*
Samantha’s eyes crackedopen and she blinked at the soft light of dawn. She’d overslept. With a frown, she began to roll over. The fresh scent of rain filled her lungs. Sandalwood. She went still. Breathed in again.
Did the scent linger from her dreams?
Bits and flashes came to her. Tan skin. Forest-green eyes. The mouth she dreamed of so often. Kissing her. Calling out her name.
Her real name.
Her heart began to thump as she shifted her legs. A swollen ache ran from her core as a ray of sunlight pierced the room, reflecting off yellow wallpaper.
Not her room.
Her lips curved as the full memory of last night flooded through her. It had all happened. Every delicious bit. She reached next to her, fingers settling on cool sheets, and jerked upright.
She was alone.
A chill ran through her as she took in Christian’s room. A polished desk sat next to the window, the chair pushed beneath it just right. A few paintings on the wall. An armchair next to a spotless hearth. Every bit as immaculate as his cabin.
Even her clothes were folded in a neat pile on the end of the bed.
She reached forward and picked up her blouse, running her fingers over the torn buttonholes. The erratic beat of her heart began to slow. Where had he gone? Did he regret last night?
Her blood went cold.
He’d told her he would be setting sail. What if he’d left?
With a strangled breath, she began to yank the blouse on. She needed to get home before anyone realized where she was. The garment hung wide open and she forced back a laugh. If anyone saw her, she was doomed.
She swung her feet to the floor and grabbed her breeches and started toward Christian’s dressing room. Hopefully she could make one of his shirts work. Before she made it two steps, the door creaked behind her.
Her heart seized and she spun, pressing the folded breeches between her legs.
“Now, this is a sight I could get used to.”
Christian stood in the doorway, holding a tray with two steaming cups. He’d dressed, trousers stretched across his thighs and white shirt only half-buttoned. The bare expanse of his chest and the dark swath of hair sent her pulse skyrocketing.
She glanced down at her exposed breasts and heat burst across her cheeks. Her nipples hardened and she went even hotter.
Christian chuckled and crossed the room. He deposited the tray on the bed and reached out for her.
“Good morning, beautiful.”
She searched his face, all her emotions at war within her.
He cupped her cheek. “What’s wrong?”
“I—I thought you left.”
His other arm snaked around her back and drew her against him. “Why would I leave?”
“Because...” She took a shallow breath. “Because of last night?”
Christian slipped his hands beneath her blouse and ran them up and down her back. “Last night was the single greatest night of my existence.” The words came out soft against her ear and she shivered.
“You said you were going to sail today.”
Christian nibbled her earlobe and she let out a soft gasp as all theheat from her blush seemed to refocus straight between her legs. “I have something to show you.”
