by Bold, Diana
He quickly did as she’d asked then stood, sweeping her into his arms and carrying her back over to the spot where she’d lain her blankets.
Kneeling, he made short work of the boy’s clothing she wore and then shed his own trousers as well. Naked, he stretched out beside her, giving her a look full of simmering promise.
Her gaze swept over him, taking in his tousled dark hair and scruffy jaw, his blue, blue eyes, and magnificently aroused male body. “You’re so beautiful,” she sighed, tracing her fingertips across his taut, muscled belly.
His jutting erection leapt as though it had a life of its own, straining toward her hand. She laughed, holding his hungry gaze while she brushed the tip.
He made a low, tortured sound in the back of his throat and looped one arm around her neck, pulling her down across his chest. “Kiss me, Kate. I’m dying for the taste of you.”
She obliged, kissing him the way she knew he liked to be kissed, slow and deep and oh, so sweet. All her notions of playing the seductress fled. There was no room for teasing. It had been too long, and she needed him too much.
He lifted her so she straddled his hips, the long hard length of his erection pulsing between her thighs. The abrupt change in position broke their kiss. She stared down at him, a bit embarrassed by her wanton dampness and totally at a loss as to how to proceed.
He smiled, dark and wicked. Then he reached between them, showing her how he could fit, impaling himself deep within her. She gasped, surprised all over again by how completely he filled her.
He closed his eyes and leaned forward to take one of her nipples between his lips. Placing his hands upon her hips, he showed her how to move and pleasure them both.
Soon the long, slow strokes were not enough. She fell forward, bracing her hands on his chest as he plunged with fierce, wild abandon. The pressure began to build, spiraling toward a higher peak than it had before. She cried out in shocked wonder as wave after wave of ecstasy crashed over her.
Her release seemed to trigger his, because moments later he groaned and shuddered deep within her. She collapsed against his chest, holding him tightly, determined to never let him go. Together they could find a way to best his father.
Together they could do anything.
* * * * *
Talon moved reluctantly, sliding Kate’s boneless, sleeping body off his chest. He rearranged her beside him and then curled protectively around her, tucking the blankets around them like a cocoon.
He already wanted her again.
Her easy acceptance both shamed and humbled him. He should have told her the truth days ago. He should have known she’d understand once she knew what had motivated him.
His pride had nearly destroyed this special thing between them.
He’d been such an ass, brooding and feeling sorry for himself, determined to make her as miserable as she’d made him when all along he’d been the one at fault.
How could he have blamed her, even for a moment? She had every right to think the worst of him after reading Daniel’s letter. If their situations had been reversed, he doubted he’d have been half as understanding.
But even after everything he’d put her through, she’d still had the courage to give him one more chance. Her strength and ability to love astounded him. Especially since she’d never been loved herself.
Where did it come from, this ability to love unconditionally? Was it something women were born with, a maternal instinct? Or was it just Kate? Was she really as unique as he suspected?
She made a soft sound and snuggled closer, her soft bottom cradling his groin. He groaned at his body’s fierce reaction. Would this ache ever go away? He doubted it, not even if he made love to her every night for the rest of his life.
Every night for the rest of my life...
The thought was so sweet. He cupped her flat stomach with his hand, imagining her big with his child. A child made of love with no ulterior motives.
He let his hand fall away, hoping she wasn’t pregnant. Not yet. He wanted her to have his children, but not until she was truly his. He didn’t want the memory of his betrayal to come back and haunt them in the future.
There had to be a way to keep her by his side. He wanted her smiles, her laughter and her tears.
And God help James Sinclair if he tried to stand in the way again.
Chapter Twenty‐Three
Kate woke slowly, reveling in the warmth of Talon’s body. So much had changed since the last morning he’d held her in his arms. This time she was free to savor it, free of guilt and anger and regret. She felt as though she’d been reborn.
Memories of last night, of the wanton way she’d loved him, made her smile. God, she loved this man.
“You look happy.” Talon’s voice was soft and husky in her ear.
She stretched and opened her eyes. He filled her vision, his beautiful blue eyes stormy with unguarded emotion. He still hadn’t said the words, but there was no longer any doubt in her mind that he loved her.
“I’m very happy.” They were stuck in the middle of nowhere and running low on food and fresh water, but she didn’t care. The hardships of their trek down the beach were nothing compared to the emptiness she’d felt until she’d met him.
He laughed, one side of his lips turning up in a rueful grin. “You’re a strange and remarkable woman, Kate. I’m humbled.”
She smiled back at him. “Of course, I’d be even happier in a cozy hotel room somewhere with a gourmet meal and a hot, scented bath.”
His smile faded, and he traced the planes of her face with his fingertip. “I didn’t sleep at all last night. Instead, I stared up at the stars and wondered how on earth I was going to manage to keep my men from the hangman’s noose and keep you in my arms at the same time.”
Her heart quickened with gladness. He did love her. This was practically a declaration. “We’ll figure it out. Sutcliffe’s whole plan revolves around me playing my part, and I don’t ever intend to be meek again.”
