Splendor

by Catherine Hart

  He didn’t give her time to deny it, but brought his lips over hers in a warm caress, a sliding of flesh upon flesh, until her mouth trembled in invitation beneath his. His teeth nibbled at her lips, his tongue laving them, tasting her, sucking at them until her lips parted beneath his. Then his tongue intruded to parry with hers in a heated duel that sent the blood spinning to her brain.

  Eden’s breath caught in her chest, crowding her thumping heart. Her limbs went hot and weak, her body tingling to life as it seemed to only when Devlin touched her. She felt a strange need to be closer to him, a yearning so strong that it overcame her natural inhibitions. Almost of their own accord, her arms rose to twine about his neck, her fingers sifting through the tawny hair at his nape, drawing him nearer, until the male scent of him filled her head. Through the haze that clouded her thinking, she registered his touch as his hand closed over her ribs, searing her skin through the fabric of her dress. Her surprised gasp served only to seal his lips more tightly to hers, his tongue delving deeper into the sweet, hot recesses of her mouth, his mouth sipping at hers like a bee for nectar.

  Slowly, inexorably, his fingers worked their way upward, until they rested against the outer slope of her right breast. In promise or threat, Eden wasn’t sure which. Nor did she care. It was she who completed the touch, twisting until her breast fit to the curve of his palm, nestling within his long, strong fingers like a fragile flower turning its head toward the sunlight.

  Devlin groaned, a low growl deep in his throat. The weight of her full, firm breast in his hand was an almost unbearable pleasure, even through all the cloth that separated their flesh from actual contact. How long had it been since he’d touched a woman this way? Weeks? Months? It was nearly more than he could stand, and it took all his willpower not to rip her clothes from her back and toss her to the floor, then and there, so hotly was his blood thrumming, demanding release for his tormented body.

  Though he knew he was tempting fate, still he could not make himself release her just yet, not when she was offering herself to him so sweetly, so openly. His thumb strayed further, barely skimming across the peak of her breast. The hidden nipple budded immediately, cresting within his palm like a wave.

  Now it was she who moaned with burgeoning passion, pressing her breast forward, rubbing against his yearning flesh like a feline wanting to be stroked. Catching the nub between finger and thumb, he tugged gently at it, imagining his lips replacing his fingers, his tongue sleek against her silken breast, envisioning its texture and color, the contrast against his darker flesh.

  A breathless whimper escaped her lips, a quiver rippling through her, and Devlin silently swore he had never before felt so powerful, so masterful—so proud. She squirmed slightly, as if in need, yet not truly knowing what it was she sought, and Devlin was lost to reason. It mattered not that they were in her office at the warehouse, that the door was unlocked, or that anyone could walk in on them at any moment. He had to have her. Here. Now. Before his next breath. Before he had time to think about what he was doing—before she had time to realize what they were doing.

  Eden was caught up in a cloud, a delightful mist of the most marvelous sensations she’d ever experienced, or had ever hoped to experience in this lifetime. Pure, raw feelings were tumbling through her, buffeting her like ocean waves, relentlessly pushing her toward an unknown shore.

  Suddenly, without warning, the bell over the office door clanged, announcing an intruder and bringing both of them to their senses. Abruptly, as if they’d been doused with a bucket of icy water, they sprang apart— Eden’s face now aglow not with passion but with guilt and embarrassment. Instantly, Devlin sought to reestablish contact, reaching out to grab her arm as he felt himself begin to fade from view.

  Thankfully, the interior of the small room was dimly lit. Tilton appeared to notice nothing more amiss than his spinster employer in very intimate contact with the pirate captain. The foreman’s gaze traveled from one to the other, his eyes narrowing as he stared hard at Eden’s flushed features and moist, kiss-swollen lips. Eden could almost hear the man planning to run to Finster at the first opportunity, spreading tales of her most recent misbehavior.

  Tilton’s apology and the knowing smirk that curled his lips were at odds as he said, “Beggin’ your pardon, Miss Winters. If I’d have known I was about to walk in on such a cozy scene, I would have knocked first.”

