.”

  “True.” From an inner pocket of his coat he withdrew a small pouch that Lily recognized. It held the sponges Peg had given her.

  “I kept this from last night,” Heath informed her.

  Her heart began racing. “Does this mean you have reconsidered allowing me to become your mistress?”

  “No, but you are welcome to be my mistress as well as my wife. You can be as passionate and wild as you want—and respectable at the same time.”

  “Heath…” she began in protest, but he took her face in his hands and kissed her once, slowly. The tender gesture left her spellbound.

  “I mean to take you on a map of the world, Lily. Surely you can comprehend the symbolism.”

  She couldn’t respond; her throat was suddenly too dry.

  His fingers threaded in her hair, arranging the tresses to his satisfaction, so that they flowed over her shoulders.

  “I intend to show you what our marriage could be like,” he murmured. “How pleasurable it could be.”

  He stood there waiting for her decision, his golden gaze intimate, knowing, caring. The ache of longing spread to Lily’s chest. She had known Heath had an ulterior motive for bringing her here. She also knew she shouldn’t dare make love to him again. Fanny was right; she had to end their intimacy before she did something so foolish as fall in love. Heath was becoming more irresistible each day, and the danger had only increased the moment he brought her on board the ship to show her his amazing gift.

  Fighting her desire, Lily took a step back. “I don’t think it would be wise of me to let you.”

  He stepped closer. “When have you ever let wisdom dictate your actions? You want me, Lily. Just as I want you.”

  That was certainly true. She needed only to look at Heath and her body responded. Already moisture had pooled between her thighs.

  And then he kissed her and she forgot to breathe. Lily pressed her own hands against his chest, struggling for willpower, yet his arousal tempted her, vanquishing the voices of reason clamoring in the back of her mind.

  Perhaps she could have him once more, Lily told herself. Just one last time. And then never again…

  As if sensing her struggle, Heath tightened his embrace, his lips claiming and wooing. Giving a small sigh of defeat, Lily returned his kiss helplessly.

  For a time, he seemed satisfied with her response, but after another few moments he broke off and began silently to undress her. His fingers expertly unfastened the hooks of her gown and removed it and her undergarments—her corset and chemise, her slippers and stockings—until she was bared completely to his gaze.

  “It always amazes me, how beautiful you are,” he said, his voice low and husky.

  Lily felt herself flushing with warmth at his intent perusal, and she was glad when Heath finally began to shed his own clothing.

  When at last he was naked, she drank in the beauty of his finely honed, athletic body. His rigid manhood jutted out from his loins, the length of him proud and hard. Lily felt her own loins clench painfully.

  When she met his wantonly beautiful gaze, a tangible desire shimmered between them, filling the very air.

  Heath’s eyes had darkened, she saw as he moved toward her and stopped barely a few inches away. Her heart thudded erratically, beating a wild pulse in her throat. With his body so very close, she could feel the heat of him.

  He drew a line down the silky hollow between her breasts, then feathered the tips with the backs of his fingers, making her gasp at the sparks he kindled in her so effortlessly.

  “Feel how hard your nipples have grown.”

  She couldn’t help but feel it. Her nipples had instantly tightened, betraying her arousal, while her breasts felt heavy and swollen.

  But she wanted to touch him, too. Lily reached up to caress Heath’s chest. His skin was hot and smooth, the sinewed muscles rippling beneath her fingertips. Then he took over again, gathering her against him until her breasts nestled against the broad wall of his chest, her stomach against his hard flat one. The warm, velvet pressure of his erection sent a rush of hunger through her, kindling a heavy ache deep in her lower body.

  Her breath faltering, Lily made no protest when Heath lifted her up and set her on the table facing him. And she yielded willingly when he laid her back upon the surface.

  The map was beneath her, and the parchment felt cool and rough against her skin. Yet Heath’s gaze was hot and very male as he surveyed her nakedness.

  Nervously Lily wet her lips. She was lying there wantonly exposed to his brazen scrutiny. The heat of his gaze as he looked at her made her heart race wildly—and so did his warning:

  “I mean to arouse you, Lily. I’ll make you so frantic with pleasure, you can’t bear it.”

  He started with his hands. Stepping between her parted legs, he reached up to cup her breasts, molding their softness, teasing the nipples that had pebbled into jutting peaks.

  Lily sighed at the sweet spasm of desire that arrowed down to her loins, deep in her center. When his hands moved over her body, his palms skimming lightly, she found herself arching against his caresses, seeking more of the delicious pleasure he was arousing in her. Everywhere he touched, her skin seemed to burn.