He tweaked her nose. “You’re about as threatening as a hissing cat, sweetheart.”
She glared at him, truly offended. “I’ve stood up to him before, and I’ll do it again if need be.”
“I know you will.” He gave her a gentle kiss. “Don’t worry. I came up with a plan, and I think you’ll like it. At least, I hope you will.”
She sat up and stared down at him, pulling the edge of the blanket to her breasts a little self‐consciously. “Tell me.”
He folded his arms behind his head and stared up at the sky. “Daniel’s gone. You’re free to marry me if you want to.”
She stared at him, biting her bottom lip as she tried to gauge his intent. “Is that a proposal?”
The wistful yearning in his blue eyes broke her heart. “Of course, it is, though a piss poor one, I’ll admit.”
He sat up and took both of her hands in his. “I don’t have much to offer you. But I do have some money in a bank in Charleston if the damned English haven’t confiscated it. I think it’s enough for a fresh start.”
She started to answer, to tell him yes with all her heart, but he put his finger on her lips, hushing her. “Hear me out before you commit yourself.”
She nodded mutely.
“Sutcliffe believes us dead, and I’d like him to keep on thinking that, at least for awhile.”
Her eyes widened as she realized where he was going with this.
He took a deep breath. “Once we get to Charleston, we’ll lie low until there’s an available berth on a ship to Nassau. Then I’ll gather up my men and let them know what has happened. I’ll get them off Sutcliffe’s ship and split them up. As long as they’re aware of the danger, they should have a fighting chance.”
“And then what?” She asked the question softly, knowing all her future happiness rested on his answer.
“Then we’ll marry, if you’ll still have me. We’ll spend the rest of our lives here in Carolina, growing roses, tobacco and children.”
Her e
yes flooded with happy tears and she flung herself against him. “Of course, I’ll have you, Talon. Of course, I will.”
His arms tightened around her. “I’m so glad,” he whispered, his lips crushed against her hair. “I don’t deserve you. But I promise I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you don’t regret this.”
“How could I regret loving you? You’re far harder on yourself than you need to be.”
He laughed a low, lost sound and pulled her up into his lap, letting her feel the extent of his need. He kissed her, a sweet, hot coupling of their mouths. She stirred against him, wanting to feel the length and breadth of him inside her.
As they continued to kiss, she let her hand trail down his chest and flat, muscled stomach. Suddenly he groaned and set her aside.
“What’s wrong?” She touched his shoulder and he flinched, his skin hot beneath her fingertips.
“When are you expecting your monthly?”
She stared at him, shocked by the impropriety of his question even after all the intimacies they’d shared. “I don’t know,” she whispered, embarrassed heat suffusing her face. “Soon.”
He gave her a pained smile. “Think about it. I need to know for certain. This is important.”
She glanced away, still flushing, and tried to remember. This month had been so full of changes, she hadn’t really thought about anything so mundane, but now she realized she hadn’t had one since right after she’d left the Manor.
“I should start any day now,” she said at last. “It’s been about a month.”
He nodded, his gaze drifting over her bare breasts. “I hope you’re not pregnant. Not now. We should wait awhile before we make love again. I want to know for sure that our baby was not conceived aboard that ship.”
She bit her lip and tore her gaze away from his beautiful body. “I don’t want to stop touching you. I spent so many nights on the other side of that fire dreaming of you, wishing you were beside me.”
“Ah, sweetheart. You’re enough to tempt a saint, and I’ve never claimed to be one.” He reached out and brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. “I want to do this right. I want to be sure all our children are conceived in love, not blackmail and distrust.”
She sighed. “I was looking forward to sleeping in your arms tonight.”
He gave her a wicked grin and pulled her back into his lap. “You can still sleep in my arms. And there are other things we can do. Things that will give us pleasure, but not cause a baby.”
“There are?” She lifted one brow, delighted.
“Yes,” he whispered, kissing her deeply. “I’ll show you tonight.”
* * * * *
After a dinner that consisted of the last of the dried beef and an apple to share, Talon busied himself by making a bed out of their blankets close to the fire. He pushed aside his growing unease over their dwindling supplies. Soon they would have to forage for food.
Instead he concentrated on thoughts of the night to come. He still couldn’t believe Kate had agreed to marry him. Hell, he couldn’t even believe she’d decided to forgive him.
He didn’t deserve it. He knew that with every breath in his body.
Kate had disappeared down the beach with a pile of clothing a while ago, saying she needed a few moments alone. While he waited for her, he kicked off his boots and shed his shirt then climbed beneath the top blanket. She emerged from behind the trees a few minutes later, pausing, her gaze loving yet self‐conscious.
His breath caught and his heartbeat accelerated. She wore nothing but a white linen shift, and she’d unbraided her chestnut hair, letting it tumble across her slim shoulders. His gaze caught and snagged on her long, bare limbs, entranced.
“You’re beautiful,” he murmured as she knelt on the blankets beside him.
Kate shook her head. “I’m a mess. I don’t have anything to brush my hair with…”
Talon silenced her with a kiss. She melted into his embrace, her mouth moving over his with all the passion in her beautiful soul.