  Perhaps the knowledge that she was going to dismiss him gave Eden’s reply an added dose of venom. Her ire was at its peak, her hackles up, and Tilton’s impertinence was all she needed to push her patience past its limits. Extending her hand toward him, palm up, she demanded frostily, ‘Turn in your warehouse keys, Mr. Tilton. All of them. As of this minute, you have a quarter hour to collect anything which might belong to you and get off this property. I never want to see you here again. Your services are no longer required.”

  For several stunned seconds, the man stared in dumb disbelief. Then he frowned, his eyes squinting at her in warning. “Now just hold on there, missy. Mayhap you’d better consider what you’re doing. You can’t dismiss me just like that.” He leaned forward, snapping his fingers before her nose. “I’ve given more time and effort to running this company than you can begin to know. Why, I’ve worked myself ragged trying to save this place for you and your ma. And this is the thanks I get?”

  “That and whatever pay you have coming to you,” Eden said, refusing to be intimidated by such a worthless worm. Glaring back at him, she longed to tell him all she truly knew, and what more she suspected. Such as how he’d been lining his pockets at her expense, and deliberately trying to ruin her business. Somehow, she held her tongue, knowing now was not the time to spill the beans from that particular pot. “I’ll also have all the monies you have collected this morning on behalf of the warehouse, Mr. Tilton. And the receipts for the logbook, if you please.” Consulting her pendant watch, which hung suspended at her waistband from her father’s gold watch chain, she told him, “By my calculations, you now have twelve minutes. If you have not left the premises by that time, I will have you forcibly removed.”

  “At the point of my sword,” Devlin put in for good measure, noting the malevolent gleam in Tilton’s eyes, and the way the man leaned toward Eden as if he wanted to launch himself at her.

  Under Devlin’s Satan-black gaze, Tilton backed down, though not without a final word of warning. “This won’t be the end of it, Miss High-and-Mighty Winters.” Digging into his pockets, he threw a crumpled wad of hand-written receipts and money onto her desktop. Next, the company keys came clanking, tossed with such force that they skittered off the edge of the desk onto the floor, dragging coins and papers with them. “You haven’t heard the last of me, not by a long shot! You’ll regret this day for years to come. And you’ll regret putting in with this passel o’ pirates. Mark my words, girl. There’ll come a day when you’ll beg to have me back here running this place for you, but my help won’t come so cheap then.”

  He stormed out of the office before Eden could think to tally his final pay, leaving her limp from their heated exchange and his lingering threats. While she was more than justified in firing Tilton, she still wasn’t accustomed to standing toe-to-toe and nose-to-nose with a man in verbal altercation, despite the practice she’d had of late with Finster and Devlin. It left her distinctly shaken, even as she felt a glimmer of pride expanding within her chest.

  “Now then.” Devlin chuckled, recalling her attention to him. “Doesn’t that warm the cockles of your heart, seeing old Tilton dash off with his tail tucked betwixt his legs?”

  She frowned up at him. “Devlin, he didn’t seem particularly cowed to me,” she hastened to point out. “In fact, he seemed extremely angry and vengeful. And he practically promised to make future trouble for me.”

  Devlin gave an unconcerned shrug. “Don’t fret your pretty head, duchess. If ’tis trouble he wants, I’ll be glad to see he gets it. Meanwhile, we’ll bide our time.”

  “And
do what until then?”

  The devilishly wicked look he gave her, with those gleaming dark eyes and that seductive smile, should have singed the laces on her chemise. “Where is your imagination, wench?” he teased. “By the stars, I swear I must have found my way to Charles Town simply to save you from withering away from sheer boredom. To rescue you from yourself, and the likes of Finster, who would have shriveled your soul and wrung you dry of all life. Sweetling, when are you going to realize that there is more to living than simply existing from day to day, always doing what others expect of you, never veering from the path of righteousness? Let down your hair a bit, love. Shake loose of those stiff stays, and taste the world as it was meant to be tasted. Glory in it while you may.”

