“Really?”
He seemed genuinely surprised by her answer, which made her realize that he now associated that shiver he’d witnessed with himself. And since it was too late to correct her denial, she blushed.
She glanced toward Margery for help or at least a distraction, but the late hour, or the drink, had proven too much for her. She was fast asleep. So Gabrielle tried to wash her embarrassment away with a gulp of port and ended up downing the entire glass. Well, that helped indeed. It no longer felt like she was blushing and, in fact, it seemed silly now that she’d blushed at all.
Her giggle told him the same thing…Oh, good grief, she’d just giggled. Shenevergiggled. She found that funny and did it again.
“Not used to port?” he guessed aloud.
“No, rum is more my cup of tea.”
“Teetotaler you mean, don’t you?” he teased with a warm grin.
“Yes. I mean no.” She sighed, shaking her head. “Don’t try to confuse me. I’m used to strong spirits, really. Just in moderation.”
He ran a finger gently along her cheek. “You’ve softened, Gabby. I noticed it immediately last night. But today, God, that was nice, wasn’t it? Dare I hope you’ve given my suggestion some thought?”
“What suggestion would that be?”
He leaned closer, and still his voice was soft, almost a whisper. “Do I really need to repeat it?”
As if she could forget that remark that had plagued her thoughts ever since he uttered it. But that was a temptation she had to resist. It would come to her in a momentwhyshe had to resist. The port was muddling her…Oh, yes, she wanted him thinking about marriage, not just bedding her.
“You do know I’m notreallya pir—”
She’d turned her face toward his to explain, but it wasn’t a good time to do that. He was still too close. And it ended up appearing as if she’d brushed her lips against his deliberately, when that wasn’t the case at all. But he was quick to take advantage of the accident, pressing his mouth more firmly to hers. And she was quick to lose herself in the moment.
Had she really thought that the passion that had flared between them today had been because of the circumstances that led up to it? No indeed. Those same passionate feelings were present again now and so swiftly! It was them. It happened the moment their lips touched.
His arm went around her neck, cradling her head against his shoulder, as his lips moved possessively over hers. Her hand came up to cup his cheek. And when his tongue slipped into her mouth, her fingers moved up into his hair, gripping the soft locks as if she were afraid he was going to stop.
He did stop, but only to change direction as his lips slashed across her cheek and down her neck. She gasped. Shivers raced across her flesh as he sucked on that sensitive area. She felt pressure on her breasts at the same time and realized he was touching her there…
He shouldn’t be. She had to tell him. She started to, but got no farther than opening her mouth before another gasp escaped her when her nipples puckered beneath his palm. She felt so much heat, from him, from herself. And that tingling in her breasts seemed to travel straight down between her legs.
“I knew you were a pirate,” he said just before his tongue delved into her ear, causing her arms to go around his neck so she could embrace him, encourage him. “God, Gabby! Why did you try to hide this wild nature of yours beneath that ladylike facade? I love it! You want me as much as I want you, don’t you?”
She was close to moaning. She couldn’t think. The sensations coursing through her were overwhelming every one of her senses. She could see his dark eyes glinting with desire, she heard the sounds of satisfaction he was making deep in his throat, she inhaled his heady masculine scent. She tasted him with every kiss, and the way he was touching her, caressing her felt so good she wished he’d never stop. When she couldn’t help but moan with pleasure, his mouth came quickly back to hers for the deepest kiss yet. Oh, God. How could she feel so many different sensations all at once?
All her good intentions, all her hopes, had gone right out the door, she was so entranced by Drew’s skilled seduction. She didn’t have the will to stop him, didn’t want to, couldn’t even muster a token protest.
So it was a blessing in disguise to hear Boyd complain, “Here now, none of that. Or are your intentions honorable, brother?”
Drew leaned back slightly, enough to break the contact, but then, as if he couldn’t resist, he gave her one more kiss, his lips lingering deliciously on hers before he turned to snarl at his brother, “Shouldn’t you be minding your own damned business?”
“Shouldn’t you be keeping your hands to yourself?” Boyd countered with a snarl of his own. “And thisismy business. The girl is here to acquire a husband. So are you suddenly eligible?”
Gabrielle’s embarrassment to have been caught in such a torrid embrace was acute. And sobering. She would have liked to hear the answer to Boyd’s question as well, but on second thought decided she better not. A no from Drew right now might force her to strike his name from her list, whereas not knowing either way, she could at least continue her campaign to get to know him better.
So she stood up abruptly before he could speak. Margery, disoriented, had already done the same, Boyd’s raised voice having awakened her.
“Don’t you young bucks ever sleep?” the older woman said in a disagreeable tone, then yawned widely as she came over to collect Gabrielle.
“Yes, Margery and I are late for bed,” Gabrielle agreed. “I should have no trouble sleeping now, after that nice glass of port. Good night, gentlemen.”
She lagged behind Margery and wasn’t quite to the stairs when she heard Boyd say accusingly, “Getting her drunk to seduce her? That’s pretty damned low.”
“You’re kidding, right? That’s standard procedure you employ as well, so don’t be a blasted hypocrite.”
