by Bobbi Smith
The sound of her voice came to him as if in a dream, and he frowned. Damn, but she managed to haunt him even in his sleep!
"Beau . . ."
Again he heard her softly call his name. This time it registered with him, and he realized that he wasn't dreaming of Becky. She was actually there. He opened his eyes, and in the gentle, filtered light of the moon, he saw her.
She stood motionlessly before him, his perfect vision of loveliness. Her breasts were round and full; their pink peaks were taut and begging for the arousing touch of his lips and hands. Her waist was slim and her hips gently curved, her legs long and shapely. In the contrast of the moonlight, her hair appeared ebony as it tumbled about her shoulders in a cloud of curls. Their eyes met then, his disbelieving, hers fearful, hesitant, questioning.
Beau's common sense was bludgeoning him with the truth of what was happening. Becky had come to him, the thought left him breathing hard. But Becky is Adam's sister, his rational side asserted with level-headed good reasoning. Becky was standing totally naked at the foot of his bed. He was still staring at her, enraptured by her presence. Becky was a virgin and he was not to take her innocence under any circumstances, logic presented itself.
"Beau?" she said his name again, this time even more hesitantly. She was terribly afraid that he was going to laugh at her or reject her outright, and if he did, she didn't think she'd ever be able to face him again. She had never done anything as brazen as this before, and she was frightened.
Beau heard the quality of fear in her voice and knew exactly what she was thinking and feeling. It tore through him, wrenching his vitals and filling him with emotion. Becky was here. Becky wanted him.
All his rational, sane reasons for not making love to her dissipated as wisps of fog before a fresh morning breeze. At that moment, nothing could have stopped Beau from taking her.
"Becky . . ." Beau held out his hand to her in invitation and was pleased when she took it. He knew of her inexperience with men and so drew her down beside him rather than rising up to meet her. Tenderly, he guided her to the mattress next to him. His eyes were an intense blue flame as they seared over her, committing to memory her every womanly curve.
Becky needed no further encouragement to let him know of her desire. Looping her arms about his neck, she pulled him down to her for a devouring kiss.
"I want you, Beau. I have for so long. Please love me tonight," she pleaded in a love-husky voice.
"Ah, love. You're so beautiful . . . so desirable . . ." He kissed her again and again, lost in the heady enthrallment of her embrace.
"Oh, Beau," Becky spoke his name reverently. She had been so afraid that he wouldn't want her, but now all those fears were laid to rest. He wanted her, he did! Hungrily, she raised her lips to his.
Beau knew he should go slowly with her and teach her the joy of love's ways, but his need for her was too fierce and too demanding. As their lips met, the sheet fell away and his hands began a sensual foray over her sensitive untutored flesh. He sought out all her most erotic places, exploring and arousing until she was mindless with her need and writhing beneath his caresses. His lips followed his hands as he brought her nearer and nearer to readiness for his possession.
Becky had never known passion could be so all-consuming. As he stoked the fire of her excitement, her world narrowed to only him. She felt aflame with raging desire. Every nerve in her body was tense and aching with the sweet agony Beau had created within her.
Becky reached for him, touching him boldly, marveling at the strength and power of him, and when she felt his response to her caress, she was filled with a great sense of womanly pride. She had never thought of herself as a particularly sexy woman, but Beau made her feel that way. Knowing that a simple touch from her could bring him such pleasure, she felt sensual and powerful.
Becky wanted to show him just how much she really adored him, to openly demonstrate for the first time in her life the fullness of her love. She drew slightly away from him. When he tried to take her back into his arms, she stopped him with a kiss. Rising above him, Becky trailed a teasing pattern of kisses down his throat and across his chest.
Beau was transported by her actions, and he tangled his fingers in the silky length of her hair. She moved even lower then to press her lips to his scar. The very tenderness of the act sent a jolt of heartfelt emotion through him, and the ultimate recognition dawned: he loved her.
