Her smile dimmed. “I’ll try to remember, but when you touch me I lose my mind.”
His eyes never left her delectable body as he hurriedly undressed and his desire spiraled higher as he noted her hungry gaze.
Once naked he stood looking down at her. Like the fiery woman she was, she did not look abashed. Instead, her eyes traveled boldly over him. Lingering looks at his groin saw him harden further.
She rose up on one elbow. “It’s not the first time I’ve been able to study the beauty of you, but I must admit the experience is far more titillating when you are awake,” she said, and crooked her finger.
He knelt down on the bed and loomed over her in all his natural glory. His heated gaze ignited need deep in her belly and she swore his eyes were like a touch, tracing over her sensitized skin.
Slowly, so he followed her movements, she opened her thighs wide. His moan made her heart soar. “You are so lovely,” he whispered against the skin of her inner thigh.
The reward for her bravery was the gaze he sent her. He looked at her womanhood with such desire. Hestia had never felt so beautiful—exposed, but beautiful.
His fingers stroked her belly, and shivers wracked her. When he finally delved between her thighs it was her turn to moan, and her head sank into the soft pillow.
At the first lick of his tongue she had to close her eyes against the pleasure he drew forth. Alex was setting her body alight with a delicious, all-consuming fire, and never in her life had she wanted so much to be burned. He expertly toyed with her stiff little bud, rubbing and pinching—the pleasure mixed with pain. She opened her legs wider still, lifted up to meet his clever fingers and tongue, desperate for more sensations.
Her little cries were begging him to take her. To her despair, he held back—teasing her and making her beg. “I want you,” she gasped. “Deep inside me, please.”
“The thought of you has tortured me for years. Now it’s my turn to torture you with pleasure,” he growled. With that his hands slipped under her bottom and tilted her up, and his mouth fastened on her.
Hestia lost all reason. She lost the ability to think; the world slipped away as his tongue, teeth, and lips consumed her. Just when she thought she could not stand the pleasure any longer, he lifted her legs, one after the other, and rested them on his shoulders.
His head moved between her thighs once more and her eyes rolled back in her head. She loved the intimacy of the moment. He loved her with his mouth and she fell to pieces. Hestia offered herself to him, writhing under his tongue, while he held her thighs apart, holding her open for his passionate assault.
The moment was more than she’d thought possible. He appeared to want to devour her, when for the last four years he’d tried to ignore her. She hoped that when she awoke in the morning, she would not find this night was a dream.
This was always where she’d wanted to be—in his bed and in his arms. Heaven.
He did not disappoint either. The tales of his skill at giving pleasure were not exaggerated. Crouched between her thighs like an untamed beast, he lavished her with wild yet possessive loving. Never had she been the sole focus of so much care and attention. Her body, particularly her heart, bloomed under his sensual ministrations.
His hot, wet tongue flicked over the tight knot of her sex as he pushed two fingers inside her. She bucked and cried out, the sensations almost too much. It was not the pleasure that overwhelmed, but the maelstrom of emotions he ignited deep within her.
Hestia loved this man madly, deeply, and the warmth of her love consumed her as much as the pleasure she was receiving. If she could own this man’s heart…what a prize that would be.
Soon his mouth replaced his fingers, and as his tongue probed deeply, sensations stormed through her body, rapidly sending her over the edge as her climax exploded and consumed her. Her body shuddered as contractions rippled through her in luxurious waves.
Before she’d even managed to steady her ragged breath, a hot trail of kisses moved up her body, setting her sensitized skin on fire once again. Her eyes could not focus as his mouth suckled her breast, but her hands went searching. She had to touch him. Feel him.
While he continued to shower her body with sensations, her hands wandered over his shoulders, sliding down his wide back, passing his narrow waist to grip his buttocks, unconsciously pulling him closer.
With a husky laugh Alex fitted himself to her body and slowly, exquisitely, pushed deep. Inhibitions fled and Hestia tucked one leg around his waist, conscious of his wounded side, while allowing her hands to roam over his back. The size of the man claiming her thrilled her more than anything she’d experienced in her life. He felt enormous and wonderful inside her, filling her, stealing her breath. Her heart he already had.
She was overcome with the knowledge that tonight he knew what he was doing, that he was not dreaming this time, that he chose her, that he’d come to her, wanting her…She squeezed her eyes shut, hugging the emotion as tightly as she hugged him with her body.
He was still moving deep within her but far too slowly for her liking. She couldn’t muster her senses to complain. Her hips rose, demanding he quicken his pace.
All that did was see him bury himself deep and stop. His lips trailed up the side of her neck to nibble on her ear. “I want to savor every moment with you, so relax and let yourself enjoy my attentions.”
She moaned. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for years. I just want to be closer…”
He brushed her closed eyelids with his lips. “Then why are you missing the event? Open your eyes and watch as we become one in our pleasure.”
She opened her eyelids to see Alex’s handsomely rugged face looking at her with such tenderness her vision grew blurry.
Holding her gaze he began to move again. Slowly at first, and she harnessed her impatience and rode through the fading echo of her climax. Gradually his thrusts became more powerful, faster, harder until finally he slipped his hands under her bottom and tilted her up to meet him while pushing her thighs wide.