God, how he’d missed that passion.
He thought of his vow not to do anything that would cause a baby and prayed he had the strength to resist burying himself deep within her. He would never get enough of her, not in a hundred lifetimes.
Kate lifted her trembling hands to remove her shift, but he stilled her. “No,” he whispered. “Let me.” He undid each of the tiny buttons, kissing each inch of pale, soft skin he uncovered.
Her breasts were so sensitive. He loved the way her breath caught at the barest brush of his lips, loved the dark, pouty tips. He spread the wealth of her chestnut hair across her chest, admiring the result. “I promised myself I’d see you this way one day.”
“What way?” Her emerald eyes were smoky with passion.
“Wearing nothing but your hair.” He bent and kissed her, drowning in the taste and feel of her. As they kissed, he pleasured her with his hand, drinking in her soft, broken cries.
Soon that was no longer enough, and he slid down her body, loving her with his mouth, taking her to the edge again and again and then pulling back until she was nearly sobbing with need.
At last he let it happen, let her tumble headlong into rapture, holding her trembling in his arms in the aftermath.
His own body still pulsed and ached with need, but he closed his eyes and fought against it. He was determined to be unselfish.
After a long while, she stirred against him, running her hands across his chest, exploring the dark hair that grew there.
“I never knew such things were possible,” she whispered. “I never knew anything could feel so good.”
He gave a husky laugh. “You have a lot to learn. And you can’t imagine how happy I am to be the one to teach you.”
She continued her tender explorations, her brow knotted in adorable concentration. Suddenly she sat up and stared at the aching, straining length of his cock. “Is it possible for me to do for you what you’ve done for me? To love you with my mouth?”
He nearly came undone on the spot. God, she was a quick learner.
“Of course,” he whispered, his voice unsteady. “But you don’t have to if you don’t want to. Most women don’t care for it.”
“I’m not most women.” She smiled and leaned over him, pressing a sweet kiss to his belly. Her silken hair trailed over his heated skin. He groaned, clenching his fists at his sides, as she ran the tip of her tongue over his swollen tip.
“Like this?” she whispered, her breath stirring him unbearably.
“Aye,” he breathed. “Take me in your mouth, Kate. As much of me as you can.”
Sweet. So hot and erotic. She was unskilled, and her teeth grazed him painfully a few times, but he didn’t care. She explored every inch of him with her lips and teeth and tongue, and he drifted in the beauty of it, wondering how he’d ever lived without her.
Each time they came together it was better than before. She never ceased to surprise and humble him.
At last he couldn’t take it any more. He was so close, so unbearably close. He groaned and pulled her up his body, kissing her wildly as he wrapped her hand around his pulsing length and spilled his seed across her palm.
Chapter Twenty‐Four
Kate was gathering firewood for the morning fire when she saw the smoke in the distance. At first, she mistook it for a cloud, but then she realized what it was, what it meant, and her heart plummeted to her toes.
Civilization.
After more than a week in the wilderness, she should have been overjoyed to see signs of human life. And she was. But another part of her dreaded leaving the safety of the life she and Talon had created on the beach. It was impossible to believe the happiness they’d found could last.
She let the firewood she’d been gathering tumble to the ground and ran back up the sand toward Talon, who was dragging the boat into the water. “Smoke,” she told him breathlessly. “There’s a house or something over that ridge.”
His blue eyes widened,
and he stared in the direction she’d pointed. “You’re right.” He turned back to her, a crooked grin curving his lips. “Oh, my God, Kate. We made it.”
She nodded, unable to resist smiling in return. “You promised you’d see me to safety, and you did. I should never have doubted you.”
He threw back his head and laughed, grabbing her around the waist and swinging her round and round until they were both so dizzy they collapsed on the sand. They lay on their sides, staring at each other and smiling foolishly.
“I love you,” she whispered then held her breath, hoping against hope that today would be the day he returned the sentiment.
His smile faded, and he cupped her cheek with his palm. “You make me so happy, sweetheart.”
Banishing her disappointment, she hugged him fiercely. “What happens now?”
He pulled away and sat up, staring broodingly out to sea. “I think you need to don your disguise again. A man and a boy wandering out of the woods won’t cause nearly the speculation a man and a beautiful woman will.”
She lifted her hand to her snarled hair, wondering how on earth he could still think her beautiful. “We shouldn’t mention anything about being shipwrecked. Word of it might get back to Sutcliffe.”
He nodded, his eyes twinkling again. “I’m going to have to bind your breasts again, sweetheart. But just think of all the fun we’ll have when I get to take that horrible thing off tonight.”
Anticipation chased up and down her spine. “First, I want a long, hot bath. Then I want to sleep until noon in a real bed.”
“Then you shall.” He stood and rooted in the bottom of the boat until he found her battered old hat. “Let’s go.”
* * * * *
“Just follow me and keep your head down. Try not to make eye contact with anyone and you’ll do fine.” Talon gave Kate a reassuring smile as they crested the ridge that overlooked the small town.