She sniffed, taking a step away to stare at him in disbelief. “You want me to stay?”
“Yes, I want you to stay.”
“For how long?”
“Forever, if you’ll have me.”
She couldn’t believe her ears. “You’re keeping me.”
“Yes,” he said, attempting to hold back his laughter. “Of course I’m keeping you! I love you!”
She threw her arms around his neck. “That’s good because I love you, so, so much.”
He kissed her deeply and passionately. Then he swept her up into his arms to carry her to the bunk. “Perhaps now would be a good time to show me how much you love me.”
As he eased her down amongst the pillows she remembered her secret. A guilty flush washed over her, making her warm to the tip of toes. Would he still love her when he discovered she’d been fleeing the country with his child? She loathed to tell him and break the blissful spell of their new-found happiness, but she dared not wait.
She struggled to right herself, then held up her hand to stall him. “There’s something I have to tell you.”
“Shhh…,” he told her, pressing a finger to her lips. “Confessions can wait. Right now I have a need to hold you against my heart, to know that you are real.”
He was right. After all, he hadn’t noticed anything was amiss so far. There’d be plenty of time after. After the yearning hunger, burning inside her had been satisfied, after she’d touched every part of his glowing golden skin. Yes, there would be time. Right now she needed to hear his heart beating loudly against her own, to feel his warmth and know that she was loved.
When he was completely naked, he helped her to undress. She bent her head forward and closed her eyes while he unfastened the hooks at the back of her gown. Wherever his fingers brushed against her skin, she couldn’t help but quiver in response. As he slid the soft velvet sleeves down over her arms, he pressed silky kisses down the length of her neck and shoulders. She moaned and turned round to face him. He lifted her gown over her head then tossed it on the floor. Her chemise came next to land on top of the pool of ruby velvet.
He pushed her back on the bunk. “God’s Blood! Do you know how many times I’ve imagined you in my dreams? It’s hard to believe you’re here with me—that you’re real.”
“Very real,” she said, molding her soft curves against his hard heat. He needed no further encouragement. When his mouth descended to hers she could think of nothing else save the sweet delicious taste of him. He showed her how much he cherished her with his hands and the rest of his body, his brandy eyes glowing with adoration, his heart beating hard and fast against hers.
When their passions were spent, Kay rested her head in the crook of his arm, drifting in the rapture of her love for him. Surely it must be dangerous to love a man so much, with every piece of your heart and soul. She hoped he wouldn’t retract his precious gift when she told him what she had planned to do.
A terrible fear settled around her heart as she searched for the words to tell him the truth. She could feel his heart slowing to a steady thudding beat beneath her as hers began to pick up speed.
Then her stomach growled.
He chuckled and rolled to his side. “I see I’ve selfishly neglected my husbandly duties.” He stretched his arms above his head, then drew her closer up against him, placing a kiss on her forehead. “I’d better call for our dinner before the beast in your belly roars out the order for me.”
She gave him a startled look. When he made no further comment she offered a tentative smile. “I am rather hungry. I haven’t eaten since breakfast.”
“Then I must teach you better habits. My child needs to eat at regular intervals.”
She gasped, pushing herself upright in the bunk. “You knew?”
He grinned back at her seemingly unperturbed. “I have Fabian to thank for that. He was so concerned you’d be neglected or starved during the crossing, he left strict orders with the first mate. He even went so far as to draw up a list of your likes and dislikes.”
“I’ll kill him!”
“I think he’ll make a very good uncle, not to mention a helpful brother-in-law.” Hunter’s brow contracted in a mock-serious look. “Although I have to admit, he’s not very good at cards. We’ll have to make sure he doesn’t gamble our child away as he did his mother.”
“Ohhh! You wretch! I’ve been suffering agonies trying to find the right words to tell you, and you knew all along.” She made to rise from the bunk.
He captured her wrist to keep her there. Then he traced the curve of her gently rounded belly with his other hand. “It’s a good thing I did or I might have imagined you were growing fat. Not that I mind,” he said bringing his hand up to cup one swollen breast. “There is much to be gained.”
“You’re not angry?”
“I’m angry with myself for forcing you to such lengths. But I’m proud that I married a woman with such strong maternal instincts. I’ll be happy if you love all of our children so well.”
She smiled. “I will, Your Grace, as long as I love their roguish father.” “Forever and ever.”
“You’ll be the keepers of my heart.”
THE END
The Thief and the Rogue Page 34