In a powerful move, he reversed their positions, pulling her fully beneath him. Instinctively, Becky parted her thighs, and when he settled between them she gave a tiny gasp of excitement at the intimacy of the embrace.
Beau braced himself up on his elbows and smoothed an errant curl away from her cheek. His eyes were passion-darkened as he studied her face. Her lips were swollen from his ardent kisses, and her cheeks were flushed in proof of her desire. Her dark eyes were locked with his, communicating without words the depths of what she was feeling. The heat of his manhood was trapped between their bodies, and Beau remained still, fearful that he would lose all control if he continued to caress her.
"I want to love you, Becky," he told her.
"I want that too, Beau," she whispered, her eyes dipping to study the firm line of his mouth for a moment and then back. She thought he had a very sensuous mouth. "Very much . . ."
"Becky . . . I — " Beau began tentatively in a husky voice.
He wanted to profess his love, but he sounded so serious that Becky panicked. She was direly afraid that he was going to stop and force her to leave him. Remembering his reaction to her caress before and desperate to keep him from stopping, she reached down and touched him in what she thought was a completely shameless manner.
Beau's passion skyrocketed at her ploy, and a groan escaped him as he surrendered to the inevitable. "Ah, Becky . . . love . . ."
There would be no stopping now. They were past the point of no return. Beau rose up slightly and then guided himself to the heart of her heat. With unrelenting, passion-driven pressure, he moved against her. There was resistance, brief and sweet, and then he was buried in the hot silk of her body.
Becky had wanted this more than anything, and though there was pain in Beau's coming to her, she bit her lip to keep from crying out. Her eyes widened as she felt the hard length of him press ever onward and enter her fully. She was surprised by the sensation which seemed alien and strange.
"Easy, love," Beau said softly as he kissed her with infinite care. "It'll be better in a minute. I promise . . ."
Becky returned his kiss, her tongue meeting his in a sinuous dance of desire. The pain of his invasion faded. as she was swept up in the glory of his kisses again. Forgetting everything but her need for him, she began to caress him again.
The feel of her eager hands upon him erased his effort at control, and Beau began to move. His motions were wild and penetrating as he sought that bliss of perfect joining with Becky. The rhythm was unknown to her, but she was an apt pupil. Matching him movement for movement, she was soon fully caught up in their lovemaking. The spiraling vortex of her passion grew unbounded as she responded to his learned expertise.
Beau kissed and caressed her continually. He wanted her to share in the fullness of completion, not to be an innocent bystander ignorant of love's joy.
A coil of excitement tightened deep within Becky's loins, and she found that she was holding her breath in anticipation of some wondrous revelation. When ecstasy claimed her in an explosion of rapturous delight, she cried out Beau's name. Wave after wave of pleasure flooded through her, and she arched against him in an effort to draw him even more deeply within her.
Beau read her reaction and thrust more avidly into her. He wanted to share the enchantment with her, and he did as he crested quickly. His body throbbed as he reached his pinnacle, and, when his peak had passed, he collapsed on top of her.
His breathing was hoarse and ragged, and sweat sleeked both of them. Neither spoke. There was no need for them to speak. After a moment, Beau sh
ifted slightly to ease the bulk of his weight from her, but otherwise, he did not let her out of his grasp. Wrapped securely in each other's arms, they lay quietly, savoring the wondrous splendor of their joining.
Beau stroked her body in a long, gentling caress. Her skin felt like the finest satin beneath his touch, and he marveled at her softness. A moment ago she'd been an unquenchable flame in his arms, and now, she was quiescent, nestled against him in tender trust. It amazed him that they fit so perfectly together. She had been so responsive and giving. He'd never known another woman to be so loving. She was everything he'd ever wanted, and he knew he would never love another. As soon as this thing with Shark was over, they would return to Charleston and be married. The prospect please him enormously, and he smiled.
