He let the boat glide through the water, and his intent stare made her shiver.
Isabel changed the subject. “Erin is very beautiful at night.”
“It is.” His mouth softened. Gray eyes fixed upon her, his voice rich and seductive. “Very beautiful.”
Color flooded her face. Isabel forced herself to look away. With the darkening sky above them and the sea all around, everything seemed to fall away.
What would it be like for him to kiss her? She covered her mouth with her hands, willing the sudden thought away. Her father’s threat haunted her. He wanted her to bear Patrick’s child. What would he do when he learned she was still a virgin? He’d sworn to come only a few months from now at harvest time. Would he demand a ceremonial bedding? She would not put it past him to humiliate her in such a way.
“I know you did not wish to wed me,” she began, not really knowing what to say. “But I meant what I said earlier. I’d rather we be friends.”
The awkward silence stretched further when Patrick picked up the oars and began rowing toward the shoreline. “Trahern wants me to stay with you tonight to keep up appearances.”
It wasn’t precisely what she had in mind, but it was better than nothing. If they shared a meal and conversation, she might uncover what sort of man her husband truly was. He wore the mask of a king at every moment.
“It is a great sacrifice,” she said dryly, “having to spend time with me.”
“More than you know,” he muttered.
Isabel dipped her hand in the sea and flicked a palm full of water at his face.
Patrick’s face darkened. Droplets of salt water slid down his bristled cheeks. “That was a childish thing to do.”
“That was not a nice thing to say,” she retorted.
Seconds later, a splash of frigid water struck her own face. Patrick’s wet hand proclaimed his guilt and wickedness gleamed in his eyes.
“Don’t start this.” Isabel set her hand back in the water as a threat. “There’s already one war between us.”
Before she could move, he trapped her hands in his. The weight of his body moved her astern. His thighs surrounded her legs, his chest invading her space.
A trickle of water slid down his neck and dripped upon her skin. Her nipples tightened at the cold sensation. With his dark hair framing his face, her attention moved to his mouth again. His firm lips captivated her.
The rocking of the boat moved his body against hers, and she felt the evidence of his desire. The shocking sensation heated her skin, her body needing to be closer to him.
Though she didn’t understand why, he pulled her arms around his neck. She clung to him for balance, her heartbeat pounding against her chest. No longer did she feel the chill of the water. Instead, her body burned in a way she didn’t understand. She wanted to feel his skin upon hers, and she flushed at the thought.
He wasn’t going to kiss her. She could see it in his eyes. He was fighting against it.
But he didn’t let go of her. His hands caressed her back, holding her away from the hard wood of the boat. A secret part of her ached to welcome him. She wanted his hands to move over her, caressing her. She needed more than this, and yet he held himself back.
Embraced in his arms, she pressed her breasts close to him, her body trembling. Her mouth parted, wishing for what he would not give.
Then she lifted her face and kissed him.
Chapter Eight
Needroaredthroughhimat the soft touch of her mouth.
The innocent taste of Isabel sent him reeling. Patrick plundered her mouth, tasting her forbidden sweetness. Caveats coursed through his mind, but he ignored them. He wanted to kiss this frustrating woman, to drive her from his thoughts.
Though he didn’t know what had possessed her to kiss him, he wasn’t going to let her go. Not until he exorcised the craving for her.
His mouth moved over hers, and he felt her shuddering. Deliberately he softened the kiss, nipping at her lower lip. She opened to him and he slid his tongue in her mouth.
The sensation mimicked the sexual act he was denying himself. Her tongue met his, and Lug, his body hardened into stone. Right now he could think of nothing better than to remove her clothes and make love to her in the boat.
He kissed her cheek, the tender spot behind her ear. Then a gasping cry spilled from her lips when he kissed the softness between her neck and shoulder.
