She should tell him again and again. In doing so, he would have to repeat the words, since she knew they were what he felt. Why else would he say these things to her and kiss her with wild abandonment? Why would he care about her so much to want to protect her? Indeed, he would tell her how much he loved her.
“Nash…” Her heartbeat grew faster, and the words were on the tip of her tongue. She had been hurt by him so many times. If he didn’t return her love, it would shatter her.
He lifted his head, looking into her eyes. Passion was written all over his face, and she smiled.
“Please, Nash…”
“Please what?”
“Don’t stop. Ever.”
As he captured her mouth again, she realized the words weren’t exactly what she had wanted to say. Close, but not good enough. All she knew was that kissing this man made her mind turn to mush, and her limbs feel like cooked noodles. Thankfully, his strong arms held her up, or she would have melted to the floor by now.
He tilted his head, and the kiss turned wild and passionate. His hands wandered over her back, not seeming satisfied to rest in one spot. Although she loved touching his chest, she found that wrapping her arms around his neck pulled them closer, and that was just as exciting.
But as much as she didn’t want to stop their exquisite moment, she must tell him again. She must make him confess his feelings.
Reluctantly, she broke the kiss and looked up into his beautiful chocolate eyes, mentally preparing the words she would say.
Smiling, he gently rubbed her cheek. “You have made me very happy.”
“Are you as happy as I am?”
His smile stretched. “Perhaps more so.” He kissed her nose. “Kissing you fulfills me more than I could ever imagine.”
He was almost ready to confess. She just knew it. “I feel the same.”
He brushed his mouth against hers, but briefly this time. “I promise, my sweet Maxey, that wewillsee each other again after all of this is over. I will move heaven and earth to hold you again.” He stepped back and pointed to her satchel. “But I fear the captain’s cabin boy will be here shortly. You must get in your disguise.”
She lost her breath. They had shared something so passionate, only to have it shatter all around her.
Grumbling under her breath, she wanted to hit him, or scream at him, or…just cry. Perhaps telling him she loved him again wasn’t the best thing to do. Obviously, he still planned on sending her home no matter what.
*
“I look absolutelyridiculous,” Maxey growled as she stared at herself in the vanity mirror. Her hair was pulled tight against her scalp and stuffed in a man’s sea cap. The baggy gray coat hid her womanly figure, but she still didn’t think she resembled a cabin boy. Nash finished lacing up her heavy boots, another unflattering item she had to wear to hide her identity.
He stood and smiled. “You will pass. If my uncle’s men are watching, all they will see is a small lad.”
She glanced at Captain Bushwell’s cabin boy, who stood against the wall, waiting for her. “I thank you for giving me these clothes,” she told him.
He nodded.
“How are you going to get back to the cabin?”
“I’ll sneak in the back way. The captain will be here in a moment to come walk you to the ship.”
She nodded too, then turned her attention to Nash. Emotion had been lodged in her throat since their heady kiss not too long ago. Nash hadn’t said any words of love, and he still acted as if he couldn’t wait for her to leave. Apparently, her confession hadn’t stirred anything within him. She had once thought him to be a caring man, but now she realized he was as cold as ice.
“Well, I suppose this is it,” she said in a near-whisper.
Nash frowned. “It is.”
“Will we ever see each other again?” she asked with a catch in her throat.
“I will live through this, and after it is over, I will come to Wentworth Manor to find you.” He drew her into his embrace and kissed her forehead. “After all of what we have shared, do you think I will let you out of my life so easily, my sweet?” His voice was rough with emotion.
Her heart hammered as she clung to him. “Nash,” she said softly, tears brimming in her eyes, “you had better not be lying to me.”