Becky was in heaven. Making love to Beau had been the most wonderful thing that had ever happened in her life. She had always known he was the man for her, and the perfection of their union had just reinforced that belief a thousandfold. With a small sigh, Becky lifted one hand to caress the furred width of his chest. She was startled when Beau reacted quickly and grabbed her wrist.
"Don't, love," Beau said little harshly.
Becky looked up at him, puzzled by his refusal. "Why, Beau? What's wrong?"
He gave a throaty chuckle as he saw the concern in her eyes. "Nothing's wrong, Becky. Nothing's wrong at all . . ."
"Then why won't you let me touch you? I like your chest and — "
He found her innocence so appealing that he leaned over her and kissed her soundly. "The truth is, my dear, that I'd like nothing better than to have you touch me — constantly, all day, every day. But we've got one thing to consider here . . ."
"What's that?"
"That is the tenuous hold I have over my desire when I'm near you like this," he told her in a gruff voice. "I still want you, darling, and it won't take much to encourage me to have you again."
"Who's stopping you?" she asked archly, wriggling against him with tantalizing effectiveness.
"I'm stopping me! Now quit that . . ." He held her slightly away from him. "You don't understand, sweetheart . . . This was your first time, and you'll be sore." Beau knew it was ridiculous for him to deny himself that which he desired the most, but this was Becky, not some saloon girl. He wanted everything to be perfect for her.
Becky couldn't believe what Beau was saying. He cared so much about her that he was afraid he'd hurt her if he took her again.
"Beau . . ." She said his name slowly, softly. "You're leaving me tomorrow, and I don't know when you'll be back. Please make love to me again, while there's time. Don't leave me like this . . . wanting you and needing you and loving you . . . please . . ."
At her words, all of Beau's honorable intentions disappeared. She wanted him. Nothing else mattered.
"I love you, Becky," he confessed earnestly, and then with a low, guttural growl, he moved to make her his again.
This time, their lovemaking was a wild, uncontrolled mating. Passions soared immediately as they came together. Becky knew what she had to do this time, and she displayed no shyness as she returned his caresses with equal and sometimes greater fervor. The quick fire explosion of their ecstasy shattered them both, and they lay clasped together, exhausted, sated, replete.
Much later, just before dawn, Beau quietly helped Becky with her gown and robe and then carried her back to her own room. In the concealing darkness, he lay her upon the bed and kissed her tenderly. She pulled him sleepily down to her for one last kiss. When the kiss ended, he drew away to pull her coverlet over her. Beau told her softly that he loved her and that he'd be back as soon as he could, but Becky had already drifted off to sleep and didn't hear him.
Beau's regret was great as he left her. He found for the first time in his life that he was not eagerly anticipating going back to sea. The only thing that drove him was knowing that they couldn't be happily married until the revenge against Shark was complete.
The sun was edging above the horizon when he returned to his room, so rather than try to sleep, he decided to just stay up. He'd meet with Adam the minute he came downstairs and then be on his way back to the Sea Shadow. The quicker he and Adam located Shark, the sooner he and Becky would be together.
It was late morning when Becky finally awoke. She was stretching in a slow, feline manner when the glorious memories of the night just past came to her. She smiled brightly. Beau loved her . . . Beau loved her! Her heart was dancing, and she could hardly wait to see him again.
Becky was out of bed practically at a run. She washed up hastily and quickly brushed out her hair. She noticed that there was a glow to her cheeks and a sparkle in her eyes that hadn't been there before, and, with a light laugh, she admitted to herself that she knew why. Pulling on her most attractive daydress, she was on her way downstairs just as quickly as she could manage. Her steps were light as she made her way down the hall. When she heard Lianne's voice in the parlor, she went in to see if her friend knew where Beau was.
"Good morning," she greeted Lianne happily.
"Good morning, Becky." Lianne turned to her new sister-in-law, wondering at her good spirits.
"Is Beau around?" Becky asked avidly. She had no interest in making small talk this morning, all she wanted to do was to find Beau and kiss him.
"You didn't know?" Lianne asked, frowning.
