“Is it enough?”
“It’s enough. For now.” He kissed her cheek lightly, released her, and turned over on his back. “You may carry on.”
Kenna was plainly bewildered. “Carry on?”
“You know, seducing me.”
“Oh.” She was thoughtful. “Mayhap you would instruct me.” She was already turning on her side, fitting the curves of her body to his.
Rhys cleared his throat as Kenna’s knee nudged his groin. “I think instructions would be superfluous.” His wicked grin returned. “Give me your mouth, Kenna.”
“Anything to shut you up.”
“I was thinking the same thi—” He did not finish his thought. Kenna’s mouth covered his own very sweetly.
Rhys could have drowned in that kiss. Kenna’s lips were soft and moist, searching the contours of his mouth for an opening. His abdomen contracted as her palm slid along his ribcage and a husky sigh gave Kenna what she sought. Her tongue slipped in Rhys’s mouth at the same time his hand cupped her breast. She moaned her satisfaction against his lips as she relished the pressure of the rough edge of his tongue. Caught in the erotic spell of his touch, Kenna murmured Rhys’s name when his fingers tugged at the tip of her breast. The nipple swelled, hardened, while Kenna ached for more than the touch of his hands.
As if Rhys sensed her need he pulled back from the kiss. “Tell me what you want, Kenna.”
“You know.” Her slender fingers held the side of his face.
“Perhaps,” he acknowledged. “But tell me anyway. I want to hear it from you.”
The words stuck in her throat. It was one thing to admit to herself that she wanted his mouth on her, quite another to say the words aloud. “I don’t think…”
“Tell me.”
“Kiss my breasts…the way you did before. It was…it was like fire.”
“Was it?” he asked, prolonging the moment.
“Yes.”
“Take off your nightgown.”
Kenna sat up on her knees, took the hem of her gown, and raised it over her head. Rhys shrugged out of his robe. Both articles of clothing were carelessly relegated to the floor. Rhys touched Kenna’s shoulders and pulled her down beside him. He placed teasing, biting kisses on her jaw, the pulsing cord of her neck, and across her collarbone. Kenna moved restlessly beneath him, anticipating the moment his mouth would move over her sensitive, aching breasts.
Rhys spiraled kisses on one breast until he heard Kenna’s soft moan of frustration, then his tongue flicked across the tip and she was silenced. The suck of his mouth tugged at Kenna’s nerve endings, showering her body in sensation. One of her hands made a fist in his hair, holding him to her, while the other stroked his shoulder. Rhys took the same care with the other breast while the palms of his hands caressed Kenna’s hips and thighs. As his fingers dipped intimately Kenna’s legs parted. Against her thigh she could feel the hot proof of his arousal and she wondered if she was shameless because she wanted him inside her, filling her, stroking her with pleasure’s steady rhythm.
Rhys’s mouth left her breasts and moved lower. Kenna sucked in her breath as his lips glided across her abdomen. Without ever knowing quite how it happened Kenna felt Rhys move between her thighs and cup her buttocks in his strong hands. A tremor of shock rippled through Kenna as Rhys bent his head and placed his mouth against her. Mortified, she went rigid and tears sprang unexpectedly to her eyes.
Rhys felt her tension and he stopped. He lowered her hips and stretched out beside her, keeping one leg between hers and caressing her waist with his fingertips. “Kenna? What is it?”
“Why did you do that?”
Rhys resisted asking whatthatwas. “All of you is beautiful,” he said simply. He lowered his head and kissed her mouth with infinite gentleness. “But until you believe me I will go carefully.” He kissed her again, this time with more pressure and felt her respond to his insistence, Kenna suddenly felt very foolish. She kissed him hard while her palms smoothed the corded muscles of his back. One of her hands slipped between their bodies and sought Rhys’s arousal. Rhys required no further encouragement, whispering her name huskily as he thrust into her.
Kenna gasped at the force of his entry and quieted as Rhys stilled, letting her feel the fullness of him inside her. He whispered half-formed words against her skin that made her feel peculiarly alive and desirable. In turn she gave sound to the thoughts that trembled on her lips. When he began to move she moved with him, letting her hands glide over his back until she clutched at his shoulders when a torrent of sensation washed over her. Rhys’s thrusts quickened as Kenna lost herself in the purity of pleasure. He tensed above her, gritting her name as he found release.
Kenna touched her mouth to the sheen of perspiration glistening on Rhys’s shoulder. Their breathing grew quiet together as Kenna was drawn close to the contours of his body. They fell asleep, neither missing the pillow that had slid to the floor beside their clothes.
Chapter 7
When Kenna woke it was midmorning. Rhys was no longer beside her and she rose from the bed somewhat self-consciously, bemused that she could have slept so soundly while he prepared to leave the cabin. Memories of being loved by Rhys folded in upon her. Kenna picked up the pillow and hugged it to her breast, burying her smile in its softness. Everything was going to be all right between them. She would not make him regret his decision to marry her.
Kenna washed and dressed hurriedly, anxious to go on deck and see Rhys. Her hair was still damp at her nape and temples when she stepped topside and the cool ocean breeze ruffled it dry. Rhys was standing at the wheel with Captain Johnson. They were watching the man at the helm of theCarasea.She suddenly felt shy as Rhys turned when Johnson greeted her, but the welcoming smile that touched his eyes propelled her forward. She took his outstretched hand and allowed herself to be drawn close beside him. One of his arms fell protectively across her shoulders.
“Good morning, sprite,” Rhys said softly.
