“Nash, please.” She squirmed, trying to extricate herself from his grip. But he wouldn’t let her go. He hurried below deck and to their room, closing the door behind them.
“Stop this insanity at once,” she hissed, pulling away. “I will not let you do this.”
Nash stalked toward her, and she retreated. He must be insane, because all he wanted to do was take her in his arms and drug her with passionate kisses. But he also knew that if she told him no, he would stop. He had never forced a woman to love him.
“Maxey,” he whispered. “Do not think of it merely as a physical encounter, but as making love instead. We will be sharing not only our bodies, but our souls.”
The wall stopped her from retreating further, and she gasped, searching for escape, but he closed in on her. He pinned her against the wall and stared into her wide eyes.
He stroked her chin, then brushed his fingers over her hair, pulling out the blue ribbon holding the bulk of her blondish-brown mass together. Waves cascaded over her shoulder, and he threaded his fingers through her glorious tresses.
“Oh, Maxey,” he said, huskier this time. A different kind of craving took over his body, and he gave it free rein. “You are so beautiful, so desirable.”
She pressed her hands against his chest. “Nash, please.”
Her breaths came quickly, just as his. The fast rise and fall of her chest showed her excitement. He took one of her hands and brought it to his mouth.
“I think of nothing else during the day but taking you in my arms and loving you.”
“Nash.” Her voice softened.
She was on the verge of giving in, he could tell.
Nash turned her hand over and kissed her palm, slowly and tenderly. When he looked into her eyes, those grayish-blue flecks blazed with passion’s fire. He took her hands and placed them back on his chest.
“Tell me, my sweet Maxey.” Over the erratic beat of his heart, he flattened her hand. “Do you feel that? Can you tell what your nearness does to me?”
“Nash—” she said, her lids lowered to half-mast, focusing on his lips.
This woman excited him more than any other, and once again, he couldn’t resist her. He placed his mouth over hers, and she opened for him. A sigh released from her throat before she returned the kiss. Although anxiety rushed through him, he also wanted to take it slow. If things happened the way he wanted, he didn’t want to rush anything. Instead, he would let her take the lead.
Keeping his mouth pressed to hers, he shrugged out of his jacket, hurriedly removed his neckcloth, and loosened his shirt. He broke the kiss, but only to remove his shirt. Her attention dipped to his chest. Excitement surged through him.
He took her hands and placed them back on his chest before he kissed her. Soft, delicate hands moved slowly over his muscles, and it was all he could do to stay in control. Her innocent touch created havoc to his mind. This had never happened to him before.
Soon, her palms slid up as she linked her arms around his neck. He tightened her in his embrace, pulling her closer. He kissed her in ways that he had wanted to for so long, and so far, she had yet to stop him.
That was encouraging.
Maxey’s body had weakened, which allowed him to lift her and carry her to the bed, ensuring not to break the kiss in the process. As she gently laid her on the mattress, he followed her down and nestled beside her.
She threaded her fingers through his hair, and he sighed headily. He couldn’t recall when he had enjoyed a woman’s touch so much. He also couldn’t remember when he loved kissing a woman as much as he did this one.
Just as he allowed his heart to sing with victory, she broke the kiss. Passion played on her expression as she moved her hand down his face to his goatee.
“Nash, you’ve been very gentle and attentive since we have first met, making me feel things I’ve never experienced before. But…” She rolled her head to the side, staring at the wall.
“What is it, my sweet?” He cupped her face and brought her beautiful gaze back to him.
“I’m still afraid.”
“Of what?”
“That I’ll…fall in love with you.”
He chuckled. “What is wrong with that?”
She licked her lips. “After this is all over, you will leave me. You are the son of a nobleman, and I am a servant. Our worlds do not mix.”