"Know? Know what?" Becky paused, suddenly sensing that she was going to tell her something awful.
"He had to go back to New Orleans today."
"Yes, I knew that, but he didn't leave already, did he?"
"He left nearly three hours ago, Becky," she supplied reluctantly.
"Three hours ago?" Becky stared at her in hurt and confusion, and then had another thought. "Well, did he leave a message for me?"
"Not with me, he didn't, but he might have left one with Adam. They were closeted in the study for a long time."
"Oh. I see." She was crestfallen. Beau had told her that he loved her, and yet he had gone off and left her without a word.
"Why don't you check with Adam?" Lianne offered. "I'm sure if Beau was going to leave a message for you, it would have been with him."
Becky went in search of her brother. She finally located him out near the stables and asked him about Beau, but his answer was the same as Lianne's. Beau had left no message for her when he'd departed for New Orleans earlier that morning, and he hadn't known when he would be returning to Belle Arbor again.
Hurt mixed with anger as Becky returned to the house. Beau had claimed to love her. He had introduced her to the joys of love, and then left her without so much as a simple "good-bye." Becky was usually good-natured, but Beau's callous treatment of her stung. One way or another, she was going to see that he suffered greatly for going off the way he had. Still . . .
A small smile curved her lips at the memory of his loving. The tenderness and devotion he'd displayed reassured her that their night together had been special and that he wouldn't be forgetting her any too soon. She would get her vengeance, but when she did she would make sure that he loved every minute of it. Beau Hamilton was going to learn that she was not a woman who could be easily ignored.
Chapter Twenty-three
Tired though he was, Adam had tried to keep himself continually busy. Since Beau's departure that morning, he had resumed his normal activities around the plantation, working with the horses in the stables and riding the fields with the overseer, but he'd failed miserably in his efforts to keep himself occupied and his thoughts off Lianne.
He had awakened that morning to find her sound asleep, nestled against him. He thought Lianne quite beautiful when she was awake, but in repose he found her breathtaking. He'd wanted to kiss her awake, strip the gown from her body, and make love to her as was his right as her husband. Only by forcing himself to remember her cunning ways and devious schemes was he able to tear himself from the bed and escape the room.
Adam had welcomed the distraction of plantation work that day, for it h
ad gotten him out of the house and away from Lianne. Still, as the hours had passed, he'd found himself thinking of her, and each time he'd cursed himself soundly.
Alex had sought him out while he was working in the stable and had spent the rest of the day at his side, asking intelligent questions about the running of the plantation and generally just enjoying being with him. Adam sensed that Alex was lonely and in great need of male companionship. He remembered his own youth and the time when he had been close to his father. He had spent every possible minute with him and had learned much of the ways of manhood during that time. Reflecting back, Adam came to appreciate more fully the influence his father had had upon him, and knowing that he had the opportunity to help Alex in the same way, he encouraged him openly.
The rest of the day passed pleasantly enough. Somehow he managed to keep himself from thinking of Lianne and the circumstances of their marriage. Instead, he concentrated on just trying to take care of the business at hand. Having good-naturedly answered all of Alex's inquiries all day, Adam was totally unprepared when the boy spoke up on their ride back to the house from surveying the south fields.
"Adam?" he began casually enough, just as he'd begun all his other queries.
"Yes, Alex?" Adam glanced over at the dark-haired boy who was looking at him, his expression serious.
"I know you and Lianne just got married yesterday and all that." He paused before going on. "But how come you and Lianne didn't go on a honeymoon? Aren't people supposed to go on a honeymoon once they get married?"
His question took Adam by surprise, and for a moment, he didn't have a good answer.
"Sometimes things just don't work out the way they're supposed to," he finally answered with more than a little honesty. "We didn't have time to plan this because everything happened so quickly. Maybe when the crops are in and the plantation's running smoothly again, Lianne and I will be able to get away." Adam hoped this answer would satisfy him, and when Alex seemed content with his reply, he was relieved.