  She was restless and feverish by the time Heath brought his mouth down to hers. His tongue delved deep inside, exploring, while his hands stimulated her breasts, gently kneading, his thumbs stroking the sensitive buds.

  His taste, his scent, his touch filled her senses. Lily trembled at the feel of him…the eroticism of his kisses, the warmth and strength of his hands…the hard length of his body pinning her to the table…the thick rod of his straining arousal teasing her throbbing, feminine warmth.

  She gave a helpless moan as an aching tightness coiled inside her. All she could think about was how Heath’s splendid arousal would fill her.

  Another sensual shiver rippled through her when hi
s mouth left hers to trail down her throat. Palming her breasts so they were mounded in his hands, he covered a nipple with his hot tongue, laving the sensitive tip, drawing it against his teeth.

  When she whimpered, Heath lifted his head briefly. “Do you want me to suckle you, sweeting?”

  “Yes,” Lily rasped, her fingers clutching in his silky hair. Anything to bring his mouth back to her breasts.

  To her immense relief and gratification, Heath obliged, taking one of her aching nipples and sucking it into the hot wet haven of his mouth.

  A frisson of fiery sensation sparked inside her as he suckled her. His mouth was a searing flame upon her bare, aching breasts, while his hands explored her with the same bold seductiveness.

  Lily shuddered at the tumult assaulting her. Heat waves spread like velvet shimmers throughout her body until she felt light-headed and liquid with arousal.

  Moments later she felt his hand move between her legs. He cupped her woman’s mound, his touch sexually possessive, and dipped lower to find the wetness there. Then brushing the point of her pleasure with his thumb, he slid a long finger deep inside her, into the slick, steamy heat of her.

  Anticipation screamed through her senses as another streak of fire ignited deep and low inside her.

  “Heath, please…”

  She could feel the rush of her own blood, could feel the tremors shivering through her.

  “As you wish, love.”

  His hands parted her legs farther and slowly smoothed up the insides of her naked thighs. Holding them spread wide, he bent down to her belly. Her pulse jumped in a frenzied dance as his lips moved lower, seeking and finding the very core of her.

  At the first touch of his mouth, she gave another whimper.

  “Yes, sweet angel, let me hear you.”

  His voice had become a hoarse murmur, but shortly he fell silent in order to attend her, his tongue rimming the sleek cleft of her femininity and finding the tiny bud hidden there.

  Lily gasped even as she put both hands in his hair to hold his face between her burning thighs. His palms continued molding the ripe swells of her breasts as his hot mouth worked its enchanting spell on her sex. Scalding hot, his tongue stroked her, every long flick sending shafts of pleasure spiraling through her, increasing her already intense arousal.

  When his lips closed over the bud, sucking in a kiss, the sensation rocked her. Yet Heath went on laving her slowly, savoring, teasing, as if he were engaged in a sensory feast.

  Lily clenched her teeth against the delicious torment yet held his head in place with two tight fists as his sinful mouth caressed her in a devastating assault on her senses.

  A heartbeat later, his tongue slid inside her. Her breath caught on a sob, and she raised her hips, desperately arching against his ravishing mouth.

  His mouth wasn’t enough, though. She wanted them joined, wanted to have him deep within her. She needed—craved—an end to the savage longing Heath had created in her.

  Her hands were actually shaking when she tugged on his hair, urging him higher. At her silent plea, he raised his head.

  “Now, Heath…take me now.”

  A faint smile wreathed his lips as he made use of the pouch’s contents and slid a brandy-soaked sponge inside her.

  A sigh rasped from Lily’s throat as he positioned himself between her thighs once more, his arms braced on either side of her, his hardness a hot brand against her center. Lily could only think of the enchantment to come, how it would feel to have that swollen length thrusting inside her, filling her. She could feel the heat of his rigid flesh probing her soft folds….

  To her dismay, Heath hesitated, remaining poised above her, his gaze smoldering as it played over her face. His eyes had taken on a slumberous look, the golden depths darkening into something both primitive and powerful.

  He continued looking deeply into her eyes as he slid forward, entering her slowly, gliding into her yielding, wet flesh. Lily gasped at the feel of him, huge and hot and urgent, stretching her open. But there was no pain. Only the promise of great pleasure.

  Her breath streamed out in a shaky exhalation at the exquisite feeling of being filled by him, by his throbbing heat. When he drove forward all the way, locking them together, she felt deeply, thoroughly possessed.

  Still holding her gaze, Heath lowered himself to cover her with his hard body. His hands cupped her breasts, erotically kneading as he began moving inside her.

  When he withdrew only to thrust even more deeply, the intense pleasure made them both shudder.