  “And go to hell in a hand basket?” she countered, giving him look for look, trying to resist the temptation in his twinkling eyes, the promise of passion lurking beyond his teasing words. “Should I sell my soul to the Devil for a few minutes’ pleasure?”

  “Not your soul, Eden. Your heart, your lovely body, the sweet essence of yourself. Freely given, never sold. And to no other devil but me.”

  “And what would you give me in return, Devlin? Other than a broken heart, a body no longer pure, and my reputation in tatters?”

  He could not promise her what he knew she longed to hear, and he refused to lie to her, yet there were some things he could pledge in good faith. “I would teach you desire, and ecstasy, as can only be shared between a man and a woman. I would offer you freedom from the confines of the tiny cage into which society has locked you. I would give you passion beyond your wildest imaginings, and a treasure trove of memories to last all your days.”

  A sad, regretful smile etched her lips. “I rather think you would bring me great sorrow, Devlin, should I ever take a bite of this tempting apple you offer me.”

  “Mayhap,” he conceded quietly, nodding, “but I could also bring you great joy, Eden. ’Tis for you to decide if the prize be worth the risk.”

  Devlin was not used to taking no for an answer. Thus, he set out to change Eden’s mind, through fair means or outright trickery, whichever worked faster or better. He began by deluging her with gifts. He bought her a new parasol, which she adored at first sight. Still, he practically had to beg her to keep it, for she insisted that ladies never accepted articles of clothing from gentlemen.

  “Ah, but there you have it,” he informed her with a victorious smile. “I am no gentleman, so you needn’t worry. Moreover, I fail to see how a parasol can be considered clothing, since you but carry the thing, you do not wear it.”

  He used the same argument when he presented her with a beautiful silk fan, intricately gilded with pure gold. “Oh, but Devlin,” she moaned, unable to tear her hungering eyes from the magnificent gift, “’tis far too expensive.”

  Fearing that she would further object if she knew it had cost him nothing, that it was part of his booty from one of his raids, he offered instead, “Eden, take a lesson from the Trojans, and learn not to look a gift horse in the mouth, will you?”

  “Ah, but in this case, perhaps I should question your motives,” she said. “What do you expect in return for such an extravagant gesture?”

  “What would you give me? Your sweet body lying naked next to mine? Passionate kisses in the dark?” When she started to hand the fan back to him with a frown, he relented. “I’ll settle for a smile to replace the glower you are about to bestow upon me. Nothing more, at least for the moment.”

  She reconsidered, obviously reluctant to part with her fine treasure. “A smile, then. And something more.”

  His hopes rose, only to be quickly dashed again as she added with an impish grin, “I shall teach you proper manners. For a start, you may begin by removing your feet from the sofa table. If you must prop them upon something, please use the hassock.”

  She continued to instruct him in gentlemanly behavior, and he continued to bring her gifts. Brightly colored hair ribbons and a garland of flowers for her hair. “Though your glorious mane needs little enhancement,” he told her, flattering her yet again. He was continually complimenting her hair, her eyes, even her nose, which Eden knew was not among her best features. Still, his pretty praise did turn her head, though not enough to make her leap into his arms and immediately forfeit her maidenhood.

  His most unique gift was a large copper bathing tub, ornately scrolled, with a raised headrest. Even Jane was taken aback, considering it too intimate a gesture.

  Devlin promptly brushed the women’s objections aside. “I know not how long I’ll be required to stay here, and that old tin washtub you possess is far too cramped for my tastes. If you wish me to remain clean and presentable, then please allow me to do so in comfort. Of course, ’tis for your use also, and will remain yours when I am gone.”

  But once Eden had accepted his gift, and tendered her thanks, he could not keep from teasing. “I shall envision you in the tub, you know, all sleek and bare and wet, the water softly caressing every sweet curve of your body,” he whispered privately, his flashing dark eyes traversing the clothed length of her. “Think of me when you bathe in it, pet. Imagine my hands replacing the water, stroking your dewy, flushed flesh.”