It opened her fully to him, and the sensations, those lovely quivering sensations, began to rise again. He thrust harder, deeper, and before her orgasm hit for a second time, his fingers cupped her chin and she had to look deep into his eyes as she climaxed.
She held nothing back. This was for him. She showed him what was in her heart even while she was too scared to voice the words I love you. She loved him and always would. There would never be anyone else but him.
He recognized her message and his eyes stared back, his gaze turbulent with passion. “God you’re so beautiful when you come for me. With me…” he whispered as his thrusts suddenly grew frantic.
She clung to him, watching the sweat glistening on his skin as he thrust faster and faster, until with a deep cry verging on a roar, he came with a reverberating shudder. For an endless moment he hung above her, buried deep within her, their eyes locked, before Alex collapsed on her in a glorious tangle of limbs.
He buried his head in her shoulder and gathered her close. “Perfect. So bloody perfect,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to her damp skin.
She untangled her arm and stroked his hair. “Better than I ever dreamed.”
They lay there content to bathe in the warmth and intimacy of the moment.
“I’ve wanted you for a long time,” he whispered. “I just never thought it would ever happen. Or should happen.”
“Because of my father. Why is it he is so against our match?”
“Let’s not spoil the magic with talk of the past.”
She snuggled closer. “Then let’s talk of our future.”
“You are choosing me?” he asked in wonder.
“Of course, silly.” She hated to break the wonderful closeness but she could not help it. “But you will let me turn David down my way.”
He raised his head and looked at her with distress. “No. It is my place. I was the one who—”
She cupped his cheek. “My darling man, you did
nothing that I did not encourage you to do. It will be better for David coming from me. I need to explain that it would not have been fair to accept his offer because he deserves a woman who can love him. My heart belongs to you.”
She waited with her breath held for him to say the words back but they never came. Instead he asked, “So does that mean you will marry me?”
She could use the hope she saw in his face. She could agree only if he gave up the idea of avenging Tulay, but she’d seen his nightmares. Seen that something haunted him, and knew to deny him his chance to do what his conscience dictated would perhaps destroy him in the end.
The question she had to ask herself was what was fair to Alex. A haunted life, but at least a life, or to let him take his chance to erase his nightmares by killing Murad. If Murad won…She was selfish enough to want Alex at any cost, but she loved him enough to want him to heal. Could he heal without his revenge?
She rolled onto her side and propped up on her elbow while she trailed her fingers over his heart. “I will marry you.” He let out a rush of breath and pulled her head down to kiss her. When he finally let her go she added, “But I ask one thing of you in return.”
“Don’t ask me not to go after Murad.”
She shook her head. “I have no right to ask that of you because it is about your past, your life, and therefore your decision. All I was going to ask is that you truly think about the choice you are making. We could have a beautiful life together. If I am with child it could end up never knowing its father.”
He sat up and all but leapt off the bed. “Don’t you think I know that?” He paced her small cabin.
“I don’t mean to upset you, but sometimes the best way to forget the horrors of the past is to look forward. Prove to your enemy that you are the master of your destiny and nothing they did to you could break your spirit to survive.”
He stopped in the middle of the room and stared at her. “Is that how you got over your ordeal at Murad’s hands?”
Her face flushed with heat. “I realize my abduction and imprisonment was for merely a few days, but I was young, and I sometimes still have nightmares.”
He looked away and sighed. “I did not mean to trivialize your experience. I was merely trying to point out that while you were a captive for a few days, I was held somewhat longer and spent far too much time in Murad’s company.”
The hairs at her nape stood on end at the belligerent tone. She had to try…“Perhaps it might help if you talked about your—captivity?”
His eyes when they found hers were flat and cold. “If I told you what Murad did to me, to others, it would make you sick to your stomach with disgust, and I assure you, you’d never have another peaceful night’s sleep.”
She pulled the sheet tightly around her, fully able to believe his words.
“I should go. You need sleep and I need to…I need to organize my affairs so that this marriage can take place and be recognized in England. You are not safe unless it is witnessed correctly. I do not want anyone to be able to say the marriage is void or did not take place.”
The search for his clothes gave her plenty of time to consider her next words. She waited for him to dress before asking, “You will leave David to me?”
He pushed his hair off his face and turned to open the cabin door, his back to her. “I’ll let you talk to him first, but I owe him an explanation—and an apology.”
He peered into the corridor before slipping out and closing the door softly behind him.
Hestia sat with the sheet wrapped around her for what seemed like hours. Her heart was soaring. He did care for her. He could not let her marry David, he wanted her for himself. Her smile faded and she lay back on the bunk. The sheet still held his scent and she breathed deep. Her brain kept saying over and over: want did not equate with love.
Could she settle for want when love was her goal?
She rolled onto her side and hugged the pillow.
If he could learn to live with the ghosts of his past, he might grow to love her. It was a risk, but one she did want to take.
On a groan she thought of the conversation she would have with David. She hoped David hadn’t fallen in love with her.
Chapter 18
Hestia’s joy regarding her upcoming nuptials, and the fact she was on land once again, was tempered by the conversation she knew was coming with David.
