She grumbled and pulled away from him. How dare he mention her faults? She would show him that she could be more than a mere servant. Perhaps her calling should have been as an investigator and not a governess.
Chuckling, he pulled her back into his arms. “Do you know what your problem is?”
“Myproblem? I didn’t realizeIhad the problem. I believe you are the one with issues.”
“Maxey, you are so stubborn and cannot see past the end of your cute little nose.” He touched his finger to the tip. “We are going to have many conflicts, and until you realize I am your trusted protector, I will always keep my eyes on you to make certain you do not get yourself in trouble.”
“But—”
His lips swooped down and landed on hers. Gently, he kissed her, pulling her closer. Heat spread through her, just as it always did while she was in his arms.
Lifting her hands to link them around his neck, she melted against him, but just as she relaxed, he pulled away. His eyes twinkled as a grin touched his mouth.
“Maxey, you are nearly ready to accept me. If only you can learn to trust what your heart is telling you.” He turned and walked out the door.
Her shoulders sagged, and she chided herself for the weakness he held over her. The man could play her like a harp, because every time he caressed her, she sang for him.
Breathing deeply, she sat on the edge of the bed and pulled the pins from her hair. Her hands froze.Oh no!She had left one in Raúl’s room. Now she prayed he didn’t discover it…or she would be in a lot of trouble.
*
Maxey stood atthe helm of the ship. The smooth wood of the wheel rubbed against her palms as she stared straight ahead. Warm wind blew in her hair, and a stray lock brushed her cheek. Once in a while water from the ocean splashed against the side of the ship and touched her skin, making her blink.
Her thoughts were not on the tour Captain Bushwell gave, and she couldn’t stop thinking about last night with Nash and Raúl. She wanted desperately to find something. To prove to Nash—and herself—she had an investigator’s natural instincts. She didn’t dare tell Nash about her hairpin, though.
The idea of creeping into Raúl’s room had surprised her. She really hadn’t known if she was brave enough. Thankfully, she had started to think like an investigator and take chances.
Nash was a great performer and had played the role of an older, overprotective relative perfectly. Sometimes his eyes smoldered when he looked upon her, and his touch was like a whispered caress. Since she had instructed him to stop seducing her, she should be very upset over this, but instead, she found her heart softening the longer she watched him.
She hadn’t had the opportunity to ask Raúl if he knew Matthew so far today. She couldn’t even begin her questions because Nash controlled the conversation the whole time. Thankfully, Raúl hadn’t said anything about her hairpin, either. She prayed he hadn’t found it.
As she rubbed her palm against the wheel, she barely registered that Raúl and Captain Bushwell stood not far off to her side. Not when Nash’s aura overpowered every other sensation on today’s tour given by the good captain.
Directly behind her, Nash explained certain navigation laws. His knowledge on the subject impressed her, and it seemed as though he had become the tour guide. Maxey waited for Captain Bushwell to intercede, but his silence indicated that he, too, was amazed at the vast information Nash shared.
“Leeway is measured by the angle of the course steered and the direction through the water,” Nash said.
His breath teased her ear, his deep voice stirring tingles on her skin.
“If the wind hits from the left,” he continued, “the ship will move to the right of the course and vice versa. Understand?”
Trying to focus on the ocean, she shivered from his closeness. His baritone voice mesmerized her, and she couldn’t resist turning to look over her shoulder, lifting her face to his. “Yes.”
“You are an apt student.” He smiled.
“How do you know so much?” she asked.
He chuckled. “While at war, I made friends with some sailors. They shared many adventures with me.”
His body was so close that she wanted to lean against him. But propriety stopped her. If she maintained the appearance of his niece, she couldn’t act like a love-struck girl.
While he rambled on about navigation and the sea, she listened, but the words didn’t register in her mind. His hypnotic voice had her under his spell. Training her eyes on his lips, she fought the feelings her body had experienced during those times they had kissed.
“The drift of any current is uncertain, at best,” he said. “A navigator must take special precautions to prevent any accidents. First and foremost, he must protect his passengers.” Nash looked at Captain Bushwell. “Is that not correct, captain?”
The portly older fellow chuckled. “You are doing just fine, Mr. Black. I couldn’t have said it better myself.”
She wanted to ignore everyone else and drift into Nash’s arms and let the current of love wash her away. Nash looked into Maxey’s eyes, and her knees wilted from his intoxicating chocolate gaze. His assured grin even made her heart skip. Of course, she should be used to this by now, but today it seemed that she couldn’t control her thoughts or her reactions. Perhaps she had grown weary of fighting her feelings.