  “I will not!” she claimed, though she feared she would now do just that.

  He gave her a wink and that outrageously roguish grin. “Then think of me when I use it. Picture me hot and naked and longing for your touch. Better yet, imagine the two of us enjoying it together, both immersed in warm water, our limbs tangled and our skin slippery with soap, my body sliding sensuously against yours.”

  Eden’s cheeks burned, and she could not meet his gaze. “Please cease such ridiculous prattle, Devlin. You tempt only yourself with such talk.”

  “Do I?” he countered with a knowing smirk. “I sincerely hope not, duchess.”

  Chapter 12

  Having never kept company with a gentleman, and having gained a reputation as a circumspect unwed female, Eden had never before encountered any public censure, as she did now whenever she was seen out and about upon Devlin’s arm. Not that she was snubbed outright by most of her acquaintances, but they stood their distance, both curious and watchful of her and Devlin, as if reserving judgment upon them. Such behavior reflected the current attitude toward pirates in general these days, more than any particular prejudice toward Devlin himself. Still, it was disconcerting to Eden to be met with speculative looks rather than pleasant greetings, and concerned frowns in place of friendly, open smiles.

  Also, the townsfolk seemed confused that Eden should suddenly adopt a change of feathers, when they were so accustomed to her as an unassuming, somewhat dowdy spinster. Indeed, Eden had changed almost overnight from a quiet little mouse into a confident young lady. Though she’d always been pleasant and polite, now it was not uncommon to see a smile on her face, or to hear her laugh like a carefree child. Her walk seemed to have a more lively spring to it, her posture straight and proud alongside Captain Kane’s superior height. While she dressed no differently than before, she was styling her hair more attractively, frequently abandoning the stiff bun in favor of letting her tresses flow long and loose down her back. There was a new twinkle in her blue-green eyes, and an added bloom to her cheeks. From a plain little mudhen there had emerged a comely woman no one had ever imagined existed. In large part, the change was due to Devlin’s continued praise and attention.

  The residents and businessmen of Charles Town received yet another shock when Eden, in company with Devlin, began visiting places she would never have entered before. On one such occasion, she walked right into a local brewery without so much as the bat of an eyelash, and waited as the pirate captain placed an order for five kegs of ale. On another, she actually sauntered through a dockside tavern, as if she did so every day, and took a seat at one of the tables. There she remained, as pretty as you please, until Devlin had concluded his conversation with another sea captain. It became customary that wherever Devlin Kane was to be seen, Eden was
found at his side, be it at the sail-maker’s, the smith shop, the shipyards, or any of the more common merchant establishments.

  Only Devlin and Eden knew the real reason for her constant attendance upon him in such unusual quarters—or how embarrassing it was for her at times. However, it was the only way she could uphold her end of their bargain and allow Devlin, with full competence and visibility, to go about his normal business and to market his pirated merchandise. Many a time, when she would have balked, she needed only to remind herself how willingly he had set himself to the task of rescuing her warehouse.

  Besides, as the days wore on, she was intrigued to be gaining a startling insight into a rougher, darker side of life to which she would never have been privy otherwise. Truth be told, she was both fascinated and repelled by much she learned at Devlin’s side.

  Even should she have been allowed in such places, without Devlin’s presence she would never have dared to go. With him, however, she felt utterly safe. His tall frame and broad shoulders, not to mention the fire that seemed to spark from his black eyes, were enough to intimidate anyone who would have approached her with ill intent. As ridiculous as it was, she actually felt cherished by this brawny pirate, precious and protected—a feeling she hadn’t experienced since her father’s death—and it was marvelous.

  Still and all, when the two of them realized that the average citizenry did not wholly approve of her association with him, it became apparent that something more must be done. “Papa worked long and hard to build his company, and I have vowed to maintain his high standards now that he is gone,” Eden said. “We cannot allow respect for the family or the firm to diminish. I’ll not tarnish Papa’s memory, or my own reputation.”