When they had first sailed toward the Corfu coastline, heading to the fishing village of Pentati, Hestia thought they were sailing straight into the cliffs. But as they drew closer to land she saw a hidden gap in the sheer wall of rock. Unless you knew it was there you’d miss it. Apparently the channel was very deep, but not deep enough for the Angelica to sail through. The ship would remain at anchor. Alex had sent a rowboat through the gap and Costa had met them with one of his smaller ships.
Once they had transferred to Costa’s boat and sailed through the opening, Hestia caught her breath at the beautiful scene.
The protected and almost hidden small bay was surrounded in rock, except for a small sandy beach on the far right. They anchored in the calm, clear blue water in the afternoon, and just before dusk they gathered trunks and rowed ashore.
Costa’s family and friends greeted Alex as if he was the returning messiah. The two men hugged each other for a long moment.
Costa looked to be the same age as Alex, but he was over a head shorter. His face was tanned from the sun, but his dark eyes sparkled when he smiled.
When he looked in Hestia’s direction, Costa gave a surprised second look. Her male clothing obviously didn’t work this close up. He dug Alex in the ribs. “Your crew is much more attractive than usual.”
Alex’s smile disappeared and he shook his head before saying quietly, “Perhaps we should take our conversation inside your abode.” Costa immediately dropped the topic and merely looked at her strangely as he bid them to follow.
They made their way up a white cobblestone path that weaved through a small olive grove. Up ahead was a collection of bright whitewashed cottages, and as they drew close they saw the far terraces were awash with lemon, lime, and fig trees.
Costa led them toward a large house in the center of the village. Hestia had tried not to notice how David’s eyes followed her every move, and she dreaded the conversation she would have to have with him. Over the last few days she’d noticed an almost possessive heat to his gaze.
Costa ensured Ned and the other men of the Angelica who had helped with the luggage were shown to another cottage further along the path.
Finally they arrived at Costa’s residence. Hestia stood to one side as Costa spoke in Greek to the women who were there to welcome them into the home. He issued some commands, and soon she was being shown to her room. She didn’t even have time to say goodbye to Alex or David.
At least she didn’t have to face David tonight.
As soon as the women had escorted Hestia to her room, Costa showed the men into a large room with open doors onto a courtyard, where a cooling breeze thankfully tempered the warm humid air. Costa opened a bottle and poured them a glass of ouzo. Jacob, David, and Alex all took a glass and raised them for a toast. “To our health,” they said, and drank a shot of the anise-flavored liqueur.
“I’m hoping you have good news for me,” Alex said as he paced the room.
Costa and the other men sank into chairs by the open doors.
“The earl is safely ensconced at the home of the British lord high commissioner in Corfu Town. He’s well guarded and is aware of his cousin’s nefarious plans.”
“Bugger. It’s good he’s safe, but Corfu Town is the other side of the island.”
Alex had to agree with Jacob. “What of Murad?” His stomach cramped and he downed the rest of the strong ouzo.
Costa sat forward in his chair. “Rumor has it he has not been well. He’s not been seen near Corfu for over two years.”
“I hope the bastard is suffering,” Jacob muttered.
Costa flashed
Jacob a glance and shook his head. “I have my ships’ men out asking questions. So far it does not look as if he is sailing north at all.”
“If he sets sail, how long would we have?” Alex asked.
“A week at best. However, if he is ill, perhaps there is too much infighting among his men as to who will take over leadership of his pirate gang to bother with you. You are not their concern.”
Alex hoped and prayed that was the case. Until he heard Murad was in his grave he was still going after him.
David cleared his throat. “I think I should take Hestia to Corfu Town and back to England with her father.”
Costa raised an eyebrow. “The girl is Lord Pembroke’s daughter?”
“Yes. With her father safe, Murad not in pursuit, then all this is over,” David said.
Jacob slammed his glass on the table. “No. It’s not over. She’s not safe yet. Fredrick will be desperate. He cannot let Hestia or Lord Pembroke reach London and expose his treachery. Fredrick will be at his most dangerous as he begins to panic. Worse, we have no idea what sloop he is on or where it is.”
Alex’s muscles tightened. Jacob was right. Alex needed to marry her before sending her home with Jacob. He had not told Jacob of his plan to send him with her, but he needed her well guarded, and Jacob was the best. His friend would want to sail with Alex after Murad, but he needed to know Hestia was safe so he could concentrate on destroying Murad.
Alex stared at Jacob and David. “Good night, gentlemen. If you don’t mind I would like a private word with Costa.” Jacob frowned and made to protest but Alex uttered, “I’ll speak to you later, but give me a moment.”
David was already on his feet. “I’ll go and ensure that Lady Hestia has settled in.”
Once the two men had left, Costa rose and fetched another bottle of ouzo. “You look like you may need this,” he said as he refilled Alex’s glass. Costa raised his glass. “Yamas,” he said, offering the Greek equivalent of cheers.
“Yamas,” Alex replied before downing the glass in one shot. His eyes watered as he held out his glass to be refilled.
Addicted to the Duke Page 20