  Lily’s heart wrenched with exultation at Heath’s ardent response…the awed expression that flashed in his eyes as he claimed her. The womanly part of her was thrilled by the depth of his need, but then her own powerful need took control of her body.

  She rocked against him with desperate yearning, her inner muscles tightening at the white heat scalding her. Her breathing grew erratic and ragged as his hard, straining form moved against her, branding her with his desire.

  Her whimpers turned to moans as her own hips began moving in a rhythm that was ancient, mindless, elemental. She could hear Heath whispering praise for her passion all the while. He was more demanding now, plunging inside her, sending her into a frenzy of need. She felt frantic, unable to get enough of him.

  Lily tossed her head wildly, her helpless cries spilling from her throat and filling the hush of the cabin.

  Even so, the shattering, searing explosion caught her by surprise. With a scream, she sank her teeth into the raw silk of his bare shoulder as ecstasy ripped through her.

  Heath followed right behind. His head thrown back, his neck corded, he drove into her one final time. A hoarse groan burst from him as his climax erupted in a powerful stream.

  Lily absorbed his fierceness, her body clenching again and again around him as the firestorm took them both.

  In the aftermath, Heath collapsed upon her, his breath as tortured as hers. They clung to each other bonelessly as the fire slowly receded.

  The last shimmers of passion were still glowing inside Lily when Heath finally lifted his head. He looked as jolted as she felt, his eyes dazed yet tender as he surveyed her flushed face, her swollen lips.

  “Did I hurt you?” he rasped.

  “No,” she said hoarsely, offering him a dreamy smile. “Not in the least.”

  “Good.” His arms tightened about her for a moment, crushing her naked breasts to his chest. Then keeping her legs wrapped around his hips, Heath lifted her up and carried her to the bunk, where he laid her down.

  Searing tenderness filled him as he stretched out beside Lily’s warm supple body and drew her close. He was still breathing hard after his powerful climax, still shaken by what had just happened between them.

  No woman had ever demolished his sense of reality as Lily did. When he had come inside her and felt her shatter around him, he had splintered in a thousand fragments.

  And Lily had experienced their passion as intensely as he did, Heath was certain. She had been pure desire, uninhibited and wild.

  Hearing her soft sigh, he held her closer. This was what he craved, he thought, his fingers twining in the dark chestnut strands of her hair. Lily warm and weak from his lovemaking, clinging to him, her heartbeat as uneven as his.

  A fierce joy engulfed his heart at the memory of how incredible it felt to be buried inside her. How right it seemed. The strength of his response still startled him.

  This was new to him, though, this overpowering need to be with one woman. He had never wanted anyone the way he did Lily.

  But then he’d been slightly off kilter since the first moment of meeting her.

  And now? Heath wondered. He had to acknowledge that Lily mattered to him in a different way than any woman ever had. She was everything he wanted, everything he desired.

  Curious how he’d never thought he needed anyone before Lily. But the sense of completion she gave him only made him realize what he had been missing all this time.

  I
t was not only being with her, sharing her life, that could fulfill him, either. He wanted to be as intense and passionate about life’s endeavors as she was.

  A quiet smile touched his mouth as he recognized the maze of emotions running through him: Possessiveness and tenderness. Awe. The need to cherish her always. Love.

  He was in love with Lily, Heath admitted, marveling at the realization. The feeling had been stealing over him for days now. His pursuit of her might have started as a challenge, but he had fallen hard for her.

  And winning her hand in marriage was no longer a game to him.

  His smile faded as reality reared its taunting head. He considered Lily his wife now, yet she continued to fight him tooth and nail. Somehow he would have to make her accept the inevitability of their marriage.

  He would redouble his efforts to woo her, Heath promised himself. It was now imperative that he make Lily fall in love with him.

  She wasn’t willing to give him her heart yet, he knew. Yet a moment ago when he’d looked deeply into her eyes, he had caught a fleeting glimpse of something hopeful, something infinitely fragile in the dark depths. But then passion had taken over and rendered them both mindless with pleasure.

  One thing was certain, however, he swore as he wrapped her more tightly in his arms.

  He wasn’t going to let her go.

  Ever.

  Chapter Seventeen

  It frightens me that he has won the game, since he now has three more months to court me. How can I possibly resist him for so long?

  —Lily to Fanny

  As expected, that evening when Lily confessed to Fleur and Chantel about Heath’s latest gift, they were not only delighted but impressed by his romantic gesture. How many suitors gave their sweethearts a ship?

  The courtesans happily awarded Lord Claybourne another point, bringing his total to ten, and proclaimed him the winner of the game, which sent a surge of panic flooding through Lily. The thought of Heath courting her for three more full months alarmed her, since she couldn’t trust herself to be able to resist him for so long.